Khatu Shyam Chalisa — Lyrics with Meaning

Doha

Jai Khaatu naresh mere, sheesh dharoon pag dhool | Kije meri vinti, karna mat mujh bhool ||

Victory to the king of Khatu. I bow my head to the dust of your feet. Accept my prayer; do not forget me.

Doha

Bheem pautra Barbarika, Krishna ko diya sheesh daan | Khaatu dhaam mein viraaje, karen bhakton ka kalyaan ||

Barbarik, grandson of Bhim, gave his head to Lord Krishna. Seated at Khatu Dham, he brings welfare to devotees.

Chaupai 1

Jai jai Shri Khaatu Naresha | Haaran ke ho param aadesha || Haare ka too hi hai sahaara | Shyaam bhakt jan ka rakhwaara ||

Victory, victory to Sri Khatu Naresh. You are the supreme refuge of the defeated. You alone are the support of the fallen; guardian of Shyam devotees.

Chaupai 2

Shyaam naam hai ati pyaara | Jag mein phaila yash hamaara || Krishna naam bhi Shyaam kahaave | Bhaktan ke man mein sukh paave ||

The name Shyam is dearly loved; their glory has spread across the world. Krishna's name too is Shyam; it brings happiness to the hearts of devotees.

Chaupai 3

Raajasthaan mein Khaatu graama | Darshan ko aave nar-naari || Desh videsh se aayen bhakt | Shyaam sharan mein ho jaayen mukt ||

In Khatu village in Rajasthan is their temple; men and women come for darshan. Devotees come from home and abroad, and taking shelter in Shyam become free.

Chaupai 4

Phaalgon mele mein aati bheed | Laakhon shraddhaaloo, bhakt ki peed || Sheesh daan ki katha sunayen | Shyaam charitra man mein dhyaayen ||

In the Phalgun fair millions of devotees come; they know the pain of the devoted. They recount the story of the head-offering and meditate on Shyam's character in their hearts.

Chaupai 5

Barbarik tha veer sayaana | Maa Bheemi ko tha manpasand rakhaana || Teen baan se jeete sabko | Na tha taakar kisi ki unko ||

Barbarik was a wise and courageous warrior, dear to his mother. With just three arrows he could defeat everyone; no one could match his strength.

Chaupai 6

Yuddh dekhne ki thi chaahat | Krishna ne puchhi unki raahat || Donon pakshon mein kaun hai kamzor | Uska saath doonga, kaha jor ||

Barbarik wanted to witness the war. Krishna asked whose side he would take — he said he would side with whichever side was weaker.

Chaupai 7

Krishna jaante the yah baat | Daan maanga, sheesh ki saugaat || Barbarik ne diya vachan poora | Sheesh diya apna poora-poora ||

Krishna knew this truth. He asked for the head as a gift. Barbarik fulfilled his promise and offered his head with wholehearted devotion.

Chaupai 8

Krishna ne diya amar varadaana | Kaliyug mein pooje jaane ka maana || Shyaam naam se hogi pooja | Bhakton ki peeda hogi dooja ||

Krishna gave the boon of immortality — in Kaliyuga they would be worshipped by the name Shyam, and the suffering of devotees would be removed.

Chaupai 9

Yuddh dekha teenon loka | Devtaon ne kiya shoka || Sheesh oonche parvat par rakhaai | Shyaam drishti se sab kuchh dekhaai ||

The three worlds witnessed the war; even the gods grieved. His head was placed on a high mountain peak and Shyam's sight surveyed everything.

Chaupai 10

Laakhera grampati the darshani | Swapna mein aaye Khaatu ke vaasi || Mandir banaane ka diya aadesh | Khaatu mein sthapit hua Mahesh ||

In a dream, the lord of Lakhera village received a vision from the inhabitant of Khatu, commanding a temple to be built. Thus was their establishment at Khatu.

Chaupai 11

Shyaam kund mein snaan karaaven | Bhakt sabhi manvaanchhit paaven || Roop suhaana Shyaam ka dekho | Man mein unki chhavi ko rekho ||

Bathe in the Shyam Kund; all devotees' wishes are fulfilled. Behold Shyam's beautiful form and keep their image in your heart.

Chaupai 12

Laal kapda, mor mukut sohe | Darshan kari sab man ko mohe || Haath mein dhwaja liye khade hain | Bhakton ke sankat sab hare hain ||

The red garment and peacock crown look beautiful. Everyone's heart is enchanted by their darshan. Standing with a banner in hand, they remove all troubles of their devotees.

Chaupai 13

Shyaam ki jai bolo bhaai | Dekho kaisi mahima badaayi || Haare ko sahaara dete | Toote dil ko phir se jote ||

Brothers, chant victory to Shyam. See what great glory they hold. They support the defeated and mend the broken heart.

Chaupai 14

Garib ki sunte fariyaad | Dete hain jeevan mein aabaad || Dhanavaan ka bhi karte bhala | Shyaam charan mein sab mile mela ||

They hear the cries of the poor and enrich their lives. They do good for the wealthy too — at Shyam's feet everyone comes together.

Chaupai 15

Vyaapaari jo aaye sharan mein | Laabh mile uske jeevan mein || Rogi ko bhi dete aarogya | Shyaam bhakti badi upayogya ||

The trader who comes to their shelter gains profit in life. They give health to the sick too — devotion to Shyam is greatly beneficial.

Chaupai 16

Santaan sukh dete Shyaam | Poorn karte sab kaam || Vivaah mein aaye jo adchan | Shyaam hatayen sab baadhan ||

Shyam gives the joy of children and fulfils all tasks. Whatever obstacle comes in marriage, Shyam removes all barriers.

Chaupai 17

Naukari mein baadha jo aaye | Shyaam dhyaan se door ho jaaye || Man mein rakho Shyaam ki bhakti | Jeevan mein aayegi nayi shakti ||

Whatever obstacle comes in employment, it fades away with Shyam's meditation. Keep Shyam's devotion in your heart and new energy will come to life.

Chaupai 18

Prem se jo pukaare Shyaam | Daude aaye poora karen kaam || Daas ki sunte hain pukaar | Kripa ki dhaara chale apaar ||

Whoever calls to Shyam with love, they come running and complete the work. They hear the call of their servant; the endless stream of grace flows.

Chaupai 19

Phaalgon shukla ekadashi | Shyaam janmotsav manayen rishi || Darshan ka yah punya kaal | Shyaam bhakton ka ho kalyaan ||

On Phalgun Shukla Ekadashi, Shyam's birth festival is celebrated. This is an auspicious time for darshan; may Shyam's devotees be blessed.

Chaupai 20

Shyaam naam japo har din | Kat jaayenge sab dukh-deen || Subah shaam Shyaam-Shyaam kaho | Man mein unki chhavi ko raho ||

Chant Shyam's name every day; all sorrow and pain will be cut away. Say Shyam-Shyam morning and evening and keep their image in your heart.

Chaupai 21

Shyaam bhakt jo chalisa gaave | Shyaam kripa ko nit paave || Ghar mein hogi sukh-samriddhi | Shyaam charan mein paayan siddhi ||

The Shyam devotee who sings this chalisa receives Shyam's grace daily. The home will have happiness and prosperity and fulfilment will come at Shyam's feet.

Doha

Shyaam darbaar mein aaya, lekar man ki aas | Karo poorn manorath, he haaron ke khaas ||

O Shyam, special protector of the defeated, I have come to your court with hope in my heart. Please fulfil my wishes.