Shani Chalisa
Shani Chalisa in English · English
Origin & Story
Traditional Hindi devotional hymn · Traditional (signed 'Ram') · Devotional era
The Shani Chalisa is a forty-verse Hindi hymn to Shanidev, the son of Surya and lord of the planet Saturn — the great dispenser of karmic justice. Recalling how Shani's gaze humbled even Rama, Ravana, Vikramaditya, Harishchandra and the Pandavas, yet rewarded the devoted, it is recited above all during Sade Sati and Shani Dasha to win the planet's grace and protection.
✦ As told in scripture
The Chalisa recounts Shani's awesome power over the greatest of beings — sending Rama to exile, humbling Vikramaditya at the oil-press, even swallowing the Sun until Shesha and the gods intervened — yet it promises that whoever sings his story is never tormented by a cruel period, and that forty days' devotion carries the soul across the ocean of existence.
Listen & Chant Along
Complete Text with Meaning
Tap any line — or the ▶ button — to hear it recited
Jaya ganesha girija suvana, mamgala karana kripala Dinana ke duhkha dura kari , kijai natha nihala
Meaning:Victory to the son of Girija (Ganesha), the merciful doer of good; remove the sorrows of the lowly, O Lord, and make them blessed.
Jaya jaya shri shanideva prabhu , sunahu vinaya maharaja Karahu kripa he ravi tanaya , rakhahu jana ki laja
Meaning:Victory, victory, O Lord Shanidev; hear my prayer, O great king; show grace, O son of the Sun (Ravi), and preserve your devotee's honour.
Jayati jayati shanideva dayala Karata sada bhaktana pratipala
Meaning:Victory, victory to the compassionate Shanidev, who ever protects his devotees.
Chari bhuja, tanu shyama virajai Mathe ratana mukuta chhavi chhajai
Meaning:Four-armed, his body shining dark; upon his brow a jewelled crown gleams in beauty.
Parama vishala manohara bhala Tedha़i drishti bhrikuti vikarala
Meaning:His forehead vast and enchanting; his gaze oblique, his eyebrows fierce.
Kundala shravana chamachama chamake Hiye mala muktana mani damakai
Meaning:Earrings glitter brightly at his ears; on his chest a garland of pearls and gems shines.
Kara mem gada trishula kuthara Pala bicha karaim arihim samhara
Meaning:In his hands a mace, a trident and an axe; in an instant he destroys his foes.
Pimgala, krishno, chhaya, nandana Yama, konastha, raudra, duhkha bhamjana
Meaning:Pingala, Krishna (the dark), Chhaya-nandana (son of Chhaya); Yama, Konastha, Raudra, the destroyer of sorrow —
Sauri, manda shani dasha nama Bhanu putra pujahim saba kama
Meaning:— Sauri, Manda, Shani: his ten names. The son of Bhanu (the Sun), worshipped, fulfils every desire.
Japara prabhu prasanna havaim jahim Ramkahum rava karaim kshana mahim
Meaning:Upon whomever the Lord becomes pleased, he makes a pauper a king in a moment.
Parvatahu trina hoi niharata Trinahu ko parvata kari darata
Meaning:He makes even a mountain appear as a blade of grass, and turns a blade of grass into a mountain.
Raja milata vana ramahim dinhayo Kaikeihun ki mati hari linhayo
Meaning:At the very moment of his coronation he sent Rama to the forest, having stolen away Kaikeyi's reason.
Vanahum mem mriga kapata dikhai Matu janaki gai churai
Meaning:In the forest he showed the illusory (golden) deer, by which Mother Janaki (Sita) was carried away.
Lashanahim shakti vikala karidara Machiga dala mem hahakara
Meaning:He left Lakshmana stricken by the Shakti weapon; a great cry of woe arose in the army.
Ravana ki gati-mati baurai Ramachandra som baira badha़ai
Meaning:He deranged Ravana's mind and reason, increasing his enmity with Ramachandra.
Diyo kita kari kamchana lamka Baji bajaramga bira ki damka
Meaning:He had golden Lanka consumed (turned to ashes); the drum of the hero Bajrang (Hanuman) resounded.
Nripa vikrama para tuhi pagu dhara Chitra mayura nigali gai hara
Meaning:He set his foot upon King Vikramaditya; the painted peacock (seemed to) swallow the necklace.
Hara naulakha lagyo chori Hatha paira daravayo tori
Meaning:A nine-lakh necklace was charged against him as theft; your hand brought terror to his hands and feet.
Bhari dasha nikrishta dikhayo Telahim ghara kolhu chalavayo
Meaning:He showed a grievous, abject state — having him driven to turn the oil-press in an oilman's house.
Vinaya raga dipaka mahan kinhayom Taba prasanna prabhu hvai sukha dinhayom
Meaning:When Vikram offered his prayer in the Deepak raga, the Lord, made pleased, granted him happiness.
Harishchandra nripa nari bikani Apahum bhare doma ghara pani
Meaning:King Harishchandra's wife was sold, and he himself carried water in a Dom's house.
Taise nala para dasha sirani Bhumji-mina kuda gai pani
Meaning:Likewise this state passed over King Nala; the fried fish leapt back alive into the water.
Shri shamkarahim gahyo jaba jai Paravati ko sati karai
Meaning:When it seized Lord Shankara, it brought such grief that Parvati was reduced to a Sati's distress.
Tanika vikalokata hi kari risa Nabha uda़i gato gaurisuta sisa
Meaning:At his slightest angry glance, the head of Gauri's son (Ganesha) flew off into the sky.
Pandava para bhai dasha tumhari Bachi dropadi hoti udhari
Meaning:This state of yours befell the Pandavas too; Draupadi was barely saved from disgrace.
Kaurava ke bhi gati mati marayo Yuddha mahabharata kari darayo
Meaning:He destroyed the reason of the Kauravas as well, bringing about the great war of the Mahabharata.
Ravi kahan mukha mahan dhari tatkala Lekara kudi parayo patala
Meaning:Placing the Sun (Ravi) in his mouth at once, he leapt down into the netherworld (Patala).
Shesha deva-lakhi vinati lai Ravi ko mukha te diyo chhuda़ai
Meaning:Shesha and the gods brought their entreaty, and had the Sun released from his mouth.
Vahana prabhu ke sata sujana Jaga diggaja gardabha mriga svana
Meaning:The Lord's vehicles are seven and wise: the elephant, the donkey, the deer, the dog —
Jambuka siha adi nakha dhari So phala jyotisha kahata pukari
Meaning:— the jackal, the lion and others he rides; astrology proclaims aloud the fruit of each.
Gaja vahana lakshmi griha avaim Haya te sukha sampatti upajavai
Meaning:On the elephant, Lakshmi (wealth) comes to the home; on the horse, happiness and prosperity arise.
Gardabha hani karai bahu kaja Siha siddhkara raja samaja
Meaning:The donkey causes much harm to one's work; the lion brings accomplishment and royal estate.
Jambuka buddhi nashta kara darai Mriga de kashta prana samharai
Meaning:The jackal destroys the intellect; the deer brings suffering and takes away life.
Jaba avahim svana savari Chori adi hoya dara bhari
Meaning:When he comes riding upon the dog, theft and the like occur, and great fear.
Taisahi chari charana yaha nama Svarna lauha chandi aru tama
Meaning:Likewise his four 'feet' (phases) bear names: gold, iron, silver and copper.
Lauha charana para jaba prabhu avaim Dhana jana sampatti nashta karavaim
Meaning:When the Lord comes upon the iron foot, he causes the ruin of wealth, people and prosperity.
Samata tamra rajata shubhakari Svarna sarvasukha mamgala bhari
Meaning:The copper and silver are moderate and auspicious; the golden foot brings all happiness and great blessing.
Jo yaha shani charitra nita gavai Kabahum na dasha nikrishta satavai
Meaning:Whoever ever sings this story of Shani — the base period (dasha) never torments them.
Adbhuta natha dikhavaim lila Karaim shatru ke nashi bali dhila
Meaning:The Lord shows wondrous play; he weakens and undoes the strength of the enemy.
Jo pandita suyogya bulavai Vidhivata shani graha shamti karai
Meaning:Whoever calls a learned, worthy pandit and has the Shani-graha peace rite duly performed,
Pipala jala shani divasa chadha़avata Dipa dana dai bahu sukha pavata
Meaning:— offers water to the peepal on Saturday and gives the gift of a lamp, gains abundant happiness.
Kahata rama sundara prabhu dasa Shani sumirata sukha hota prakasha
Meaning:Says Ram (the poet), the Lord's humble servant: by remembering Shani, happiness dawns.
Patha shanishchara deva ko, ki hom ‘bhakta’ taiyara Karata patha chalisa dina, ho bhavasagara para
Meaning:Reciting this hymn of Lord Shanishchara, the devotee who is ready and recites it for forty days crosses the ocean of existence.
Word-by-Word Meaning
Click any word to hear its pronunciation
Benefits of Chanting Shani Chalisa
The Shani Chalisa is the foremost remedy for the trials of Saturn — Sade Sati, Dhaiya and Shani Dasha — pacifying Lord Shani and turning his gaze benevolent.
Recited to remove obstacles, delays, debt, legal troubles, illness and the fear that Shani's hard lessons bring.
Recalls how Shani humbled even Rama, Ravana, Vikramaditya, Harishchandra, Nala and the Pandavas — and rewarded the devoted.
Brings discipline, patience, justice and ultimately prosperity to the sincere devotee.
Most powerful on Saturday (Shanivar); traditionally recited for forty consecutive days.
Often accompanied by offering mustard oil, lighting a lamp, and offering water to the peepal tree.
How to Chant Shani Chalisa
On Saturday, after bathing, light a lamp of mustard or sesame oil before Lord Shani (often under a peepal tree or at a Shani temple). Offer black sesame, mustard oil and blue/black flowers, and recite the Chalisa with humility. The text recommends a forty-day observance. Offering water to the peepal and feeding the needy on Saturdays multiplies its grace.
Frequently Asked Questions
You May Also Like
ॐ
Read the full Shani Chalisa with verse-by-verse meaning, or explore more sacred texts