Tulsidas
Hanuman Chalisa · Opening
The opening movement of the Hanuman Chalisa begins with humility before speech and memory.
Why return to it: Before praise begins, the poet asks that the mirror of the mind be cleaned.
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Original / source text
Hanuman Chalisa · Opening
श्रीगुरु चरन सरोज रज
निज मन मुकुर सुधारि
English transliteration
Hanuman Chalisa · Opening
Śrīguru charan saroja raja,
Nija mana mukuru sudhāri.
Poetic English rendering
Hanuman Chalisa · Opening
With the dust of the guru’s lotus feet, I polish the mirror of my mind, so that remembrance may become clear.