Krishna Chalisa
कृष्ण चालीसा
40-verse hymn to Lord Krishna covering his birth at Mathura, childhood leelas in Vrindavan, slaying of demons (Putana, Kaliya, Kamsa), the Bhagavad Gita discourse at Kurukshetra, and his role as the eighth avatar of Vishnu. Sung at every Krishna temple during Janmashtami midnight aarti.
Significance
Frees the devotee from the eight kinds of bondage (ashta-bandhan) and grants worldly happiness alongside the path of bhakti. Particularly powerful when recited 11 times during Krishna Janmashtami fast or before a major decision concerning love, marriage, or career change.
When recited: Janmashtami, Krishna Paksha Ashtami, Thursdays, daily for Braj devotees
Benefits
- Resolves disputes in love and marriage
- Removes fear of enemies and litigation (per Bhagavad Gita 18.66)
- Grants peace of mind and clarity in confusion
- Believed to bring children to childless couples (per Putradayaka Krishna tradition)
- Aids in the cultivation of bhakti and surrender
Opening verses
First 6 verses of the Krishna Chalisa — the most-recited opening section.
श्री गणेशाय नमः। श्री राधा-कृष्णाय नमः॥
बंशी शोभित कर मधुर, नील जलज तनु श्याम।
अरुण अधर जनु बिम्बफल, नयन कमल अभिराम॥
पूर्ण इन्द्र, अरविन्द मुख, पीताम्बर शुभ साज।
जय मनमोहन मदन छवि, कृष्णचन्द्र महाराज॥
जय यदुनन्दन जय जगवन्दन। जय वसुदेव देवकी नन्दन॥
Meaning
Salutations to Ganesha. Salutations to Radha-Krishna. Holding the sweet flute in his hand, dark-bodied like the blue lotus. Lips ruddy like the bimba fruit, eyes lovely as lotuses. Face like a full moon and lotus, adorned with yellow pitambar. Glory to Manmohan, charming as Madana (Cupid) — Krishna Chandra Maharaj. Glory to the Yadu-prince, glory to the one worshipped by the world, glory to the son of Vasudeva and Devaki.
For complete authoritative text
Refer to printed editions from these sources for the full 40-verse chalisa with traditional pronunciation guides: