- Doha 1
जय गणेश गिरिजा सुवन, मंगल करण कृपाल।
दीनन के दुख दूर करि, कीजै नाथ निहाल॥
Jay Ganesh girija suvan, mangal karan kripal.
Dinan ke dukh door kari, kijai nath nihal ||
Victory to Ganesha, son of Girija, gracious maker of all good. Lord, take away the sorrows of the helpless and bless them.
- Doha 2
जय जय श्री शनिदेव प्रभु, सुनहु विनय महाराज।
करहु कृपा हे रवि तनय, राखहु जन की लाज॥
Jay jay Shri shanidev prabhu, sunhu vinay maharaj.
Karhu kripa he ravi tanay, rakhhu jan ki laj ||
Victory, victory to Lord Shani Dev. Great king, hear my prayer. Son of the Sun, be gracious and protect the honour of your devotee.
- Chaupai 1
जयति जयति शनिदेव दयाला।
करत सदा भक्तन प्रतिपाला॥
Jayti jayti shanidev dayala.
Karat sada bhaktan pratipala ||
Victory, victory to kind Shani Dev, who always protects and cares for his devotees.
- Chaupai 2
चारि भुजा, तनु श्याम विराजै।
माथे रतन मुकुट छवि छाजै॥
Chari bhuja, tanu shyam virajai.
Mathe ratan mukut chhavi chhajai ||
You have four arms and a dark body, and a jewelled crown shines on your head.
- Chaupai 3
परम विशाल मनोहर भाला।
टेढ़ी दृष्टि भृकुटि विकराला॥
Param vishal manohar bhala.
Tedhi drishti bhrikuti vikrala ||
Your forehead is broad and handsome; your gaze is sidelong and your brows are fierce.
- Chaupai 4
कुण्डल श्रवण चमाचम चमके।
हिये माल मुक्तन मणि दमके॥
Kundal shravan chamacham chamke.
Hiye mal muktan mani damke ||
Rings glitter in your ears, and a garland of pearls and gems shines on your chest.
- Chaupai 5
कर में गदा त्रिशूल कुठारा।
पल बिच करैं अरिहिं संहारा॥
Kar mein gada trishool kuthara.
Pal bich karain arihin sanhara ||
You hold a mace, a trident and an axe, and with them you destroy the enemy in a moment.
- Chaupai 6
पिंगल, कृष्णो, छाया नन्दन।
यम, कोणस्थ, रौद्र, दुखभंजन॥
Pingal, krishno, chhaya nandan.
Yam, konastha, raudra, dukhbhanjan ||
Pingal, Krishna, Chhayanandan (son of Chhaya), Yama, Konastha, Raudra, Dukhbhanjan (breaker of sorrow),
- Chaupai 7
सौरी, मन्द, शनी, दश नामा।
भानु पुत्र पूजहिं सब कामा॥
Sauri, manda, shani, dash nama.
Bhanu putra poojahin sab kama ||
Sauri, Manda and Shani: these are the ten names of the Sun’s son. The text says that those who worship him by these names succeed in all their work.
- Chaupai 8
जा पर प्रभु प्रसन्न ह्वैं जाहीं।
रंकहुँ राव करैं क्षण माहीं॥
Ja par prabhu prasanna hvain jahin.
Rankahun rav karain kshan mahin ||
According to the chalisa, when the Lord is pleased with someone, he turns even a pauper into a king in a moment.
- Chaupai 9
पर्वतहू तृण होइ निहारत।
तृणहू को पर्वत करि डारत॥
Parvatahoo trin hoi niharat.
Trinhoo ko parvat kari darat ||
At his glance a mountain becomes a straw, and he can make a straw into a mountain.
- Chaupai 10
राज मिलत बन रामहिं दीन्ह्यो।
कैकेइहुँ की मति हरि लीन्ह्यो॥
Raj milat ban ramhin dinhyo.
Kaikeihun ki mati hari linhyo ||
According to the chalisa, when Ram was about to receive the kingdom, you sent him to the forest instead, and clouded Kaikeyi’s mind as well.
- Chaupai 11
बनहूँ में मृग कपट दिखाई।
मातु जानकी गई चुराई॥
Banhoon mein mrig kapat dikhaee.
Matu janki gayi churaee ||
In the forest too the deceiving deer appeared, and Mother Janaki (Sita) was carried off.
- Chaupai 12
लखनहिं शक्ति विकल करि डारा।
मचिगा दल में हाहाकारा॥
Lakhanhin shakti vikal kari dara.
Machiga dal mein hahakara ||
The Shakti weapon struck Lakshman down, and a cry of grief rose through the army.
- Chaupai 13
रावण की गति-मति बौराई।
रामचन्द्र सों बैर बढ़ाई॥
Ravan ki gati-mati bauraee.
Ramchandra son bair badhaee ||
Ravan’s course and mind went astray, and he deepened his enmity with Ramchandra.
- Chaupai 14
दियो कीट करि कंचन लंका।
बजि बजरंग बीर की डंका॥
Diyo kit kari kanchan lanka.
