Shani Chalisa
श्री शनि चालीसा
The Shani Chalisa is a traditional Hindi hymn to Shani Dev, the son of the Sun and lord of the planet Saturn. Its 43 verses (two opening dohas, 40 chaupais and a closing doha) praise his form, recall how even Ram, Harishchandra and the Pandavas passed through hard times, and ask for his kindness. Devotees recite it on Saturdays, often by a sesame oil lamp.
- 43 verses
- 8 min
- Traditional; the last chaupai names Ram Sundar
- Best on Saturday
Jai Ganesh Girija Suvan, Mangal Karan Kripalजय गणेश गिरिजा सुवन, मंगल करण कृपाल।
Deenan Ke Dukh Door Kari, Keejai Nath Nihalदीनन के दुख दूर करि, कीजै नाथ निहाल॥
Glory to Ganesh, son of Girija, the kind one who brings all that is good. Lord, take away the sorrows of the humble and fill them with joy.
Like most chalisas, this one opens by remembering Ganesh first. The same first half-line opens the Shiv Chalisa, which then goes on differently.
Jai Jai Shri Shanidev Prabhu, Sunahu Vinay Maharajजय जय श्री शनिदेव प्रभु, सुनहु विनय महाराज।
Karahu Kripa He Ravi Tanay, Rakhahu Jan Ki Lajकरहु कृपा हे रवि तनय, राखहु जन की लाज॥
Glory, glory to Lord Shani Dev. Great king, hear my humble prayer. Be kind to me, O son of the Sun, and protect the honour of your devotee.
Jayati Jayati Shanidev Dayalaजयति जयति शनिदेव दयाला।
Karat Sada Bhaktan Pratipalaकरत सदा भक्तन प्रतिपाला॥
Victory, victory to kind Shani Dev, who always looks after his devotees.
Chari Bhuja, Tanu Shyam Virajaiचारि भुजा, तनु श्याम विराजै।
Mathe Ratan Mukut Chhabi Chhajaiमाथे रतन मुकुट छबि छाजै॥
You have four arms and a dark body, and a jewelled crown shines beautifully on your head.
Param Vishal Manohar Bhalaपरम विशाल मनोहर भाला।
Tedhi Drishti Bhrikuti Vikralaटेढ़ी दृष्टि भृकुटि विकराला॥
Your forehead is broad and handsome. Your gaze is slanting and your brows are fierce.
Shani's slanting or lowered gaze (vakra drishti) is a common feature of his description; the Dasharatha stotra also calls him adho-drishti, "the one who looks down".
Kundal Shravan Chamacham Chamkeकुण्डल श्रवण चमाचम चमके।
Hiye Mal Muktan Mani Damkaiहिये माल मुक्तन मणि दमकै॥
Earrings sparkle in your ears, and a necklace of pearls and gems gleams on your chest.
BhaktiBharat and Amar Ujala print "हिय माल … दमके".
Kar Mein Gada Trishul Kutharaकर में गदा त्रिशूल कुठारा।
Pal Bich Karain Arihin Samharaपल बिच करैं अरिहिं संहारा॥
In your hands are a mace, a trident and an axe, and in a moment you destroy the enemy.
Pingal, Krishno, Chhaya Nandanपिंगल, कृष्णो, छाया नन्दन।
Yam, Konasth, Raudra, Dukhbhanjanयम, कोणस्थ, रौद्र, दुखभंजन॥
Pingala, Krishna, son of Chhaya, Yama, Konastha, Raudra, breaker of sorrow,
This verse and the next list Shani's ten names. A similar list of ten names closes the Shani stotra of the Brahmanda Purana ("Kono'ntako raudrayamo'tha babhruh…").
Sauri, Mand, Shani, Dash Namaसौरी, मन्द, शनी, दश नामा।
Bhanu Putra Poojahin Sab Kamaभानु पुत्र पूजहिं सब कामा॥
Sauri, Manda and Shani: these are your ten names. Those who worship the son of the Sun see their work fulfilled.
