About this stotra
The Shani Chalisa is a forty-verse devotional hymn addressed to Lord Shani (Saturn), composed in the traditional chalisa format of Awadhi Hindi. Following the convention established by Tulsidas's Hanuman Chalisa, it opens with invocatory dohas seeking the blessings of Lord Ganesha before turning its praise toward the son of Surya, the presiding deity of the planet Saturn.
Lord Shani is revered as a powerful force of karmic justice, and this chalisa acknowledges both his stern nature and his deep compassion toward sincere devotees. The verses celebrate his role as protector of the faithful, describing how he removes obstacles and grants peace to those who approach him with humility. The hymn emphasizes that Shani Dev, though feared for his influence during the sade sati period, responds graciously to devoted recitation and worship.
PhalashrutiRegular recitation is believed to mitigate the challenging effects of Saturn's planetary influenceA forty-day continuous practice (chalisa dina) is said to help one cross the ocean of worldly existenceDevotees recite it especially on Saturdays to invoke Shani Dev's protection and blessings
दोहा
जय गणेश गिरिजा सुवन, मङ्गल करण कृपाल ।
दीनन के दुख दूर करि, कीजै नाथ निहाल ॥
dōhā
jaya gaṇēśa girijā suvana, maṅgala karaṇa kṛpāla ।
dīnana kē dukha dūra kari, kījai nātha nihāla ॥
Doha (Opening Invocation): Victory to Gaṇeśa, son of Girijā (Pārvatī), the gracious performer of all auspicious acts. O Lord, remove the sufferings of the lowly and grant us contentment.
जय जय श्री शनिदेव प्रभु, सुनहु विनय महाराज ।
करहु कृपा हे रवि तनय, राखहु जन की लाज ॥
jaya jaya śrī śanidēva prabhu, sunahu vinaya mahārāja ।
karahu kṛpā hē ravi tanaya, rākhahu jana kī lāja ॥
Victory, victory to Śrī Śanideva, O Lord — hear my humble prayer, O Great King. Show mercy, O son of Ravi (the Sun), and preserve the honor of your devotees.
चौपाई
जयति जयति शनिदेव दयाला ।
करत सदा भक्तन प्रतिपाला ॥
chaupāī
jayati jayati śanidēva dayālā ।
karata sadā bhaktana pratipālā ॥
Chaupai: Glory, glory to Śanideva the compassionate, who always cherishes and protects his devotees.
चारि भुजा, तनु श्याम विराजै ।
माथे रतन मुकुट छवि छाजै ॥
chāri bhujā, tanu śyāma virājai ।
māthē ratana mukuṭa Chavi Chājai ॥
Four-armed, his dark form shines resplendent; on his forehead glows the brilliant jeweled crown.
परम विशाल मनोहर भाला ।
टेढई दृष्टि भृकुटि विकराला ॥
parama viśāla manōhara bhālā ।
ṭēḍhaī dṛṣṭi bhṛkuṭi vikarālā ॥
His forehead is supremely broad and captivating; his sideways gaze and furrowed brow are formidable.
कुण्डल श्रवण चमाचम चमके ।
हिये माल मुक्तन मणि दमके ॥
kuṇḍala śravaṇa chamāchama chamakē ।
hiyē māla muktana maṇi damakē ॥
His earrings shimmer and glitter at his ears; at his chest gleams a garland of pearls and precious gems.
कर में गदा त्रिशूल कुठारा ।
पल बिच करैं आरिहिं संहारा ॥
kara mēṃ gadā triśūla kuṭhārā ।
pala bicha karaiṃ ārihiṃ saṃhārā ॥
In his hands he holds a mace, a trident, and an axe; in but a moment he can bring enemies to destruction.
