Shani Dev Aarti
श्री शनिदेव आरती
Origin & Story
Traditional Hindi devotional aarti · Traditional · Devotional era
Shani (Saturn) is the son of Surya, the Sun-god, and Chhaya. As the great judge among the Navagrahas, he weighs every soul's karma and dispenses its just fruits — which is why his gaze is feared during Sade Sati. Yet to his devotees Shani is 'bhaktan hitkari,' the benefactor: those who worship him with honesty and humility on Saturdays find his justice turning to grace. This aarti is sung to close that Saturday worship.
✦ As told in scripture
It is said that even Lord Hanuman intervened to shield his devotees from Shani's gaze, and Shani vowed never to trouble those devoted to Hanuman. Devotees undergoing Sade Sati light a til-oil lamp each Saturday, recite Shani's Chalisa and aarti, and report their hardest trials easing into patience and steady fortune.
Complete Text with Meaning
जय जय श्री शनिदेव भक्तन हितकारी । सूरज के पुत्र प्रभु छाया महतारी ॥
Jaya jaya shri shanideva bhaktana hitakari Suraja ke putra prabhu chhaya mahatari
Meaning:Victory, victory to Shri Shanidev, the benefactor of his devotees; the son of the Sun-god (Surya) and of mother Chhaya.
श्याम अंक वक्र दृष्ट चतुर्भुजा धारी । नीलाम्बर धार नाथ गज की असवारी ॥
Shyama amka vakra drishta chaturbhuja dhari Nilambara dhara natha gaja ki asavari
Meaning:Dark of body and crooked (sidelong, penetrating) of gaze, bearing four arms; clad in blue, O Lord, you ride upon your mount.
क्रीट मुकुट शीश रजित दिपत है लिलारी । मुक्तन की माला गले शोभित बलिहारी ॥
Krita mukuta shisha rajita dipata hai lilari Muktana ki mala gale shobhita balihari
Meaning:A jewelled crown gleams upon your head and lights up your brow; a garland of pearls graces your neck — wondrous to behold!
मोदक मिष्ठान पान चढ़त हैं सुपारी । लोहा तिल तेल उड़द महिषी अति प्यारी ॥
Modaka mishthana pana chadha़ta haim supari Loha tila tela uda़da mahishi ati pyari
Meaning:Sweets, delicacies, paan and betel-nut are offered to you; iron, sesame, oil, black gram (urad) and the buffalo are dear to you.
देव दनुज ऋषि मुनि सुमरिन नर नारी । विश्वनाथ धरत ध्यान शरण हैं तुम्हारी ॥
Deva danuja rishi muni sumarina nara nari Vishvanatha dharata dhyana sharana haim tumhari
Meaning:Gods, demons, sages, saints and men and women all remember you; the devotee fixes his meditation upon you — we are in your refuge.
Word-by-Word Meaning
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Benefits of Chanting Shani Dev Aarti
Sung to please Lord Shani (Saturn) and soften the trials of Sade Sati (the 7½-year Saturn cycle), Dhaiya and Shani dasha.
Believed to remove obstacles, delays, debts and the hardships caused by an afflicted Saturn, and to grant patience and steadiness.
Most powerful on Saturday (Shanivar), Shani Jayanti and Shani Amavasya, especially after offering mustard/sesame oil.
Recited after the Shani Chalisa and Dashrath Krit Shani Stotra to complete the worship of Shani Dev.
Invokes Shani's blessing for justice, discipline and protection from his harsh aspect (sade sati peeda).
How to Chant Shani Dev Aarti
On Saturday evening, light a lamp with mustard or sesame (til) oil before an image of Shani Dev, ideally under a Peepal tree or at a Shani temple. Offer black sesame, urad dal, blue/black flowers and iron. Recite the Shani Chalisa and Dashrath Krit Shani Stotra, then perform this aarti, circling the lamp. Donate oil, iron or black items to the needy afterward to strengthen the effect.