Kali Chalisa

|| Shri Kali Chalisa || || Doha || Kali Mata Ke Charan Mein, Shish Navaaun Aay | Binti Karoon Jod Haath, Raksha Karo Sadaay || Shri Kali Mahakali, Bhadrakali Bhavani | Jag Taarini Jagdamba, Tum Ho Vishwa Ki Rani || || Chaupai || Jai Jai Jai Mahakali | Karuna Ki Tum Ho Matwali || 1 || Ambe Tum Bin Kaun Hamara | Dukh Mein Tumhi Sahara || Kali Kalika Kapalini | Tum Ho Shakti Maha Balini || 2 || Mund Mala Gal Shobhit Bhari | Khappar Khadag Dhare Hitkari || Ghor Vikat Mukh Tumhro Bhari | Lochan Lal Bhayankara Dhari || 3 || Dadhi Bahar Aayin Bhari | Jihva Bahar Shobhanakari || Kesh Khule Hain Vikraal | Tan Par Rakt Chhidka Vishaal || 4 || Roop Mahabhaya Ka Hai Tera | Par Bhakton Ko Laage Meetha Mera || Shiv Chhati Par Paanv Rakhe Hain | Tumhein Dekh Kar Dev Dare Hain || 5 || Par Bhakton Ko Pyar Karo Tum | Sankat Mein Beda Paar Karo Tum || Chand Mund Sanharini Mata | Raktabeej Ka Kiya Tum Ghata || 6 || Shumbh Nishumbh Ka Mardan Keena | Mahabali Asuran Ko Leena || Mahishasur Ko Mara Tumne | Dharm Ki Raksha Bhara Tumne || 7 || Devan Ko Dukh Se Chhudaya | Asur Sanhar Ka Beeda Uthaya || Tumhari Shakti Amit Apaar | Tum Se Bada Nahin Koi Sansar || 8 || Brahma Vishnu Shiv Gun Gaaven | Tere Darshan Ki Abhilasha Paaven || Aadi Shakti Tum Ho Jag Data | Tum Hi Ho Jag Ki Mata || 9 || Sab Devon Mein Shakti Tumhari | Bina Tumhare Sab Bekari || Koi Nahin Tum Bin Rakhwala | Tumhi Bachavo Har Musibat Wala || 10 || Tumhare Naam Ki Jai Jaikara | Bhav Se Taro Tum Nij Sevak Sara || Naam Tumhara Jo Jan Gaave | So Nar Bhav Sagar Tar Jaave || 11 || Dhyan Tumhara Jo Nit Dhare | So Maanav Dukh Sankat Tare || Pratah Samay Jo Padhe Chalisa | Mile Use Shubh Phal Har Disa || 12 || Sandhya Samay Jo Ise Padhe | So Nar Bhay Ke Bandhan Tade || Maang Karoon Main Ek Tumhari | Rakho Hamesha Charan Mein Hamari || 13 || Mata Pita Bhai Sab Teri | Tum Bin Sooni Kaya Meri || Ye Chalisa Kali Ka Paavan | Padhe Bhakt Kare Bhav Bhay Havan || 14 || Kali Maa Ki Kripa Apaar | Hoy Bhakt Ka Kare Uddhaar || Sharan Tumhari Aaya Hoon Main | Binti Karta Jaata Hoon Main || 15 || Sankat Kaat Mera Maa Jag Mein | Sukh Chain Rahe Mere Jag Mein || Tere Bhakt Kabhi Na Haare | Unke Sab Sankat Tal Jaaye Saare || 16 || Jai Kali Jai Kali Mata | Tu Hai Bhakton Ki Vidhata || Dushton Ka Karti Hai Nash | Bhakton Ko Deti Aavaas || 17 || Karuna Ki Tum Moorti Saloni | Sabki Rakshak Tum Ho Bhavani || Jo Koi Yeh Chalisa Gaave | So Manvanchit Phal Paave || 18 || Kali Maa Ki Kare Pukaar | Maa Kali Karen Bhav Se Paar || Tere Dhyan Mein Jo Dhyan Lagaaye | So Nar Sagar Bhav Tar Jaaye || 19 || Tujhe Bhakt Jo Rijhaaye | So Sukh Sampati Shanti Paaye || Tum Sabke Dukh Harne Wali | Tum Karuna Ki Ho Matwali || 20 || Jagjananee Tum Jag Ki Mata | Meri Rakho Sada Hitkata || || Doha || Maa Kali Ke Chalisa Ko, Padho Bhakti Man Laay | Sab Sankat Mit Jayenge, Maa Ki Kripa So Paay || Jai Kali Jai Mahakali, Jai Bhadrakali Maa | Sankat Se Raksha Karo, Dayamayi Bhavani Maa || || Iti Shri Kali Chalisa Sampurna ||

