Shirdi Sai Chalisa
श्री साईं चालीसा
Forty-verse Hindi hymn to the 19th-century fakir-saint of Shirdi who answered to both Hindu and Muslim devotees, lived in a crumbling mosque he named Dwarkamai, kept a perpetual sacred fire (dhuni) burning, and whose ash (udi) is given as prasad to this day. The chalisa retells his miracles — lighting lamps with water, curing leprosy, materialising rupees from thin air — and his eleven assurances that whoever steps on Shirdi soil suffers no sorrow.
Significance
The most-recited non-traditional chalisa across modern India and the diaspora, equally popular with Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs and Parsis because Baba transcended sectarian boundaries. Recited at every Sai Sansthan Trust temple worldwide, before exams, surgeries, court cases and journeys. The Thursday evening Dhoop Aarti at Shirdi includes a community chalisa-parayan that draws ten thousand devotees on an ordinary week.
When recited: Thursdays (Sai Baba's day), Guru Purnima, Vijayadashami (Baba's mahasamadhi), Ram Navami (Shirdi triple-festival), daily morning after lighting an oil lamp before Sai's portrait
Benefits
- Removes obstacles in court cases, exams and bureaucratic dealings
- Heals chronic illness — Baba is invoked alongside medical treatment
- Brings financial stability, especially during job loss or business crisis
- Protects on journeys, particularly by road and rail
- Activates Baba's eleven assurances of refuge for those who turn to him
Opening verses
First 6 verses of the Shirdi Sai Chalisa — the most-recited opening section.
जय जय श्री साईं देवा, करूँ चालीसा सेवा।
द्वारकामाई में बसते, दीन दुखी का दुख हरते।
धूनी जलाकर अमर रखी, उदी से रोग हरे झटपट।
राम कहो रहमान कहो, सबका मालिक एक यही।
गुरुवार व्रत जो करे, साईं कृपा सदा रहे।
श्रद्धा सबूरी दो वचन, पावन हो जीवन तन मन।
Meaning
Victory, victory to Shri Sai Deva — I offer this chalisa as service. You dwell in Dwarkamai, removing the sorrow of the poor and afflicted. You kept the dhuni burning eternally; with your sacred ash you cure disease in an instant. Whether one calls you Ram or Rahman, you taught that the master of all is one. Whoever observes the Thursday vow receives Sai's grace forever. Shraddha and Saburi — faith and patience — these two words from you make pure all of life, body and mind.
For complete authoritative text
Refer to printed editions from these sources for the full 40-verse chalisa with traditional pronunciation guides: