Hanuman Chalisa
हनुमान चालीसा
(hanumaan chaaleesaa)
This hymn (स्तोत्र, स्तुतिगीत) was written by Goswami Tulsidas (gosvaamee tulaseedaas; गोस्वामी तुलसीदास) in the sixteenth century. Hanuman chalisa is written in Awadhi (Avadhee; अवधी). Awadhi language can be thought of as old Hindi or a root of Hindi.
Tulsidas is also called Mahakavi (mahaakavi; महाकवि) which means a great poet. He is one of the greatest poet of Awadhi or Old Hindi. This hymn is simple and is utmost rhythmical poem. Even if you don't understand Hindi, you may enjoy hearing it.
Tulsidas wrote these forty verses in the praise of Lord Hanuman (_hanumaan; हनुमान). Forty in Hindi is called 'chaalees' (चालीस) and the hymn containing forty verses is called 'chaaleesa' (चालीसा). Since he wrote this hymn (containing 40 verses) others have written other chalisa_s for other gods and godesses!
Tulsidas might have been the first one who wrote a chalisa! Verses in Hanuman Chalisa are called chaupai (chaupaaEE; चौपाई) which means four line stanzas.
Lord Hanuman was beloved of Lord Rama (maryaadaa puruShottam shree raam chandra; मर्यादा पुरुषोत्तम श्री रामचन्द्र). The greatest book of Tulsidas is the well known Epic called 'Ramcharitamanas' (raamacharitamaanas; रामचरितमानस).
Millions of Hindus recite Hanuman Chalisa on every Tuesday and Saturday. Lot of Hindus believe that chanting this hymn will solve their problems. They believe Lord Hanuman is mahaabalee (most strong and powerful). They lovingly call Him Bajrangbali (bajarangabalee; बजरंगबली). _bajarang means someone whose body (aNga) is like vajra (bajra). Often his statues are painted in saffron (bright red).
Generally he is visualised as a 'vaanar' (वानर; vernacular dialect - baanar, बानर). Most Hindus interpret the word 'baanar' as monkey-man. But some people say that the word _vaanar means a man (nar; नर) who lives in forest (van; वन).
