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Lyrics with meaning
The complete Shani Chalisa – two opening dohas, forty chaupais, and a closing doha. A short English meaning sits below every verse. Toggle the script to read in Devanagari, romanized, or both side-by-side.
जय गणेश गिरिजा सुवन, मंगल करण कृपाल। दीनन के दुःख दूर करि, कीजै नाथ निहाल॥
Jai Ganesh Girija suvan, mangal karan kripal. Deenan ke dukh door kari, kijai Nath nihal.
Hail Ganesha, son of Girija (Parvati), the auspicious and merciful one. Remove the troubles of the lowly, O Lord, and bless them with grace. The Chalisa opens with the customary Ganesh invocation.
जय जय श्री शनिदेव प्रभु, सुनहु विनय महाराज। करहु कृपा हे रवि तनय, राखहु जन की लाज॥
Jai jai Shri Shanidev prabhu, sunahu vinay maharaj. Karahu kripa he Ravi tanay, rakhahu jan ki laaj.
Hail, hail, Lord Shanidev. Hear my prayer, O great king. Show grace, O son of Ravi (Surya), and protect the honour of your devotees.
जयति जयति शनिदेव दयाला। करत सदा भक्तन प्रतिपाला॥
Jayati jayati Shanidev dayala. Karat sada bhaktan pratipala.
Victory, victory to the compassionate Shanidev. You always protect and uphold your devotees.
चारि भुजा, तनु श्याम विराजै। माथे रतन मुकुट छवि छाजै॥
Chari bhuja, tanu shyam virajai. Mathe ratan mukut chhavi chhajai.
You shine with four arms and a dark-blue body. A jewelled crown adorns your forehead.
परम विशाल मनोहर भाला। टेढ़ी दृष्टि भृकुटि विकराला॥
Param vishal manohar bhala. Tedhi drishti bhrikuti vikarala.
Your forehead is broad and beautiful. Your sidelong glance and fierce eyebrows are dreaded across the world.
कुण्डल श्रवन चमाचम चमके। हिये माल मुक्तन मणि दमकै॥
Kundal shravan chamacham chamake. Hiye mal muktan mani damakai.
Earrings shine brightly in your ears. A garland of pearls and gems sparkles on your chest.
कर में गदा त्रिशूल कुठारा। पल बिच करैं अरिहिं संहारा॥
Kar mein gada trishul kuthara. Pal bich karain arihin sanhara.
In your hands you hold the mace, the trident, and the axe. In a single moment you destroy your enemies.
पिंगल, कृष्णो, छाया, नन्दन। यम, कोणस्थ, रौद्र, दुःख भंजन॥
Pingal, Krishno, Chhaya, Nandan. Yam, Konasth, Raudra, dukh bhanjan.
Pingala, Krishna, Chhaya-nandan (son of Chhaya), Yama, Konastha, Raudra – the destroyer of sorrows. Six of the ten traditional names of Shani are listed here.
सौरी, मन्द शनी दश नामा। भानु पुत्र पूजहिं सब कामा॥
Sauri, Mand, Shani – dash nama. Bhanu putra pujahin sab kama.
Sauri, Manda, Shani – making ten names in all. The son of Bhanu (Surya) – worship him for the fulfillment of every desire.
जापर प्रभु प्रसन्न हवैं जाहीं। रंकहुं राव करैं क्षण माहीं॥
Japar prabhu prasanna hwain jahin. Rankahu rav karain kshan mahin.
Whoever the Lord becomes pleased with – he turns the poorest beggar into a king in a single moment.
पर्वतहू तृण होइ निहारत। तृणहू को पर्वत करि डारत॥
Parvatahu trin hoi niharat. Trinahu ko parvat kari darat.
By his glance, mountains become mere blades of grass. And blades of grass become mountains.
राज मिलत वन रामहिं दीन्ह्यो। कैकेइहुँ की मति हरि लीन्ह्यो॥
Raj milat van Ramahin dinhyo. Kaikeyihun ki mati hari linhyo.