Baji bajrang bir ki danka ||
Golden Lanka was reduced to dust, and the drum of the hero Bajrangbali (Hanuman) sounded.
- Chaupai 15
नृप विक्रम पर तुहि पगु धारा।
चित्र मयूर निगलि गै हारा॥
Nrip vikram par tuhi pagu dhara.
Chitra mayoor nigli gai hara ||
When you set foot on King Vikramaditya (when your period fell on him), a peacock in a painting swallowed a necklace. This is from the folk story of Shani.
- Chaupai 16
हार नौलखा लाग्यो चोरी।
हाथ पैर डरवायो तोरी॥
Har naulkha lagyo chori.
Haath pair darvayo tori ||
The king was blamed for stealing the nine-lakh necklace, and his hands and feet were broken.
- Chaupai 17
भारी दशा निकृष्ट दिखायो।
तेलिहिं घर कोल्हू चलवायो॥
Bhari dasha nikrishta dikhayo.
Telihin ghar kolhoo chalvayo ||
You showed him a very low state and made him turn an oil press in an oilman’s house.
- Chaupai 18
विनय राग दीपक महँ कीन्ह्यों।
तब प्रसन्न प्रभु ह्वै सुख दीन्ह्यों॥
Vinay rag dipak mahan kinhyon.
Tab prasanna prabhu hvai sukh dinhyon ||
When the king sang his prayer to you in Raag Deepak, you were pleased and gave him happiness again.
- Chaupai 19
हरिश्चन्द्र नृप नारि बिकानी।
आपहुँ भरे डोम घर पानी॥
Harishchandra nrip nari bikani.
Aapahun bhare dom ghar pani ||
According to the chalisa, under your influence King Harishchandra’s wife was sold, and the king himself had to carry water in a Dom’s house.
- Chaupai 20
तैसे नल पर दशा सिरानी।
भूँजी-मीन कूद गई पानी॥
Taise nal par dasha sirani.
Bhoonji-min kood gayi pani ||
In the same way hard times fell on King Nala, so much so that even a roasted fish leapt back into the water.
- Chaupai 21
श्री शंकरहिं गह्यो जब जाई।
पारवती को सती कराई॥
Shri shankarhin gahyo jab jaee.
Paravti ko sati karaee ||
According to the chalisa, when your influence seized Shankar, Parvati (in her earlier birth) had to give up her body as Sati.
- Chaupai 22
तनिक विलोकत ही करि रीसा।
नभ उड़ि गयो गौरिसुत सीसा॥
Tanik vilokat hi kari risa.
Nabh udi gayo gaurisut sisa ||
At just a glance from you, cast in anger, the head of Gauri’s son (Ganesha) flew off into the sky.
- Chaupai 23
पाण्डव पर भै दशा तुम्हारी।
बची द्रौपदी होति उघारी॥
Pandav par bhai dasha tumhari.
Bachi draupdi hoti ughari ||
When your period fell on the Pandavas, Draupadi was barely saved from being stripped.
- Chaupai 24
कौरव के भी गति मति मार्यो।
युद्ध महाभारत करि डार्यो॥
Kaurav ke bhi gati mati maryo.
Yuddha Mahabharat kari daryo ||
You struck down the Kauravas’ judgement too, and brought about the Mahabharata war.
- Chaupai 25
रवि कहँ मुख महँ धरि तत्काला।
लेकर कूदि पर्यो पाताला॥
Ravi kahan mukh mahan dhari tatkala.
Lekar koodi paryo patala ||
According to the chalisa, you at once took the Sun into your mouth and leapt down with him into the underworld.
- Chaupai 26
शेष देव-लखि विनती लाई।
रवि को मुख ते दियो छुड़ाई॥
Shesh dev-lakhi vinti laee.
Ravi ko mukh te diyo chhudaee ||
Seeing this, Shesha and the gods pleaded with you, and you released the Sun from your mouth.
- Chaupai 27
वाहन प्रभु के सात सुजाना।
जग दिग्गज गर्दभ मृग स्वाना॥
Vahan prabhu ke saat sujana.
Jag diggaj gardabh mrig svana ||
According to the chalisa, the Lord has seven vehicles: the elephant, the donkey, the deer, the dog,
- Chaupai 28
जम्बुक सिंह आदि नख धारी।
सो फल ज्योतिष कहत पुकारी॥
Jambuk sinh aadi nakh dhari.
So phal jyotish kahat pukari ||
the jackal, the lion and other clawed animals. The chalisa says that astrology proclaims what each of them brings.
- Chaupai 29
गज वाहन लक्ष्मी गृह आवैं।
हय ते सुख सम्पत्ति उपजावैं॥
Gaj vahan Lakshmi grih aavain.
Hay te sukh sampatti upjavain ||
According to the chalisa, when he comes on the elephant, Lakshmi comes into the home; on the horse, he brings comfort and wealth.
- Chaupai 30
गर्दभ हानि करै बहु काजा।
सिंह सिद्धकर राज समाजा॥
Gardabh hani karai bahu kaja.
Sinh siddhakar raj samaja ||
According to the chalisa, the donkey spoils many undertakings, and the lion brings success at court and in society.
