When Hanuman Chalisa Was Written?
When Hanuman Chalisa Was Written? The Hanuman Chalisa is one of the most beloved devotional hymns in Hinduism, recited daily by millions of devotees around the world. But beyond its spiritual power lies an intriguing history rich in faith, culture, and poetic genius. In this article, we explore when and why the Hanuman Chalisa was composed, who wrote it, the context of its creation, and why it remains deeply relevant today.
1. What Is the Hanuman Chalisa?
The Hanuman Chalisa (हनुमान चालीसा) is a devotional hymn (stotra) in praise of Lord Hanuman, an iconic figure in the Hindu epic Ramayana known for his strength, courage, devotion, and humility. The word chalisa means forty, referring to the 40 verses (chaupais) that make up the main body of the hymn.
Written in Awadhi, a dialect of Hindi spoken in the northern Indian plains, the Hanuman Chalisa is not part of ancient Vedic or Puranic scriptures but is considered a masterpiece of Bhakti literature from medieval India.
Hanuman Chalisa PDF
Hanuman Chalisa PDF
Discover the perfect way to connect with spirituality and devotion using our high-quality Hanuman Chalisa PDF. Designed to make your spiritual practice seamless, this PDF is meticulously crafted with clear, easy-to-read text and a visual breakdown of each verse. Whether you are looking to memorize, recite, or teach the Hanuman Chalisa, this resource aligns with all your needs, making it a perfect choice for personal use, group study, or teaching.
2. Who Wrote the Hanuman Chalisa?
The Hanuman Chalisa was composed by the great poet-saint Goswami Tulsidas (गोस्वामी तुलसीदास), a towering figure of the Bhakti movement in India. Tulsidas is best known for his epic retelling of the Ramayana in the Awadhi language called Ramcharitmanas, which made the stories of Lord Rama accessible to common people.
Tulsidas lived in the 16th century CE (approx. 1511–1623), a period marked by rich devotional and literary activity in northern India. Scholars generally agree that the Hanuman Chalisa was written sometime in the later part of the 16th century, likely during Tulsidas’s mature years as a poet and saint.
Because precise historical records do not exist, the exact year of composition cannot be pinned down conclusively. However, some researchers estimate it was written around 1575 CE, while others place it closer to the end of the 1500s. Regardless, it undeniably reflects the devotional ethos of that era and Tulsidas’s spiritual maturity.
3. Historical Context: The Bhakti Movement
To understand when and why the Hanuman Chalisa was written, it helps to look at the broader religious and cultural landscape.
The Bhakti movement was a widespread devotional wave across India from the 7th to the 17th century that emphasized personal devotion (bhakti) to God over ritualistic practice. Poets and saints composed hymns in local languages so that ordinary people could connect directly with the divine without needing intermediaries.
Tulsidas was a central figure in this tradition. His works — especially the Ramcharitmanas — played a key role in shaping popular devotion to Lord Rama and, by extension, Hanuman, Rama’s greatest devotee. The Hanuman Chalisa combines poetic elegance with profound spirituality — a hallmark of Bhakti literature.
4. The Story Behind the Writing of the Hanuman Chalisa
Legend of Imprisonment
One of the most enduring legends associated with the Hanuman Chalisa concerns Tulsidas’s incarceration. According to popular tradition, the Mughal emperor Akbar heard rumors of Tulsidas’s miraculous powers and summoned him to perform miracles at his court. When Tulsidas declined, insisting that he was only a humble devotee of God, Akbar is said to have ordered his imprisonment.
During this period of confinement in Fatehpur Sikri, Tulsidas composed the 40 verses of the Hanuman Chalisa, each reflecting his deep devotion to Lord Hanuman and Rama. In the telling of the legend, the power of his devotion and recitation was so potent that an army of monkeys (vanaras) appeared and wreaked havoc in the emperor’s domain, leading to his eventual release.
This narrative symbolizes the triumph of devotion over adversity, though historians treat such stories with caution due to lack of direct evidence.
5. Why 40 Verses?
The structure of the Hanuman Chalisa is meaningful:
- The number 40 (Chalisa comes from chālīs, Hindi for forty) may signify spiritual completeness, a number often associated with cycles of devotion and discipline in Indian spiritual traditions.
- Traditionally, each verse is thought to represent a day in a forty-day period of prayer or penance, a common practice in many Bhakti paths.
While this numerology is part of devotional interpretation rather than precise history, it reinforces the intimate link between structure and spiritual practice in Bhakti poetry.
