The Shri Shani Chalisa is a 40-verse hymn dedicated to Shani Dev, the divine personification of the planet Saturn and one of the most significant planetary deities in Hindu astrology. As the son of Surya (the Sun God) and Chhaya (the Shadow Goddess), Lord Shani is revered as the ultimate dispenser of justice, who delivers the fruits of one’s karma without bias. While his influence is often feared, this powerful prayer is recited to seek his blessings, mitigate hardships, and instill discipline and patience.
This comprehensive guide provides the complete lyrics of the Shani Chalisa in both Hindi (Devanagari) and English (IAST transliteration), along with a detailed verse-by-verse meaning and commentary to help you understand the profound nature of Lord Shani.
Benefits of Chanting the Shani Chalisa
Reciting the Shani Chalisa with devotion, especially on Saturdays, is believed to grant numerous benefits:
- Mitigation of Malefic Effects: It is considered the most powerful remedy to appease Lord Shani and reduce the hardships faced during challenging astrological periods like the Sade Sati and Dhaiyya.
- Instills Discipline and Justice: Meditating on Shani Dev, the lord of karma, helps cultivate discipline, responsibility, and a strong sense of justice in the devotee.
- Overcoming Obstacles: As a remover of obstacles that arise from past karmas, his grace can clear long-standing issues related to career, health, and personal life.
- Protection from Enemies and Evil Eye: The hymn acts as a spiritual shield, protecting the devotee from hidden enemies, ill intentions, and negative energies.
- Blessings of Longevity and Prosperity: When pleased, Lord Shani can bestow immense blessings, including long life, unexpected gains, and success in business and service.
Full Lyrics: Shri Shani Chalisa
Here is the complete text of the hymn in Devanagari and English transliteration.
Doha (Introductory Couplets)
जय गणेश गिरिजा सुवन, मंगल करण कृपाल। दीनन के दुःख दूर करि, कीजै नाथ निहाल॥ Jaya Gaṇeśa Girijā suvana, maṅgala karaṇa kṛpāla. Dīnana ke duḥkha dūra kari, kījai nātha nihāla.
जय जय श्री शनिदेव प्रभु, सुनहु विनय महाराज। करहु कृपा हे रवि तनय, राखहु जन की लाज॥ Jaya jaya Śrī Śanideva prabhu, sunahu vinaya mahārāja. Karahu kṛpā he ravi tanaya, rākhahu jana kī lāja.
Chaupai (40 Verses)
(Full text of all 40 Chaupais follows in the verse-by-verse section below)
Doha (Concluding Couplet)
पाठ शनिश्चर देव को, की हों ‘भक्त’ तैयार। करत पाठ चालीस दिन, हो भवसागर पार॥ Pāṭha śaniścara deva ko, kī hoṁ ‘bhakta’ taiyāra. Karata pāṭha cālīsa dina, ho bhavasāgara pāra.
Verse-by-Verse Meaning and Commentary
Doha (Introductory Couplets)
जय गणेश गिरिजा सुवन, मंगल करण कृपाल। दीनन के दुःख दूर करि, कीजै नाथ निहाल॥
Jaya Gaṇeśa Girijā suvana, maṅgala karaṇa kṛpāla. Dīnana ke duḥkha dūra kari, kījai nātha nihāla.
- Meaning: Victory to Ganesh, son of Girija, the merciful bestower of auspiciousness. Remove the sorrows of the helpless and make them prosperous, O Lord.
- Commentary: The prayer begins by invoking Lord Ganesha to remove obstacles, a traditional start for any auspicious undertaking, ensuring the successful recitation of the hymn to Lord Shani.
जय जय श्री शनिदेव प्रभु, सुनहु विनय महाराज। करहु कृपा हे रवि तनय, राखहु जन की लाज॥
Jaya jaya Śrī Śanideva prabhu, sunahu vinaya mahārāja. Karahu kṛpā he ravi tanaya, rākhahu jana kī lāja.
- Meaning: Victory to Lord Shani Dev! Please listen to my prayer, O great king. Bestow your grace, O son of the Sun God, and protect the honor of your devotee.
- Commentary: The main invocation begins, directly addressing Shani Dev as the son of Ravi (the Sun God) and pleading for his grace and the protection of the devotee’s honor and dignity.
Chaupai (Main Verses)
Verse 1:
जयति जयति शनिदेव दयाला। करत सदा भक्तन प्रतिपाला॥ Jayati jayati Śanideva dayālā. Karata sadā bhaktana pratipālā.
- Meaning: Victory, victory to the compassionate Lord Shani. You always protect your devotees.
- Commentary: This verse establishes Shani’s primary nature as a compassionate protector (dayala and pratipala) of his devotees, countering the common perception of him as merely a punitive deity.
Verse 2:
चारि भुजा, तनु श्याम विराजै। माथे रतन मुकुट छवि छाजै॥ Cāri bhujā, tanu śyāma virājai. Māthe ratana mukuṭa chavi chājai.
- Meaning: You have four arms and a dark complexion. A jeweled crown adorns your forehead.
- Commentary: This begins the description of Shani’s iconographic form: his dark color representing the unknown and the abstract, and his four arms and crown signifying his divine power and sovereignty.
Verse 3:
परम विशाल मनोहर भाला। टेढ़ी दृष्टि भृकुटि विकराला॥ Parama viśāla manohara bhālā. Ṭeṛhī dṛṣṭi bhṛkuṭi vikarālā.
- Meaning: Your forehead is immensely broad and captivating. Your sidelong glance and formidable brow are awe-inspiring.
- Commentary: Shani’s “crooked glance” (tedhi drishti) is famous in astrology for its powerful, often challenging, influence. This verse acknowledges its fearsome nature while still finding beauty in his divine form.
Verse 4:
कुण्डल श्रवन चमाचम चमके। हिये माल मुक्तन मणि दमकै॥ Kuṇḍala śravana camācama camake. Hiye māla muktana maṇi damakai.
- Meaning: Earrings glitter brightly in your ears, and a garland of pearls and gems dazzles on your chest.
- Commentary: This continues the description of his regal and divine appearance, portraying him not as a malevolent force, but as a divine king adorned with celestial jewels.
Verse 5:
कर में गदा त्रिशूल कुठारा। पल बिच करैं अरिहिं संहारा॥ Kara meṁ gadā triśūla kuṭhārā. Pala bica karaiṁ arihiṁ sanhārā.
- Meaning: In your hands, you hold a mace, a trident, and an axe. In an instant, you can destroy your enemies.
- Commentary: His weapons signify his immense power. The mace represents the force of justice, the trident symbolizes his control over the three realms, and the axe cuts down evil and impurity.
Verse 6-7:
पिंगल, कृष्णो, छाया, नन्दन। यम, कोणस्थ, रौद्र, दुःख भंजन॥ सौरी, मन्द शनी दश नामा। भानु पुत्र पूजहिं सब कामा॥Piṅgala, kṛṣṇo, chāyā, nandana. Yama, koṇastha, raudra, duḥkha bhañjana. Saurī, manda śanī daśa nāmā. Bhānu putra pūjahiṁ saba kāmā.
- Meaning: You are known by the names Pingala, Krishna, Son of Chhaya, Yama, Konastha, Raudra, the Destroyer of Sorrows, Sauri, Manda, and Shani. As the son of the Sun, worshipping you fulfills all desires.
- Commentary: These verses list some of Shani’s many names, each describing a different attribute. He is the son of Chhaya (Shadow), related to Yama (god of death), “Manda” (the slow-moving one), and importantly, the “Destroyer of Sorrows” (Duhkha Bhanjan).
