Bhakti Arohan
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Shri Shyam Chalisa (Shyam-Shyam Bhaji Barambara)

The second well-known chalisa of Khatu Shyam, opening "Shyam-shyam bhaji barambara". Where the Khatu Dham chalisa tells Barbarik's story, this one is a chant of the name: it declares Barbarik an avatar of Vishnu, strings together Krishna's names, and ends with Shyam's flute calling everyone to Khatu.

Original text

॥ दोहा ॥ श्री गुरु चरणन ध्यान धर, सुमीर सच्चिदानंद । श्याम चालीसा भजत हूँ, रच चौपाई छंद । ॥ चौपाई ॥ श्याम-श्याम भजि बारंबारा । सहज ही हो भवसागर पारा ॥1॥ इन सम देव न दूजा कोई । दिन दयालु न दाता होई ॥2॥ भीम सुपुत्र अहिलावाती जाया । कही भीम का पौत्र कहलाया ॥3॥ यह सब कथा कही कल्पांतर । तनिक न मानो इसमें अंतर ॥4॥ बर्बरीक विष्णु अवतारा । भक्तन हेतु मनुज तन धारा ॥5॥ बासुदेव देवकी प्यारे । जसुमति मैया नंद दुलारे ॥6॥ मधुसूदन गोपाल मुरारी । वृजकिशोर गोवर्धन धारी ॥7॥ सियाराम श्री हरि गोबिंदा । दिनपाल श्री बाल मुकुंदा ॥8॥ दामोदर रण छोड़ बिहारी । नाथ द्वारिकाधीश खरारी ॥9॥ राधाबल्लभ रुक्मणि कंता । गोपी बल्लभ कंस हनंता ॥10॥ मनमोहन चित चोर कहाए । माखन चोरि-चारि कर खाए ॥11॥ मुरलीधर यदुपति घनश्यामा । कृष्ण पतित पावन अभिरामा ॥12॥ मायापति लक्ष्मीपति ईशा । पुरुषोत्तम केशव जगदीशा ॥13॥ विश्वपति जय भुवन पसारा । दीनबंधु भक्तन रखवारा ॥14॥ प्रभु का भेद न कोई पाया । शेष महेश थके मुनिराया ॥15॥ नारद शारद ऋषि योगिंदरर । श्याम-श्याम सब रटत निरंतर ॥16॥ कवि कोदी करी कनन गिनंता । नाम अपार अथाह अनंता ॥17॥ हर सृष्टी हर सुग में भाई । ये अवतार भक्त सुखदाई ॥18॥ ह्रदय माहि करि देखु विचारा । श्याम भजे तो हो निस्तारा ॥19॥ कौर पढ़ावत गणिका तारी । भीलनी की भक्ति बलिहारी ॥20॥ सती अहिल्या गौतम नारी । भई श्रापवश शिला दुलारी ॥21॥ श्याम चरण रज चित लाई । पहुंची पति लोक में जाही ॥22॥ अजामिल अरु सदन कसाई । नाम प्रताप परम गति पाई ॥23॥ जाके श्याम नाम अधारा । सुख लहहि दुःख दूर हो सारा ॥24॥ श्याम सलोवन है अति सुंदर । मोर मुकुट सिर तन पीतांबर ॥25॥ गले बैजंती माल सुहाई । छवि अनूप भक्तन मान भाई ॥26॥ श्याम-श्याम सुमिरहु दिन-राती । श्याम दुपहरि कर परभाती ॥27॥ श्याम सारथी जिस रथ के । रोड़े दूर होए उस पथ के ॥28॥ श्याम भक्त न कही पर हारा । भीर परि तब श्याम पुकारा ॥29॥ रसना श्याम नाम रस पी ले । जी ले श्याम नाम के ही ले ॥30॥ संसारी सुख भोग मिलेगा । अंत श्याम सुख योग मिलेगा ॥31॥ श्याम प्रभु हैं तन के काले । मन के गोरे भोले-भाले ॥32॥ श्याम संत भक्तन हितकारी । रोग-दोष अध नाशे भारी ॥33॥ प्रेम सहित जब नाम पुकारा । भक्त लगत श्याम को प्यारा ॥34॥ खाटू में हैं मथुरावासी । पारब्रह्म पूर्ण अविनाशी ॥35॥ सुधा तान भरि मुरली बजाई । चहु दिशि जहां सुनी पाई ॥36॥ वृद्ध-बाल जेते नारि नर । मुग्ध भये सुनि बंशी स्वर ॥37॥ हड़बड़ कर सब पहुंचे जाई । खाटू में जहां श्याम कन्हाई ॥38॥ जिसने श्याम स्वरूप निहारा । भव भय से पाया छुटकारा ॥39॥ ॥ दोहा ॥ श्याम सलोने संवारे, बर्बरीक तनुधार । इच्छा पूर्ण भक्त की, करो न लाओ बार ॥ ॥ इति श्री खाटू श्याम चालीसा ॥

Transliteration

Doha: Shriguru Charanan Dhyan Dhar, Sumir Sachchidanand. Shyam Chalisa Bhajat Hoon, Rach Chaupai Chhand. Chaupai: 1. Shyam-shyam Bhaji Barambara, Sahaj Hi Ho Bhavasagar Para. 2. In Sam Dev Na Dooja Koi, Din Dayalu Na Data Hoi. 3. Bhim Suputra Ahilavati Jaya, Kahi Bhim Ka Pautra Kahalaya. 4. Yah Sab Katha Kahi Kalpantar, Tanik Na Mano Isamen Antar. 5. Barbarik Vishnu Avatara, Bhaktan Hetu Manuj Tan Dhara. 6. Basudev Devaki Pyare, Jasumati Maiya Nand Dulare. 7. Madhusudan Gopal Murari, Vrjakishor Govardhan Dhari. 8. Siyaram Shrihari Gobinda, Dinapal Shribal Mukunda. 9. Damodar Ran Chhod Bihari, Nath Dwarikadhish Kharari. 10. Radhaballabh Rukmani Kanta, Gopi Ballabh Kans Hananta. 11. Manmohan Chit Chor Kahaye, Makhan Chori-chari Kar Khaye. 12. Murlidhar Yadupati Ghanshyama, Krishn Patit Pavan Abhirama. 13. Mayapati Lakshmipati Isha, Purushottam Keshav Jagadisha. 14. Vishwapati Jay Bhuvan Pasara, Dinabandhu Bhaktan Rakhavara. 15. Prabhu Ka Bhed Na Koi Paya, Shesh Mahesh Thake Muniraya. 16. Narad Sharad Rishi Yogindarar, Shyam-shyam Sab Ratat Nirantar. 17. Kavi Kodi Kari Kanan Ginanta, Nam Apar Athah Ananta. 18. Har Srishti Har Sug Mein Bhai, Ye Avatar Bhakt Sukhdai. 19. Hriday Mahi Kari Dekhu Vichara, Shyam Bhaje to Ho Nistara. 20. Kaur Padhavat Ganika Tari, Bhilani Ki Bhakti Balihari. 21. Sati Ahilya Gautam Nari, Bhi Shrapavash Shila Dulari. 22. Shyam Charan Raj Chit Lai, Pahunchi Pati Lok Mein Jahi. 23. Ajamil Aru Sadan Kasai, Nam Pratap Param Gati Pai. 24. Jake Shyam Nam Adhara, Sukh Lahahi Duhkh Door Ho Sara. 25. Shyam Salovan Hai Ati Sundar, Mor Mukut Sir Tan Pitambar. 26. Gale Baijanti Mal Suhai, Chhavi Anoop Bhaktan Man Bhai. 27. Shyam-shyam Sumirahu Din-rati, Shyam Dupahari Kar Parabhati. 28. Shyam Sarathi Jis Rath Ke, Rode Door Hoe Us Path Ke. 29. Shyam Bhakt Na Kahi Par Hara, Bhir Pari Tab Shyam Pukara. 30. Rasana Shyam Nam Ras Pi Le, Ji Le Shyam Nam Ke Hi Le. 31. Sansari Sukh Bhog Milega, Ant Shyam Sukh Yog Milega. 32. Shyam Prabhu Hain Tan Ke Kale, Man Ke Gore Bhole-bhale. 33. Shyam Sant Bhaktan Hitakari, Rog-dosh Adh Nashe Bhari. 34. Prem Sahit Jab Nam Pukara, Bhakt Lagat Shyam Ko Pyara. 35. Khatu Mein Hain Mathuravasi, Parabrahm Poorn Avinashi. 36. Sudha Tan Bhari Murali Bajai, Chahu Dishi Jahan Suni Pai. 37. Vrddh-bal Jete Nari Nar, Mugdh Bhaye Suni Banshi Svar. 38. Hadbad Kar Sab Pahunche Jai, Khatu Mein Jahan Shyam Kanhai. 39. Jisane Shyam Svaroop Nihara, Bhav Bhay Se Paya Chhutakara. Doha: Shyam Salone Sanvare, Barbarik Tanudhar. Ichchha Poorn Bhakt Ki, Karo Na Lao Bar.

