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शनि चालीसा

Shani Chalisa

Composed by Traditional · All Chalisas

The Shani Chalisa is a forty-verse devotional hymn dedicated to Lord Shani (Saturn) — son of Surya and Chhaya, the karmadhipati who governs justice, discipline, and the consequences of past actions. Shani is not merely a malefic force to be feared; he is a strict teacher who e…

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The Shani Chalisa is a forty-verse devotional hymn dedicated to Lord Shani (Saturn) — son of Surya and Chhaya, the karmadhipati who governs justice, discipline, and the consequences of past actions. Shani is not merely a malefic force to be feared; he is a strict teacher who enforces karmic balance, and those who face his tests with integrity emerge stronger.

In Vedic astrology, Saturn's influence is felt most intensely during Sade Sati (the 7.5-year transit through the 12th, 1st, and 2nd houses from Moon), Dhaiya (2.5-year transit through the 4th or 8th house), and Ashtam Shani. The Chalisa is recited on Saturdays — Shanivar — with mustard oil offerings at Shani temples, especially during Shani Amavasya and Shani Jayanti.

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Opening Dohas

Doha 1

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.

Victory to Ganesha, son of Girija, doer of good; (then) the Shani Chalisa begins.

Doha 2

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.

Victory, victory, Lord Shanidev; hear (my) prayer.

Chaupais (40)

Chaupai 1

जयति जयति शनिदेव दयाला। करत सदा भक्तन प्रतिपाला॥

Jayati jayati Shanidev dayala. Karat sada bhaktan pratipala.

Victory, victory, merciful Shanidev, ever protector of devotees.

Chaupai 2

चारि भुजा, तनु श्याम विराजै। माथे रतन मुकुट छवि छाजै॥

Chari bhuja, tanu shyam virajai. Mathe ratan mukut chhavi chhajai.

Four-armed, dark of body; a jewelled crown gracing your brow.

Chaupai 3

परम विशाल मनोहर भाला। टेढ़ी दृष्टि भृकुटि विकराला॥

Param vishal manohar bhala. Tedhi drishti bhrikuti vikarala.

A vast, lovely brow; a slanting gaze, fearsome brows.

Chaupai 4

कुण्डल श्रवण चमाचम चमके। हिये माल मुक्तन मणि दमके॥

Kundal shravan chamacham chamke. Hiye mal muktan mani damke.

Earrings glitter at the ears; pearl-gem garland shines on the chest.

Chaupai 5

कर में गदा त्रिशूल कुठारा। पल बिच करैं अरिहिं संहारा॥

Kar men gada trishul kuthara. Pal bich karain arihin sanhara.

In hand a mace, trident and axe; in a moment you slay the foe.

Chaupai 6

पिंगल, कृष्णों, छाया, नन्दन। यम, कोणस्थ, रौद्र, दुःख भंजन॥

Pingal, Krishno, Chhaya, Nandan. Yam, Konastha, Raudra, dukh bhanjan.

Pingala, Krishna, Chhaya-nandana, Yama, Konastha, Raudra, destroyer of sorrow —

Chaupai 7

सौरी, मन्द, शनि, दशनामा। भानु पुत्र पूजहिं सब कामा॥

Sauri, Mand, Shani, dashanama. Bhanu putra poojahin sab kama.

Sauri, Manda, Shani — your ten names; son of the Sun, all worship (you) for their aims.

Chaupai 8

जा पर प्रभु प्रसन्न है जाहीं। रंकहुं राव करैं क्षण माहीं॥

Ja par Prabhu prasann hai jahin. Rankahun raav karain kshan mahin.

On whom the Lord is pleased, he makes a pauper a king in a moment.

Chaupai 9

पर्वतहू तृण होई निहारत। तृणहू को पर्वत करि डारत॥

Parvatahu trin hoi niharat. Trinahu ko parvat kari darat.

He sees a mountain as a blade of grass, and makes a blade of grass a mountain.

Chaupai 10

राज मिलत वन रामहिं दीन्हो। कैकेइहुं की मति हरि लीन्हो॥

Raj milat van Ramahin deenho. Kaikeyihun ki mati hari leenho.

