The principal Hanuman shlokas and mantras in Devanagari and English, each with its meaning and, where it is known, the text it comes from.
Hanuman Shlokas and Mantras
Lord Hanuman, the symbol of devotion, strength and wisdom, is revered across the world as the remover of fear and difficulty. This guide gives the best-known Hanuman shlokas and mantras with their meanings in English, their sources where established, and the traditional way to chant them. To learn more about Hanuman himself, see who Shri Hanuman is.
Why Do Devotees Chant Hanuman Shlokas?
Devotees chant Hanuman shlokas for courage, focus and a sense of protection in difficult times. Those who recite them regularly often describe:
- Freedom from fear and negative thinking
- Better concentration and mental clarity
- A sense of spiritual protection and guidance
- Greater courage and self-confidence
These are devotional experiences drawn from faith and personal practice rather than scientific claims.
Hanuman Shlokas and Mantras with Meanings
1. Hanuman Mool Mantra
Mantra:
ॐ हनुमते नमः |
Om Hanumate Namah |
Meaning:
Salutations to Lord Hanuman.
Practice: The simplest Hanuman mantra and the usual starting point for beginners. It needs no initiation and is commonly chanted 108 times on a mala.
2. Hanuman Dhyana Shloka (Manojavam)
Shloka:
मनोजवं मारुत-तुल्य-वेगं जितेन्द्रियं बुद्धिमतां वरिष्ठम्।
वातात्मजं वानर-यूथ-मुख्यं श्रीरामदूतं शरणं प्रपद्ये॥
Manojavam Maruta-Tulya-Vegam Jitendriyam Buddhi-Mataam Varishtham |
Vatatmajam Vanara-Yutha-Mukhyam Shri-Rama-Dootam Sharanam Prapadye ||
Meaning:
I take refuge in the messenger of Shri Rama — swift as the mind and fast as the wind, master of the senses, foremost among the wise, son of the wind god and chief of the monkey army.
Source: The Shri Rama Raksha Stotram. It is the most widely recited dhyana (meditation) shloka for Hanuman.
3. Bajrang Baan (Opening Doha)
Doha:
निश्चय प्रेम प्रतीति ते, बिनय करैं सनमान।
तेहि के कारज सकल शुभ, सिद्ध करैं हनुमान॥
Nishchay Prem Prateeti Te, Binay Karain Sanman |
Tehi Ke Karaj Sakal Shubh, Siddh Karain Hanuman ||
Meaning:
For those who honour him humbly, with firm love and faith, Hanuman accomplishes all their auspicious undertakings.
Source: The Bajrang Baan, an Awadhi hymn traditionally attributed to Tulsidas and recited in times of serious difficulty.
4. Hanuman Gayatri Mantra
Mantra:
ॐ आञ्जनेयाय विद्महे वायुपुत्राय धीमहि।
तन्नो हनुमत् प्रचोदयात्॥
Om Anjaneyaya Vidmahe Vayuputraya Dhimahi |
Tanno Hanumat Prachodayat ||
Meaning:
We know the son of Anjana; we meditate on the son of the Wind God. May Hanuman inspire our minds.
Note: this is a deity-gayatri composed in the gayatri metre, distinct from the Gayatri Mantra of the Rigveda.
5. Hanuman Rudra Mantra
Mantra:
ॐ हं हनुमते रुद्रात्मकाय हुं फट् |
Om Ham Hanumate Rudratmakaya Hum Phat |
Meaning:
Om, salutations to Hanuman, the manifestation of Rudra (Shiva).
Seed-syllable (beeja) mantras such as this are traditionally received through initiation from a teacher rather than taken up independently.
6. Hanuman Chalisa (Opening Dohas)
Dohas:
श्रीगुरु चरन सरोज रज, निज मन मुकुर सुधारि।
बरनऊं रघुबर बिमल जसु, जो दायकु फल चारि॥
बुद्धिहीन तनु जानिके, सुमिरौं पवन-कुमार।
बल बुद्धि विद्या देहु मोहिं, हरहु कलेस विकार॥
Meaning:
Cleansing the mirror of my mind with the dust of my Guru’s lotus feet, I sing the pure glory of Lord Rama, which bestows the four fruits of life. Knowing myself to be without wisdom, I remember Hanuman, son of the wind; grant me strength, wisdom and knowledge, and remove my afflictions.
Read the complete Hanuman Chalisa with meaning.
7. Sankat Mochan Hanuman Ashtak
First verse:
बाल समय रबि भक्षि लियो तब, तीनहुँ लोक भयो अन्धियारो।
ताहि सों त्रास भयो जग को, यह संकट काहु सों जात न टारो॥
…
को नहिं जानत है जग में कपि, संकटमोचन नाम तिहारो॥
Meaning:
In childhood you swallowed the sun, and the three worlds fell into darkness. The whole world was terrified, and no one could lift this crisis. Who in the world does not know you, O Hanuman, by the name Sankat Mochan, the remover of troubles?