Two Shyam chalisas

Khatu Shyam devotees sing two different chalisas, and both are often printed simply as "Shyam Chalisa". The one sung at Khatu Dham in Sikar, which opens "Shri Guru padraj sheeshdhar", tells Barbarik's life in order: his birth, his vow, his head given to Krishna. That one is our Khatu Shyam Chalisa. This one, opening "Shyam-shyam bhaji barambara", does something else. It is a chalisa of the name: its first line says that by chanting "Shyam, Shyam" again and again, one crosses the ocean of existence with ease.

Who wrote it, and in what language

The author is not named. The opening doha says only "Shyam chalisa bhajat hoon, rach chaupai chhand", "I sing the Shyam Chalisa, composing it in chaupai verse", after first meditating on the guru's feet and remembering Sachchidananda. No date or place is given.

The language is simple devotional Hindi with Braj forms (dulare, kahaye, bajai), the language of Krishna bhakti, which fits a hymn that treats Shyam as Krishna himself. It has one doha at the start, thirty-nine chaupais, and one doha at the end. It takes about eight minutes to read aloud.

What the verses say

  • The name (1–2): chant "Shyam, Shyam" and cross the ocean of rebirth. There is no god like him, no one so kind to the poor, no giver like him.
  • Barbarik's family (3–4): here Barbarik is called the son of Bhima by Ahilavati, though "elsewhere he is called Bhima's grandson". The chalisa doesn't pick a side: "yah sab katha kahi kalpantar, tanik na mano ismein antar", these stories are told differently in different ages of the world, so don't see any contradiction. (The Khatu Dham chalisa and the Skanda Purana make him Ghatotkacha's son, and so Bhima's grandson.)
  • Barbarik is Vishnu (5): "Barbarik Vishnu avatara, bhaktan hetu manuj tan dhara", Barbarik is an avatar of Vishnu who took human form for his devotees.
  • A garland of Krishna's names (6–14): beloved of Vasudev and Devaki, Yashoda's and Nand's darling, Madhusudan, Gopal, Murari, Govardhandhari, Siyaram, Damodar, Ranchhod, Dwarkadhish, Radhavallabh, Murlidhar, Ghanshyam, Lakshmipati, Purushottam, Keshav, Jagdish. Reading these verses is itself a namavali.
  • Those saved by the name (20–23): the courtesan (Ganika) saved while teaching a parrot to say Ram's name, the Bhil woman Shabari, Ahilya freed from the curse that turned her to stone, and Ajamil and Sadan the butcher, who reached the highest state by the power of the name.
  • His form (25–26): beautiful and dark, a peacock crown, yellow cloth, a vaijayanti garland. Chaupai 32 adds a loving line: "Shyam prabhu hain tan ke kale, man ke gore bhole-bhale", dark in body, fair and innocent in heart.
  • The Mathura-dweller in Khatu (35–39): the one who lives in Khatu is the Mathura-dweller, the complete and imperishable Parabrahman. He played his flute, every man, woman, child and elder who heard it was enchanted and hurried to Khatu, and whoever saw his form was freed from the fear of becoming.