When Lord Ram was about to receive the throne, he was sent to the forest instead. It was Shani who turned Kaikeyi's mind. The verse points to the famous Ramayana moment as a Shani-effect.
वनहुं में मृग कपट दिखाई। मातु जानकी गई चुराई॥
Vanahun mein mrig kapat dikhai. Matu Janaki gayi churai.
In the forest, the deceptive golden deer appeared. And Mother Janaki (Sita) was abducted. (The Maricha episode that led to Sita's capture is read as another Shani-event.)
लषणहिं शक्ति विकल करिडारा। मचिगा दल में हाहाकार॥
Lakshmanahin shakti vikal kari dara. Machiga dal mein hahakara.
The Shakti weapon left Lakshman unconscious. A great cry rose through the entire army.
रावण की गति-मति बौराई। रामचन्द्र सों बैर बढ़ाई॥
Ravan ki gati-mati baurai. Ramchandra son bair badhai.
Ravana's very intellect went mad. He grew enmity with Lord Ramchandra.
दियो कीट करि कंचन लंका। बजि बजरंग बीर की डंका॥
Diyo keet kari kanchan Lanka. Baji Bajrang vir ki danka.
The golden Lanka was reduced to ashes as if by an insect. The drum of the brave Bajrang (Hanuman) sounded its victory.
नृप विक्रम पर तुहि पगु धारा। चित्र मयूर निगलि गै हारा॥
Nrip Vikram par tuhi pagu dhara. Chitra mayur nigali gai hara.
When you placed your foot on King Vikramaditya, even his painted peacock seemed to swallow the necklace. (The famous legend of Vikram's necklace, an episode in Shani lore.)
हार नौलखा लाग्यो चोरी। हाथ पैर डरवायो तोरी॥
Haar naulakha lagyo chori. Hath pair darvayo tori.
The nine-lakh necklace was branded as stolen. His hands and feet were broken to terrify him.
भारी दशा निकृष्ट दिखायो। तेलहिं घर कोल्हू चलवायो॥
Bhari dasha nikrishta dikhayo. Telahin ghar kolhu chalvayo.
A heavy and lowly state was shown to him. He was forced to turn the oilman's mill in his house.
विनय राग दीपक महँ कीन्ह्यो। तब प्रसन्न प्रभु ह्वै सुख दीन्ह्यो॥
Vinay rag deepak mahan kinhyo. Tab prasanna prabhu hwai sukh dinhyo.
When Vikram offered a humble prayer through the raga Deepak, Shani became pleased and granted him happiness. (The teaching: surrender ends Shani's lesson.)
हरिश्चन्द्र नृप नारि बिकानी। आपहुं भरे डोम घर पानी॥
Harishchandra nrip nari bikani. Apahun bhare Dom ghar pani.
King Harishchandra had to sell his wife. He himself fetched water at the cremation-keeper's house.
तैसे नल पर दशा सिरानी। भूंजी-मीन कूद गई पानी॥
Taise Nal par dasha sirani. Bhunji-meen kud gayi pani.
Such was Shani's state on King Nala too. Even fried fish leapt back into the water (because of his Shani period).
श्री शंकरहिं गह्यो जब जाई। पारवती को सती कराई॥
Shri Shankarahin gahyo jab jai. Parvati ko Sati karai.
When Shani's gaze fell on Lord Shankar himself – Parvati had to take her own life as Sati. The verse names even Mahadev as having walked through Shani's effect.
तनिक विकलोकत ही करि रीसा। नभ उड़ि गतो गौरिसुत सीसा॥
Tanik viklokat hi kari risa. Nabh udi gato Gauri-sut sisa.
With a small angry glance, the head of the son of Gauri (Ganesh) flew off into the sky. The Ganesh-birth episode connecting Shani to Ganesh's elephant-head.
पाण्डव पर भै दशा तुम्हारी। बची द्रोपदी होति उधारी॥
Pandav par bhai dasha tumhari. Bachi Draupadi hoti udhari.
Your dasha came upon the Pandavas. Even Draupadi was about to be stripped bare.