Source: An eight-verse hymn traditionally attributed to Tulsidas. Each verse recalls a crisis Hanuman resolved and ends with the same refrain.
How to Chant Hanuman Shlokas
- Chant in the early morning or in the evening, at sunrise or sunset.
- Face east or north while chanting.
- Use a tulsi or rudraksha mala to count repetitions.
- Keep the space clean and quiet.
- Chant with devotion and attention — tradition values sincerity above perfect pronunciation.
Best Days to Recite Hanuman Mantras
- Tuesday and Saturday are traditionally the most auspicious days for Hanuman worship.
- Many devotees fast or visit Hanuman temples on these days.
Hanuman Jayanti, the festival of Hanuman’s birth, is the most important occasion of the year for chanting his mantras. Devotees often close their practice with the Hanuman Aarti.
Frequently Asked Questions About Hanuman Shlokas and Mantras
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What is the most popular Hanuman mantra?
The simplest and most widely chanted Hanuman mantra is the mool mantra Om Hanumate Namah, meaning salutations to Lord Hanuman. Devotees chant it for courage and protection, often 108 times on a mala, and because it needs no initiation it is the usual starting point for beginners.
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Where does the Manojavam shloka come from?
Manojavam Maruta-tulya-vegam, the best-known Hanuman dhyana shloka, comes from the Shri Rama Raksha Stotram. It describes Hanuman as swift as the mind and the wind, master of the senses, foremost among the wise, son of the wind god, chief of the monkey army and messenger of Shri Rama, in whom the devotee takes refuge.
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What is the Bajrang Baan?
The Bajrang Baan is an Awadhi devotional hymn to Hanuman, traditionally attributed to Tulsidas and recited in times of serious difficulty. It opens with the doha Nishchay prem prateeti te, binay karain sanman, promising that Hanuman accomplishes the auspicious tasks of those who honour him with firm love and faith.
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What is the Sankat Mochan Hanuman Ashtak?
The Sankat Mochan Hanuman Ashtak is an eight-verse hymn traditionally attributed to Tulsidas, each verse recalling a crisis Hanuman resolved, such as swallowing the sun as a child. Every verse ends with the refrain Ko nahin janat hai jag mein kapi, sankat mochan naam tiharo, asking who in the world does not know Hanuman as the remover of troubles.
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What is the Hanuman Gayatri Mantra?
The Hanuman Gayatri Mantra, Om Anjaneyaya Vidmahe Vayuputraya Dhimahi, Tanno Hanumat Prachodayat, is a deity-gayatri in the gayatri metre meaning we know the son of Anjana, we meditate on the son of Vayu; may Hanuman inspire us. It is distinct from the Rigvedic Gayatri Mantra, which is addressed to Savitr, the sun.
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Which Hanuman shloka should I chant daily?
For daily practice, devotees commonly chant the dhyana shloka Manojavam Maruta-tulya-vegam or the two opening dohas of the Hanuman Chalisa, both of which take less than a minute. Many also recite the full Hanuman Chalisa on Tuesdays and Saturdays, the days considered most auspicious for Hanuman.
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How should Hanuman mantras be chanted?
Hanuman mantras are traditionally chanted in the early morning or at dusk, facing east or north, in a clean and quiet place, counting repetitions on a 108-bead tulsi or rudraksha mala. Tradition places sincere devotion and attention above perfect pronunciation, and 11 or 21 repetitions is a reasonable place to start.
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Can Hanuman beeja mantras be chanted without initiation?
Traditionally, seed-syllable mantras such as Om Ham Hanumate Rudratmakaya Hum Phat are received through initiation from a teacher rather than taken up independently. Name-mantras and hymns, such as Om Hanumate Namah, the Hanuman Gayatri and the Hanuman Chalisa, may be recited by anyone.
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What is the best day to chant Hanuman mantras?
Tuesday and Saturday are traditionally the most auspicious days to chant Hanuman mantras: Tuesday is linked with Hanuman’s birth in many traditions, and Saturday with his protection of devotees from the influence of Shani. Hanuman Jayanti, the festival of his birth, is the most important occasion of the year.
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What are the benefits of chanting Hanuman mantras?
Devotees traditionally chant Hanuman shlokas and mantras for courage, protection, focus and freedom from fear, and many find that regular chanting steadies the mind. These are devotional benefits drawn from faith and personal experience; chanting is a spiritual practice and not a substitute for medical or psychological care.