Ja Par Prabhu Prasanna Hvain Jahinजा पर प्रभु प्रसन्न ह्वैं जाहीं।
Rankahun Rav Karain Kshan Mahinरंकहुँ राव करैं क्षण माहीं॥
When the Lord is pleased with someone, he can turn even a pauper into a king in a moment.
Parvatahu Trin Hoi Niharatपर्वतहू तृण होइ निहारत।
Trinahu Ko Parvat Kari Daratतृणहू को पर्वत करि डारत॥
Under his gaze a mountain becomes a blade of grass, and a blade of grass becomes a mountain.
Raj Milat Ban Ramahin Deenhyoराज मिलत बन रामहिं दीन्हयो।
Kaikeihun Ki Mati Hari Leenhyoकैकेइहुँ की मति हरि लीन्हयो॥
Just as Ram was about to receive the kingdom, he was sent to the forest instead, and even Kaikeyi's good sense was taken away.
From here to chaupai 24 the Chalisa recalls hard times in the lives of great figures, which the poet sees as the working of Shani's influence.
Banahun Mein Mrig Kapat Dikhaiबनहूँ में मृग कपट दिखाई।
Matu Janaki Gai Churaiमातु जानकी गई चुराई॥
In the forest a false golden deer appeared, and Mother Janaki (Sita) was carried away.
Lakhanahin Shakti Vikal Kari Daraलखनहिं शक्ति विकल करिडारा।
Machiga Dal Mein Hahakaraमचिगा दल में हाहाकारा॥
The Shakti weapon struck Lakshman down, and a cry of grief went up through the army.
sanskritdocuments.org and Bharat Discovery print the older spelling "लषणहिं".
Ravan Ki Gati Mati Bauraiरावण की गति-मति बौराई।
Ramchandra Son Bair Badhaiरामचन्द्र सों बैर बढ़ाई॥
Ravana's judgement went astray, and he grew ever more hostile to Shri Ramchandra.
Diyo Keet Kari Kanchan Lankaदियो कीट करि कंचन लंका।
Baji Bajrang Beer Ki Dankaबजि बजरंग बीर की डंका॥
Golden Lanka was turned to dross, and the war drum of brave Bajrang (Hanuman) rang out.
Nrip Vikram Par Tuhi Pagu Dharaनृप विक्रम पर तुहि पगु धारा।
Chitra Mayur Nigali Gai Haraचित्र मयूर निगलि गै हारा॥
When you set foot upon King Vikram, a peacock in a painting swallowed a necklace.
Chaupais 15 to 18 retell the popular story of King Vikramaditya and Shani: falsely accused of stealing a necklace, he was maimed and made to work an oil press, until he sang Raga Deepak and Shani, pleased, restored him.
Har Naulakha Lagyo Choriहार नौलखा लाग्यो चोरी।
Hath Pair Darvayo Toriहाथ पैर डरवायो तोरी॥
He was blamed for stealing the precious nine-lakh necklace, and his hands and feet were broken.
BhaktiBharat prints "डरवाय"; the other three sources have "डरवायो", which also fits the metre.
Bhari Dasha Nikrisht Dikhayoभारी दशा निकृष्ट दिखायो।
Telihin Ghar Kolhu Chalvayoतेलिहिं घर कोल्हू चलवायो॥
You showed him a heavy, lowly time, and made him turn the oil press in an oil-maker's house.
sanskritdocuments.org and Bharat Discovery print "तेलहिं"; we follow "तेलिहिं" (at the teli's, the oil-maker's) from BhaktiBharat and Amar Ujala, which fits the story.
Vinay Rag Deepak Mahan Keenhyonविनय राग दीपक महँ कीन्हयों।
Tab Prasanna Prabhu Hvai Sukh Deenhyonतब प्रसन्न प्रभु ह्वै सुख दीन्हयों॥
When he sang his humble prayer in Raga Deepak, the Lord was pleased and gave him back his happiness.