Verse 8:
जापर प्रभु प्रसन्न हवैं जाहीं। रंकहुं राव करैं क्षण माहीं॥ Jāpara prabhu prasanna havaiṁ jāhīṁ. Raṅkahuṁ rāva karaiṁ kṣaṇa māhīṁ.
- Meaning: Upon whomsoever you are pleased, O Lord, you can turn a beggar into a king in an instant.
- Commentary: This verse highlights the dual nature of Shani’s influence. Just as he can bring challenges, his blessings are unparalleled and can bestow immense fortune and status overnight.
Verse 9:
पर्वतहू तृण होइ निहारत। तृणहू को पर्वत करि डारत॥ Parvatahū tṛṇa hoi nihārata. Tṛṇahū ko parvata kari ḍārata.
- Meaning: With your gaze, a mountain can become like a blade of grass, and a blade of grass can become a mountain.
- Commentary: This powerfully illustrates Shani’s ability to alter destiny and perception. He can reduce great obstacles to nothing and magnify minor issues into major challenges, all to deliver the fruits of one’s karma.
Verse 10:
राज मिलत वन रामहिं दीन्हयो। कैकेइहुँ की मति हरि लीन्हयो॥ Rāja milata vana rāmahiṁ dīnhayo. Kaikeihuɱ kī mati hari līnhayo.
- Meaning: You caused Rama to be exiled to the forest just as he was about to be crowned king, by turning the mind of Kaikeyi.
- Commentary: This begins a series of examples from mythology where Shani’s influence is seen as the cosmic cause behind great turns of fortune, here attributing Rama’s exile to Shani’s karmic influence.
Verse 11:
वनहुं में मृग कपट दिखाई। मातु जानकी गई चुराई॥ Vanahuṁ meṁ mṛga kapaṭa dikhāī. Mātu jānakī gaī curāī.
- Meaning: In the forest, you showed a deceptive deer, which led to Mother Janaki (Sita) being abducted.
- Commentary: The episode of the golden deer, which led to Sita’s kidnapping, is also attributed to the challenging influence of Shani, creating the central conflict of the Ramayana.
Verse 12:
लषणहिं शक्ति विकल करिडारा। मचिगा दल में हाहाकारा॥ Laṣaṇahiṁ śakti vikala kariḍārā. Macigā dala meṁ hāhākārā.
- Meaning: You caused Lakshmana to be struck down by the powerful Shakti weapon, causing a great cry of distress in the army.
- Commentary: Even the near-fatal injury to Lakshmana during the war is seen through the lens of Shani’s karmic influence, testing the heroes to their limits.
Verse 13:
रावण की गति-मति बौराई। रामचन्द्र सों बैर बढ़ाई॥ Rāvaṇa kī gati-mati baurāī. Rāmacandra soṁ baira baṛhāī.
- Meaning: You deluded the mind and intellect of Ravana, making him increase his enmity with Ramachandra.
- Commentary: Shani’s influence is shown to be impartial. He deluded Ravana’s mind, ensuring that the arrogant king would continue on his path of self-destruction and refuse all chances for peace.
Verse 14:
दियो कीट करि कंचन लंका। बजि बजरंग बीर की डंका॥ Diyo kīṭa kari kañcana laṅkā. Baji bajaraṅga bīra kī ḍaṅkā.
- Meaning: You reduced the golden city of Lanka to ashes, and the victory drum of the mighty Bajrang (Hanuman) was sounded.
- Commentary: The ultimate destruction of the golden city is attributed to Shani’s influence, clearing the way for dharma to be re-established.
Verse 15:
नृप विक्रम पर तुहि पगु धारा। चित्र मयूर निगलि गै हारा॥ Nṛpa vikrama para tuhi pagu dhārā. Citra mayūra nigali gai hārā.
- Meaning: When your influence fell upon King Vikramaditya, a painted peacock swallowed his necklace.
- Commentary: This begins the famous story of King Vikramaditya’s Sade Sati (7.5-year period of intense Saturn influence), where a series of misfortunes began with this seemingly impossible event.
Verse 16:
हार नौलखा लाग्यो चोरी। हाथ पैर डरवायो तोरी॥ Hāra naulakhā lāgyo corī. Hātha paira ḍaravāyo torī.
- Meaning: He was accused of stealing the nine-lakh necklace, and in punishment, his hands and feet were ordered to be cut off.
- Commentary: The story continues with the king suffering extreme injustice and hardship, a classic theme in tales of Shani’s trials.
Verse 17:
भारी दशा निकृष्ट दिखायो। तेलहिं घर कोल्हू चलवायो॥ Bhārī daśā nikṛṣṭa dikhāyo. Telihiṁ ghara kolhū calavāyo.
- Meaning: You showed him a terrible and lowly state; you made him work the oil-press in an oil-presser’s house.
- Commentary: A great king is reduced to the status of a manual laborer, demonstrating how Shani can strip away all worldly status to teach humility and exhaust past karmas.
Verse 18:
विनय राग दीपक महँ कीन्हयों। तब प्रसन्न प्रभु ह्वै सुख दीन्हयों॥ Vinaya rāga dīpaka mahaɱ kīnhayoṁ. Taba prasanna prabhu hvai sukha dīnhayoṁ.
- Meaning: When he sang the Deepak Raga with humility, you, the Lord, became pleased and granted him happiness.
- Commentary: The trials end when the king, through his unwavering devotion and humility (vinaya), pleases Lord Shani, who then restores his fortune. This highlights that devotion is the remedy for Shani’s harshest trials.
Verse 19:
हरिश्चन्द्र नृप नारि बिकानी। आपहुं भरे डोम घर पानी॥ Hariścandra nṛpa nāri bikānī. Āpahuṁ bhare ḍoma ghara pānī.
- Meaning: King Harishchandra’s wife was sold, and he himself had to fill water in the house of an outcaste.
- Commentary: The story of the truthful King Harishchandra, who lost his kingdom and family, is another example used to illustrate the intensity of Shani’s tests of one’s dharma.
Verse 20:
तैसे नल पर दशा सिरानी। भूंजी-मीन कूद गई पानी॥ Taise nala para daśā sirānī. Bhūn̐jī-mīna kūda gaī pānī.
- Meaning: Similarly, when your influence came upon King Nala, even a cooked fish jumped back into the water.
- Commentary: This refers to the story of Nala and Damayanti, where during his period of hardship under Shani’s influence, such impossible and unfortunate events would occur, signifying a time when nothing goes right.
Verse 21:
श्री शंकरहिं गह्यो जब जाई। पारवती को सती कराई॥ Śrī śaṅkarahiṁ gahyo jaba jāī. Pāravatī ko satī karāī.
- Meaning: When you afflicted Lord Shankar, it led to the self-immolation of Parvati as Sati.
- Commentary: This boldly attributes the cosmic tragedy of Sati’s death to the influence of Shani, showing that no one, not even the highest gods, is exempt from the laws of karma that Shani enforces.
Verse 22:
तनिक विकलोकत ही करि रीसा। नभ उड़ि गतो गौरिसुत सीसा॥ Tanika vikalokata hī kari rīsā. Nabha uṛi gato gaurisuta sīsā.
- Meaning: With just a slight, angry glance, the head of Gauri’s son (Ganesha) flew into the sky.
- Commentary: This refers back to the story of Ganesha’s birth, attributing the event to Shani’s powerful gaze and reinforcing his immense power.
Verse 23:
पाण्डव पर भै दशा तुम्हारी। बची द्रोपदी होति उधारी॥ Pāṇḍava para bhai daśā tumhārī. Bacī dropadī hoti udhārī.
- Meaning: Your influence fell upon the Pandavas, and Draupadi was almost disrobed.
- Commentary: The great trials of the Pandavas in the Mahabharata, including the infamous dice game, are seen as manifestations of Shani’s karmic justice.
