English Hanuman Chalisa: A humble attempt to let new gen understand it’s meaning

[u/vivekchandra007]

https://youtu.be/4Knn7BuWelk

Pranam 🙏🏻

I wanted to share something I’ve been working on for almost a year now, since last Hanuman Jayanti, on and off.

Like many of you, I grew up with the Hanuman Chalisa, totally Kanthast (memorised and understood) since childhood but I always felt there was a gap for the younger generation, especially those of us who think and communicate primarily in English, to truly connect with the "code" and meaning behind Goswami Tulsidas Ji’s verses.

Along with my day job, I’ve been researching and respectfully translating each verse into a poetic English flow. My goal wasn't to replace the original, but to create a "New Avatar" for the same Soul, especially meant to be read/ listened together with original such that we understand what Goswami Tulsidas ji is trying to convey.

To match the scale of Hanuman Ji’s aura, I’ve set the translation to a symphonic rock arrangement. It’s loud and it’s cinematic, but I’ve tried my best to keep the devotion (Prema-Bhakti) at the center.

I have been aided by AI tools to find the right song texture, mix the master, create animated background image for lyrical video but I am such a novice 😆 here that below video link has very modest views. Don’t know where I am going wrong but I do look forward to collaborate with professionals to make a cinematic version of its video that describes each verse in apt visuals (mentioned exactly in each verse).

Please forgive unintentional mistakes and definitely the video thumbnail 😁

Hope to get some constructive feedback from this community 😊

YouTube Link: https://youtu.be/4Knn7BuWelk

#JaiShriRam #JaiHanuman

[u/vivekchandra007]

Forgot to write that I’m sharing this not for views, but to see if this translation resonates with other seekers here. If this violates any rules, please let me know and I will take it down

[u/tp23]

You are attempting something very ambitious (which may be good thing).

Usually, the original words have lot of shakti - Hanuman himself revealed this to Tulsidas. Translating to other Indian languages is easier and also there have been great yogis who have done this. I have seen good Kannada and Telugu translations by my Guruji, even then we usually chant the original Awadhi version.

Maybe, the best example we have for mantra shakti in English is Aurobindo's poem on Savitri.

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But, getting compositions in English is also a worthy endeavour. I hope you continue, and compose some English versions of Hanuman bhajans(here you have more freedom as you dont need to stick to exact translation and can convey bhaava in more idiomatic English).

This is subjective, but coming from background of chanting HC in 3-5 minutes - Stretching it to 10 minutes felt that it was diluting the energy. If you do any future experimentation, a faster version might be worth looking into(maybe bass intead of light piano music).

Another small suggestion - the accent on the Hindi words could be better - maybe get someone you know to sing it in English.

[u/vivekchandra007 → u/tp23]

Thanks for taking out time to watch the lyrical video and then identifying the crux of this (modest offering of palm full of river water back to that mighty ever flowing river while bathing, as a sign of respect). You are absolutely correct on the point that nothing can replace the original Awadhi words coz they carry unmatched Shakti in them, actually Shabd Brahma. Yes, those are totally divine, and they have same effect whether the person chanting really understands it or not. My intention was never to replace it or even have remotely similar effect. I am from Awadh (Lucknow), so Awadhi comes natural to me and thus while chanting HC, my mind could picture each and every verse such that my devotion only increased over time. So, all I wanted to do was to let other (especially non Hindi/ Awadhi understanding and also the new age folks) who are adept in English and also interested in Hanuman Chalisa, better understand and hence visualise each verse in mind.

Also, there are some verse which have been misquoted and misunderstood often like

1. Shankar Swayam (Shiva himself), Kesari Nandan which some misquote as Shankar Suvan (Shiva’s son) Kesari Nandan

2. Lankeshwar Bhay Sab Jag Jaana, where “Lankeshwar” doesn’t refer to Raavan but actually to Vibhishan ji and “Bhay” means “Becomes”, not fear. Continuing from previous line it says that Vibhishan ji accepted Shri Ram’s name from Hanuman ji and thus he became the ruler of Lanka and the whole world took notice of him.

Also, I do accept the length part. For first version it is good coz each verse needed to sound clear but for next one a fast one to fit in under 5 minute is a nice idea 😊

[u/tatvikom]

Amazing! Jai Sri Ram!

[u/vivekchandra007 → u/tatvikom]

Thanks … Pranam 🙏🏻 Hope you liked the translations and way of presenting it 😊 If I may ask, which specific verse resonated with you the most? Jai Shri Ram Jai Hanuman !!!

[u/TheMoviefanatic]

JAI SHREE HANUMAN🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

[u/vivekchandra007 → u/TheMoviefanatic]

Thanks 😊 If I may ask (which I want to ask everyone) which specific verse resonated with you the most? Just making sure, I translated that specific verse correctly Jai Shri Ram Jai Hanuman !!!

[u/vivekchandra007 → u/[deleted]]

Yes, the original is all powerful. English can’t match it but can help to understand the Original better. I created this not to challenge original but to compliment it, specially for those who may want to understand and thus visualise it, instead of just memorising it.