- Chaupai 31
जम्बुक बुद्धि नष्ट कर डारै।
मृग दे कष्ट प्राण संहारै॥
Jambuk buddhi nashta kar darai.
Mrig de kashta pran sanharai ||
According to the chalisa, the jackal ruins the judgement, and the deer brings suffering and danger to life.
- Chaupai 32
जब आवहिं प्रभु स्वान सवारी।
चोरी आदि होय डर भारी॥
Jab aavhin prabhu svan savari.
Chori aadi hoy dar bhari ||
According to the chalisa, when the Lord comes riding the dog, there is great fear of theft and the like.
- Chaupai 33
तैसहि चारि चरण यह नामा।
स्वर्ण लौह चाँदी अरु तामा॥
Taisahi chari charan yah nama.
Svarna lauh chandi aru tama ||
According to the chalisa, in the same way he has four “feet”, named gold, iron, silver and copper.
- Chaupai 34
लौह चरण पर जब प्रभु आवैं।
धन जन सम्पत्ति नष्ट करावैं॥
Lauh charan par jab prabhu aavain.
Dhan jan sampatti nashta karavain ||
According to the chalisa, when the Lord comes on the iron foot, he brings loss of wealth, people and property.
- Chaupai 35
समता ताम्र रजत शुभकारी।
स्वर्ण सर्व सुख मंगल भारी॥
Samta tamra rajat shubhkari.
Svarna sarva sukh mangal bhari ||
According to the chalisa, copper gives an even result, silver is auspicious, and gold brings every comfort and great good fortune.
- Chaupai 36
जो यह शनि चरित्र नित गावै।
कबहुँ न दशा निकृष्ट सतावै॥
Jo yah shani charitra nit gavai.
Kabahun na dasha nikrishta satavai ||
The text says that whoever sings this account of Shani every day is never troubled by hard times.
- Chaupai 37
अद्भुत नाथ दिखावैं लीला।
करैं शत्रु के नशि बलि ढीला॥
Adbhut nath dikhavain lila.
Karain shatru ke nashi bali dhila ||
The Lord shows wondrous deeds, and breaks and weakens the strength of the enemy.
- Chaupai 38
जो पण्डित सुयोग्य बुलवाई।
विधिवत शनि ग्रह शांति कराई॥
Jo pandit suyogya bulvaee.
Vidhivat shani grah shanti karaee ||
One who calls a worthy pandit and has the Shani graha shanti performed by the proper rites,
- Chaupai 39
पीपल जल शनि दिवस चढ़ावत।
दीप दान दै बहु सुख पावत॥
Pipal jal shani divas chadhavat.
Dip daan dai bahu sukh pavat ||
and on Saturdays offers water to the peepal tree and gives lamps, gains great happiness, according to the chalisa.
- Chaupai 40
कहत राम सुन्दर प्रभु दासा।
शनि सुमिरत सुख होत प्रकाशा॥
Kahat Ram sundar prabhu dasa.
Shani sumirat sukh hot prakasha ||
The Lord’s servant Ram Sundar says: remembering Shani, the light of happiness dawns.
- Closing Doha
पाठ शनिश्चर देव को, की हों ‘भक्त’ तैयार।
करत पाठ चालीस दिन, हो भवसागर पार॥
Path shanishchar dev ko, ki hon ‘bhakta’ taiyar.
Karat path chalis din, ho bhavsagar par ||
This recitation of Shanishchar Dev was prepared by ‘Bhakt’. The text says that reciting it for forty days carries one across the ocean of worldly life.
Chaupais 27 to 35 give the results said to follow from Shani’s seven vehicles and four “feet” (gold, iron, silver and copper). These lines reflect a folk astrological belief. They are given here as the chalisa’s own words so that the traditional text is complete; SanatanBodh does not endorse them and makes no prediction from them. The text was compared word by word with three printed booklets (Randhir Prakashan’s ‘51 Chalisa Sangrah’, Amit Pocket Books’ ‘Shani Chalisa Aarti Sahit’, Jalandhar, and a Nath Pustak Bhandar booklet, Delhi) and five websites. The main variant readings: in chaupai 5 ‘pal mein’; in chaupai 14 ‘vir ka’ and ‘vir ko’; in chaupai 15 ‘jab’ in place of ‘tuhi’; in chaupai 17 ‘telahin’; in chaupai 18 ‘hai’ in place of ‘hvai’; in chaupai 19 ‘Harishchandrahun’; in chaupai 27 ‘hay diggaj’ (horse, elephant) in place of ‘jag diggaj’; in chaupai 35 ‘mangal kari’; in chaupai 37 ‘nashi bal’ and ‘nasi-nasi’. In the last doha the printed book and several websites read ‘ki hon Bhakt taiyar’, while some sources read ‘kinhon Vimal taiyar’; in the printed books the ‘Vimal’ doha closes a different Shani Chalisa (‘Shanidev main sumiraun tohi’). The Nath Pustak Bhandar text (2006) has different chaupais on nine vehicles in place of chaupais 27 to 35, and different closing dohas. No Gita Press edition was found.
