Kartikey Chalisa – Lord Murugan/Skanda Devotional Hymn with Lyrics & Meaning

The warrior-god of Skanda and his devotional legacy

The Kartikey Chalisa honours Lord Kartikeya - known by many names across India and the subcontinent, including Murugan in Tamil devotion, Skanda in the Sanskritic tradition, and Kumara or Shanmukha in other regional streams. He is the celestial commander of the divine army, born of Shiva's fire and celebrated for his decisive victory over the demon Tarakasura. The Chalisa captures his six-faced splendour, the peacock he rides, and the vel (spear) he wields, attributes that together symbolise the dispelling of ignorance and the protection of dharma. The mood evoked is one of vira rasa - heroic devotion - combined with a deep tenderness, for Kartikeya is also beloved as the eternal youth, the kumara who is ever pure.

This Chalisa is recited with special fervour on Skanda Shashthi, the sixth lunar day dedicated to the deity, and on Tuesdays, which are associated with valour and the martial spirit that Kartikeya embodies. In the Tamil-speaking world, Aadi Krittikai and the Karthigai Deepam festival see millions of devotees singing hymns to Murugan through the night. The Kartikey Chalisa offers devotees in the Hindi-belt tradition a similarly structured forty-verse form through which to approach this ancient and multifaceted deity, and it is traditionally believed to support those seeking courage, clarity of mind, and the strength to overcome persistent obstacles in their spiritual or worldly path.

Kartikey Chalisa Lyrics (हिंदी में)

॥ दोहा ॥

जय जय जय कार्तिकेय, शंकर-सुवन कृपाल।
शिवदत्तं सुत तेहि, तात मेटहु सब विकार॥

॥ चौपाई ॥

जय जय श्री कार्तिकेय स्वामी। जय शिवसुत, भक्त सुखधामी॥
महिमा अपार आपकी गाई। संतन को शक्ति प्रभु पाई॥

शिव शिवा तनय बालक प्यारे। कार्तिकेय सुखधाम हमारे॥
ध्वजा धारण कर दुर्जन मारो। भक्तों का दुख हरन निवारो॥

गजमुख दैत संहारक तुम्ह हो। तारकासुर विदारक तुम्ह हो॥
मोदक प्रिय, मन भायो भोजन। कुमुद पाठ प्रिय, भव रंजन॥

सिंह वाहिनी, ध्वजा तुम धारी। दुष्टों का दल करहो संहारी॥
शिव के सुत तुम, शक्ति के धामा। जय कार्तिकेय, जय जय नामा॥

सुमुख नंदन, तारक भ्राता। शिव समान सदा सुजाता॥
मातु पार्वती तव नाम पुकारो। पुत्र सखा सबहि उबारो॥

शक्ति रूप हो, विनायक भ्राता। शिव-शिवा के, कुल के गाता॥
पार्वती के पुत्र प्यारे। तारकासुर विदारक न्यारे॥

भक्तों के तुम विपत्ति हरो। जय जय जय कार्तिकेय करो॥
गणपति के प्रिय, तारक नंदन। शिव शिवा के लाड़ले बंदन।

तारकासुर का संहारक तुम हो। दुःखों का दल हारक तुम हो।
करहु कृपा हम पर प्रभु प्यारे। सकल दुखों को हरणवारे।

जय जय श्री कार्तिकेय भगवान। सदा सुखधाम, सब दुख निधान॥

॥ दोहा ॥

शरणागत जन नाथ तुहि, सेवक सेवक दासा।
करुणा करि रक्षा करो, श्री कार्तिकेय त्रिनाथ॥

Kartikey Chalisa – Transliteration (English)

|| Doha ||

Jay Jay Jay Kartikey, Shankar-Suvan Kripal.
Shivadattan Sut Tehi, Taat Metahu Sab Vikar.

|| Chaupai ||

Jay Jay Shri Kartikey Swami. Jay Shivasut, Bhakt Sukhadhami.
Mahima Apar Apaki Gai. Santan Ko Shakti Prabhu Pai.

Shiv Shiva Tanay Balak Pyare. Kartikey Sukhadham Hamare.
Dhvaja Dharan Kar Durjan Maro. Bhakton Ka Dukh Haran Nivaro.

Gajamukh Dait Sanharak Tumh Ho. Tarkasur Vidarak Tumh Ho.
Modak Priy, Man Bhayo Bhojan. Kumud Path Priy, Bhav Ranjan.

Sinh Vahini, Dhvaja Tum Dhari. Dushton Ka Dal Karaho Sanhari.
Shiv Ke Sut Tum, Shakti Ke Dhama. Jay Kartikey, Jay Jay Nama.

Sumukh Nandan, Tarak Bhrata. Shiv Saman Sada Sujata.
Maatu Parvati Tav Naam Pukaro. Putr Sakha Sabahi Ubaro.

Shakti Roop Ho, Vinayak Bhrata. Shiv-Shiva Ke, Kul Ke Gata.
Parvati Ke Putr Pyare. Tarakasur Vidarak Nyare.

