Shri Shani Chalisa
Justice, Discipline, Karma, Patience, Testing, Lessons, Stability
Jai Ganesh Girija Suvan,
mangal karan kripal.
Deenan ke dukh door kari,
kijai nath nihaal.
Jai Jai Shri Shanidev Prabhu,
sunhu vinay maharaj.
Karhu kripa hey Ravi tanay,
rakhhu jan ki laaj.
॥ Chaupai ॥
Jayati jayati Shanidev dayala,
karta sada bhaktan pratipala.
Chari bhuja, tanu shyam viraje,
mathe ratan mukut chhavi chhaje.
Param vishal manohar bhala,
tedhi drishti bhrikuti vikrala.
Kundal shravan chamacham chamke,
hiye maal muktan mani damke.
Kar mein gada trishul kuthara,
pal bich karain arihin sanhara.
Pingal, Krishno, Chhaya, Nandan,
Yam, Konasth, Raudra, Dukh Bhanjan.
Saurimand, Shani dash nama,
Bhanu putra poojahin sab kama.
Japar prabhu prasann hvai jaahin,
rankhu raav karain kshan maahin.
Parvatuhu trin hoi nihaarat,
trinhu ko parvat kari daarat.
Raj milat van Ramhi dinho,
Kaikeyi hu ki mati hari linho.
Vanhu mein mrig kapat dikhayi,
Matu Janaki gayi churayi.
Lakshanhin shakti vikal karidara,
machi gayi dal mein haahakara.
Ravan ki gati-mati baurai,
Ramchandra son bair badhai.
Diyo keet kari kanchan Lanka,
baji Bajrang bir ki danka.
Nrip Vikram par tuhi pagu dhara,
chitra mayur nigal gayi hara.
Haar naulakha lagyo chori,
haath pair darwayo tori.
Bhari dasha nikrisht dikhayo,
telhi ghar kolhu chalwayo.
Vinay raag deepak mahan kinho,
tab prasann Prabhu hvai sukh dinho.
Harishchandra nrip nari bikani,
aaphun bhare dom ghar pani.
Taise Nal par dasha sirani,
bhoonji-meen kood gayi pani.
Shri Shankarhin gahyo jab jayi,
Parvati ko sati karayi.
Tanik vilokat hi kari reesa,
nabh udi gayo Gaurisut seesa.
Pandav par bhayi dasha tumhari,
bachi Draupadi hoti ughari.
Kaurav ke bhi gati mati maryo,
yuddh Mahabharat kari daryo.
Ravi kahan mukh mahan dhar tatkala,
lekar koodi paryo patala.
Shesh dev lakh vinati layi,
Ravi ko mukh te diyo chhudayi.
Vahan Prabhu ke saat sujana,
jag diggaj gardabh mrig swana.
Jambuk, sih adi nakh dhari,
so phal jyotish kahat pukari.
Gaj vahan Lakshmi ghar aavein,
hay te sukh sampatti upjaavein.
Gardabh hani karai bahu kaaja,
sinh siddhkar raj samaja.
Jambuk buddhi nasht kar daare,
mrig de kasht praan sanhaare.
Jab aavahin Prabhu swan sawari,
chori aadi hoy dar bhari.
Taisahi chari charan yah nama,
svarn loh chandi aru tama.
Loh charan par jab Prabhu aavein,
dhan jan sampatti nasht karavein.
Samta tamra rajat shubhkaari,
svarn sarvasukh mangal bhari.
Jo yah Shani charitra nit gaave,
kabahun na dasha nikrisht sataave.
Adbhut Nath dikhavein leela,
karain shatru ke nashi bali dheela.
Jo pandit suyogya bulwayi,
vidhivat Shani grah shanti karayi.
Peepal jal Shani divas chadhavat,
deep daan dai bahu sukh paavat.
Kahat Ram Sundar Prabhu dasa,
Shani sumirat sukh hot prakasha.
॥ Doha ॥
Paath Shanischchar dev ko,
ki hon bhakt taiyaar.
Karat paath chaalis din,
ho bhavsagar paar.
About Shri Shani Chalisa
The Chalisa illustrates Shani''s influence through several well-known stories. It credits his power with clouding Kaikeyi''s mind, leading her to seek Rama''s exile rather than his coronation, and with hardening Ravana''s resolve against Rama. It also recounts the trial of King Vikramaditya, who was falsely accused of theft when a painted peacock swallowed a necklace, resulting in his being bound and forced to work at an oil mill until his period of Shani''s influence passed. Similarly, King Harishchandra is remembered for selling his wife and carrying water at a Dom''s house during his dasha, while upholding truth throughout his trials, and King Nala is recalled for the hardship that befell him during a similar period.
One striking episode links Shani directly to the story of Lord Ganesha: when Shani cast his gaze upon the infant at Parvati''s insistence, the child''s head vanished instantly — an episode also referenced in the Ganesh Chalisa. The Chalisa further recalls how, during the time of the Pandavas, Shani''s dasha nearly led to Draupadi''s dishonor in the Kaurava court, and how Shani''s influence contributed to the events leading up to the Mahabharata war.
The Chalisa also describes Shani''s seven vahanas (mounts) — elephant, horse, donkey, deer, dog, jackal, and lion — each bringing different effects: the elephant brings wealth, the horse prosperity, the lion success, while the donkey, jackal and deer are associated with loss, confusion, or hardship.
Regular and sincere recitation of the Shri Shani Chalisa is believed to reduce the adverse effects of Sade Sati, Dhaiya, and Shani Mahadasha, helping devotees navigate difficult periods with patience, discipline, and eventual relief.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Question: How does this Chalisa connect Shani''s influence to Lord Rama''s exile?
Answer: The Chalisa states that it was Shani''s influence that clouded Kaikeyi''s mind, leading her to demand Rama''s fourteen-year exile instead of his coronation.
Question: What humbling experience did King Vikramaditya face, according to the Chalisa?
Answer: During his Shani dasha, King Vikramaditya was falsely accused of theft after a painted peacock swallowed a pearl necklace, leading to his hands and feet being bound and being made to work at an oil mill (kolhu).
Question: What happened to King Harishchandra during his period of Shani''s influence?
Answer: The Chalisa recounts that Harishchandra had to sell his wife and himself carry water at a Dom''s house, upholding his commitment to truth throughout his hardship.
Question: Why did Lord Ganesha''s head fly off, according to this Chalisa?
Answer: The Chalisa describes that when Shani cast his gaze upon infant Ganesha at Parvati''s request, the child''s head vanished instantly due to Shani''s powerful and fearsome glance.
Question: What do the seven vahanas (mounts) of Lord Shani represent?
Answer: The Chalisa lists elephant, horse, donkey, deer, dog, jackal and lion as his mounts — the elephant brings wealth, the horse prosperity, the lion success, while the donkey, jackal and deer bring loss, confusion or distress.
Question: When should the Shani Chalisa be recited?
Answer: Saturday evening is considered most auspicious, especially when recited under a Peepal tree while lighting a mustard oil lamp.
