Pitra Chalisa - पितर चालीसा Lyrics, Meaning & Benefits
Pitra Chalisa Lyrics (हिंदी में)
॥ दोहा ॥
हे पितरेश्वर आपको, दे दियो आशीर्वाद।
चरणाशीश नवा दियो, रखदो सिर पर हाथ।
सबसे पहले गणपत, पाछे घर का देव मनावा जी।
हे पितरेश्वर दया राखियो, करियो मन की चाया जी।
॥ चौपाई ॥
पितरेश्वर करो मार्ग उजागर। चरण रज की मुक्ति सागर॥
परम उपकार पित्तरेश्वर कीन्हा। मनुष्य योणि में जन्म दीन्हा॥
मातृ-पितृ देव मनजो भावे। सोई अमित जीवन फल पावे॥
जै-जै-जै पित्तर जी साईं। पितृ ऋण बिन मुक्ति नाहिं॥
चारों ओर प्रताप तुम्हारा। संकट में तेरा ही सहारा॥
नारायण आधार सृष्टि का। पित्तरजी अंश उसी दृष्टि का॥
प्रथम पूजन प्रभु आज्ञा सुनाते। भाग्य द्वार आप ही खुलवाते॥
झुंझुनू में दरबार है साजे। सब देवों संग आप विराजे॥
प्रसन्न होय मनवांछित फल दीन्हा। कुपित होय बुद्धि हर लीन्हा॥
पित्तर महिमा सबसे न्यारी। जिसका गुणगावे नर नारी॥
तीन मण्ड में आप बिराजे। बसु रुद्र आदित्य में साजे॥
नाथ सकल संपदा तुम्हारी। मैं सेवक समेत सुत नारी॥
छप्पन भोग नहीं हैं भाते। शुद्ध जल से ही तृप्त हो जाते॥
तुम्हारे भजन परम हितकारी। छोटे बड़े सभी अधिकारी॥
भानु उदय संग आप पुजावै। पांच अँजुलि जल रिझावे॥
ध्वज पताका मण्ड पे है साजे। अखण्ड ज्योति में आप विराजे॥
सदियों पुरानी ज्योति तुम्हारी। धन्य हुई जन्म भूमि हमारी॥
शहीद हमारे यहाँ पुजाते। मातृ भक्ति संदेश सुनाते॥
जगत पित्तरो सिद्धान्त हमारा। धर्म जाति का नहीं है नारा॥
हिन्दु, मुस्लिम, सिख, ईसाई। सब पूजे पित्तर भाई॥
हिन्दु वंश वृक्ष है हमारा। जान से ज्यादा हमको प्यारा॥
गंगा ये मरुप्रदेश की। पितृ तर्पण अनिवार्य परिवेश की॥
बन्धु छोड़ना इनके चरणाँ। इन्हीं की कृपा से मिले प्रभु शरणा॥
चौदस को जागरण करवाते। अमावस को हम धोक लगाते॥
जात जडूला सभी मनाते। नान्दीमुख श्राद्ध सभी करवाते॥
धन्य जन्म भूमि का वो फूल है। जिसे पितृ मण्डल की मिली धूल है॥
श्री पित्तर जी भक्त हितकारी। सुन लीजे प्रभु अरज हमारी॥
निशदिन ध्यान धरे जो कोई। ता सम भक्त और नहीं कोई॥
तुम अनाथ के नाथ सहाई। दीनन के हो तुम सदा सहाई॥
चारिक वेद प्रभु के साखी। तुम भक्तन की लज्जा राखी॥
नाम तुम्हारो लेत जो कोई। ता सम धन्य और नहीं कोई॥
जो तुम्हारे नित पाँव पलोटत। नवों सिद्धि चरणा में लोटत॥
सिद्धि तुम्हारी सब मंगलकारी। जो तुम पे जावे बलिहारी॥
जो तुम्हारे चरणा चित्त लावे। ताकी मुक्ति अवसी हो जावे॥
सत्य भजन तुम्हारो जो गावे। सो निश्चय चारों फल पावे॥
तुमहिं देव कुलदेव हमारे। तुम्हीं गुरुदेव प्राण से प्यारे॥
सत्य आस मन में जो होई। मनवांछित फल पावें सोई॥
तुम्हरी महिमा बुद्धि बड़ाई। शेष सहस्र मुख सके न गाई॥
मैं अतिदीन मलीन दुखारी। करहु कौन विधि विनय तुम्हारी॥
अब पित्तर जी दया दीन पर कीजै। अपनी भक्ति शक्ति कछु दीजै॥
॥ दोहा ॥
पित्तरौं को स्थान दो, तीर्थ और स्वयं ग्राम।
श्रद्धा सुमन चढ़ें वहां, पूरण हो सब काम॥
झुंझुनू धाम विराजे हैं, पित्तर हमारे महान।
दर्शन से जीवन सफल हो, पूजे सकल जहान॥
जीवन सफल जो चाहिए, चले झुंझुनू धाम।
पित्तर चरण की धूल ले, हो जीवन सफल महान॥
Pitra Chalisa - Transliteration (English)
|| Doha ||
He Pitareshvar Aapako, De Diyo Aashirvaad.
