- Doha 1
श्री गणपति गुरुपद कमल, प्रेम सहित सिरनाय।
नवग्रह चालीसा कहत, शारद होत सहाय॥
Shri ganapti gurupad kamal, prem sahit sirnay.
Navagrah chalisa kahat, sharad hot sahay ||
Bowing my head with love at the lotus feet of Shri Ganapati and of my Guru, I tell the Navgrah Chalisa, with Mother Sharada (Saraswati) as my helper.
- Doha 2
जय जय रवि शशि भौम बुध, जय गुरु भृगु शनि राज।
जयति राहु अरु केतु ग्रह, करहु अनुग्रह आज॥
Jay jay ravi shashi bhaum budh, jay guru bhrigu shani raj.
Jayti rahu aru ketu grah, karhu anugrah aaj ||
Victory to the Sun, the Moon, Mars (Bhauma), Mercury, Guru (Jupiter), Bhrigu (Venus) and King Saturn. Victory too to the grahas Rahu and Ketu. Be gracious to me today.
- Chaupai 1
प्रथमहि रवि कहँ नावौं माथा।
करहु कृपा जन जानि अनाथा॥
Prathamhi ravi kahan navaun matha.
Karhu kripa jan jani anatha ||
(Praise of the Sun) First of all I bow my head to Ravi, the Sun. Knowing me to be your helpless servant, be gracious.
- Chaupai 2
हे आदित्य दिवाकर भानू।
मैं मति मन्द महा अज्ञानू॥
He aaditya divakar bhanoo.
Main mati manda maha agyanoo ||
O Aditya, Divakar, Bhanu! I am slow of mind and deeply ignorant.
- Chaupai 3
अब निज जन कहँ हरहु कलेशा।
दिनकर द्वादश रूप दिनेशा॥
Ab nij jan kahan harhu kalesha.
Dinkar dvadash roop dinesha ||
O Dinkar, lord of the day, you of the twelve forms (the twelve Adityas), take away the troubles of your own devotee now.
- Chaupai 4
नमो भास्कर सूर्य प्रभाकर।
अर्क मित्र अघ ओघ क्षमाकर॥
Namo bhaskar soorya prabhakar.
Arka mitra agh ogh kshamakar ||
Salutations to you, Bhaskar, Surya, Prabhakar, Arka and Mitra, who pardon the flood of sins.
- Chaupai 5
शशि मयंक रजनीपति स्वामी।
चन्द्र कलानिधि नमो नमामी॥
Shashi mayank ragyipti svami.
Chandra kalanidhi namo namami ||
(Praise of the Moon) O Shashi, Mayank, lord of the night, Chandra, treasury of the digits of light, I bow to you again and again.
- Chaupai 6
राकापति हिमांशु राकेशा।
प्रणवत जन तन हरहु कलेशा॥
Rakapti himanshu rakesha.
Pranvat jan tan harhu kalesha ||
O lord of the full-moon night, cool-rayed Himanshu, Rakesh: take away the bodily troubles of this devotee who bows to you.
- Chaupai 7
सोम इन्दु विधु शान्ति सुधाकर।
शीत रश्मि औषधि निशाकर॥
Som indu vidhu shanti sudhakar.
Shit rashmi aushdhi nishakar ||
You are Soma, Indu and Vidhu, the calm store of nectar, cool-rayed, lord of the healing plants, maker of night.
- Chaupai 8
तुमहीं शोभित भाल महेशा।
शरण शरण जन हरहु कलेशा॥
Tumhin shobhit bhal mahesha.
Sharan sharan jan harhu kalesha ||
It is you who shine on the brow of Mahesh (Shiva). I seek your shelter, your shelter: take away this devotee’s troubles.
- Chaupai 9
जय जय जय मंगल सुखदाता।
लोहित भौमादिक विख्याता॥
Jay jay jay mangal sukhdata.
Lohit bhaumadik vikhyata ||
(Praise of Mars) Victory, victory, victory to you, Mangal, giver of happiness, famed by names such as Lohit and Bhauma.
- Chaupai 10
अंगारक कुज रुज ऋणहारी।
करहु दया यही विनय हमारी॥
Angarak kuj ruj rinhari.
