Original text
॥ दोहा ॥ श्री गुरु चरण चितलाय, के धरें ध्यान हनुमान। बालाजी चालीसा लिखे, दास स्नेही कल्याण॥ विश्व विदित वर दानी, संकट हरण हनुमान। मैंहदीपुर में प्रगट भये, बालाजी भगवान॥ ॥ चौपाई ॥ जय हनुमान बालाजी देवा । प्रगट भये यहां तीनों देवा ॥1॥ प्रेतराज भैरव बलवाना । कोतवाल कप्तानी हनुमाना ॥2॥ मैंहदीपुर अवतार लिया है । भक्तों का उध्दार किया है ॥3॥ बालरूप प्रगटे हैं यहां पर । संकट वाले आते जहाँ पर ॥4॥ डाकनि शाकनि अरु जिन्दनीं । मशान चुड़ैल भूत भूतनीं ॥5॥ जाके भय ते सब भाग जाते । स्याने भोपे यहाँ घबराते ॥6॥ चौकी बन्धन सब कट जाते । दूत मिले आनन्द मनाते ॥7॥ सच्चा है दरबार तिहारा । शरण पड़े सुख पावे भारा ॥8॥ रूप तेज बल अतुलित धामा । सन्मुख जिनके सिय रामा ॥9॥ कनक मुकुट मणि तेज प्रकाशा । सबकी होवत पूर्ण आशा ॥10॥ महन्त गणेशपुरी गुणीले । भये सुसेवक राम रंगीले ॥11॥ अद्भुत कला दिखाई कैसी । कलयुग ज्योति जलाई जैसी ॥12॥ ऊँची ध्वजा पताका नभ में । स्वर्ण कलश हैं उन्नत जग में ॥13॥ धर्म सत्य का डंका बाजे । सियाराम जय शंकर राजे ॥14॥ आन फिराया मुगदर घोटा । भूत जिन्द पर पड़ते सोटा ॥15॥ राम लक्ष्मन सिय ह्रदय कल्याणा । बाल रूप प्रगटे हनुमाना ॥16॥ जय हनुमन्त हठीले देवा । पुरी परिवार करत हैं सेवा ॥17॥ लड्डू चूरमा मिश्री मेवा । अर्जी दरखास्त लगाऊ देवा ॥18॥ दया करे सब विधि बालाजी । संकट हरण प्रगटे बालाजी ॥19॥ जय बाबा की जन जन ऊचारे । कोटिक जन तेरे आये द्वारे ॥20॥ बाल समय रवि भक्षहि लीन्हा । तिमिर मय जग कीन्हो तीन्हा ॥21॥ देवन विनती की अति भारी । छाँड़ दियो रवि कष्ट निहारी ॥22॥ लांघि उदधि सिया सुधि लाये । लक्ष्मन हित संजीवन लाये ॥23॥ रामानुज प्राण दिवाकर । शंकर सुवन माँ अंजनी चाकर ॥24॥ केशरी नन्दन दुख भव भंजन । रामानन्द सदा सुख सन्दन ॥25॥ सिया राम के प्राण पियारे । जब बाबा की भक्त ऊचारे ॥26॥ संकट दुख भंजन भगवाना । दया करहु हे कृपा निधाना ॥27॥ सुमर बाल रूप कल्याणा । करे मनोरथ पूर्ण कामा ॥28॥ अष्ट सिद्धि नव निधि दातारी । भक्त जन आवे बहु भारी ॥29॥ मेवा अरु मिष्ठान प्रवीना । भैंट चढ़ावें धनि अरु दीना ॥30॥ नृत्य करे नित न्यारे न्यारे । रिद्धि सिद्धियां जाके द्वारे ॥31॥ अर्जी का आदेश मिलते ही । भैरव भूत पकड़ते तबही ॥32॥ कोतवाल कप्तान कृपाणी । प्रेतराज संकट कल्याणी ॥33॥ चौकी बन्धन कटते भाई । जो जन करते हैं सेवकाई ॥34॥ रामदास बाल भगवन्ता । मैंहदीपुर प्रगटे हनुमन्ता ॥35॥ जो जन बालाजी में आते । जन्म जन्म के पाप नशाते ॥36॥ जल पावन लेकर घर जाते । निर्मल हो आनन्द मनाते ॥37॥ क्रूर कठिन संकट भग जावे । सत्य धर्म पथ राह दिखावे ॥38॥ जो सत पाठ करे चालीसा । तापर प्रसन्न होय बागीसा ॥39॥ कल्याण स्नेही, स्नेह से गावे । सुख समृद्धि रिद्धि सिद्धि पावे ॥40॥ ॥ दोहा ॥ मन्द बुद्धि मम जानके, क्षमा करो गुणखान। संकट मोचन क्षमहु मम, दास स्नेही कल्याण॥
Transliteration
Doha: Shri Guru Charana Chitalaya, Ke Dharen Dhyana Hanumana. Balaji Chalisa Likhe, Dasa Snehi Kalyana. Vishva Vidita Vara Dani, Sankata Harana Hanumana. Mainhadipura Mein Pragata Bhaye, Balaji Bhagavana. Chaupai: 1. Jai Hanumana Balaji Deva, Pragata Bhaye Yahan Tinon Deva. 2. Pretaraja Bhairava Balavana, Kotawala Kaptani Hanumana. 3. Mainhadipura Avatara Liya Hai, Bhakton Ka Udhdara Kiya Hai. 4. Balarupa Pragate Hain Yahan Para, Sankata Vale Ate Jahan Para. 5. Dakani Shakani Aru Jindanin, Mashana Chudaila Bhuta Bhutanin. 6. Jake Bhaya Te Saba Bhaga Jate, Syane Bhope Yahan Ghabarate. 7. Chauki Bandhana Saba Kata Jate, Duta Mile Ananda Manate. 8. Sachcha Hai Darbara Tihara, Sharana Pade Sukha Pave Bhara. 9. Rupa Teja Bala Atulita Dhama, Sanmukha Jinake Siya Rama. 10. Kanaka Mukuta Mani Teja Prakasha, Sabaki Hovata Purna Asha. 11. Mahanta Ganeshapuri Gunile, Bhaye Susevaka Rama Rangile. 12. Adbhuta Kala Dikhai Kaisi, Kalayuga Jyoti Jalai Jaisi. 13. Unchi Dhvaja Pataka Nabha Mein, Svarna Kalasha Hain Unnata Jaga Mein. 14. Dharma Satya Ka Danka Baje, Siyarama Jai Shankara Raje. 15. Ana Phiraya Mugadara Ghota, Bhuta Jinda Para Padate Sota. 16. Rama Lakshmana Siya Hradaya Kalyana, Bala Rupa Pragate Hanumana. 17. Jai Hanumanta Hathile Deva, Puri Parivara Karata Hain Seva. 18. Laddu Churama Mishri Meva, Arji Darakhasta Lagau Deva. 19. Daya Kare Saba Vidhi Balaji, Sankata Harana Pragate Balaji. 20. Jai Baba Ki Jana Jana Uchare, Kotika Jana Tere Aye Dware. 21. Bala Samaya Ravi Bhakshahi Linha, Timira Maya Jaga Kinho Tinha. 22. Devana Vinati Ki Ati Bhari, Chhanda Diyo Ravi Kashta Nihari. 23. Langhi Udadhi Siya Sudhi Laye, Lakshmana Hita Sanjivana Laye. 24. Ramanuja Prana Divakara, Shankara Suvana Maa Anjani Chakara. 25. Keshari Nandana Dukha Bhava Bhanjana, Ramananda Sada Sukha Sandana. 26. Siya Rama Ke Prana Piyare, Jaba Baba Ki Bhakta Uchare. 27. Sankata Dukha Bhanjana Bhagavana, Daya Karahu He Kripa Nidhana. 28. Sumara Bala Rupa Kalyana, Kare Manoratha Purna Kama. 29. Ashta Siddhi Nava Nidhi Datari, Bhakta Jana Ave Bahu Bhari. 30. Meva Aru Mishthan Pravina, Bhainta Chadhaven Dhani Aru Dina. 31. Nritya Kare Nita Nyare Nyare, Riddhi Siddhiyan Jake Dware. 32. Arji Ka Adesha Milate Hi, Bhairava Bhuta Pakadate Tabahi. 33. Kotawala Kaptana Kripani, Pretaraja Sankata Kalyani. 34. Chauki Bandhana Katate Bhai, Jo Jana Karate Hain Sevakai. 35. Ramadasa Bala Bhagavanta, Mainhadipura Pragate Hanumanta. 36. Jo Jana Balaji Mein Ate, Janma Janma Ke Papa Nashate. 37. Jala Pavana Lekara Ghara Jate, Nirmala Ho Ananda Manate. 38. Krura Kathina Sankata Bhaga Jave, Satya Dharma Patha Raha Dikhave. 39. Jo Sata Patha Kare Chalisa, Tapara Prasanna Hoya Bagisa. 40. Kalyana Snehi, Sneha Se Gave, Sukha Samriddhi Riddhi Siddhi Pave. Doha: Manda Buddhi Mama Janake, Kshama Karo Gunakhana. Sankata Mochana Kshamahu Mama, Dasa Snehi Kalyana.
Which Balaji this is
"Balaji" is used for two different deities in India, and this chalisa is clear about which one it means. Its opening doha says: "Mainhadipur mein pragat bhaye, Balaji Bhagwan", Lord Balaji who appeared at Mehandipur. This is Hanuman in his child form (bal roop, chaupai 4), worshipped at the Mehandipur Balaji temple in Dausa district, Rajasthan, not Venkateswara of Tirupati, who is also called Balaji in the South. Chaupai 24 settles it: he is "Shankar suvan, Maa Anjani chakar", son of Shankar and servant of Mother Anjani.
Who wrote it, and in what language
The poet signs three times, in the first doha ("Balaji Chalisa likhe, Das Snehi Kalyan"), in the last chaupai and in the closing doha, as Kalyan "Snehi", Snehi being a pen-name meaning "the affectionate one". No dates are given. But chaupai 11 praises "Mahant Ganeshpuri" of the temple, and chaupai 17 says the Puri parivar, the Puri family of mahants, serves him. So this is a modern composition from within the temple's own devotional circle, not an old text.
The language is everyday North Indian Hindi with a strong Rajasthani and court-room flavour that makes it unlike any other chalisa. Syane bhope are folk exorcists. Churma is the Rajasthani sweet of crushed baati. Arji and darkhast, both meaning "petition", are Persian-Urdu court words. And Bhairav is called kotwal and kaptan, the police chief and the captain. There are two dohas at the start, forty chaupais, and one doha at the end.
The darbar of three deities
The chalisa opens by naming what makes Mehandipur distinctive: "pragat bhaye yahan tinon deva", three gods manifested here (1).
- Balaji, Hanuman as a child, the presiding deity (1, 4, 16).
- Pretraj, "king of spirits", the mighty one, called Pretraj Sarkar by devotees, who rules the spirit world and is called "sankat kalyani", the one who turns trouble into good (2, 33).
- Bhairav, the kotwal kaptan, the police chief who seizes the spirits as soon as Balaji's order is given on an arji (2, 32–33).
In this picture the temple is a court. The devotee files an arji darkhast (a petition) with an offering of laddu, churma, mishri and dry fruit (18). Balaji gives the order, Bhairav carries it out, and the chauki bandhan, the bindings or hexes on a person, are cut (7, 34).
What the verses describe
A large part of the chalisa is about Mehandipur's reputation for freeing people from affliction. Chaupais 5–6 list the beings said to flee in fear of him (dakini, shakini, jinn, masan, churail, bhoot), so much so that even the local exorcists (syane bhope) are nervous there. Chaupai 15 describes the club (mugdar) and the stick (sota) that strike the spirits.
The middle verses move to familiar Hanuman stories, told briefly: as a child he swallowed the sun and plunged the world into darkness, releasing it only when the gods pleaded (21–22). He leapt the ocean to bring news of Sita, and fetched the sanjeevani herb for Lakshman (23). He is "dear as life to Sita and Ram" (26). The chalisa then returns to the scene at the temple: crowds of rich and poor bringing sweets, dancing before him, and going home carrying the temple's holy water (29–31, 37).
When and how to read it
- Tuesday and Saturday, Hanuman's days, and Hanuman Jayanti.
- Before setting out for Mehandipur, and daily after returning, as many pilgrims are advised to do.
- At times of fear, disturbed sleep, or a run of troubles that feels like more than bad luck.
Read it before an image of Mehandipur Balaji or of Hanuman, after bathing, with a ghee lamp. The chalisa's own list of offerings is "laddu, churma, mishri, meva" (18), and red flowers and sindoor suit any Hanuman worship. Chaupai 39 recommends a hundred recitations: "jo sat path kare chalisa, tapar prasanna hoy Bagisa", the Lord is pleased with one who reads the chalisa a hundred times. Finish with the Hanuman aarti.
Benefits the chalisa names
- Happiness in his refuge: "your court is true; whoever falls at your refuge finds great happiness" (8).
- Hopes fulfilled: everyone's hope is fulfilled (10). Remembering the child-form brings wishes to completion (28).
- Release from bindings: the chauki bandhan are cut for those who serve him (7, 34).
- Sins of many births destroyed for those who come to Balaji (36), and they go home purified (37).
- Hard troubles flee, and he shows the path of truth and dharma (38).
- Happiness, prosperity, riddhi and siddhi for one who sings it with love (40). He is also the giver of the eight siddhis and nine nidhis (29).
Mehandipur is visited by many families bringing a relative they believe is troubled by spirits. Devotion and medical care are not opposed: if someone shows signs of serious mental or physical illness, see a doctor as well as praying.
Frequently asked questions
Is Balaji the same as Hanuman?
In this chalisa, yes. Mehandipur Balaji and Salasar Balaji in Rajasthan are both Hanuman. "Balaji" in South India usually means Lord Venkateswara of Tirupati, a form of Vishnu, which is a different deity.
Where is Mehandipur Balaji temple?
In Mehandipur village, Dausa district, Rajasthan, on the Jaipur–Agra route. It is known for its darbar of Balaji, Pretraj Sarkar and Bhairav Baba.
What is an "arji" at Mehandipur?
A petition to Balaji, offered with laddu or churma and a request. The chalisa describes it in court language: the arji is filed (18), the order is given, and Bhairav seizes the troubling spirits (32).
Who wrote the Balaji Chalisa?
A devotee who signs as "Das Snehi Kalyan", Kalyan with the pen-name Snehi. It praises Mahant Ganeshpuri of the temple, which places it in the temple's modern tradition.
Can I read it at home without visiting Mehandipur?
Yes. Many devotees read it daily at home. The chalisa's promises are tied to devotion and service (sevakai, 34), not only to being at the temple.
How is it different from the Hanuman Chalisa?
The Hanuman Chalisa is Tulsidas's 16th-century Awadhi hymn to Hanuman as Ram's servant. The Balaji Chalisa is a modern hymn to Hanuman as he is worshipped at Mehandipur, with Pretraj and Bhairav, and focuses on protection and release from affliction. Many read both.
How many times should it be read?
Once a day is common. Chaupai 39 says the Lord is pleased with one who reads it a hundred times, so some devotees complete a hundred recitations as a vow.
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