Hanuman Chalisa PDF
Hanuman Chalisa PDF
Discover the perfect way to connect with spirituality and devotion using our high-quality Hanuman Chalisa PDF. Designed to make your spiritual practice seamless, this PDF is meticulously crafted with clear, easy-to-read text and a visual breakdown of each verse. Whether you are looking to memorize, recite, or teach the Hanuman Chalisa, this resource aligns with all your needs, making it a perfect choice for personal use, group study, or teaching.
6. Language and Literary Style
The Hanuman Chalisa was written in Awadhi, a dialect of Hindi that was widely spoken in northern India during Tulsidas’s life. Unlike Sanskrit, which was the language of elite religious texts, Awadhi was accessible to the common person — a deliberate choice in keeping with Bhakti values.
The hymn blends lyrical beauty with devotional fervor. Each verse highlights fundamental qualities of Lord Hanuman:
- Strength (bala)
- Wisdom (jnana)
- Devotion (bhakti)
- Service and humility (seva)
By focusing on these traits, the Chalisa inspires not just reverence but practical ethical ideals that devotees can emulate.
7. What Motivated Tulsidas to Write It?
While legends emphasize trials such as imprisonment, the deeper motivation behind the Hanuman Chalisa seems rooted in gratitude and devotion.
Tulsidas, who revered both Lord Rama and Hanuman, wrote the Chalisa as a tribute to Hanuman’s unwavering dedication and as an encouragement to others to cultivate similar devotion in their spiritual lives.
Rather than being an abstract theological text, the Chalisa is a practical hymn — meant to be recited, memorized, and experienced in the folds of everyday life.
8. When Did It Become Popular?
Though composed in the 16th century, the Hanuman Chalisa’s widespread popularity evolved gradually over subsequent centuries.
Factors that helped its rise include:
- Oral recitation and memorization in temples and homes
- Translation into regional languages
- Musical renditions and recordings, especially in the 20th century
- Mass media, radio, and later video and online platforms
Today, it is one of the most widely recited prayers in Hindu homes worldwide, often chanted daily or during challenging times as a source of courage, protection, and spiritual upliftment.
9. Recitation and Spiritual Significance
The Hanuman Chalisa is more than literature — it functions as a living spiritual practice. Devotees believe that reciting it with devotion can:
- Enhance courage and confidence
- Remove fear and obstacles
- Bring peace of mind
- Invoke protection and divine grace
Traditionally, special times such as Tuesday and Saturday — days associated with Hanuman — are considered auspicious for recitation, though it can be chanted anytime.
10. Common Questions About Its Origin
Was it Written in Sanskrit?
No — it was composed in Awadhi, not Sanskrit. This choice reflects the Bhakti movement’s emphasis on accessibility and inclusivity.
Is it Part of Ancient Scriptures?
The Hanuman Chalisa is not found in ancient scriptures like the Vedas or Upanishads. It is a medieval devotional hymn that draws on the Ramayana and later devotional traditions but was independently composed by Tulsidas.
Do the Verses Contain Hidden Codes or Mysteries?
Over the years, various interpretations — spiritual, poetic, and even numerological — have been proposed. However, the core of the Chalisa remains poetic praise and devotion to Hanuman, emphasizing his attributes and service to Lord Rama. The power of the text is considered to arise from faithful recitation and heartfelt devotion, not secret codes.
Conclusion: A Timeless Hymn Written in Devotion
The Hanuman Chalisa was written during the 16th century by Sant Tulsidas, likely in the latter half of his life. While exact dates are not documented, scholars and tradition place its composition within the Bhakti movement, a period when vernacular devotional literature flourished across India.
Written in Awadhi with 40 verses of lyrical praise, the Chalisa reflects a timeless message of devotion, strength, and surrender. Its enduring popularity testifies not just to its poetic brilliance but to its spiritual resonance across generations.
Whether chanted in times of joy or hardship, the Hanuman Chalisa continues to inspire millions — a testament to Tulsidas’s vision and the power of devotional poetry.
Hanuman Chalisa PDF
Hanuman Chalisa PDF
Discover the perfect way to connect with spirituality and devotion using our high-quality Hanuman Chalisa PDF. Designed to make your spiritual practice seamless, this PDF is meticulously crafted with clear, easy-to-read text and a visual breakdown of each verse. Whether you are looking to memorize, recite, or teach the Hanuman Chalisa, this resource aligns with all your needs, making it a perfect choice for personal use, group study, or teaching.