Shani Chalisa
The Shani Chalisa is a revered devotional hymn in Hinduism dedicated to Lord Shani, the deity associated with the planet Saturn (Shani in Sanskrit). Comprising 40 verses (chalisa meaning “forty” in Hindi), this prayer is chanted by devotees to seek the blessings of Lord Shani, alleviate the challenges posed by his astrological influence, and gain protection from misfortune. Rooted in Hindu mythology and astrology, the Shani Chalisa holds a special place in the hearts of millions who believe in its power to bring peace, prosperity, and relief from hardships.
Who is Lord Shani?
Lord Shani, also known as Shanidev, is one of the nine planetary deities (Navagrahas) in Vedic astrology. He is the son of Surya (the Sun God) and Chhaya (the shadow goddess). Shani is often depicted as a dark-complexioned figure riding a chariot pulled by crows or vultures, holding a bow, arrows, and a trident. He is considered the dispenser of justice, rewarding good deeds and punishing wrongdoings based on an individual’s karma.
In astrology, Shani governs discipline, hard work, perseverance, and justice. His influence is believed to be particularly strong during the Sade Sati (a 7.5-year period when Saturn transits the 12th, 1st, and 2nd houses from one’s moon sign) and Dhaiya (a 2.5-year transit period). These phases are often associated with trials and tribulations, making the recitation of Shani Chalisa a popular remedy to mitigate his malefic effects.
Shani Chalisa
॥ DOHA ॥
JAI GANESHA GIRIJA SUWANA,MANGALA KARANA KRIPALA।
DINANA KE DUHKHA DURA KARI,KIJAI NATHA NIHALA॥
JAI JAI SHRI SHANIDEVA PRABHU,SUNAHU VINAYA MAHARAJA।
KARAHU KRIPA HE RAVI TANAYA,RAKHAHU JANA KI LAJA॥
॥ CHAUPAI ॥
JAYATI JAYATI SHANIDEVA DAYALA।
KARATA SADA BHAKTANA PRATIPALA॥
CHARI BHUJA, TANU SHYAMA VIRAJAI।
MATHE RATANA MUKUTA CHHAVI CHHAJAI॥
PARAMA VISHALA MANOHARA BHALA।
TEDI DRISHTI BHRIKUTI VIKARALA॥
KUNDALA SHRAVANA CHAMACHAMA CHAMAKE।
HIYE MALA MUKTANA MANI DAMAKE॥
KARA MEIN GADA TRISHULA KUTHARA।
PALA BICHA KARAIN ARIHIM SAMHARA॥
PINGALA, KRISHNON, CHHAYA, NANDANA।
YAMA, KONASTHA, RAUDRA, DUHKHA BHANJANA॥
SAURI, MANDA SHANI, DASHANAMA।
BHANU PUTRA PUJAHIN SABA KAMA॥
JA PARA PRABHU PRASANNA HAI JAHIN।
RANKAHUN RAVA KARAIN KSHANA MAHIN॥
PARVATAHU TRINA HOI NIHARATA।
TRINAHU KO PARVATA KARI DARATA॥
RAJA MILATA VANA RAMAHIN DINHON।
KAIKEIHUM KI MATI HARI LINHO॥
BANAHUN MAIN MRIGA KAPATA DIKHAI।
MATU JANAKI GAI CHURAI॥
LAKHANAHIN SHAKTI VIKALA KARIDARA।
MACHIGA DALA MEIN HAHAKARA॥
RAVANA KI GATI MATI BAURAI।
RAMCHANDRA SON BAIRA BADHAI॥
DIYO KITA KARI KANCHANA LANKA।
BAJI BAJARANGA BIRA KI DANKA॥
NRIPA VIKRAMA PARA TUHI PAGU DHARA।
CHITRA MAYURA NIGALI GAI HARA॥
HARA NAULAKHA LAGYO CHORI।
HATHA PAIRA DARAVAYO TORI॥
BHARI DASHA NIKRISHTA DIKAYO।
TELIHIN GHAR KOLHU CHALVAYO॥
VINAYA RAGA DIPAKA MAHAN KINHON।
TABA PRASANNA PRABHU HAI SUKHA DINHON॥
HARISHCHANDRA NRIPA NARI BIKANI।
APAHUN BHARE DOMA GHARA PANI॥
TAISE NALA PARA DASHA SIRANI।
BHUNJI-MINA KUDA GAYI PANI॥
SHRI SHANKARAHIN GAHYO JABA JAYI।
PARVATI KO SATI KARAYI॥
TANIKA VILOKATA HI KARI RISA।
NABHA UDI GAYO GAURISUTA SISA॥
PANDAVA PARA BHAI DASHA THUMHARI।
BACHI DROPADI HOTI UGHARI॥
KAURAVA KE BHI GATI MATI MARAYO।
YUDDHA MAHABHARATA KARI DARAYO॥
RAVI KAHAN MUKHA MAHAN DHARI TATKALA।
LEKARA KUDI PARAYO PATALA॥
SHESHA DEVA-LAKHI VINATI LAYI।
RAVI KO MUKHA TE DIYO CHHUDAYI॥
VAHANA PRABHU KE SATA SUJANA।
HAYA DIGJA GARDABHA MRIGA SWANA॥
JAMBUKA SINHA ADI NAKHA DHARI।
SO PHALA JYOTISHA KAHATA PUKARI॥
GAJA VAHANA LAKSHMI GRIHA AVAIN।
HAYA TE SUKHA SAMPATTI UPAJAVAIN॥
GARDABHA HANI KARAI BAHU KAJA।
SIMHA SIDDHAKARA RAJA SAMAJA॥
JAMBUKA BUDDHI NASHTA KARA DARAI।
MRIGA DE KASHTA PRANA SANHARAI॥
JABA AVAHIN PRABHU SWANA SAVARI।
CHORI ADI HOYA DARA BHARI॥
TAISAHI CHARI CHARANA YAHA NAMA।
SWARNA LAUHA CHANJI ARU TAMA॥
LAUHA CHARANA PARA JABA PRABHU AVAIN।
DHANA JANA SAMPATTI NASHTA KARAVAI॥
SAMATA TAMRA RAJATA SHUBHAKARI।
SWARNA SARVASUKHA MANGALA KARI॥
JO YAHA SHANI CHARITRA NITA GAVAI।
KABAHUN NA DASHA NIKRISHTA SATAVAI॥
ADABHUTA NATHA DIKHAVAIN LILA।
KARAIN SHATRU KE NASHI BALI DHILA॥
JO PANDITA SUYOGYA BULAVAYI।
VIDHVATA SHANI GRAHA SHANTI KARAYI॥
PIPALA JALA SHANI DIWASA CHADHAVATA।
DIPA DANA DAI BAHU SUKHA PAWATA॥
KAHATA RAMA SUNDARA PRABHU DASA।
SHANI SUMIRATA SUKHA HOTA PRAKASHA॥
॥ DOHA ॥
PATHA SHANISHCHARA DEVA KO,KINOH VIMALA TAIYARA।
KARATA PATHA CHALISA DINA,HO BHAVASAGARA PARA॥
How to Recite Shani Chalisa
Devotees typically follow these steps for recitation:
- Day and Time: Saturday (Shani’s day) is considered ideal, especially during the evening or at a Shani temple.
- Preparation: Take a bath, wear clean clothes, and light a mustard oil lamp before an idol or image of Lord Shani.
- Offerings: Offer black sesame seeds, black cloth, or iron items (symbols associated with Shani).
- Chanting: Recite the Chalisa 11, 21, or 108 times with devotion, focusing on the meaning of the verses.
- Prayer: Conclude with a personal prayer for relief from troubles and blessings for strength.
Spiritual and Cultural Impact
The Shani Chalisa transcends its religious roots to become a cultural phenomenon:
- Astrological Remedy: It’s widely recommended by astrologers during Shani-related difficulties.
- Community Bonding: Group recitations at Shani temples foster a sense of unity among devotees.
- Literature and Music: The hymn has been adapted into various musical renditions, making it accessible to modern audiences via devotional songs and videos.
Benefits of Reciting Shani Chalisa
Devotees believe that regular chanting offers:
- Protection from Shani’s malefic effects (e.g., delays, losses, or health issues).
- Mental peace and resilience to face life’s challenges.
- Cleansing of past karma and blessings for a righteous life.