Karhu daya yahi vinay hamari ||
O Angarak, Kuja, remover of illness and debt: be kind to me, this is my only prayer.
- Chaupai 11
हे महिसुत छितिसुत सुखराशी।
लोहितांग जय जन अघनाशी॥
He mahisut chhitisut sukhrashi.
Lohitang jay jan aghnashi ||
O son of the Earth (Mahisut, Chhitisut), treasury of joy, red-limbed one, destroyer of your devotees’ sins: victory to you.
- Chaupai 12
अगम अमंगल अब हर लीजै।
सकल मनोरथ पूरण कीजै॥
Agam amangal ab har lijai.
Sakal manorath pooran kijai ||
Take away now every hard misfortune, and fulfil all my wishes.
- Chaupai 13
जय शशि नन्दन बुध महाराजा।
करहु सकल जन कहँ शुभ काजा॥
Jay shashi nandan budh maharaja.
Karhu sakal jan kahan shubh kaja ||
(Praise of Mercury) Victory to you, King Budha, son of the Moon. Make everyone’s undertakings auspicious.
- Chaupai 14
दीजै बुद्धि बल सुमति सुजाना।
कठिन कष्ट हरि करि कल्याना॥
Dijai buddhi bal sumti sujana.
Kathin kashta hari kari kalyana ||
O wise one, grant intelligence, strength and good sense; take away hard troubles and bring about good.
- Chaupai 15
हे तारासुत रोहिणी नन्दन।
चन्द्रसुवन दुख द्वन्द्व निकन्दन॥
He tarasut rohini nandan.
Chandrasuvan dukh dvandva nikandan ||
O son of Tara, darling of Rohini, son of the Moon, destroyer of sorrow and inner conflict!
- Chaupai 16
पूजहु आस दास कहँ स्वामी।
प्रणत पाल प्रभु नमो नमामी॥
Poojahu aas das kahan svami.
Pranat pal prabhu namo namami ||
O Lord, fulfil the hopes of this servant. Protector of those who bow to you, I salute you again and again.
- Chaupai 17
जयति जयति जय श्री गुरुदेवा।
करौं सदा तुम्हरी प्रभु सेवा॥
Jayti jayti jay Shri gurudeva.
Karaun sada tumhari prabhu seva ||
(Praise of Jupiter) Victory, victory to you, Shri Gurudev. O Lord, may I serve you always.
- Chaupai 18
देवाचार्य देव गुरु ज्ञानी।
इन्द्र पुरोहित विद्यादानी॥
Devacharya dev guru gyani.
Indra purohit vidyadani ||
You are the teacher of the gods, their wise Guru, the priest of Indra and the giver of learning.
- Chaupai 19
वाचस्पति वागीश उदारा।
जीव बृहस्पति नाम तुम्हारा॥
Vachaspati vagish udara.
Jiv brihaspati naam tumhara ||
You are Vachaspati and Vagisha, lord of speech, and generous. Jiva and Brihaspati are your names.
- Chaupai 20
विद्या सिन्धु अंगिरा नामा।
करहु सकल विधि पूरण कामा॥
Vidya sindhu angira nama.
Karhu sakal vidhi pooran kama ||
Ocean of learning, known by the name of Angiras (your father), fulfil my undertakings in every way.
- Chaupai 21
शुक्र देव पद तल जल जाता।
दास निरन्तर ध्यान लगाता॥
Shukra dev pad tal jal jaata.
Das nirantar dhyaan lagata ||
(Praise of Venus) O Shukra Dev, this servant meditates without pause on your lotus feet.
- Chaupai 22
हे उशना भार्गव भृगुनन्दन।
दैत्य पुरोहित दुष्ट निकन्दन॥
He ushna bhargav bhrigunandan.
Daitya purohit dushta nikandan ||
O Ushana, Bhargava, son of Bhrigu, priest of the Daityas, destroyer of the wicked!
- Chaupai 23
भृगुकुल भूषण दूषण हारी।
हरहु नेष्ट ग्रह करहु सुखारी॥
Bhrigukul bhooshan dooshan hari.
Harhu neshta grah karhu sukhari ||
Jewel of Bhrigu’s line, remover of faults! (The devotee prays:) take away the unfavourable graha and make me happy.
