The Krishna Chalisa celebrates Lord Krishna through the tenderness of childhood, the music of the flute, the protection of devotees, and the wisdom of the divine guide. Joy and moral seriousness remain close together throughout the prayer.
This page presents the Hindi source lyrics in simple Roman script and offers an English explanation that connects its familiar names and stories without flattening them into a literal translation.
Quick Facts
Krishna Chalisa Lyrics in English
Read the complete source-linked devotional sequence in simple Roman script.
Opening Doha
Banshi shobhit kar madhur, nil jalad tan shyam
Arun adhar janu bimba phal, nayan kamal abhiram
Purn indr, aravind mukh, pitambar shubh saj
Jay manamohan madan chhavi, krishnachandr maharaj
Krishna Chalisa
Jay yadunandan jay jagavandan jay vasudev devaki nandan
Jay yashuda sut nand dulare jay prabhu bhaktan ke drig tare
Jay nat-nagar nag nathaiya krishn kanhaiya dhenu charaiya
Puni nakh par prabhu girivar dharo ao dinan kasht nivaro
Vanshi madhur adhar dhari teri hove purn manorath mero
Ao hari puni makhan chakho aj laj bharat ki rakho
Gol kapol, chibuk arunare mridu muskan mohini dare
Ranjit rajiv nayan vishala mor mukut vaijayanti mala
Kundal shravan pitapat achhe kati kinkani kachhan kachhe
Nil jalaj sundar tanu sohe chhavi lakhi, sur nar muniman mohe
Mastak tilak, alak ghungharale ao krishn bansuri vale
Kari pay pan, putanahi tarayo aka baka kagasur marayo
Madhuvan jalat agni jab jvala bhai shital, lakhitahin nandalala
Surapati jab braj chadhayo risai masur dhar vari varshai
Lagat-lagat braj chahan bahayo govardhan nakhadhari bachayo
Lakhi yasuda man bhram adhikai mukh mahan chaudah bhuvan dikhai
Dusht kans ati udham machayo koti kamal jab phul mangayo
Nathi kaliyahin tab tum linhen charanachinh dai nirbhay kinhen
Kari gopin sang ras vilasa sabaki puran kari abhilasha
Ketik maha asur sanharayo kansahi kes pakadi dai marayo
Mat-pita ki bandi chhudai ugrasen kahan raj dilai
Mahi se mritak chhahon sut layo matu devaki shok mitayo
Bhaumasur mur daity sanhari laye shat dash sahasakumari
Dai bhinhin trin chir sahara jarasindhu rakshas kahan mara
Asur bakasur adik marayo bhaktan ke tab kasht nivariyo
Din sudama ke duhkh tarayo tandul tin munth mukh darayo
Prem ke sag vidur ghar mange duryodhan ke meva tyage
Lakhi prem ki mahima bhari aise shyam din hitakari
Bharat ke parath rath hanke lie chakr kar nahin bal take
Nij gita ke jnyan sunaye bhaktan hraday sudha varshaye
Mira thi aisi matavali vish pi gai bajakar tali
Rana bheja sanp pitari shaligram bane banavari
Nij maya tum vidhihin dikhayo ur te sanshay sakal mitayo
Tab shat ninda kari tatkala jivan mukt bhayo shishupala
Jabahin draupadi ter lagai dinanath laj ab jai
Turatahin vasan bane nandalala badhe chir bhai ari munh kala
As nath ke nath kanhaiya dubat bhanvar bachavat naiya
Sundaradas as ur dhari dayadrishti kijai banavari
Nath sakal mam kumati nivaro kshamahu begi aparadh hamaro
Kholo pat ab darshan dijai bolo krishn kanhaiya ki jai
Closing Doha
Yah chalisa krishn ka, path karai ur dhari
Asht siddhi navanidhi phal, lahai padarath chari
Krishna Chalisa Meaning in English
Opening Doha Meaning
Krishna’s flute rests sweetly in his hand; his rain-cloud-dark body, red lips, and lotus eyes form an enchanting vision.
His face is full like the moon and radiant like a lotus, and his yellow robe is beautifully arranged; victory to King Krishnachandra, whose beauty captivates the mind.
Chalisa Meaning
Victory to the joy of the Yadu family and the one worshipped by the world, the son of Vasudeva and Devaki.
Victory to Yashoda’s beloved child, Nanda’s darling, and the Lord who is the very light of his devotees’ eyes.
Victory to the graceful dancer, subduer of Kaliya, cowherd Krishna, and beloved Kanhaiya.
Come again, Lord who held the mountain upon a fingernail, and remove the suffering of the helpless.
Hold the sweet flute to your lips, so that the devotee’s heartfelt purpose may be fulfilled.