पिङ्गल, कृष्णों, छाया, नन्दन ।
यम, कोणस्थ, रौद्र, दुख भञ्जन॥
piṅgala, kṛṣṇōṃ, Chāyā, nandana ।
yama, kōṇastha, raudra, dukha bhañjana॥
Piṅgala (the tawny-eyed), Kṛṣṇa (the dark), Chāyānandana (son of Chāyā / Saturn), Yama (the restrainer), Koṇastha (the angular), Raudra (the fierce), Dukha-bhañjana (destroyer of sorrow) —
सौरी, मन्द, शनि, दश नामा ।
भानु पुत्र पूजहिं सब कामा ॥
saurī, manda, śani, daśa nāmā ।
bhānu putra pūjahiṃ saba kāmā ॥
Saurī (son of the Sun), Manda (the slow), Śani (Saturn) — these are ten names of the Lord. Worshipping the son of Bhānu (the Sun) fulfills all desires.
जा पर प्रभु प्रसन्न है जाहीम् ।
रङ्कहुं राव करैङ्क्षण माहीम् ॥
jā para prabhu prasanna hai jāhīm ।
raṅkahuṃ rāva karaiṅkṣaṇa māhīm ॥
Upon whomever the Lord is pleased, he can turn even a beggar into a king in a single instant.
पर्वतहू तृण होई निहारत ।
तृण हू को पर्वत करि डारत॥
parvatahū tṛṇa hōī nihārata ।
tṛṇa hū kō parvata kari ḍārata॥
Even a mountain can become a blade of grass under his gaze; and even a blade of grass he can turn into a mountain.
राज मिलत बन रामहिं दीन्हो ।
कैकेइहुं की मति हरि लीन्हों॥
rāja milata bana rāmahiṃ dīnhō ।
kaikēihuṃ kī mati hari līnhōṃ॥
He gave the forest to Rāma when Rāma was to receive the kingdom, and stole away the very wits of Kaikeyī.
बनहूं में मृग कपट दिखाई ।
मातु जानकी गी चतुराई॥
banahūṃ mēṃ mṛga kapaṭa dikhāī ।
mātu jānakī gī chaturāī॥
In the forest a deceptive golden deer was conjured; Mother Jānakī (Sītā) was robbed of her shrewdness and taken away.
लखनहिं शक्ति विकल करि डारा ।
मचिगा दल में हाहाकारा॥
lakhanahiṃ śakti vikala kari ḍārā ।
machigā dala mēṃ hāhākārā॥
He struck Lakṣmaṇa with the Śakti dart, rendering him senseless; a great cry of lamentation and panic spread through the army.
रावण की गति-मति बौराई ।
रामचन्द्र सों बैर बढई॥
rāvaṇa kī gati-mati baurāī ।
rāmachandra sōṃ baira baḍhaī॥
The sense and intellect of Rāvaṇa went mad; his enmity with Śrī Rāmacandra grew without bound.
दियो कीट करि कञ्चन लङ्का ।
बजि बजरङ्ग बीर की डङ्का॥
diyō kīṭa kari kañchana laṅkā ।
baji bajaraṅga bīra kī ḍaṅkā॥
He turned golden Laṅkā into a mound fit for insects to devour; and the glory of the heroic Bajaraṅga (Hanumān) resounded across the worlds.
नृप विक्रम पर तुहि पगु धारा ।
चित्र मयूर निगलि गै हारा॥
nṛpa vikrama para tuhi pagu dhārā ।
chitra mayūra nigali gai hārā॥
You set your foot upon King Vikrama (Vikramāditya); a painted peacock swallowed a priceless necklace — strange wonders unfolded.
हार नौलाखा लाग्यो चोरी ।
हाथ पैर डरवायो तोरी॥
hāra naulākhā lāgyō chōrī ।
hātha paira ḍaravāyō tōrī॥
That nine-lakh necklace was charged against him as theft; in the ordeal that followed, his hands and feet were severed as punishment.
भारी दशा निकृष्ट दिखायो ।
तेलिहिं घर कोल्हू चलवायो॥
bhārī daśā nikṛṣṭa dikhāyō ।
tēlihiṃ ghara kōlhū chalavāyō॥
You showed him a terrible and dreadful period of affliction; the king was made to work the oil-press in an oil-presser's house.
