About this stotra
The Shani Aarati is a devotional hymn sung in praise of Lord Shani (Saturn), the powerful deity who governs karma, justice, and the fruits of one's actions. This aarati celebrates Shani Dev as the son of Surya (the Sun) and Chāyā, describing his distinctive dark-hued form, four arms, and his mount, the elephant or crow.
The verses lovingly enumerate the Lord's iconography — his radiant crown, the pearl garland adorning his neck, and the offerings dear to him: modaka sweets, betel leaf with supari, sesame oil, black urad, and items made of iron. The hymn acknowledges that gods, demons, sages, and ordinary men and women alike remember Shani Dev, and that even Lord Vishvanatha meditates upon him.
Sung especially on Saturdays and during Shani Jayanti, this aarati is believed to appease Lord Shani, mitigate the difficult effects of his planetary influence, and invite his blessings for discipline, perseverance, and spiritual growth.
जय जय श्री शनिदेव भक्तन हितकारी ।
सूर्य पुत्र प्रभु छाया महतारी ॥
जय जय श्री शनि देव ।
jaya jaya śrī śanidēva bhaktana hitakārī ।
sūrya putra prabhu Chāyā mahatārī ॥
jaya jaya śrī śani dēva ।
Victory, victory to Śrī Śanideva — O benefactor of devotees! O son of the Sun — whose great mother is Chāyā. Victory, victory to Śrī Śani Deva.
श्याम अङ्ग वक्र-दृष्टि चतुर्भुजा धारी ।
नी लाम्बर धार नाथ गज की असवारी ॥
जय जय श्री शनि देव ।
śyāma aṅga vakra-dṛṣṭi chaturbhujā dhārī ।
nī lāmbara dhāra nātha gaja kī asavārī ॥
jaya jaya śrī śani dēva ।
Dark-bodied, with a crooked glance, bearer of four arms — wearing dark blue robes, O lord — riding an elephant. Victory, victory to Śrī Śani Deva.
क्रीट मुकुट शीश राजित दिपत है लिलारी ।
मुक्तन की माला गले शोभित बलिहारी ॥
जय जय श्री शनि देव ।
krīṭa mukuṭa śīśa rājita dipata hai lilārī ।
muktana kī mālā galē śōbhita balihārī ॥
jaya jaya śrī śani dēva ।
On the head — a jeweled crown, shining on the forehead — a garland of pearls at the throat, beautiful, incomparable. Victory, victory to Śrī Śani Deva.
मोदक मिष्ठान पान चढ़त हैं सुपारी ।
लोहा तिल तेल उड़द महिषी अति प्यारी ॥
जय जय श्री शनि देव ।
mōdaka miṣṭhāna pāna chaḍhata haiṃ supārī ।
lōhā tila tēla uḍada mahiṣī ati pyārī ॥
jaya jaya śrī śani dēva ।
Modaka sweets, betel leaf, and betel nut are offered to you — iron, sesame, oil, black lentil (urad), and black female buffalo are especially dear to you. Victory, victory to Śrī Śani Deva.
देव दनुज ऋषि मुनि सुमिरत नर नारी ।
विश्वनाथ धरत ध्यान शरण हैं तुम्हारी ॥
जय जय श्री शनि देव भक्तन हितकारी ॥
जय जय श्री शनि देव ।
dēva danuja ṛṣi muni sumirata nara nārī ।
viśvanātha dharata dhyāna śaraṇa haiṃ tumhārī ॥
jaya jaya śrī śani dēva bhaktana hitakārī ॥
jaya jaya śrī śani dēva ।
Gods, demons, sages, and saints — men and women — all remember [you]. Viśvanātha meditates on you — [we] are in your refuge. Victory, victory to Śrī Śani Deva.