Mansa Devi Chalisa
मनसा देवी चालीसा
40-verse hymn to Goddess Mansa Devi — the serpent goddess of Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, and Assam, daughter of Shiva from Mansa (the mind itself — hence "Mansa"), sister of Vasuki the king of serpents, mother of the sage Astika who saved the serpent race from Janamejaya's sarpa-yajna. The Chalisa describes her one-eyed form (the other eye burnt by her step-mother Chandi) seated on a lotus surrounded by serpents, holding a snake-canopy above her head, with her vahana Hamsa (swan) at her feet.
Significance
The supreme protective hymn against snake-related fears, snake-bite, infectious diseases (especially smallpox-cholera which were traditionally attributed to her wrath), and granting of children to barren couples. Mansa Devi temples at Haridwar (one of the Panch Tirth of Haridwar atop Bilwa Parvat), Bansberia (Hooghly), Manasa (Madhya Pradesh), and at thousands of village shrines across eastern India worship her with this Chalisa. The Manasa-mangal Kavya tradition makes her the central deity of Bengali folk Hinduism — the story of merchant Chand Sadagar (who refused her worship and lost 7 sons and 14 ships before yielding) is universally known in Bengal.
When recited: Nag Panchami (Shravan Shukla Panchami), every Shravan Monday, the 5 days of Mansa Puja in Bengal (Bhadra Sankranti and the 4 preceding days), during snake-related fears or after snake-bite incidents, for protection of children from poisoning and infectious diseases
Benefits
- Protection from snake-bite and snake-related fears (especially for children playing outdoors)
- Remedy for Kala Sarpa dosha and Sarpa-shap in horoscope
- Removal of infectious diseases — particularly during epidemic outbreaks
- Granting of children to barren couples (Mansa is invoked for putra-prapti)
- Protection of merchants and traders during sea voyages and long journeys
- Removal of mental anxieties (she is "Mansa" — the goddess of the mind itself)
Opening verses
First 6 verses of the Mansa Devi Chalisa — the most-recited opening section.
जय मनसा देवी सर्प कुमारी, शिव की कन्या कष्ट हरारी॥
वासुकि की भगिनी कहलाई, आस्तिक मुनि की माता बनाई॥
पद्मासन पर तुम विराजे, सर्पों का छत्र शिर पर साजे॥
नाग पञ्चमी के दिन तुम पूजे, दूध केसर लड्डू सब चढ़े॥
चाँद सौदागर भी झुक गया, सात पुत्र खो कर भक्त बन गया॥
जो नर श्रद्धा से नित गाये, सर्प भय रोग सब टल जाये॥
Meaning
Victory to Mansa Devi, the serpent-maiden, daughter of Shiva, destroyer of suffering. You are known as the sister of Vasuki and mother of sage Astika. You are seated on a lotus throne, with a canopy of serpents adorning your head. On Nag Panchami day devotees worship you, offering milk, saffron, and laddoos. Even the merchant Chand Sadagar bowed before you — after losing seven sons he became a devotee. Whoever recites with faith daily — fear of snakes and disease all are dispelled. The foundational hymn of Bengali folk Hinduism, recited on Nag Panchami, all 5 days of the annual Mansa Puja in Bengal, and at every village Mansa shrine across eastern India. The most authoritative remedy for snake-bite, Kala Sarpa dosha, and infectious disease across the eastern Indian devotional tradition.
For complete authoritative text
Refer to printed editions from these sources for the full 40-verse chalisa with traditional pronunciation guides: