Shani Chalisa

Doha 1

Jai Ganesh Girija Suvan, Mangal Karan Kripal

Deenan Ke Dukh Door Kari, Keejai Nath Nihal

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.

Doha 2

Jai Jai Shri Shanidev Prabhu, Sunahu Vinay Maharaj

Karahu Kripa He Ravi Tanay, Rakhahu Jan Ki Laj

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.

Chaupai 1

Jayati Jayati Shanidev Dayala

Karat Sada Bhaktan Pratipala

Victory, victory to kind Shani Dev, who always looks after his devotees.

Chaupai 2

Chari Bhuja, Tanu Shyam Virajai

Mathe Ratan Mukut Chhabi Chhajai

You have four arms and a dark body, and a jewelled crown shines beautifully on your head.

Chaupai 3

Param Vishal Manohar Bhala

Tedhi Drishti Bhrikuti Vikrala

Your forehead is broad and handsome. Your gaze is slanting and your brows are fierce.

Chaupai 4

Kundal Shravan Chamacham Chamke

Hiye Mal Muktan Mani Damkai

Earrings sparkle in your ears, and a necklace of pearls and gems gleams on your chest.

Chaupai 5

Kar Mein Gada Trishul Kuthara

Pal Bich Karain Arihin Samhara

In your hands are a mace, a trident and an axe, and in a moment you destroy the enemy.

Chaupai 6

Pingal, Krishno, Chhaya Nandan

Yam, Konasth, Raudra, Dukhbhanjan

Pingala, Krishna, son of Chhaya, Yama, Konastha, Raudra, breaker of sorrow,

Chaupai 7

Sauri, Mand, Shani, Dash Nama

Bhanu Putra Poojahin Sab Kama

Sauri, Manda and Shani: these are your ten names. Those who worship the son of the Sun see their work fulfilled.

Chaupai 8

Ja Par Prabhu Prasanna Hvain Jahin

Rankahun Rav Karain Kshan Mahin

When the Lord is pleased with someone, he can turn even a pauper into a king in a moment.

Chaupai 9

Parvatahu Trin Hoi Niharat

Trinahu Ko Parvat Kari Darat

Under his gaze a mountain becomes a blade of grass, and a blade of grass becomes a mountain.

Chaupai 10

Raj Milat Ban Ramahin Deenhyo

Kaikeihun Ki Mati Hari Leenhyo

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.

Chaupai 11

Banahun Mein Mrig Kapat Dikhai

Matu Janaki Gai Churai

In the forest a false golden deer appeared, and Mother Janaki (Sita) was carried away.

Chaupai 12

Lakhanahin Shakti Vikal Kari Dara

Machiga Dal Mein Hahakara

The Shakti weapon struck Lakshman down, and a cry of grief went up through the army.

Chaupai 13

Ravan Ki Gati Mati Baurai

Ramchandra Son Bair Badhai

Ravana's judgement went astray, and he grew ever more hostile to Shri Ramchandra.

Chaupai 14

Diyo Keet Kari Kanchan Lanka

Baji Bajrang Beer Ki Danka

Golden Lanka was turned to dross, and the war drum of brave Bajrang (Hanuman) rang out.

Chaupai 15

Nrip Vikram Par Tuhi Pagu Dhara

Chitra Mayur Nigali Gai Hara

When you set foot upon King Vikram, a peacock in a painting swallowed a necklace.

Chaupai 16

Har Naulakha Lagyo Chori

Hath Pair Darvayo Tori

He was blamed for stealing the precious nine-lakh necklace, and his hands and feet were broken.

Chaupai 17

Bhari Dasha Nikrisht Dikhayo

Telihin Ghar Kolhu Chalvayo

You showed him a heavy, lowly time, and made him turn the oil press in an oil-maker's house.

Chaupai 18

Vinay Rag Deepak Mahan Keenhyon

Tab Prasanna Prabhu Hvai Sukh Deenhyon

When he sang his humble prayer in Raga Deepak, the Lord was pleased and gave him back his happiness.

Chaupai 19

Harishchandra Nrip Nari Bikani

Apahun Bhare Dom Ghar Pani

King Harishchandra's wife was sold, and he himself carried water in the house of a Dom, a keeper of the cremation ground.

Chaupai 20

Taise Nal Par Dasha Sirani

Bhunji Meen Kood Gai Pani

In the same way hard times fell upon King Nala, and even a roasted fish leapt back into the water.

Chaupai 21

Shri Shankarahin Gahyo Jab Jai

Paravati Ko Sati Karai

When it reached and seized even Shri Shankar, it led Parvati, in her birth as Sati, to give up her body in the fire.

Chaupai 22

Tanik Vilokat Hi Kari Reesa

Nabh Udi Gayo Gaurisut Seesa

With a single glance, cast in displeasure, the head of Gauri's son flew off into the sky.

Chaupai 23

Pandav Par Bhai Dasha Tumhari

Bachi Draupadi Hoti Ughari

When your influence fell upon the Pandavas, Draupadi was nearly stripped in the court, and was saved.

Chaupai 24

Kaurav Ke Bhi Gati Mati Maryo

Yuddh Mahabharat Kari Daryo

You clouded the minds of the Kauravas too, and brought about the great war of the Mahabharata.

Chaupai 25

Ravi Kahan Mukh Mahan Dhari Tatkala

Lekar Koodi Paryo Patala

At once the Sun was seized in a mouth and carried, with a leap, down into Patala.

Chaupai 26

Shesh Dev Lakhi Vinati Lai

Ravi Ko Mukh Te Diyo Chhudai

Seeing this, Shesha, the divine serpent, made a plea, and the Sun was freed from that mouth.

Chaupai 27

Vahan Prabhu Ke Sat Sujana

Jag Diggaj Gardabh Mrig Swana

Know, wise ones, that the Lord has seven mounts: the elephant, the donkey, the deer, the dog,

Chaupai 28

Jambuk Singh Adi Nakh Dhari

So Phal Jyotish Kahat Pukari

the jackal, the lion and the other clawed beasts. Jyotish declares the fruit of each.

Chaupai 29

Gaj Vahan Lakshmi Grih Avain

Hay Te Sukh Sampatti Upajavain

When he comes on the elephant, Lakshmi comes into the home. On the horse, he brings comfort and wealth.

Chaupai 30

Gardabh Hani Karai Bahu Kaja

Singh Siddhkar Raj Samaja

On the donkey he spoils many tasks. On the lion he brings success in royal and public life.

Chaupai 31

Jambuk Buddhi Nasht Kar Darai

Mrig De Kasht Pran Samharai

On the jackal he clouds the mind. On the deer he brings suffering and danger to life.

Chaupai 32

Jab Avahin Prabhu Swan Savari

Chori Adi Hoy Dar Bhari

When the Lord comes riding the dog, there is great fear of theft and the like.

Chaupai 33

Taisahi Chari Charan Yah Nama

Swarn Lauh Chandi Aru Tama

Likewise there are four "feet", named gold, iron, silver and copper.

Chaupai 34

Lauh Charan Par Jab Prabhu Avain

Dhan Jan Sampatti Nasht Karavain

When the Lord comes on the iron foot, wealth, people and property suffer loss.

Chaupai 35

Samata Tamra Rajat Shubhkari

Swarn Sarv Sukh Mangal Bhari

Copper brings balance, silver brings good fortune, and gold brings every comfort and great blessing.

Chaupai 36

Jo Yah Shani Charitra Nit Gavai

Kabahun Na Dasha Nikrisht Satavai

Whoever sings this story of Shani every day is never troubled by a low time.

Chaupai 37

Adbhut Nath Dikhavain Leela

Karain Shatru Ke Nashi Bali Dheela

The Lord shows his wonderful play, and the enemy's strength wears away and grows slack.

Chaupai 38

Jo Pandit Suyogya Bulvai

Vidhivat Shani Grah Shanti Karai

One who invites a learned pandit and has the Shani graha shanti done with the proper rites,

Chaupai 39

Peepal Jal Shani Divas Chadhavat

Deep Daan Dai Bahu Sukh Pavat

and on Saturdays offers water at the peepal tree and lights a lamp there, finds much happiness.

Chaupai 40

Kahat Ram Sundar Prabhu Dasa

Shani Sumirat Sukh Hot Prakasha

Ramsundar, servant of the Lord, says: when you remember Shani, happiness shines out.

Closing Doha

Path Shanishchar Dev Ko, Keenhon Vimal Taiyar

Karat Path Chalis Din, Ho Bhavsagar Par

Vimal prepared this recitation of Lord Shanishchar. Reciting it for forty days, one crosses the ocean of worldly life.