Charanaaashish Nava Diyo, Rakhado Sir Par Haath.
Sabse Pahale Ganapat, Paachhe Ghar Ka Dev Manaava Ji.
He Pitareshvar Daya Raakhiyo, Kariyo Man Ki Chaaya Ji.
|| Chaupai ||
Pitareshvar Karo Maarg Ujaagar. Charan Raj Ki Mukti Saagar.
Param Upakaar Pittareshvar Keenha. Manushya Yoni Mein Janm Deenha.
Maatri-Pitri Dev Man Jo Bhaave. Soi Amit Jeevan Phal Paave.
Jai-Jai-Jai Pitttar Ji Saayin. Pitri Rin Bin Mukti Naahin.
Chaaron Or Prataap Tumhaara. Sankat Mein Tera Hi Sahaara.
Naaraayan Aadhaar Srishti Ka. Pittarji Ansh Usi Drishti Ka.
Pratham Poojan Prabhu Aagya Sunaate. Bhaagya Dvaar Aap Hi Khulvaate.
Jhunjhunu Mein Darbar Hai Saaje. Sab Devon Sang Aap Viraaje.
Prasanna Hoy Manvaanchhit Phal Deenha. Kupit Hoy Buddhi Har Leenha.
Pitttar Mahima Sabse Nyaari. Jiska Gungaave Nar Naari.
Teen Mand Mein Aap Biraaje. Basu Rudra Aaditya Mein Saaje.
Naath Sakal Sampada Tumhaari. Main Sewak Samet Sut Naari.
Chhappan Bhog Nahin Hain Bhaate. Shuddh Jal Se Hi Tripta Ho Jaate.
Tumhaare Bhajan Param Hitkari. Chhote Bade Sabhi Adhikaari.
Bhanu Uday Sang Aap Pujaavai. Paanch Anjuli Jal Rijhaave.
Dhvaj Pataakaa Mand Pe Hai Saaje. Akhand Jyoti Mein Aap Viraaje.
Sadiyon Puraani Jyoti Tumhaari. Dhanya Hui Janm Bhoomi Hamaari.
Shaheed Hamaare Yahaan Pujaate. Maatri Bhakti Sandesh Sunaate.
Jagat Pittaro Siddhaant Hamaara. Dharm Jaati Ka Nahin Hai Naara.
Hindu Muslim Sikh Isaai. Sab Pooje Pitttar Bhai.
Hindu Vansh Vriksh Hai Hamaara. Jaan Se Zyada Hamko Pyaara.
Ganga Ye Marupradesh Ki. Pitri Tarpan Anivaary Parivesh Ki.
Bandhu Chhodni Inke Charanaan. Inhin Ki Kripa Se Mile Prabhu Sharana.
Chaudas Ko Jaagaran Karvaate. Amavas Ko Ham Dhok Lagaate.
Jaat Jadoola Sabhi Manaate. Naandimukh Shraaddh Sabhi Karvaate.
Dhanya Janm Bhoomi Ka Vo Phool Hai. Jise Pitri Mandal Ki Mili Dhool Hai.
Shri Pitttar Ji Bhakt Hitkari. Sun Leeje Prabhu Araj Hamaari.
Nishadin Dhyaan Dhare Jo Koi. Ta Sam Bhakt Aur Nahin Koi.
Tum Anaath Ke Naath Sahai. Deenan Ke Ho Tum Sada Sahai.
Chaarik Ved Prabhu Ke Saakhi. Tum Bhaktan Ki Lajja Raakhi.