- Chaupai 24
तुहि द्विजवर जोशी सिरताजा।
नर शरीर के तुमहीं राजा॥
Tuhi dvijvar joshi sirtaja.
Nar sharir ke tumhin raja ||
You are the best of Brahmins and the crown of astrologers; the text calls you the king of the human body.
- Chaupai 25
जय श्री शनिदेव रवि नन्दन।
जय कृष्णो सौरी जगवन्दन॥
Jay Shri shanidev ravi nandan.
Jay krishno sauri jagvandan ||
(Praise of Saturn) Victory to you, Shri Shani Dev, son of the Sun. Victory to you, dark one (Krishna), Sauri, honoured by the world.
- Chaupai 26
पिंगल मन्द रौद्र यम नामा।
बभ्रु आदि कोणस्थ ललामा॥
Pingal manda raudra yam nama.
Babhru aadi konastha lalama ||
Pingala, Manda, Raudra, Yama, Babhru and the handsome Konastha are among your names.
- Chaupai 27
वक्र दृष्टि पिप्पल तन साजा।
क्षण महँ करत रंक क्षण राजा॥
Vakra drishti pippal tan saja.
Kshan mahan karat rank kshan raja ||
Of the sidelong gaze, adorned with the pipal tree, you can make a man a pauper in a moment and a king the next, the text says.
- Chaupai 28
ललत स्वर्ण पद करत निहाला।
हरहु विपत्ति छाया के लाला॥
Lalat svarna pad karat nihala.
Harhu vipatti chhaya ke lala ||
You can bless a person with a splendid golden station. O son of Chhaya, take away my misfortune.
- Chaupai 29
जय जय राहु गगन प्रविसइया।
तुमहीं चन्द्र आदित्य ग्रसइया॥
Jay jay rahu gagan pravisaiya.
Tumhin chandra aaditya grasaiya ||
(Praise of Rahu) Victory to you, Rahu, who enter the sky; it is you who seize the Moon and the Sun (the Puranic story of eclipses).
- Chaupai 30
रवि शशि अरि स्वर्भानु धारा।
शिखी आदि बहु नाम तुम्हारा॥
Ravi shashi ari svarbhanu dhara.
Shikhi aadi bahu naam tumhara ||
Enemy of the Sun and the Moon, you bear the name Svarbhanu; Shikhi and many others are your names.
- Chaupai 31
सैंहिकेय तुम निशाचर राजा।
अर्धकाय जग राखहु लाजा॥
Sainhikey tum nishachar raja.
Ardhakay jag rakhhu laja ||
You are Sainhikeya, son of Simhika, king of the night-wanderers, the half-bodied one. Protect the world’s honour.
- Chaupai 32
यदि ग्रह समय पाय कहिं आवहु।
सदा शान्ति और सुख उपजावहु॥
Yadi grah samay pay kahin aavhu.
Sada shanti aur sukh upjavhu ||
(The devotee prays:) if ever, when your time comes round, you visit someone, may you bring only peace and happiness.
- Chaupai 33
जय श्री केतु कठिन दुखहारी।
करहु सुजन हित मंगलकारी॥
Jay Shri ketu kathin dukhhari.
Karhu sujan hit mangalkari ||
(Praise of Ketu) Victory to you, Shri Ketu, remover of hard sorrows. Bring blessings for the good of honest people.
- Chaupai 34
ध्वजयुत रुण्ड रूप विकराला।
घोर रौद्रतन अघमन काला॥
Dhvajyut runda roop vikrala.
Ghor raudratan aghman kala ||
Bearing a banner, you have the fearsome form of a headless trunk; your body is dreadful, fierce and dark.
- Chaupai 35
शिखी तारिका ग्रह बलवाना।
महा प्रताप न तेज ठिकाना॥
Shikhi tarika grah balvana.
Maha pratap na tej thikana ||
You are the mighty graha seen as a crested star (a comet); your power is great and your brilliance knows no bounds.
- Chaupai 36
वाहन मीन महा शुभकारी।
दीजै शान्ति दया उर धारी॥
Vahan min maha shubhkari.
Dijai shanti daya ur dhari ||
The fish is your mount, and you bring great good. With compassion in your heart, grant peace.
- Chaupai 37
तीरथराज प्रयाग सुपासा।
बसै राम के सुन्दर दासा॥
Tirathraj prayag supasa.
Basai Ram ke sundar dasa ||
(The fruit of this prayer) Near Prayag, king of holy places, lives Sundar, the servant of Ram.
- Chaupai 38
ककरा ग्रामहिं पुरे-तिवारी।
दुर्वासाश्रम जन दुख हारी॥
Kakra gramhin pure-tivari.
Durvasashram jan dukh hari ||
(He lives) in Pure-Tiwari of the village of Kakra, where the hermitage of the sage Durvasa relieves people’s sorrows.
- Chaupai 39
नव-ग्रह शान्ति लिख्यो सुख हेतु।
जन तन कष्ट उतारण सेतू॥
Nav-grah shanti likhyo sukh hetu.
Jan tan kashta utaran setoo ||
This prayer for the peace of the nine grahas was written for people’s happiness; the poet calls it a bridge to carry people across their troubles.
- Chaupai 40
जो नित पाठ करै चित लावै।
सब सुख भोगि परम पद पावै॥
Jo nit path karai chit lavai.
Sab sukh bhogi param pad pavai ||
Whoever reads it daily with a focused mind, the text says, enjoys every happiness and reaches the highest state.
- Closing Doha 1
धन्य नवग्रह देव प्रभु, महिमा अगम अपार।
चित नव मंगल मोद गृह, जगत जनन सुखद्वार॥
Dhanya navagrah dev prabhu, mahima agam apar.
Chit nav mangal mod grih, jagat janan sukhadvar ||
Blessed are you, lords of the nine grahas; your glory is unfathomable and boundless. You are a home of fresh blessing and joy in the mind, and a doorway to happiness for the people of the world.
- Closing Doha 2
यह चालीसा नवो ग्रह, विरचित सुन्दरदास।
पढ़त प्रेम युत बढ़त सुख, सर्वानन्द हुलास॥
Yah chalisa navo grah, virchit sundardas.
Padhat prem yut badhat sukh, sarvananda hulas ||
This Chalisa of the nine grahas was composed by Sundardas. Read with love, the poet says, it brings growing happiness and every kind of joy.
The base text is that of the printed ‘51 Chalisa Sangrah’ of Randhir Prakashan, Haridwar, compared with two more printed books (‘Brihad Shani Mahima Granth’ of Rama Publications, New Delhi, and Omkarnath Shastri’s ‘Vijayeshvar Nitya Niyam Vidhi’) and with Drik Panchang and Bhakti Bharat. The Randhir book drops all four chaupais in praise of the Moon; they are taken from the other sources. The two other books share a different reading in many places. Where the Randhir reading is plainly wrong, theirs is taken: in the second doha ‘Shashi Bhaum’ for ‘Shashi Som’ (otherwise the Moon is named twice and Mars is left out); in chaupai 1 ‘jan jani’ for ‘jani jani’; in chaupai 4 ‘agh ogh’ (the flood of sins) for ‘agh mogh’; in chaupai 18 ‘Devacharya dev guru gyani’ for ‘Devacharya tum dev guru gyani’ (for the metre); and in chaupai 26 ‘Babhru adi’ for ‘Vapra adi’ (Babhru is a name of Shani, found also in the well-known Shani stotra ‘Konasthah Pingalo Babhruh…’). Their other variants: in the first doha ‘Sharad hohu sahay’; in chaupai 6 ‘jan nit’; in chaupai 10 ‘daya karahu yahi vinay hamari’; in chaupai 12 ‘mam har lijai’; in chaupai 14 ‘dijai buddhi sumati bal gyana’; in chaupai 15 ‘dukh duri nikandan’; in chaupai 21 ‘Shukradev tav pad jal jata’; in chaupai 24 ‘tuhi pandit joshi dvijraja, tumhare rahat sahat sab kaja’; in chaupai 28 ‘karahu vijay’; in chaupai 33 ‘jai jai Ketu… nij jan hetu sumangalkari’; in the closing dohas ‘nit nav mangal’ and ‘navahu grah’. Drik Panchang has one extra word in chaupai 8 (‘shobhit sundar bhal’).