Harishchandra Nrip Nari Bikaniहरिश्चन्द्र नृप नारि बिकानी।
Apahun Bhare Dom Ghar Paniआपहुं भरे डोम घर पानी॥
King Harishchandra's wife was sold, and he himself carried water in the house of a Dom, a keeper of the cremation ground.
Taise Nal Par Dasha Siraniतैसे नल पर दशा सिरानी।
Bhunji Meen Kood Gai Paniभूंजी-मीन कूद गई पानी॥
In the same way hard times fell upon King Nala, and even a roasted fish leapt back into the water.
Shri Shankarahin Gahyo Jab Jaiश्री शंकरहिं गह्यो जब जाई।
Paravati Ko Sati Karaiपारवती को सती कराई॥
When it reached and seized even Shri Shankar, it led Parvati, in her birth as Sati, to give up her body in the fire.
Sati, Parvati in her earlier birth, gave up her body at her father Daksha's yajna.
Tanik Vilokat Hi Kari Reesaतनिक विलोकत ही करि रीसा।
Nabh Udi Gayo Gaurisut Seesaनभ उड़ि गयो गौरिसुत सीसा॥
With a single glance, cast in displeasure, the head of Gauri's son flew off into the sky.
This follows the Brahmavaivarta Purana, where Shani kept his eyes lowered and looked at the infant Ganesh only when Parvati insisted. Other Puranas tell the story of Ganesh's head differently.
Pandav Par Bhai Dasha Tumhariपाण्डव पर भै दशा तुम्हारी।
Bachi Draupadi Hoti Ughariबची द्रौपदी होति उघारी॥
When your influence fell upon the Pandavas, Draupadi was nearly stripped in the court, and was saved.
Kaurav Ke Bhi Gati Mati Maryoकौरव के भी गति मति मारयो।
Yuddh Mahabharat Kari Daryoयुद्ध महाभारत करि डारयो॥
You clouded the minds of the Kauravas too, and brought about the great war of the Mahabharata.
Ravi Kahan Mukh Mahan Dhari Tatkalaरवि कहँ मुख महँ धरि तत्काला।
Lekar Koodi Paryo Patalaलेकर कूदि परयो पाताला॥
At once the Sun was seized in a mouth and carried, with a leap, down into Patala.
The verse does not say whose mouth it was, and printed commentaries explain chaupais 25 and 26 in different ways.
Shesh Dev Lakhi Vinati Laiशेष देव लखि विनती लाई।
Ravi Ko Mukh Te Diyo Chhudaiरवि को मुख ते दियो छुड़ाई॥
Seeing this, Shesha, the divine serpent, made a plea, and the Sun was freed from that mouth.
sanskritdocuments.org and Bharat Discovery print "शेष देव- लखि विनति लाई".
Vahan Prabhu Ke Sat Sujanaवाहन प्रभु के सात सुजाना।
Jag Diggaj Gardabh Mrig Swanaजग दिग्गज गर्दभ मृग स्वाना॥
Know, wise ones, that the Lord has seven mounts: the elephant, the donkey, the deer, the dog,
Chaupais 27 to 35 repeat beliefs from jyotish about the mount (vahana) and the "foot" (metal) on which Shani arrives. We give them as part of the text; Nitya does not make predictions. BhaktiBharat reads "सात सजाना".
Jambuk Singh Adi Nakh Dhariजम्बुक सिंह आदि नख धारी।
So Phal Jyotish Kahat Pukariसो फल ज्योतिष कहत पुकारी॥
the jackal, the lion and the other clawed beasts. Jyotish declares the fruit of each.
Gaj Vahan Lakshmi Grih Avainगज वाहन लक्ष्मी गृह आवैं।
Hay Te Sukh Sampatti Upajavainहय ते सुख सम्पत्ति उपजावैं॥
When he comes on the elephant, Lakshmi comes into the home. On the horse, he brings comfort and wealth.
Gardabh Hani Karai Bahu Kajaगर्दभ हानि करै बहु काजा।
Singh Siddhkar Raj Samajaसिंह सिद्धकर राज समाजा॥
On the donkey he spoils many tasks. On the lion he brings success in royal and public life.
