In the rich tapestry of Hindu devotion, shri shani chalisa stands out as a powerful and revered hymn dedicated to Lord Shani, the planetary deity associated with justice, discipline, and karmic balance. Chanting the Shani Chalisa is not just a ritual—it’s a spiritual discipline that purifies the soul and provides strength during life’s most challenging times.
Whether you’re facing delays in career, obstacles in personal life, or emotional stress, regularly reciting the Shani Chalisa is believed to invoke Lord Shani’s blessings and reduce the malefic effects of Shani dosha (Saturn afflictions) in your horoscope.
Who is Lord Shani?
Lord Shani, also known as Shani Dev, is one of the Navagrahas (Nine Planets) in Hindu astrology. He is the son of Lord Surya (Sun God) and Chhaya, and rides a crow—symbolizing karma and transformation. Known for delivering justice, Shani Dev rewards good deeds and punishes the wrongdoer, but always with the ultimate goal of spiritual evolution.
He governs Saturday (Shanivar) and is associated with the planet Saturn. People often fear him, but true devotees know he is a strict yet fair teacher whose blessings are priceless.
What is Shani Chalisa?
The Shani Chalisa is a devotional 40-verse hymn (chalisa means ‘forty’ in Hindi), composed in praise of Lord Shani. It includes:
- His divine qualities
- Stories from mythology
- Prayers for protection and relief from pain
- Requests for grace and patience during tough times
When recited with sincerity and devotion, the Shani Chalisa is said to shield one from negative influences, especially those caused by Sade Sati, Shani Mahadasha, or transit afflictions in one’s horoscope.
Benefits of Reciting Shani Chalisa
- Reduces Saturn’s negative influence during Sade Sati and Dhaiya
- Improves patience, discipline, and karmic awareness
- Removes delays in marriage, job, and finances
- Brings peace of mind during stressful periods
- Enhances spiritual strength and protection
When and How to Chant Shani Chalisa
Best Day: Saturdays (Shanivar)
Best Time: After bath, during sunrise or sunset
Ideal Offering: Black sesame seeds, mustard oil, black clothes, urad dal
Mantra to Start:
“Om Sham Shanicharaya Namah” – This mantra purifies the atmosphere before starting the Chalisa.
Sit calmly in a quiet and clean space, preferably inside a temple or beneath a sacred Peepal tree. Light a mustard oil lamp and recite the Shani Chalisa with full devotion and concentration.
Shani Chalisa 1–10 Verses: Invoking Lord Shani’s Blessings
These opening verses praise Lord Shani’s compassion, justice, and power. The devotee humbly seeks his blessings to remove sorrow and obstacles.
॥ Doha ॥
Jaya ganesa girija sumana, mangala tairi krpala॥
Dina ke dukha dura kari, kijenatha nihala॥
Jay jay shree shanidev prabhu, sunahu vinay mahaaraaj ॥
Karahu krpa he ravi tanay, raakhahu jan kee laaj ॥
॥ Chaupaee ॥
Jayati jayati shanidev dayaala ॥
Karat sada bhaktan pratipaala ॥ 1॥
Chaari bhuja, tanu shyaam viraajai ॥
Ratn ratn chhabi chhaajai ॥ 2॥
Param vishaal manohar bhaala ॥
Tehi drshti bhukuti vikaarala ॥ 3॥
Kundal shravan chamaacham chamake ॥
Hiy maal muktan mani damake ॥ 4 ॥
Kar mein gada trishool kuthaara ॥
Pal bich karain arihin sanhaara ॥ 5 ॥
Pingal, krshn, chhaaya nandan ॥
Yam, konasth, raudr, duhkhabhanjan ॥ 6 ॥
Soory, mand, shani, dash naam ॥
Bhaanu putr poojahin sab kaam ॥ 7 ॥
Ja par prabhu prasann havan jaahin ॥
Rankhahun raav karain kshan maaheen ॥ 8 ॥
Parvat hoon trin hoi nihaarat ॥
Trnahu ko parvat kari daarat ॥ 9 ॥
Raaj milat ban raamahin deenhayo ॥
Kaikeihoon kee mati hari leenhyo ॥ 10॥
Shani Chalisa 11–20 Verses: Stories of Shani Dev’s Divine Justice
This section recalls Shani Dev’s interactions with great kings and devotees from mythology, showcasing his strict but fair approach to karma.
Banahoon mein mrg kapaat dikhaee diya ॥
Maatu jaanakee gaee churaee ॥ 11॥
Lakhanahin shakti vikal karidaara ॥
Macheega dal mein haahaakaara ॥ 12 ॥
Raavan kee gati mati bauraee ॥
Raamachandr son bair ॥ 13॥
Diyo keet kari kanchan lanka ॥
Baajee bajarang beer kee danka ॥ 14 ॥
Nrp vikram par tuhi pagu dhaara ॥
Chitr madhuri gaay haara ॥ 15॥
Haar naulakha laagyo choree ॥
Haath par daravaay toree ॥ 16 ॥
Bhaaree dasha nikrsht ॥
Telihin ghar kolhoo chalavaayo ॥ 17 ॥
Vinay raag deepak mahan kinhyo ॥
Tab prasann prabhu hvai sukh deenhyo ॥ 18 ॥
Harishchandr nrp naaree bikaani ॥
Aapahun antim dom ghar paanee ॥ 19॥
Taise nal par dasha siraanee ॥
Bhoonjameen kood gaya paanee ॥ 20 ॥
Shani Chalisa 21–30 Verses: Praise for Shani Dev’s Strength and Virtues
These verses glorify Shani Dev’s physical form, strength, celestial position, and his importance among the Navagrahas (Nine Planets).
Shree shankarahin gahyo jab jaee ॥
Paarvatee ko satee kare ॥ 21॥
Tanik vilokat hee kari reesa ॥
Nabh udi gayo gaureesut seesa ॥ 22॥
Paandav par bhaee dasha vivaah ॥
Bach draupadee hoti ughaari ॥ 23॥
Kaurav ke bhee gati mati maarayo ॥
Yuddh mahaabhaarat kari daariyo ॥ 24 ॥
Ravi kahan mukh mahan dhaaree thanda ॥
Lekar koodi parayo paataala ॥ 25॥
Shesh devalakhee vinatee lai ॥
Ravi ko mukh te diyo aadarshai ॥ 26॥
Vaahan prabhu ke saat sajaana ॥
Jag diggaj gardabh mrg svaana ॥ 27॥
Jambook sinh aadi nakh dhaaree ॥
So phal jyotish kahat kolee ॥ 28 ॥
Gaj vaahan lakshmee grh aavai ॥
Hay te sukh sampati upajavain ॥ 29॥
Gardabh haani karai bahu kaaja ॥
Sinh siddhakar raaj samaaja ॥ 30॥
Shani Chalisa 31–40 Verses: Prayers for Protection and Grace
In the final part, the devotee prays for forgiveness, protection from planetary afflictions, and asks for continuous devotion to Lord Shani.
Jambook buddhi nasht kar daarai ॥
Mrg de kasht praan sanhaarai ॥ 31॥
Jab aavahin prabhu svaan savaaree ॥
Choree aadi hoy dar bhaaree ॥ 32 ॥
Taisaahi chaari charan yah naama ॥
Svarn loh chaandee aru tam ॥ 33॥
Loh charan par jab prabhu aavai ॥
Dhan jan vinaash nasht karaavai ॥ 34॥
Samata taamr rajat shubhakaaree ॥
Svarn sarv sarv sukh mangal bhaaree ॥ 35॥
Jo yah shani charitr nit gaavai ॥
Kaahun na dasha nikrsht sataavai ॥ 36 ॥
Adbhut naath dikhaavain leela ॥
Karan shatru ke naashee bali uddhaar ॥ 37॥
Jo pandit suyogy bulaavai ॥
Sarvopari shani grah shaanti karaave ॥ 38॥
Peepal jal shani divas chadhaavat ॥
Deep daan dai bahu sukh paavat ॥ 39॥
Kahat raam sundar prabhu daasa ॥
Shani sumirat sukh hot prakaasha ॥ 40 ॥
॥ Doha ॥
Paath shanishchar dev ko, kee hon bhakt taiyaar ॥
Karat paath chaalees din, ho bhavasaagar paar ॥
Shani Chalisa and Astrology: The Karmic Connection
In Vedic astrology, Saturn (Shani) represents:
- Karma (actions and consequences)
- Delay and discipline
- Longevity and life lessons
Those under Shani’s tough transit often experience setbacks. But instead of running away, embracing the Shani Chalisa helps one face those trials with courage and faith.
A Devotee’s Real Experience
“During my Sade Sati phase, I lost my job and struggled with anxiety. Someone recommended chanting the Shani Chalisa every Saturday. I started, even though I didn’t fully understand every word. Slowly, things started to shift. I became more disciplined, got a new job, and most importantly, I felt stronger inside.”
— A Devotee from South India
Trust in the Process, Not Just the Words
Chanting the Shani Chalisa is not magic—it’s a process. With consistent devotion, even the most stubborn karma can transform into opportunity. Remember, Shani Dev is not here to punish you, but to awaken your inner strength and truth.
FAQs About Shri Shani Chalisa
Q: Can anyone chant the Shani Chalisa?
A: Yes. Anyone from any background can recite it with devotion and sincerity.
Q: Do I need to follow strict rituals?
A: No. While traditional offerings help, chanting with a pure heart is most important.
Q: Can I chant it daily or only on Saturdays?
A: Saturdays are ideal, but you can chant it anytime you’re going through a difficult phase.
Q: Is Shani Chalisa only for those going through bad times?
A: No. It is beneficial for building spiritual discipline and grace even during good times.
Final Thoughts
Shani Chalisa is more than a chant—it is a path to resilience, balance, and spiritual growth. In the darkest times, it reminds us that every hardship is a lesson, and with devotion, even Lord Shani becomes the kindest guide.
So the next time you’re feeling stuck or overwhelmed, take a few minutes, light a lamp, and chant the Shani Chalisa. Your mind, karma, and life will slowly begin to transform.