कौरव के भी गति मति मारयो। युद्ध महाभारत करि डारयो॥
Kaurav ke bhi gati mati maryo. Yuddha Mahabharat kari daryo.
The intellect of the Kauravas was struck down. And so the great war of the Mahabharata broke out.
रवि कहँ मुख महँ धरि तत्काला। लेकर कूदि परयो पाताला॥
Ravi kahan mukh mahan dhari tatkala. Lekar koodi paryo patala.
You once held Surya himself in your mouth. And jumped down to the netherworld with him.
शेष देव-लखि विनती लाई। रवि को मुख ते दियो छुड़ाई॥
Shesh dev-lakhi vinati lai. Ravi ko mukh te diyo chhudai.
Sheshnag and the gods came to plead with you. And then you released Surya from your mouth.
वाहन प्रभु के सात सुजाना। जग दिग्गज गर्दभ मृग स्वाना॥
Vahan prabhu ke sat sujana. Jag diggaj gardabh mrig svana.
The Lord has seven vehicles, the wise know. The world-elephant, the donkey, the deer, the dog...
जम्बुक सिह आदि नख धारी। सो फल ज्योतिष कहत पुकारी॥
Jambuk sinh adi nakh dhari. So phal jyotish kahat pukari.
...the jackal, the lion, and others with claws. Astrologers loudly proclaim the fruits of each.
गज वाहन लक्ष्मी गृह आवैं। हय ते सुख सम्पत्ति उपजावै॥
Gaj vahan Lakshmi grih avain. Hay te sukh sampatti upjavai.
When Shani rides the elephant, Lakshmi enters the home. When he rides the horse, comfort and wealth spring forth.
गर्दभ हानि करै बहु काजा। सिह सिद्ध्कर राज समाजा॥
Gardabh hani karai bahu kaja. Sinh siddhi-kar raj samaja.
The donkey-ride causes loss in many enterprises. The lion-ride brings success in royal company.
जम्बुक बुद्धि नष्ट कर डारै। मृग दे कष्ट प्राण संहारै॥
Jambuk buddhi nasht kar darai. Mrig de kasht pran sanharai.
The jackal-ride destroys intellect. The deer-ride causes great suffering, even loss of life.
जब आवहिं स्वान सवारी। चोरी आदि होय डर भारी॥
Jab avahin svaan savari. Chori adi hoy dar bhari.
When he rides the dog, theft and great fears come.
तैसहि चारि चरण यह नामा। स्वर्ण लौह चाँदी अरु तामा॥
Taisahi chari charan yah nama. Svarn lauh chandi aru tama.
Shani also has four feet by name. Gold, iron, silver, and copper.
लौह चरण पर जब प्रभु आवैं। धन जन सम्पत्ति नष्ट करावैं॥
Lauh charan par jab prabhu avain. Dhan jan sampatti nasht karavain.
When the Lord steps on his iron foot, wealth, family, and possessions are destroyed.
समता ताम्र रजत शुभकारी। स्वर्ण सर्व सुख मंगल भारी॥
Samta tamr rajat shubh-kari. Svarn sarv sukh mangal bhari.
Equality on copper and silver brings auspiciousness. Gold brings every kind of happiness in abundance.
जो यह शनि चरित्र नित गावै। कबहुं न दशा निकृष्ट सतावै॥
Jo yah Shani charitra nit gavai. Kabahun na dasha nikrishta satavai.
Whoever sings of Shani's deeds daily – their state will never sink to the lowest, never harass them.
अद्भुत नाथ दिखावैं लीला। करैं शत्रु के नशि बलि ढीला॥
Adbhut Nath dikhavain leela. Karain shatru ke nashi bali dheela.
The wonderful Lord shows his many leelas. He makes the strength of enemies wither away.
जो पण्डित सुयोग्य बुलवाई। विधिवत शनि ग्रह शांति कराई॥
Jo pandit suyogya bulvai. Vidhivat Shani grah shanti karai.
Whoever calls a learned pandit and performs the proper Shani-graha shanti puja...