When Rama was to be crowned, you gave him the forest; you turned Kaikeyi's mind.

Chaupai 11

बनहूं में मृग कपट दिखाई। मातु जानकी गयी चुराई॥

Banahun men mrig kapat dikhayi. Matu Janaki gayi churai.

In the forest a deceitful (golden) deer appeared; mother Janaki was carried off.

Chaupai 12

लखनहिं शक्ति विकल करिडारा। मचिगा दल में हाहाकारा॥

Lakhanahin shakti vikal karidara. Machiga dal men hahakara.

You made Lakshmana fall stricken by the (demon's) weapon; an outcry arose in the army.

Chaupai 13

रावण की गति मति बौराई। रामचन्द्र सों बैर बढ़ाई॥

Ravan ki gati mati baurai. Ramchandra son bair badhai.

Ravana's sense and wit were deranged; he raised enmity with Ramachandra.

Chaupai 14

दियो कीट करि कंचन लंका। बजि बजरंग बीर की डंका॥

Diyo keet kari kanchan Lanka. Baji Bajrang veer ki danka.

You made golden Lanka (a heap) of ash; the drum of brave Bajrang sounded.

Chaupai 15

नृप विक्रम पर तुहि पगु धारा। चित्र मयूर निगलि गै हारा॥

Nrip Vikram par tuhi pagu dhara. Chitra mayur nigali gai hara.

You set foot upon King Vikrama; the (gem-)peacock of the picture swallowed his necklace.

Chaupai 16

हार नौलाखा लाग्यो चोरी। हाथ पैर डरवायो तोरी॥

Har naulakha lagyo chori. Hath pair darvayo tori.

He was accused of stealing the nine-lakh necklace; his hands and feet were broken in fear.

Chaupai 17

भारी दशा निकृष्ट दिखायो। तेलिहिं घर कोल्हू चलवायो॥

Bhari dasha nikrisht dikhayo. Telihin ghar kolhu chalvayo.

You showed a grievous, lowly state; (Vikrama) was set to turn the oilman's mill.

Chaupai 18

विनय राग दीपक महँ कीन्हों। तब प्रसन्न प्रभु है सुख दीन्हों॥

Vinay raag Deepak mahin keenhon. Tab prasann Prabhu hai sukh deenhon.

He sang a humble Raga Deepak; then the Lord, pleased, gave (him) joy.

Chaupai 19

हरिश्चन्द्र नृप नारि बिकानी। आपहुँ भरे डोम घर पानी॥

Harishchandra nrip nari bikani. Aaphun bhare Dom ghar pani.

King Harishchandra's wife was sold; he himself carried water in a Dom's house.

Chaupai 20

तैसे नल पर दशा सिरानी। भूँजी-मीन कूद गयी पानी॥

Taise Nal par dasha sirani. Bhunji-meen kood gayi pani.

So too the state passed over Nala; the fried fish leapt into the water.

Chaupai 21

श्री शंकरहि गहयो जब जाई। पार्वती को सती कराई॥

Shri Shankarahin gahyo jab jai. Parvati ko Sati karai.

When (your gaze) seized Sri Shankara, it made Parvati a (grieving) Sati.

Chaupai 22

तनिक विलोकत ही करि रीसा। नभ उड़ि गयो गौरिसुत सीसा॥

Tanik vilokat hi kari reesa. Nabh udi gayo Gaurisut seesa.

At a mere angry glance, Gauri's son's (Ganesha's) head flew into the sky.

Chaupai 23

पाण्डव पर भै दशा तुम्हारी। बची द्रोपदी होति उघारी॥

Pandav par bhai dasha tumhari. Bachi Draupadi hoti ughari.

Your state fell on the Pandavas; Draupadi was saved as she was being disrobed.

Chaupai 24

कौरव के भी गति मति मारयो। युद्ध महाभारत करि डारयो॥

Kaurav ke bhi gati mati marayo. Yuddh Mahabharat kari darayo.

You deranged the Kauravas' sense too, and brought about the great Mahabharata war.

