Shri Balarama Chalisa
Divine strength, unwavering discipline, justice, and dharma protection
Vipati haran mangal karan,
saarat jan ke kaaj.
Jayati jayati jai jayati jai,
Shri Dauji Maharaj.
॥ Chaupai ॥
Jai Balbhadra Shesh avatari,
deen dayal bhakt hitkaari.
Shesh roop dhaaro mahi bhaara,
santan hetu leenh avataara.
Rohini udar janm prabhu leenho,
Nand Yashoda ko sukh deenho.
Jai Vasudev Rohini Nandan,
jai Yadukul chandan jagvandan.
Gaur varn tan gira gambheera,
sar sohe pachrangi cheera.
Neelambar tan lakhat suhaavan,
bhaal tilak triy taap nasaavan.
Bhrikuti kutil nain ratnaare,
kundal shravan lasat matvaare.
Thodhi pai heera dyutikari,
komal kar hal moosal dhaari.
Nitanav saaj sajat chhavi chhaajai,
seva mein Shri Revati viraajai.
Sughar ksheer sagar tat dhaama,
charit karat nav lok llaama.
Maakhan misri bhog tiharo,
sada naath santan pan paaro.
Balcharit keenhe sukhkaari,
mohi laye vraj ke nar-naari.
Dhenak asur khel kari maaryo,
maha bali Pralamb sanhaaryo.
Dhanush yagya jab Kans rachayo,
Krishna sahit tab tumhi bulayo.
Mushtik malh maha garveela,
taahi pachhaari kari shishu leela.
Jarasandh jab ladi laraai,
baandh layo tumne baldaai.
Gada yuddh ke tum aachaari,
prabhuta jag vikhyat tihari.
Duryodhan keenho durvaada,
bhayo tumhi ati krodh vishaada.
Tab sakop hal haath uthayo,
hal so Gajpur ko ukasayo.
Nagar Hastinapur sab dola,
Kurupati vinay sahit tab bola.
Sambh byaahi Dwaravati aaye,
Yadubansh anand manaye.
Jaani sut rishi man abhimaana,
kush dhari sheesh laye Hari praana.
Vaishampayan ko var deeyo,
chitt prasann rishin ko keeyo.
Hanyo Dvivida banar baldhaari,
rishi muni sur sab kiye sukhaari.
Jehi ko kripa kataaksh nihaaro,
bhare sakal sukh ko bhandaaro.
Dhyaavai tumhi sahit vishwaasa,
taaki hoye poorn sab aasha.
Durlabh vastu jagat mein joi,
sumirat tumhi sulabh so hoi.
Prem sahit jo dhyaan lagaavai,
gaudhan dhan man maano paavai.
Krishak bhaje tumko chitlaai,
upaje khet ann adhikaai.
Kodhin ki kari kanchan kaaya,
nirdhan bhavan bharat tum maaya.
Paavain baanjh naari sut neeko,
tum sam kaun sahaay dukhi ko.
Jan prati paalak sant sahaayak,
shaktimaan samarth sab laayak.
Nirbal ke Balram kahaavau,
jan pukaar suni aatur dhaavau.
Tum anant prabhu antaryaami,
vegi harahu mam sankat swami.
Haun balak vimoodh mati manda,
kaathahu naath bharam bhavphanda.
Jaise bhakt anek ubaare,
taisehi saaro kaaj hamaare.
Dev dayalu na aapu samaana,
jag mein heen na mo sam aana.
Dau dayal Braj ke raaja,
ho dayal ab saaro kaaja.
Sevak vinay karai kar jore,
purvahu naath manorath more.
Mau pai karahu prem parteeti,
dehu bhakti bhaktan ki preeti.
॥ Doha ॥
Yah Chalisa jo padhe,
chit pavitra satvaar.
Paavai param vichitra vah,
sampatti sukh apaar.
About Shri Balarama Chalisa
This Chalisa recounts several episodes from his life: killing the demon Dhenuka who attacked in the form of a donkey, defeating the powerful demon Pralamba, and overpowering the wrestler Mushtika at the bow sacrifice arranged by King Kansa. It also describes his mastery of the gada (mace), through which he bound the mighty king Jarasandha in battle.
One of the most striking episodes in the Chalisa is when Duryodhana acted unjustly during a dispute involving Samba''s marriage. Enraged, Balarama raised his plow and threatened to drag the entire city of Hastinapur into the river, forcing the Kuru king to apologize — a powerful display of his commitment to justice and protection of his kin.
The Chalisa also mentions his encounter with a proud sage''s son, his boon to the sage Vaishampayana, and his defeat of the powerful monkey demon Dvivida, all reflecting his role as a protector of sages and dharma.
He is regarded as the embodiment of physical and moral strength, stability, agricultural prosperity (symbolized by his weapon the plow) and protective energy. Regular and sincere recitation of the Balarama Chalisa is believed to bring courage, stability, prosperity, protection from obstacles and a balanced life.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Question: Why is Lord Balarama considered an incarnation of Shesh Naga?
Answer: The Chalisa describes him as taking the form of Shesh Naga, the great serpent who bears the weight of the earth, descending to protect devotees and uphold dharma alongside his brother Krishna.
Question: Which demons did Balarama defeat, according to this Chalisa?
Answer: The Chalisa mentions that he killed the demon Dhenuka (disguised as a donkey) and the powerful demon Pralamba, both threats to the cowherds of Vraj.
Question: What happened when Balarama wrestled Mushtika?
Answer: At the bow sacrifice arranged by Kansa, Balarama defeated the mighty wrestler Mushtika, demonstrating his unmatched strength even in his youth, as described in the Chalisa.
Question: Why did Balarama threaten to drag Hastinapur with his plow?
Answer: When Duryodhana acted unjustly during the dispute over Samba and Lakshmana''s marriage, an angered Balarama raised his plow to pull the entire city of Hastinapur toward the river, until the Kuru king relented and apologized.
Question: What is the significance of Balarama binding Jarasandha?
Answer: The Chalisa recalls how Balarama, renowned for his mastery of the mace (gada), bound the powerful king Jarasandha in battle, showing his role as a protector of dharma.
Question: When should the Balarama Chalisa be recited?
Answer: It is best recited after a morning bath or during the evening Aarti, and is considered especially auspicious on Saturdays and during Baldeo Chhath (Balarama Birthday).