विनय राग दीपक महं कीन्होम् ।
तब प्रसन्न प्रभु है सुख दीन्हों॥
vinaya rāga dīpaka mahaṃ kīnhōm ।
taba prasanna prabhu hai sukha dīnhōṃ॥
The king sang the rāga Dīpak in humble supplication; then the Lord was pleased and granted him happiness once more.
हरिश्चन्द्र नृप नारि बिकानी ।
आपहुं भरे डोम घर पानी॥
hariśchandra nṛpa nāri bikānī ।
āpahuṃ bharē ḍōma ghara pānī॥
King Hariścandra was made to sell even his queen; he himself carried water at the house of a cremation-ground keeper (Ḍoma).
तैसे नल परदशा सिरानी ।
भूञ्जी-मीन कूद गी पानी॥
taisē nala paradaśā sirānī ।
bhūñjī-mīna kūda gī pānī॥
Similarly, King Nala's period of affliction finally came to an end — like a roasted fish leaping back into the water, he was restored.
श्री शङ्करहि गहयो जब जाई ।
पार्वती को सती कराई॥
śrī śaṅkarahi gahayō jaba jāī ।
pārvatī kō satī karāī॥
When (Saturn) went and seized even Śrī Śaṅkara (Śiva), he caused Pārvatī to take the form of Satī and perish.
तनिक विलोकत ही करि रीसा ।
नभ उड़ि गयो गौरिसुत सीसा॥
tanika vilōkata hī kari rīsā ।
nabha uḍi gayō gaurisuta sīsā॥
From just a brief sideways glance — and in his anger — the head of Gaurī's son (Gaṇeśa) flew up into the sky.
पाण्डव पर भै दशा तुम्हारी ।
बची द्रौपदी होति उघारी॥
pāṇḍava para bhai daśā tumhārī ।
bachī draupadī hōti ughārī॥
Your afflicting period fell upon the Pāṇḍavas; Draupadī was saved just as she was being dragged and disrobed.
कौरव के भी गति मति मारयो ।
युद्घ महाभारत करि डारयो॥
kaurava kē bhī gati mati mārayō ।
yudgha mahābhārata kari ḍārayō॥
You destroyed the sense and intellect of the Kauravas as well, and caused the great war of the Mahābhārata to be fought.
रवि कहं मुख महं धरि तत्काला ।
लेकर कूदि परयो पाताला ॥
ravi kahaṃ mukha mahaṃ dhari tatkālā ।
lēkara kūdi parayō pātālā ॥
Śani instantly took the Sun (Ravi) into his mouth and, holding him there, leaped down into the netherworld (Pātāla).
शेष देव-लखि विनती लाई ।
रवि को मुख ते दियो छुडई ॥
śēṣa dēva-lakhi vinatī lāī ।
ravi kō mukha tē diyō Chuḍaī ॥
Seeing this, the remaining gods came and prayed; and (Śani) released the Sun from his mouth.
वाहन प्रभु के सात सुजाना ।
जग दिग्ज गर्दभ मृग स्वाना ॥
vāhana prabhu kē sāta sujānā ।
jaga digja gardabha mṛga svānā ॥
The Lord has seven well-known mounts: the great elephant, the vulture, the donkey, the deer, and the dog —
जम्बुक सिंह आदि नखधारी ।
सो फल जज्योतिष कहत पुकारी ॥
jambuka siṃha ādi nakhadhārī ।
sō phala jajyōtiṣa kahata pukārī ॥
— the jackal, the lion, and other clawed creatures. These mounts each bestow certain results, as astrologers proclaim aloud.
गज वाहन लक्ष्मी गृह आवैम् ।
हय ते सुख सम्पत्ति उपजावैम् ॥
gaja vāhana lakṣmī gṛha āvaim ।
haya tē sukha sampatti upajāvaim ॥
When mounted on the elephant, Lakṣmī comes to the home; from the horse-mount, happiness and wealth arise.