Verse 24:
कौरव के भी गति मति मारयो। युद्ध महाभारत करि डारयो॥ Kaurava ke bhī gati mati mārayo. Yud`dha mahābhārata kari ḍārayo.
- Meaning: You also destroyed the intellect of the Kauravas, which led to the great Mahabharata war.
- Commentary: Shani’s influence is impartial; he clouded the judgment of the Kauravas, leading them down the path of adharma that resulted in their destruction.
Verse 25-26:
रवि कहँ मुख महँ धरि तत्काला। लेकर कूदि परयो पाताला॥ शेष देव-लखि विनती लाई। रवि को मुख ते दियो छुड़ाई॥ Ravi kahaɱ mukha mahaɱ dhari tatkālā. Lekara kūdi parayo pātālā. Śeṣa deva-lakhi vinatī lāī. Ravi ko mukha te diyo chuṛāī.
- Meaning: You once instantly took the Sun in your mouth, jumped with it into the netherworld. Seeing this, the other gods pleaded with you, and you released the Sun from your mouth.
- Commentary: This refers to a story where Shani proves his power to his father, the Sun God, by temporarily swallowing him, demonstrating that his influence can even eclipse the source of light.
Verse 27-28:
वाहन प्रभु के सात सुजाना। जग दिग्गज गर्दभ मृग स्वाना॥ जम्बुक सिह आदि नख धारी। सो फल ज्योतिष कहत पुकारी॥Vāhana prabhu ke sāta sujānā. Jaga diggaja gardabha mṛga svānā. Jambuka siha ādi nakha dhārī. So phala jyotiṣa kahata pukārī.
- Meaning: O wise ones, the Lord has seven vehicles: the elephant, donkey, deer, dog, jackal, lion, and other clawed animals. Astrology proclaims the results of each.
- Commentary: These verses list Shani’s various vahanas (vehicles). In astrology, the vehicle Shani is “riding” when he enters a new phase is believed to determine the nature of his effects for that period.
Verse 29-32:
गज वाहन लक्ष्मी गृह आवैं। हय ते सुख सम्पत्ति उपजावै॥ गर्दभ हानि करै बहु काजा। सिह सिद्ध्कर राज समाजा॥ जम्बुक बुद्धि नष्ट कर डारै। मृग दे कष्ट प्राण संहारै॥ जब आवहिं स्वान सवारी। चोरी आदि होय डर भारी॥ Gaja vāhana lakṣmī gṛha āvaiṁ. Haya te sukha sampatti upajāvai. Gardabha hāni karai bahu kājā. Siha sid
dhakara rāja samājā. Jambuka buddhi naṣṭa kara ḍārai. Mṛga de kaṣṭa prāṇa sanhārai. Jaba āvahiṁ svāna savārī. Corī ādi hoya ḍara bhārī.
- Meaning: When his vehicle is the elephant, Lakshmi comes to the house. The horse brings happiness and prosperity. The donkey brings losses in many tasks. The lion brings success and royal status. The jackal destroys the intellect. The deer gives life-threatening trouble. When he comes on the dog, there is great fear of theft.
- Commentary: This section details the astrological effects of each of Shani’s vehicles, ranging from the highly auspicious elephant to the inauspicious donkey and dog.
Verse 33-35:
तैसहि चारि चरण यह नामा। स्वर्ण लौह चाँदी अरु तामा॥ लौह चरण पर जब प्रभु आवैं। धन जन सम्पत्ति नष्ट करावैं॥ समता ताम्र रजत शुभकारी। स्वर्ण सर्वसुख मंगल भारी॥ Taisahi cāri caraṇa yaha nāmā. Svarṇa lauha cām̐dī aru tāmā. Lauha caraṇa para jaba prabhu āvaiṁ. Dhana jana sampatti naṣṭa karāvaiṁ. Samatā tāmra rajata śubhakārī. Svarṇa sarvasukha maṅgala bhārī.
- Meaning: Similarly, he has four “feet”: gold, iron, silver, and copper. When the Lord comes on the iron foot, he causes loss of wealth, people, and property. Copper and silver are moderately auspicious, while the golden foot brings all happiness and great blessings.
- Commentary: This refers to another astrological concept where the “foot” of Shani, determined by his position, indicates the nature of his transit. The iron foot is most challenging, while the golden foot is most benevolent.
Verse 36:
जो यह शनि चरित्र नित गावै। कबहुं न दशा निकृष्ट सतावै॥ Jo yaha śani caritra nita gāvai. Kabahuṁ na daśā nikṛṣṭa satāvai.
- Meaning: Whoever sings this character of Shani daily will never be tormented by a malefic planetary period.
- Commentary: This begins the final set of benefits. The primary promise is that daily recitation protects one from the worst effects of difficult astrological periods (dasha).
Verse 37:
अद्भुत नाथ दिखावैं लीला। करैं शत्रु के नशि बलि ढीला॥ Adbhuta nātha dikhāvaiṁ līlā. Karaiṁ śatru ke naśi bali ḍhīlā.
- Meaning: The wondrous Lord shows his divine play, and weakens the strength of one’s enemies.
- Commentary: The devotee will witness Shani’s divine play (lila) and be protected as their enemies lose their power.
Verse 38-39:
जो पण्डित सुयोग्य बुलवाई। विधिवत शनि ग्रह शांति कराई॥ पीपल जल शनि दिवस चढ़ावत। दीप दान दै बहु सुख पावत॥ Jo paṇḍita suyogya bulavāī. Vidhivata śani graha śānti karāī. Pīpala jala śani divasa caṛhāvata. Dīpa dāna dai bahu sukha pāvata.
- Meaning: One who calls a learned pandit, performs rites to pacify the planet Shani, offers water to the Peepal tree on Saturdays, and donates a lamp, attains great happiness.
- Commentary: These verses prescribe specific remedies and rituals dear to Lord Shani, such as worshipping the Peepal tree and lighting lamps, as effective ways to gain his favor.
Verse 40:
कहत राम सुन्दर प्रभु दासा। शनि सुमिरत सुख होत प्रकाशा॥ Kahata rāma sundara prabhu dāsā. Śani sumirata sukha hota prakāśā.
- Meaning: Ramsundar, the servant of the Lord, says: by remembering Shani, happiness is illuminated.
- Commentary: The author concludes by affirming that the simple act of remembering and praying to Lord Shani brings forth light and joy into a devotee’s life.
Doha (Concluding Couplet)
पाठ शनिश्चर देव को, की हों ‘भक्त’ तैयार। करत पाठ चालीस दिन, हो भवसागर पार॥
Pāṭha śaniścara deva ko, kī hoṁ ‘bhakta’ taiyāra. Karata pāṭha cālīsa dina, ho bhavasāgara pāra.
- Meaning: This devotee has prepared this text of Lord Shani. By reciting it for forty days, one crosses the ocean of worldly existence.
- Commentary: The final doha makes a powerful promise: a dedicated practice of reciting the Chalisa for 40 days is not just for worldly benefit but is a tool for achieving moksha, or liberation from the cycle of birth and death.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Who is Shani Dev? Shani Dev is the Hindu deity who presides over the planet Saturn. He is the son of Surya (the Sun God) and is known as the greatest teacher, who delivers the results of one’s past deeds (karma) without bias.
- What is Sade Sati? Sade Sati is a 7.5-year-long astrological period when Saturn (Shani) transits through the 12th, 1st, and 2nd houses from one’s natal moon. It is often considered a challenging time of karmic cleansing and learning. Chanting the Shani Chalisa is considered a primary remedy to navigate this period.
- What is the best day to recite the Shani Chalisa? Saturday is the day dedicated to Lord Shani. Reciting the Shani Chalisa on Saturdays, especially in the evening, is considered most effective for receiving his grace.