Jambuk Buddhi Nasht Kar Daraiजम्बुक बुद्धि नष्ट कर डारै।
Mrig De Kasht Pran Samharaiमृग दे कष्ट प्राण संहारै॥
On the jackal he clouds the mind. On the deer he brings suffering and danger to life.
Jab Avahin Prabhu Swan Savariजब आवहिं प्रभु स्वान सवारी।
Chori Adi Hoy Dar Bhariचोरी आदि होय डर भारी॥
When the Lord comes riding the dog, there is great fear of theft and the like.
Taisahi Chari Charan Yah Namaतैसहि चारि चरण यह नामा।
Swarn Lauh Chandi Aru Tamaस्वर्ण लौह चाँदी अरु तामा॥
Likewise there are four "feet", named gold, iron, silver and copper.
In jyotish the "pada" or "paya" (foot) of a Shani period is named after one of these four metals.
Lauh Charan Par Jab Prabhu Avainलौह चरण पर जब प्रभु आवैं।
Dhan Jan Sampatti Nasht Karavainधन जन सम्पत्ति नष्ट करावैं॥
When the Lord comes on the iron foot, wealth, people and property suffer loss.
Samata Tamra Rajat Shubhkariसमता ताम्र रजत शुभकारी।
Swarn Sarv Sukh Mangal Bhariस्वर्ण सर्व सुख मंगल भारी॥
Copper brings balance, silver brings good fortune, and gold brings every comfort and great blessing.
BhaktiBharat and Amar Ujala print "स्वर्ण सर्व सर्व सुख"; the repeated word breaks the sixteen-beat metre, so we follow sanskritdocuments.org.
Jo Yah Shani Charitra Nit Gavaiजो यह शनि चरित्र नित गावै।
Kabahun Na Dasha Nikrisht Satavaiकबहुं न दशा निकृष्ट सतावै॥
Whoever sings this story of Shani every day is never troubled by a low time.
Adbhut Nath Dikhavain Leelaअद्भुत नाथ दिखावैं लीला।
Karain Shatru Ke Nashi Bali Dheelaकरैं शत्रु के नशि बलि ढीला॥
The Lord shows his wonderful play, and the enemy's strength wears away and grows slack.
sanskritdocuments.org and Bharat Discovery print "नशिब"; we follow "नशि" (destroying) with BhaktiBharat and Amar Ujala.
Jo Pandit Suyogya Bulvaiजो पण्डित सुयोग्य बुलवाई।
Vidhivat Shani Grah Shanti Karaiविधिवत शनि ग्रह शांति कराई॥
One who invites a learned pandit and has the Shani graha shanti done with the proper rites,
Peepal Jal Shani Divas Chadhavatपीपल जल शनि दिवस चढ़ावत।
Deep Daan Dai Bahu Sukh Pavatदीप दान दै बहु सुख पावत॥
and on Saturdays offers water at the peepal tree and lights a lamp there, finds much happiness.
Kahat Ram Sundar Prabhu Dasaकहत राम सुन्दर प्रभु दासा।
Shani Sumirat Sukh Hot Prakashaशनि सुमिरत सुख होत प्रकाशा॥
Ramsundar, servant of the Lord, says: when you remember Shani, happiness shines out.
Most readers take "Ram Sundar" as the poet's name, placed in the last chaupai as poets often did. Nothing reliable is known about him.
Path Shanishchar Dev Ko, Keenhon Vimal Taiyarपाठ शनिश्चर देव को, कीन्हों विमल तैयार।
Karat Path Chalis Din, Ho Bhavsagar Parकरत पाठ चालीस दिन, हो भवसागर पार॥
Vimal prepared this recitation of Lord Shanishchar. Reciting it for forty days, one crosses the ocean of worldly life.
sanskritdocuments.org and Bharat Discovery print 'विमल' in quotes, read as a name. BhaktiBharat and Amar Ujala read "की हों 'भक्त' तैयार" ("devotees, be ready"). sanskritdocuments.org adds a further doha introducing a Hindi verse form of the Dasharatha stotra, which we leave out because it belongs to that other text.