Naam Tumhaaro Let Jo Koi. Ta Sam Dhanya Aur Nahin Koi.
Jo Tumhaare Nit Paanv Palotata. Navo Siddhi Charna Mein Lotata.
Siddhi Tumhaari Sab Mangalkaari. Jo Tum Pe Jaave Balihaari.
Jo Tumhaare Charna Chitt Laave. Taaki Mukti Avsi Ho Jaave.
Satya Bhajan Tumhaaro Jo Gaave. So Nishchay Chaaron Phal Paave.
Tumhin Dev Kuldev Hamaare. Tumhin Gurudev Praan Se Pyaare.
Satya Aas Man Mein Jo Hoi. Manvaanchhit Phal Paawen Soi.
Tumhri Mahima Buddhi Badaai. Shesh Sahasr Mukh Sake Na Gaai.
Main Atideen Maleen Dukhaari. Karahu Kaun Vidhi Vinay Tumhaari.
Ab Pitttar Ji Daya Deen Par Keejai. Apni Bhakti Shakti Kachhu Deejai.
|| Doha ||
Pittaraun Ko Sthan Do, Teerth Aur Svayan Graam.
Shraddha Suman Chadhen Vahaan, Pooran Ho Sab Kaam.
Jhunjhunu Dhaam Viraaje Hain, Pitttar Hamaare Mahaan.
Darshan Se Jeevan Safal Ho, Pooje Sakal Jahaan.
Jeevan Safal Jo Chahiye, Chale Jhunjhunu Dhaam.
Pitttar Charan Ki Dhool Le, Ho Jeevan Safal Mahaan.
Meaning & Significance
The Pitra Chalisa (also written Pitar Chalisa or Pitru Chalisa) is a forty-verse devotional hymn addressed to the Pitru Devatas, the divine ancestors of every Hindu family. The chalisa opens with an invocation to Ganesha, followed by a heartfelt plea for the ancestors' blessings. The central theological idea throughout is the concept of Pitri Rin - the cosmic debt owed by every human being to their forefathers, a debt that can only be discharged through regular propitiation, Shraddha rituals, and tarpan (water offerings). The verses describe the Pitrus as residing in three cosmic realms, identified with the Vasu, Rudra, and Aditya groups of celestial beings, and as fragments of Narayan himself. A remarkable feature of this chalisa is its universal scope: one verse explicitly states that the principle of ancestor worship transcends religion, declaring that Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, and Christians all venerate their forebears. The closing dohas direct devotees toward pilgrimage and daily reverence as the path to fulfilling all life's purposes.
About the Pitru Devatas
In Hindu dharma, the Pitru Devatas (ancestral deities) are the spirits of one's departed forefathers, elevated to a divine status through the faithful performance of Shraddha and tarpan rituals by their descendants. The Vedas and Puranas describe three classes of Pitrus: the Vasus (those who died within three generations), the Rudras (those of the middle generations), and the Adityas (the most ancient forebears). Pitru Paksha - the fortnight preceding the new moon of the Hindu month of Ashwin (September-October) - is the annual period dedicated to honouring all ancestors through Shraddha, tarpan, and charitable acts. Failure to perform these rites is said to create Pitru Dosha, believed to cause obstacles in the family's progress. Key pilgrimage sites for Pitru tarpan include Gaya in Bihar (considered the supreme site for ancestral rites), Prayagraj, Varanasi, Haridwar, and Pushkar.
Benefits of Reciting the Pitra Chalisa
- Regular recitation, especially during Pitru Paksha and on Amavasya (new moon), is believed to bring peace and liberation to departed ancestors, allowing them to progress in their onward journey.
- Propitiating the Pitrus through the chalisa is considered a means of reducing Pitru Dosha, the ancestral affliction said to cause delayed marriage, family disputes, and obstacles to prosperity.
- The chalisa promises that sincere devotion to the Pitrus opens the doors of fortune and that those who remember them daily are counted among the most blessed of devotees.
- Recitation accompanied by the offering of five handfuls of water (panch anjali) at sunrise is specifically recommended in the chalisa text as a simple daily tarpan practice.
- The verses affirm that the Pitrus are protectors in times of crisis and that their grace leads one to the shelter of the divine (prabhu sharana).