Come, Hari, taste the butter once more, and now protect the honor of Bharat’s land and people.
His rounded cheeks and reddish chin shine, while a gentle smile casts an irresistible charm.
His large lotus eyes glow beneath a peacock-feather crown and a Vaijayanti garland.
Earrings adorn his ears, a yellow garment covers him, and tiny bells sound at his waist.
His beautiful dark-blue form is so radiant that gods, people, and sages are captivated by the sight.
A tilak marks his forehead beneath curling locks; the devotee calls the flute-bearing Krishna to appear.
He drank Putana’s poisoned milk yet liberated her, and he defeated Agha, Baka, and Kagasura.
When fire blazed through Madhuvan, Nandalala made it cool the moment he beheld it.
When Indra angrily attacked Braj, he sent torrential rain from immense clouds.
As Braj was about to be swept away, Krishna lifted Govardhan on his nail and saved everyone.
Seeing Yashoda’s growing wonder, he revealed all fourteen worlds within his mouth.
The wicked Kansa caused relentless trouble and demanded an impossible multitude of lotuses.
Krishna subdued Kaliya, placed the marks of his feet upon him, and released him without fear.
He shared the rasa dance with the gopis and fulfilled each one’s loving spiritual longing.
He destroyed many great demons and finally seized Kansa by the hair and struck him down.
He freed his parents from imprisonment and restored the kingdom to Ugrasena.
He brought back six sons who had died, removing Mother Devaki’s long grief.
After defeating Bhaumasura and Mura, he rescued sixteen thousand captive princesses.
He gave the rescued women protection and dignity, and the hymn also remembers the defeat of Jarasandha.
By destroying Baka and other demons, Krishna repeatedly removed the hardships faced by his devotees.
He ended poor Sudama’s suffering after accepting three simple handfuls of rice offered with love.
He requested humble greens in Vidura’s home but rejected the rich delicacies offered by Duryodhana.
This reveals the immense value of sincere love and Krishna’s special care for the humble.
He drove Arjuna’s chariot in the Mahabharata and took up the discus when devotion called, disregarding his own display of force.
He shared the wisdom of his Gita and poured the nectar of insight into the hearts of devotees.
Mirabai’s love was so fearless that she drank the offered poison while joyfully keeping faith.
When the Rana sent a basket containing a snake, Krishna transformed the danger into a sacred Shaligram.
He revealed his divine maya even to Brahma and removed every doubt from the creator’s heart.
When Shishupala completed his repeated insults, Krishna ended his life and granted him liberation.
As Draupadi cried to the Lord of the helpless to preserve her honor, he immediately heard her appeal.
Nandalala made her garment endless, frustrating those who tried to disgrace her.
Kanhaiya is Lord even of lords, the rescuer who saves a sinking boat from a dangerous whirlpool.
Sundardas holds this faith in his heart and asks Banavari to look upon him with compassion.
The devotee asks the Lord to remove all wrong understanding and quickly forgive every offence.
At last he asks Krishna to open the veil and grant his vision, ending with a cry of victory to Kanhaiya.
Closing Doha Meaning
The closing says that one who reads this Krishna Chalisa with heartfelt attention receives the eight attainments, the nine treasures, and the four worthy aims of life.
Krishna Chalisa: Background from Vraja to the Gita
Krishna devotion holds together several beloved relationships: child and parent, friend and companion, protector and community, beloved and devotee, teacher and student. The Chalisa draws energy from this wide field of memory.
Its compact verses evoke stories rather than narrating every detail. Readers may recognize Vraja, Govardhan, Kansa, the flute, or the guidance given in the Mahabharata tradition.
Main Themes in the Krishna Chalisa
Divine play makes joy spiritually meaningful; wonder and affection can open the heart to devotion.
Protection is communal. Krishna’s strength repeatedly serves people, animals, friends, and those endangered by oppressive power.
Wisdom turns love into responsible action. The prayer’s sweetness does not erase the need for courage and discernment.
How to Read the Krishna Chalisa
Allow the names and story references to unfold at an unhurried pace. A familiar tune may be used, but plain spoken recitation is equally suitable.
Janmashtami is a prominent occasion for Krishna devotion. On any day, reading the meaning after the lyrics can help connect the joyful imagery with ethical and contemplative themes.
Frequently Asked Questions
The hymn draws on several forms and relationships, including the child of Vraja, flute player, protector, beloved Lord, and wise guide.
It commonly evokes Krishna’s irresistible call and the attentive, loving response of the devotee.
Yes. It recalls traditions in which Krishna confronts danger and protects the community around him.
It may be read on any day, with Janmashtami and Krishna-centered observances being especially common occasions.
Read a few Roman stanzas at a time and then consult the grouped meaning to understand the larger movement of the hymn.
