Why seek advice from others when you can turn to the Hanuman Chalisa itself for guidance?
If you’ve read the Hanuman Chalisa word by word, you’ll come across a verse that states:
‘जो यह पढ़ै हनुमान चालीसा
होय सिद्धि साखी गौरीसा’
Translated, it means: “As Lord Shankar bears witness, all those who regularly recite the Hanuman Chalisa are bound to receive blessings.”
Here, the author, Goswami Ji, has written ‘jo yeh padhe Hanuman Chalisa.’ However, there are no specific gender, marital, emotional, or other restrictions mentioned by Goswami Ji. The author has not specified that only men or women should read it, nor has there been any mention of one’s sanyasi or marital status, emotional state, and so on.
Goswami Ji imposes no restrictions; one simply needs to read and believe in it to receive the blessings of Prabhu Shri Ram Ji and our beloved Hanuman Ji.
The only caveat mentioned is not to read it during impurity caused by monthly cycles. In such cases, one should instead repeatedly chant the names of Prabhu Shri SitaRam Ji and Shri Hanuman Ji. However, this is the only exception.
But why this exception? It’s essential to understand that whether one is a man or a woman, our bodies are composed of the same five elements and will eventually return to those elements once our physical existence as a man or woman ends. Our connection with our deity is through the soul, for we are primarily souls inhabiting these temporary bodies. We are immortal and eternal fragments of our God, as stated:
‘ममैवांशो जीवलोके जीवभूतः सनातनः’
Translated: “The living entities in this conditioned world are eternal, fragmental parts of My (your chosen God’s) divine existence.”
The notion of gender-based restrictions arises from the misconception that we are our physical bodies, that we are male or female, and that we have these worldly identities and relationships. This misconception keeps us entangled in the cycle of birth and death.
Until we come to realize our true spiritual nature, it’s advisable to follow basic decorum and guidelines.
With the grace of Shri Sitaram Ji and Hanuman Ji, I hope this answers your question. If you have any more questions, please don’t hesitate to ask.
And there are other questions related to Shri Hanuman Chalisa as well:
How many times should a pregnant woman chant Hanuman Chalisa?
How powerful is the ‘Hanuman Chalisa’?
What is the scientific reason behind reading Hanuman Chalisa?
When should one recite Bajrang Baan in place of Hanuman Chalisa? What is the major difference between the two?
To those who claim that since Shri Hanuman Ji is a Bal Bramachari (Celibate), ladies shouldn’t touch or praise him, it’s worth noting that this belief may not align with the broader understanding of spirituality and devotion.”