Chaupai 25

रवि कहं मुख महं धरि तत्काला। लेकर कूदि परयो पाताला॥

Ravi kaham mukh maham dhari tatkala. Lekar koodi paryo Patala.

(In wrath) you put the Sun in your mouth and leaped down to the nether world.

Chaupai 26

शेष देव-लखि विनती लाई। रवि को मुख ते दियो छुड़ाई॥

Shesh dev-lakhi vinati lai. Ravi ko mukh te diyo chhudai.

Shesha and the gods came pleading; they got the Sun released from your mouth.

Chaupai 27

वाहन प्रभु के सात सुजाना। हय दिग्ज गर्दभ मृग स्वाना॥

Vahan Prabhu ke saat sujana. Hay digj gardabh mrig swana.

The Lord has seven wise mounts: horse, elephant, ass, deer, dog —

Chaupai 28

जम्बुक सिंह आदि नख धारी। सो फल ज्योतिष कहत पुकारी॥

Jambuk singh aadi nakh dhari. So phal jyotish kahat pukari.

— jackal and lion among the (ten) claw-bearers; astrology proclaims their fruits aloud.

Chaupai 29

गज वाहन लक्ष्मी गृह आवैं। हय ते सुख सम्पत्ति उपजावै॥

Gaj vahan Lakshmi griha avain. Hay te sukh sampatti upjavain.

(On) the elephant-mount Lakshmi comes home; from the horse arise joy and wealth.

Chaupai 30

गर्दभ हानि करै बहु काजा। सिंह सिद्धकर राज समाजा॥

Gardabh hani karai bahu kaja. Singh siddhkar raj samaja.

The ass causes much loss of work; the lion brings success and royal estate.

Chaupai 31

जम्बुक बुद्धि नष्ट कर डारै। मृग दे कष्ट प्राण संहारै॥

Jambuk buddhi nasht kar darai. Mrig de kasht pran sanharai.

The jackal destroys the intellect; the deer brings distress and takes life.

Chaupai 32

जब आवहिं प्रभु स्वान सवारी। चोरी आदि होय डर भारी॥

Jab avahin Prabhu swan savari. Chori aadi hoy dar bhari.

When the Lord comes on the dog-mount, theft and the like, and great fear, arise.

Chaupai 33

तैसहि चारि चरण यह नामा। स्वर्ण लौह चाँजी अरु तामा॥

Taisahi chari charan yah nama. Swarn lauh chanji aru tama.

So too (Shani has) four (metal) feet: gold, iron, silver and copper.

Chaupai 34

लौह चरण पर जब प्रभु आवैं। धन जन सम्पत्ति नष्ट करावै॥

Lauh charan par jab Prabhu avain. Dhan jan sampatti nasht karavai.

When the Lord comes on the iron foot, he destroys wealth, people and prosperity.

Chaupai 35

समता ताम्र रजत शुभकारी। स्वर्ण सर्वसुख मंगल कारी॥

Samata tamra rajat shubhkari. Swarn sarvasukh mangal kari.

Copper is even; silver auspicious; the golden (foot) brings all joy and good fortune.

Chaupai 36

जो यह शनि चरित्र नित गावै। कबहुं न दशा निकृष्ट सतावै॥

Jo yah Shani charitra nit gavai. Kabahun na dasha nikrisht satavai.

Whoever ever sings this tale of Shani is never troubled by a base state.

Chaupai 37

अदभुत नाथ दिखावैं लीला। करैं शत्रु के नशि बलि ढीला॥

Adabhut Nath dikhavain leela. Karain shatru ke nashi bali dhila.

The wondrous Lord shows his play; he loosens the strength of even the strong foe.

Chaupai 38

जो पण्डित सुयोग्य बुलवाई। विधिवत शनि ग्रह शान्ति कराई॥

Jo pandit suyogya bulavai. Vidhivat Shani graha shanti karai.

Whoever calls a worthy pandit and has the Shani-graha peace duly performed —

Chaupai 39

पीपल जल शनि दिवस चढ़ावत। दीप दान दै बहु सुख पावत॥

Peepal jal Shani divas chadhavat. Deep daan dai bahu sukh pavat.

— offers water on the pipal on Saturday, gives a lamp-offering, gains much joy.

Chaupai 40

कहत राम सुन्दर प्रभु दासा। शनि सुमिरत सुख होत प्रकाशा॥

Kahat Ram-Sundar Prabhu dasa. Shani sumirat sukh hot prakasha.

Says Ram-Sundar, servant of the Lord: by remembering Shani, joy dawns.

Closing Doha

Closing

पाठ शनिश्चर देव को, कीन्हों विमल तैयार। करत पाठ चालीस दिन, हो भवसागर पार॥

Paath Shanishchar Dev ko, keenhon vimal taiyar. Karat paath chalis din, ho bhavasagar paar.

(Ram-Sundar) Das has prepared this pure recitation to Lord Shanishchara; reciting it forty days, one crosses the ocean of existence.

🪔 May this recitation bring peace and protection.

Conclude with a moment of silence. Distribute prasad if you have prepared it.

ॐ

Benefits of recitation

•Reduces effects of Shani Sade Sati and Dhaiya.
•Removes obstacles caused by Saturn in the birth chart.
•Protects from accidents and sudden mishaps.
•Helps clear debts and financial difficulties.
•Grants discipline, patience, and steadiness in career.
•Recited on Saturdays with mustard oil and sesame lamp offerings.

How to recite — traditional guidance

Best day

Saturday (Shanivar), Shani Amavasya, Shani Jayanti, throughout Sade Sati

Best time

Saturday evening, sunset, or night

How many paaths

7, 11, or 40 paaths on Saturday — 40 consecutive days for full benefit

·Offer mustard oil to a Shani murti or image; light a sesame oil lamp.
·Pour water at the base of a pipal tree on Saturday.
·Wear black or dark blue; avoid non-vegetarian food on recitation days.
·Begin with 'Om Sham Shanicharaya Namah' three or 108 times.
·Feed crows (Shani's vehicle) and serve the elderly and disabled.
·Conclude with aarti and distribution of black sesame or urad dal as prasad.

Common questions

Does Shani Chalisa help during Sade Sati?

Yes — Shani Chalisa is considered one of the primary remedies during Sade Sati. The prayer appeases Lord Shani by acknowledging his authority as the lord of karma. Traditional astrologers recommend reciting it every Saturday during the entire 7.5-year Sade Sati period, combined with donating black items and serving the elderly.

When should I recite the Shani Chalisa?

Saturday is the most auspicious day. The ideal time is Saturday evening after sunset. It is especially recommended during Sade Sati, Dhaiya, Shani Amavasya, and Shani Jayanti. Many devotees recite it 7 or 11 times on Saturday.

What offerings should I make along with the Shani Chalisa?

Traditional Saturday offerings include mustard oil poured over a Shani murti, a sesame oil lamp, black sesame seeds, black cloth, and iron items. Offering water at a pipal tree on Saturday and feeding crows are also common practices alongside recitation.

Continue your practice

Shani Sade Sati — Guide & Remedies

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Sade Sati Calculator

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Dosha Calculator — Chart Afflictions

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Shani Beej Mantra

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How Daanyam computes this

Daanyam computes Chalisa Library with Swiss Ephemeris (professional-grade ephemeris), Lahiri ayanāṃśa, and whole-sign houses where applicable — serving 10,000+ charts daily with ~95% agreement vs classical table checks in our audits. Classical framing draws on Brihat Parashara Hora Shastra, Phaladeepika, Jataka Parijata. See how we compute →

Brihat Parashara Hora Shastra — Classical Jyotish text on planetary significations and chart interpretation
Phaladeepika — Mantreswara's treatise on predictive astrology
Jataka Parijata — Vaidyanatha's compendium on birth chart analysis

Verse text and verse order cross-checked against Drik Panchang Shri Shani Dev Chalisa (https://www.drikpanchang.com/lyrics/chalisa/lord-shani/shani-dev-chalisa.html); transliteration and English meanings prepared by Daanyam.