A useful way to think about Hindu scriptures is with the analogy of an expansive, thick rainforest. Just like a rainforest’s mind-boggling diversity of flora and fauna, the world of Hindu texts contains a variety of gods and goddesses that can be difficult to fully comprehend. Yet, like a giant ancient tree towering over the canopy, one god shines through: Hanuman. Though he is introduced halfway through the epic Ramayana, his importance is so immense that he appears on the flag of Arjuna’s chariot in the Mahabharata’s climactic battle, with none other than Krishna as the charioteer. Hanuman holds a special place in the hearts of Hindus, both young and old. Children are encouraged to emulate his devotion. When they hesitate before a great challenge, they are reminded of Hanuman’s initial apprehension before his monumental leap to Lanka—after which he soars into the sky and single-handedly shakes the foundations of the island kingdom. Hanuman’s various facets are gloriously encapsulated in Goswami Tulsidas’s famous 16th-century poem, the ‘Hanuman Chalisa.’ Its 40 verses, written in the Awadhi dialect, are known across the vast Hindu world. Millions who are unfamiliar with the language memorize the entire poem, which takes about ten minutes to recite. Despite the Chalisa’s ubiquity, I had yet to find a book that truly did it justice—until I discovered “My first Hanuman Chalisa, an illustrated translation that kids can read, understand and enjoy” by Chitwan Mittal, Sarita Saraf and Aparajitha Vaasudev. Each couplet is covered over two pages, with the original text shown in both Devanagari and Roman scripts. While a formal transliteration system like IAST would have been a bonus, the included Roman script is still immensely helpful for those not fluent in Devanagari. Even more impressive is how the book gives centre stage to the plain English meaning of each verse, clearly connecting the translation to the original Awadhi words. Elegant illustrations and appealing stylistic choices elevate the content, making it engaging even for a curious adult. As a Hindu parent, I see this book as a treasure. In a market where many books on Hindu topics for children can be bland or inaccessible with mediocre production value, this work stands out. While movies and videos compensate for what the book world often lacks, spending time with a well-made book leaves a more lasting and personal imprint on the reader. Buy this book for every kid you know, and for any curious grown-ups too. Gift it for all occasions, from birthdays to house-warmings. Finally, as we support these creators, let’s also be inspired to bring more such splendid books to life. -Book reviewed by P. Shashanka, a Canada-based Hindu father taking his kids along on a journey to deepen roots and instill in daily life the timeless values of the Hindu tradition. Subscribe to the Hindu Parenting newsletter to get the latest articles and podcasts. Leave a note, DM or send email to contact@hinduparenting.org if you’d like to share your viewpoints, experiences and wisdom as Hindu parents, or if you wish to join our community! You can also follow us on X (Twitter) or Instagram. Our handle is “hinduparenting” You're currently a free subscriber to Hindu Parenting. For the full experience, upgrade your subscription.
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My First Hanuman Chalisa
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