When and how to read it

  • Ekadashi: above all Shukla Ekadashi each month, the day of Baba's big darshan at Khatu.
  • The Phalgun mela: the Lakkhi mela at Khatu that culminates on Phalgun Shukla Ekadashi and Dwadashi, when lakhs of devotees walk to Khatu carrying nishan (flags).
  • Dev Uthani Ekadashi: Kartik Shukla Ekadashi, which devotees celebrate as Shyam Baba's birthday.
  • At kirtans and jagrans: the repeated "Shyam-shyam" makes it easy for a group to sing.
  • Daily: chaupai 27 asks for it: "Shyam-shyam sumirahu din-rati, Shyam dupahari kar parabhati", remember Shyam day and night, at noon and at dawn.

Sit before an image of Shyam Baba, light a ghee lamp, and offer what Khatu devotees bring: rose flowers, a peacock feather, ittar (perfume), and kheer-churma or mishri as bhog. Read the chalisa aloud, then chant "Jai Shri Shyam" or the Om Shri Shyam Devaya Namah mantra, and finish with the aarti Om Jai Shri Shyam Hare.

Benefits the chalisa names

  • Crossing the ocean of existence with ease by chanting the name (1). Whoever worships Shyam is saved (19).
  • Happiness, and all sorrow removed, for those whose support is Shyam's name (24).
  • Obstacles cleared: "where Shyam is the charioteer, the stones in that path are removed" (28).
  • Never defeated: "Shyam's devotee has never lost anywhere; when trouble fell, he called on Shyam" (29). This is the root of Shyam's famous title Haare ka Sahara, support of the defeated.
  • Joy in this life and union at the end: worldly happiness now, and at the end the bliss of Shyam (31).
  • Disease and faults destroyed (33), and freedom from the fear of rebirth for one who sees his form (39).
  • Wishes fulfilled without delay: the closing doha asks dark, lovely Shyam in Barbarik's form to fulfil his devotee's wish and not be slow about it.

Frequently asked questions

How is this different from the Khatu Shyam Chalisa?

They are two separate hymns. The Khatu Shyam Chalisa ("Shri Guru padraj sheeshdhar") narrates Barbarik's life and sacrifice. This one ("Shyam-shyam bhaji barambara") is a chant of Shyam's name and Krishna's names, with Barbarik named as Vishnu's avatar. Devotees read either, or both.

Who wrote the Shri Shyam Chalisa?

The author isn't named. The opening doha says only that the poet meditated on the guru and composed it in chaupai metre.

Why does it say Barbarik is Bhima's son?

Chaupai 3 calls him Bhima's son by Ahilavati, and admits that elsewhere he is called Bhima's grandson. Chaupai 4 explains the difference by kalpantar: the story is told differently in different cosmic ages. Most traditions, including the Khatu Dham chalisa, make him Ghatotkacha's son.

Is Khatu Shyam the same as Krishna?

For his devotees, yes. Barbarik gave his head to Krishna and received the boon of being worshipped in Krishna's own name, Shyam. This chalisa goes further and says Barbarik is himself an avatar of Vishnu, and calls the one in Khatu "the Mathura-dweller, the Parabrahman".

Which day is best for reading it?

Shukla Ekadashi every month, the Phalgun mela, and Dev Uthani Ekadashi. Chaupai 27 recommends remembering Shyam every day, morning and noon.

What does "Haare ka Sahara" mean?

"Support of the one who has lost." It comes from Barbarik's vow to fight for whichever side was losing, and this chalisa puts it as "Shyam's devotee has never lost anywhere" (29).

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