|| Shri Kali Chalisa || || Doha (Opening Couplets) || At the feet of Mother Kali, I bow my head with reverence | With folded hands I pray, protect me always || Shri Kali, Mahakali, Bhadrakali, Bhavani | Savior of the world, Mother of the universe, you are the queen of the cosmos || || Chaupai (Verses) || 1. Victory, victory, victory to Mahakali! You are intoxicated with compassion | O Amba, who else is ours but you? In sorrow, you alone are our support || 2. Kali, Kalika, Kapalini (holder of skulls), you are the supreme powerful force | The garland of skulls adorns your neck gracefully, you hold the skull-cup and sword for our benefit || 3. Your face is fierce and terrifying, your eyes are red and fearsome | Your fangs protrude prominently, your tongue hangs out beautifully || 4. Your hair is unbound and wild, blood splashes over your body | Your form is of great terror, yet to devotees, my dear, it feels sweet || 5. You place your foot on Shiva's chest, even gods tremble seeing you | But you love your devotees, in trouble you ferry them across || 6. O Mother who destroyed Chanda and Munda, you slew Raktabeeja | You crushed Shumbha and Nishumbha, you consumed the mighty demons || 7. You killed Mahishasura, you bore the burden of protecting dharma | You freed the gods from suffering, you took up the vow of destroying demons || 8. Your power is infinite and boundless, none in the world is greater than you | Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva sing your praises, they all desire your divine vision || 9. You are the primal energy, the giver to the world, you alone are the mother of the world | Your power resides in all the gods, without you, everything is worthless || 10. There is no protector without you, only you save us from every trouble | Victory to your name! Save all your servants from worldly existence || 11. Whoever sings your name, that person crosses the ocean of worldly existence | Whoever meditates on you daily, that person overcomes sorrows and troubles || 12. Whoever recites this Chalisa in the morning, receives auspicious results in all directions | Whoever recites this in the evening, that person breaks the bonds of fear || 13. I make one request of you: keep me always at your feet | Mother, father, brother - all are yours, without you my body is empty || 14. This sacred Chalisa of Kali, when read by devotees, burns away worldly fears | Mother Kali's grace is infinite, she liberates her devotees || 15. I have come to your refuge, I keep praying to you | O Mother, cut away my troubles in this world, let me have peace and comfort || 16. Your devotees never lose, all their troubles are removed | Glory to Kali, glory to Mother Kali, you are the destiny-maker of devotees || 17. You destroy the wicked, you give shelter to devotees | You are the beautiful image of compassion, you are the protector of all, O Bhavani || 18. Whoever sings this Chalisa, obtains their heart's desires | Whoever calls upon Mother Kali, Mother Kali takes them across worldly existence || 19. Whoever meditates upon you with focus, that person crosses the ocean of existence | Whoever pleases you as a devotee, obtains happiness, prosperity, and peace || 20. You are the remover of everyone's sorrow, you are intoxicated with compassion | Mother of the universe, mother of the world, always be my benefactor || || Doha (Closing Couplets) || Read this Chalisa of Mother Kali with devotion in your heart | All troubles will be removed, receiving Mother's grace || Glory to Kali, glory to Mahakali, glory to Mother Bhadrakali | Protect us from troubles, O compassionate Mother Bhavani || || Thus ends the complete Shri Kali Chalisa ||

The Kali Chalisa is a devotional hymn of 40 verses dedicated to Goddess Kali. It describes her fierce form, her destruction of demons like Raktabeeja, Chanda-Munda, Shumbha-Nishumbha, and Mahishasura, and her love for devotees. Despite her terrifying appearance, she is compassionate to those who worship her with devotion.

Regular recitation brings: liberation from worldly bondage, protection from evil forces and enemies, removal of all fears, mental peace and courage, fulfillment of desires, and spiritual progress. Morning recitation brings auspicious results; evening recitation breaks the bonds of fear.