गर्दभ हानि करै बहु काजा ।
गर्दभ सिद्घ कर राज समाजा ॥
gardabha hāni karai bahu kājā ।
gardabha sidgha kara rāja samājā ॥
The donkey-mount causes harm in many endeavors; yet the donkey-mount can also establish one among the kingly assembly.
जम्बुक बुद्घि नष्ट कर डारै ।
मृग दे कष्ट प्रण संहारै ॥
jambuka budghi naṣṭa kara ḍārai ।
mṛga dē kaṣṭa praṇa saṃhārai ॥
The jackal-mount destroys one's intellect entirely; the deer-mount brings suffering and may even take one's life.
जब आवहिं प्रभु स्वान सवारी ।
चोरी आदि होय डर भारी ॥
jaba āvahiṃ prabhu svāna savārī ।
chōrī ādi hōya ḍara bhārī ॥
When the Lord arrives riding on the dog, there is great fear of theft and similar misfortunes.
तैसहि चारि चरण यह नामा ।
स्वर्ण लौह चाञ्जी अरु तामा ॥
taisahi chāri charaṇa yaha nāmā ।
svarṇa lauha chāñjī aru tāmā ॥
Similarly there are four "feet" (phases) of Śani's cycle by these names: Gold (Svarṇa), Iron (Lauha), Silver (Cāñdī), and Copper (Tāmā).
लौह चरण पर जब प्रभु आवैम् ।
धन जन सम्पत्ति नष्ट करावै ॥
lauha charaṇa para jaba prabhu āvaim ।
dhana jana sampatti naṣṭa karāvai ॥
When the Lord arrives in his iron-foot phase, he causes wealth, people, and all prosperity to be destroyed.
समता ताम्र रजत शुभकारी ।
स्वर्ण सर्व सुख मङ्गल कारी ॥
samatā tāmra rajata śubhakārī ।
svarṇa sarva sukha maṅgala kārī ॥
The copper and silver feet bring balance and auspiciousness; the golden foot brings all happiness and every blessing.
जो यह शनि चरित्र नित गावै ।
कबहुं न दशा निकृष्ट सतावै ॥
jō yaha śani charitra nita gāvai ।
kabahuṃ na daśā nikṛṣṭa satāvai ॥
Whoever sings this Śani-carita (account of Śani) daily shall never be tormented by a terrible period of affliction.
अदभुत नाथ दिखावैं लीला ।
करैं शत्रु के नशि बलि ढीला ॥
adabhuta nātha dikhāvaiṃ līlā ।
karaiṃ śatru kē naśi bali ḍhīlā ॥
The wondrous Lord displays his divine play; he renders the enemy's power weak and destroys it utterly.
जो पण्डित सुयोग्य बुलवाई ।
विधिवत शनि ग्रह शान्ति कराई ॥
jō paṇḍita suyōgya bulavāī ।
vidhivata śani graha śānti karāī ॥
Whoever summons a learned and qualified Paṇḍita and performs a proper Śani-graha śānti (propitiatory rite) —
पीपल जल शनि दिवस चढावत ।
दीप दान दै बहु सुख पावत ॥
pīpala jala śani divasa chaḍhāvata ।
dīpa dāna dai bahu sukha pāvata ॥
— who offers water to the Pīpala tree on Saturday and gives the gift of a lamp — attains abundant happiness.
कहत रामसुन्दर प्रभु दासा ।
शनि सुमिरत सुख होत प्रकाशा ॥
kahata rāmasundara prabhu dāsā ।
śani sumirata sukha hōta prakāśā ॥
Says Rāmasundara, the servant of the Lord: Remembering Śani, happiness and light arise within.
दोहा
पाठ शनिश्चर देव को, की हों विमल तैयार ।
करत पाठ चालीस दिन, हो भवसागर पार ॥
dōhā
pāṭha śaniśchara dēva kō, kī hōṃ vimala taiyāra ।
karata pāṭha chālīsa dina, hō bhavasāgara pāra ॥
Doha (Closing): Taking up the recitation of Śaniścara Deva, having first prepared oneself in purity — reciting it for forty days, one crosses the ocean of worldly existence.