How to Recite (Vidhi)
- On Amavasya (new moon) or during Pitru Paksha, wake before sunrise, bathe, and stand facing south (the direction associated with Yama and the Pitrus) or east.
- Take a copper vessel of water mixed with black sesame (til), kusha grass, and barley and offer five handfuls (panch anjali) of tarpan to the ancestors while reciting their names if known.
- Light a lamp and incense and then recite the Pitra Chalisa, visualising the ancestors receiving the offerings with contentment.
- Conclude with the closing dohas and a final anjali of plain water, followed by a brief silence of gratitude.
- Feed Brahmins, crows (regarded as messengers of the Pitrus), and dogs on Amavasya as a traditional supplementary act of Shraddha.
- The chalisa may also be recited on the fourteenth lunar day (Chaturdashi) when the text mentions jaagarans are held for the Pitrus.
Best Day & Time to Recite
Amavasya (new moon) is the most important monthly occasion for Pitra worship and chalisa recitation, as the new moon is traditionally the time when the Pitrus are most accessible to their descendants' prayers. The entire fortnight of Pitru Paksha (Ashwin Krishna Paksha, September-October) is the annual period par excellence for all ancestral rites. Chaturdashi (fourteenth lunar day) is also mentioned in the chalisa itself as an auspicious day for jaagarans. The prescribed time for tarpan and Pitra Chalisa recitation is sunrise - the chalisa says the Pitrus are pleased along with the rising sun (Bhanu Uday Sang Aap Pujaavai).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Pitru Paksha and why is it important?
Pitru Paksha is the sixteen-day period in the Hindu month of Ashwin (typically September-October) dedicated to the propitiation of ancestors through Shraddha, tarpan, and charitable offerings. It begins on the full moon (Purnima) of Bhadrapada and ends on the new moon (Amavasya) of Ashwin, known as Mahalaya Amavasya. According to tradition, the Pitrus descend to earth during this fortnight to receive the offerings of their descendants, and neglecting these rites is said to leave them unsatisfied and potentially disruptive to the family's welfare.
What is Pitru Dosha and how can the Pitra Chalisa help?
Pitru Dosha refers to an astrological and karmic affliction said to arise when ancestors have not received proper Shraddha rituals, or when a person's horoscope carries certain planetary combinations associated with ancestral dissatisfaction. It is believed to manifest as persistent obstacles in marriage, childbirth, career, and family harmony. Reciting the Pitra Chalisa, performing regular tarpan, and undertaking Shraddha on Amavasya are among the traditional remedies. Pilgrimage to Gaya and performing Pind Daan (rice ball offerings) there is considered the most comprehensive remedy.
Why are crows offered food during Shraddha?
In Hindu tradition, the crow (kak) is regarded as an emissary of Yama, the lord of the dead, and as a vehicle through which departed souls communicate with the living world. Feeding crows on Amavasya and during Pitru Paksha is believed to carry the food offering directly to the ancestors. If crows readily eat the offered food, it is taken as a sign that the Pitrus have accepted the Shraddha with satisfaction. This practice is mentioned in the Garuda Purana and other Dharmashastra texts as an integral part of ancestral propitiation.
An offering of remembrance to those who came before
The Pitra Chalisa is addressed to the Pitru Devatas - the ancestral souls who, in the Vedic worldview, continue to inhabit an intermediate realm and remain connected to their living descendants through bonds of love and karma. The composition expresses gratitude, asks forgiveness for any unconscious neglect, and seeks the blessings of the ancestors upon the family line. It carries a particular emotional texture - a mixture of tenderness, reverence, and the quiet sadness of remembrance - that distinguishes it from chalisas addressed to celestial deities. Reciting it is an act of acknowledging that we do not arrive in the world alone; we arrive carried by generations.
The Pitra Chalisa is most powerfully recited during Pitru Paksha, the sixteen-day fortnight of Shraddha in the lunar month of Bhadrapada (typically September), when Hindu families perform rites for the departed. It is also recited on the death anniversary (tithi) of a family elder and on Amavasya (new moon) days, which are traditionally considered especially conducive to ancestral offerings. In the Jyotish tradition, a challenged or afflicted ninth house or a weakened Moon is sometimes associated with ancestral debts (Pitru dosha), and devotees believe that sincere recitation of this chalisa, combined with Shraddha rites, can bring peace both to the departed and to the living family.