पीपल जल शनि दिवस चढ़ावत। दीप दान दै बहु सुख पावत॥
Peepal jal Shani divas chadhavat. Deep daan dai bahu sukh pavat.
...whoever offers water to the peepal tree on Saturdays, and offers a lit lamp – will receive great happiness. The peepal-water-on-Saturday tradition is named directly here.
कहत राम सुन्दर प्रभु दासा। शनि सुमिरत सुख होत प्रकाशा॥
Kahat Ram Sundar Prabhu Dasa. Shani sumirat sukh hot prakasha.
Says Ram Sundar Prabhu Das – remembering Shani brings light and joy. The composer's signature line; the same poet who signs the Ganesh Chalisa.
पाठ शनिश्चर देव को, की हों भक्त तैयार। करत पाठ चालीस दिन, हो भवसागर पार॥
Path Shanishchar dev ko, ki hon bhakt taiyar. Karat path chalis din, ho bhav-sagar par.
Recite this Shanishchar Chalisa with full devotion as a true devotee. Whoever recites it for forty days will cross the ocean of worldly suffering. The forty-day anushthan tradition is named directly in the closing verse.
Why this chalisa
What the Shani Chalisa is recited for, and what people turn to it for.
Relief through sade sati
The seven-and-a-half year period when Saturn transits the moon-sign and the two adjacent signs is the most spoken-about Shani phase. Many devotees recite the Chalisa daily through sade sati. The teaching the Chalisa carries (verses 7-25): every great figure – Vikram, Harishchandra, Nala, even Lord Ram, even Lord Shiv – walked through Shani's lesson. Surrender ends the lesson. Reciting brings the inner steadiness to walk the period without fear, and is paired in many homes with the Hanuman Chalisa on Saturdays.
The Saturday vrat anchor
Saturdays belong to Shani, and the closing doha (verse 43) names a specific anushthan: forty days of daily recitation crosses the ocean of bhav. Many homes do one paath every Saturday evening after sunset, with mustard-oil offering, peepal-tree water (verse 39), and a lit til-oil diya. This is the simplest household Shani sadhana.
Karma reframe, not panic
Shani is the planetary Yamraja – the keeper of karma's ledger. The Chalisa describes him as both fierce-glanced (verse 3) and compassionate (verse 1, 8) – a single figure who turns beggars into kings (verse 8) and grinds kings into oilmen (verse 17). The teaching is reframe, not avoidance. Whatever phase you are in, it is teaching you something. The Chalisa anchors the devotee in that reframe.
The seven vahanas and four feet
Verses 27-35 contain a remarkable astrological encoding – Shani has seven vehicles (elephant, horse, donkey, deer, jackal, lion, dog) and four feet (gold, silver, copper, iron). Each combination produces a different fruit. Astrologers and pandits use this for graha-shanti puja. The Chalisa preserves the exact tradition that Navagraha shanti rituals draw from.
Connection to Hanuman protection
Tradition holds that Hanuman softens Shani's heaviest effects for his devotees – which is why Saturday is also a Hanuman day, alongside Tuesday. Many people recite the Hanuman Chalisa on Saturday morning and the Shani Chalisa on Saturday evening through difficult phases. The pairing is the most common combined practice in north India.
Help during Shani Jayanti and Shani Amavasya
Shani Jayanti is Jyeshtha Krishna Amavasya (May or June). Shani Amavasya is any new-moon day that falls on a Saturday – considered an especially powerful Shani day. On both, devotees keep an upvas (fast), offer mustard oil at a Shani temple, light a sesame-oil diya under the peepal tree (verse 39 of the Chalisa names this practice directly), and recite 108 paaths.
Origin
The Shani Chalisa is signed in its closing chaupai by Ram Sundar Prabhu Das (verse 40: "Kahat Ram Sundar Prabhu Dasa, Shani sumirat sukh hot prakasha") – the same saint-poet who signs the Ganesh Chalisa. Ram Sundar Prabhu Das was likely a 19th-century Bhakti-era poet from the Prayag region of north India. Beyond these signatures, very little biographical detail survives. Many published copies attribute the Chalisa simply to "tradition" – an honesty worth preserving.
