{
  "id": 10421185,
  "title": "Hanuman Chalisa: The prayer that needs no temple",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/28/hanuman-chalisa-the-prayer-that-needs-no-temple",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-28T10:31:18.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Indian Express",
    "slug": "the-indian-express",
    "url": "https://indianexpress.com/article/books-and-literature/hanuman-chalisa-english-translation-abhay-k-review-10897488/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Growing up in a home where religion was simply part of family tradition rather than a strict set of doctrines, the author was exposed to various Hindu festivals and rituals. However, the devotion was not forced upon anyone. The daily routine of the author's father included a solemn aarti and the burning of a single agarbatti. In contrast, the author's mother would retreat to a chair after her bath and recite the Hanuman Chalisa. This practice started when her life became overwhelming, and someone advised her to read the Chalisa and keep it near her bed. The author, who was not present during her mother's daily ritual, knows where she is at any given moment by finding her reading the Chalisa after her shower. This daily practice has become a source of protection, clarity, discipline, remembrance, and habit for her, providing a moment of solitude in a world that constantly demands her attention. The author's exploration of the Hanuman Chalisa, translated into English by Abhay K, reveals the power of this 40-verse hymn. The book presents the hymn in a convenient format, with each verse accompanied by the original Devanagari script, Roman transliteration, explanatory notes, and a rhymed English version. This arrangement makes the text accessible to readers who are unfamiliar with the Awadhi language or cannot read Devanagari script. Abhay K, inspired by a delegation from Trinidad and Tobago, aimed to create a translation that not only conveyed the meaning of the hymn but also retained its energy, movement, and rhythm. While some English verses may not be as effortless as the original, the book's sincerity comes from its willingness to embrace the challenges of translation. The Hanuman Chalisa presents Hanuman as a multifaceted figure, embodying qualities such as scholarship, service, mediation, and unwavering devotion. The hymn reminds readers that Hanuman's strength, though immense, is coupled with humility and the understanding that one's powers should not be taken for granted. In a world plagued by anxiety and self-doubt, the Chalisa serves as a reminder that courage may not always need to be acquired but can be recalled through old, established traditions.",
  "summary": null,
  "key_points": [
    "Hanuman Chalisa recited daily by author's mother for protection and clarity",
    "Abhay K's English translation preserves hymn's energy and rhythm",
    "Hanuman Chalisa depicts Hanuman as scholarly, service-oriented, and devoted"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}