Bhakton Ke Tum Bipatti Haro. Jay Jay Jay Kartikey Karo.
Ganapati Ke Priy, Tarak Nandan. Shiv Shiva Ke Ladale Bandan.

Tarakasur Ka Sanharak Tum Ho. Dushton Ka Dal Harak Tum Ho.
Karahu Krpa Ham Par Prabhu Pyare. Sakal Dukhon Ko Haranavare.

Jay Jay Shri Kartikey Bhagavan. Sada Sukhadham, Sab Dukh Nidhan.

|| Doha ||

Sharanagat Jan Nath Tuhi, Sevak Sevak Daas.
Karuna Kari Raksha Karo, Shri Kartikey Trinath.

Meaning & Significance

The Kartikey Chalisa is a devotional hymn comprising opening and closing dohas (couplets) with chaupais (four-line stanzas) in between, all dedicated to Lord Kartikeya - the divine commander of the celestial armies and son of Shiva and Parvati. The hymn opens by saluting him as Shankar's gracious son and proceeds to extol his fearsome valor in slaying the demon Tarakasura, who had made the heavens tremble. Verses paint vivid imagery of his flag-bearing form, his association with the modak sweet, and his role as the destroyer of demonic forces. The Chalisa closes with the devotee seeking shelter at the feet of "Shri Kartikey Trinath," acknowledging him as protector of the surrendered. Reciting this text is said to fill the heart with courage, sharpen resolve, and ward off enemies both external and internal.

About Kartikey (Murugan / Skanda)

Lord Kartikey - known across traditions as Murugan, Skanda, Subramanya, and Kumara - is among the most celebrated sons of Mahadeva and Goddess Parvati. He was born with the express purpose of destroying the tyrant demon Tarakasura, who had been wreaking havoc on the cosmos. His birth story, narrated in the Skanda Purana, the Shiva Purana, and the Mahabharata, depicts a miraculous creation from the fire of Shiva's third eye, nurtured by the Krittikas (the Pleiades star cluster), which is why he is also called Kartikeya. He rides a peacock (mayura) and carries the vel (divine spear). In South India especially, his worship as Lord Murugan is deeply embedded in culture, with major shrines at Palani, Tiruchendur, and Tiruttani drawing millions of pilgrims. In North India he is venerated as the war god and divine general (Senapati). His association with wisdom, youth, and victory makes him a favored deity among students, soldiers, and spiritual aspirants.

Benefits of Reciting the Kartikey Chalisa

• Cultivates inner courage, self-confidence, and fearlessness in challenging situations.
• Believed to protect devotees from enemies, evil influences, and negative forces.
• Aids students and learners in improving concentration and academic performance.
• Helps dissolve family discord, mental anxiety, and professional competition.
• Traditionally regarded as auspicious for those seeking progeny and marital harmony.
• Regular recitation is said to earn Lord Kartikey's grace, bringing clarity of purpose and decisive strength.

How to Recite (Vidhi)

1. Begin with a bath and wear clean, preferably red or saffron, attire before sitting for recitation.
2. Place an image or idol of Lord Kartikeya at the worship space, ideally facing east or north.
3. Light a ghee lamp and offer flowers, red kumkum, and fruits - peacock feathers are considered especially dear to him.
4. Recite the opening doha slowly, then proceed through each chaupai with focused attention.
5. Conclude with the closing doha and sit quietly for a moment in prayerful surrender.
6. For accelerated results, many devotees recite the Chalisa 11 times on Skanda Sashti or on six consecutive Tuesdays.

Best Day & Time to Recite

Tuesday and Thursday are considered particularly auspicious days for reciting the Kartikey Chalisa. The Skanda Sashti festival - the sixth day of the bright lunar fortnight in the month of Karthigai (November–December) - is the most sacred occasion for Lord Kartikeya's worship. In South India, Thai Poosum (January–February) is another major festival. Early morning (brahma muhurta, roughly 4–6 AM) is the ideal time for recitation, though any quiet, clean moment of sincere devotion is fully acceptable.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Kartikey and why is the Chalisa dedicated to him?

Kartikey (also known as Murugan, Skanda, or Subramanya) is the divine son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. He is the commander of the celestial armies and is revered as the destroyer of demonic forces, a bestower of courage, and a guardian of dharma. The Chalisa is dedicated to him as a structured prayer that praises his glories and seeks his blessings for protection, strength, and victory.

On which day should the Kartikey Chalisa be recited for best results?

Tuesdays and Thursdays are traditionally preferred, with Skanda Sashti being the most auspicious occasion. Some devotees also recite it every day for 41 consecutive days as a vow (sankalpa) when seeking a specific blessing, such as protection from a persistent difficulty or success in a competitive endeavor.

Is the Kartikey Chalisa different from Skanda Sashti Kavacham?

Yes. The Kartikey Chalisa is a Hindi devotional hymn in the chaupai-doha format traditional to North Indian bhakti literature. The Skanda Sashti Kavacham is a Tamil composition by Devaraya Swamigal that functions as an armor prayer (kavacham), recited especially during the six-day Skanda Sashti fast. Both celebrate Lord Murugan but are distinct compositions belonging to different devotional traditions.