The text does not record a date. By language and style the Shani Chalisa is generally placed in the 19th century, written in a simple Hindi with Awadhi influence. The Chalisa opens with a salutation to Ganesha (the customary opening for a chalisa, since Ganesh is invoked first before any new endeavour) and then to Shani himself.
Shani is the planetary deity of Saturn, son of Surya (the Sun) and Chhaya (Surya's shadow-form), brother of Yama. In Hindu astrology he is the giver of karmic results – slow-moving, exact, and impartial. The Chalisa narrates his role in many famous lives across verses 10-26: Lord Ram's exile (verse 10), Lakshman's wound from the Shakti (verse 12), Ravana's downfall (verse 13-14), Vikramaditya's humiliation (verse 15-18), Harishchandra's descent (verse 19), Nala's misfortunes (verse 20), Shiva and Parvati's loss (verse 21), even Ganesha's elephant-head (verse 22), the Pandavas' exile (verse 23), and the Mahabharata war itself (verse 24). The pattern is not punishment but a curriculum – and surrender is what completes it.
The Chalisa's wider Shani-related companions are the Navagraha Chalisa (the nine-planet hymn for full astrological balance, recited especially during Shani sade sati when multiple planetary cycles overlap), the Surya Chalisa (Shani's father, the Sun – many devotees recite both during sade sati), and the Hanuman Chalisa (Hanuman protects from Shani's heaviest effects; the pairing is the most common Saturday practice). The Bajrang Baan is added for urgent protection during the heavier years.
How to recite
A simple, sustainable approach. Nothing here is a hard rule – devotion shapes the form, not the other way around.
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Preparation
Bathe and wear clean clothes if you can – traditionally dark blue or black on Saturdays, the colours of Shani. Sit in a clean space facing west, or before your home Shani murti or picture. The traditional offerings are til (sesame) oil, mustard oil for abhishek, black sesame seeds, blue or black flowers (or any blue bloom), urad dal, and a stick of iron or a small horseshoe-shaped piece if you have one. None of this is strictly required. The Chalisa was written for everyday recitation, with or without samagri.
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Posture and start
Sit cross-legged on a mat (a black or dark mat is traditional), or in a chair, with your spine comfortably straight. Bow once. Take a moment of silence to settle the mind. If reciting through sade sati or during a difficult phase, offer a brief sankalp – simply naming the date, the place, and the period of difficulty. Begin with the two opening dohas (Jai Ganesh Girija suvan...), slowly. Saying it aloud has its own merit because the sound itself is an offering, but silent reciting works just as well.
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Recitation
Move through the forty chaupais without rushing. Verses 7-25 narrate Shani's effect on famous figures – read these slowly; this is the heart of the teaching. Verses 27-35 describe the seven vahanas and four feet (the astrological code). End with the closing doha that names the forty-day anushthan. The full recitation takes about seven minutes spoken aloud at a comfortable pace. Devotion matters more than perfect pronunciation.
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After
Sit quietly with eyes closed for a moment. Many people end with the bija mantra Om Sham Shanaishcharaya Namah recited 11 or 21 times. Some traditions add a closing line of namaskar to Hanuman, who protects from Shani. If you have a wish or difficulty in mind, mentally offer the punya of the recitation toward it before getting up.
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Daily practice and special days
One paath a day – evening, after sunset – is the steady daily practice. Saturdays are especially auspicious; the traditional Saturday rituals are offering water at the base of a peepal tree (named directly in verse 39 of the Chalisa), lighting a sesame-oil diya, and giving urad dal or black sesame to the needy. Shani Jayanti in Jyeshtha Krishna Amavasya (May/June) is the major festival – devotees fast, offer mustard oil for abhishek, and recite 108 paaths. Shani Amavasya – any new-moon Saturday – is the second major day. For sade sati or mahadasha relief, the closing doha names a forty-day daily anushthan; some traditions extend it to a full Mangalvar-to-Mangalvar cycle (Tuesday to Tuesday, since Hanuman is the partner-protector).