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Questions
When is the Shani Chalisa recited?
Saturday is Shani Dev's day, so most people recite it on Saturdays, often with a sesame oil lamp. Many also read it on Shani Jayanti, on Shani Amavasya (a new moon that falls on a Saturday) and during a sade sati. Some keep the closing doha's practice of reading it daily for forty days.
Is it OK to recite on Saturday evening?
Yes. Saturday evening, around sunset when the lamp is lit, is one of the most common times to recite it. Many families go to a Shani or Hanuman temple, or light a lamp under a peepal tree, and recite it there.
What is sade sati?
Sade sati means "seven and a half". In jyotish it is the period of about seven and a half years when Saturn passes through the sign before your Moon sign, your Moon sign, and the sign after it, roughly two and a half years each. Saturn takes about 30 years to go round the zodiac, so most people meet it two or three times in a life. Tradition treats it as a time for patience, honest work and prayer, and many people recite the Shani Chalisa or Hanuman Chalisa through it. You don't need to buy anything or pay for a ritual to pray to Shani Dev.
Who wrote the Shani Chalisa?
It is a traditional Hindi chalisa. The last chaupai names "Ram Sundar", whom most readers take as the poet, and some printings name "Vimal" in the closing doha. Nothing reliable is known about either.
How long does it take?
About eight minutes at an easy pace.
Source and review
Source: Traditional Hindi text, cross-checked line by line against sanskritdocuments.org (doc_z_otherlang_hindi/shani40, navagraha section), Bharat Discovery / Bharatkosh (शनि चालीसा), BhaktiBharat.com (chalisa/shani-chalisa) and Amar Ujala (shani-chalisa-lyrics-in-hindi)
The four sources fall into two families: sanskritdocuments.org and Bharat Discovery share one text; BhaktiBharat and Amar Ujala share another. Our base is the sanskritdocuments.org text with obvious slips corrected from the other family (हवैं → ह्वैं, क्शण → क्षण, वोलोकत → विलोकत, अद्भूत → अद्भुत, लक्श्मी → लक्ष्मी, चाँदि → चाँदी, जनकी → जन की, नौंलखा → नौलखा, तुहिं → तुहि). Readings taken from BhaktiBharat/Amar Ujala: लखनहिं (ch. 12), तेलिहिं (ch. 17), भरे (ch. 19), विनती (ch. 26), नशि (ch. 37), तैयार (closing doha). Readings kept from sanskritdocuments.org against the other family: हिये … दमकै (ch. 4), डरवायो (ch. 16), सुजाना (ch. 27, BhaktiBharat 'सजाना'), सम्पत्ति (ch. 29), 'स्वर्ण सर्व सुख' (ch. 35, the other family repeats 'सर्व'), 'कीन्हों विमल' (closing doha, the other family 'की हों भक्त'). shubhpanchang.com prints a very different, shorter text that does not match any of these sources, so we did not use it. Not yet compared with a Gita Press printing.
We checked the text line by line against the sources named here. The meanings are an AI-assisted draft. A scholar has not reviewed them yet.
The meanings are our own first draft. A scholar has not reviewed them yet. If you spot a mistake, please tell us.
Key facts
- Author
- Traditional; the last chaupai names Ram Sundar
- Verses
- 43
- Original language
- Hindi
- Source edition
- Traditional Hindi text, cross-checked line by line against sanskritdocuments.org (doc_z_otherlang_hindi/shani40, navagraha section), Bharat Discovery / Bharatkosh (शनि चालीसा), BhaktiBharat.com (chalisa/shani-chalisa) and Amar Ujala (shani-chalisa-lyrics-in-hindi)
- Last checked
- Review status
- Script verified
Cite this page
“Shani Chalisa”. Nitya, updated 2026-10-04. https://getnitya.com/en/shani/shani-chalisa/