Shani Chalisa

Hail Ganesh, Girija’s son, gracious maker of blessings.

Removing the lowly’s sorrows, make them glad, O Lord.

Hail, hail, Shri Shanideva, hear my plea, great king.

Show mercy, O Sun’s son, guard your people’s honour.

Glory, glory to compassionate Shanideva, ever cherishing devotees.

Four-armed, dark-bodied resplendent, jewelled crown glowing on your brow.

Supremely broad, lovely forehead; sidelong gaze, fearsome brows.

Earrings glitter at your ears; pearl-and-gem garland gleams on your chest.

Mace, trident, axe in hand; in a moment you destroy foes.

Pingala, Krishna, Chhayanandana, Yama, Konastha, Raudra, destroyer of sorrow...

Sauri, Manda, Shani — ten names; Sun’s son, worshipped for every purpose.

Upon whom the Lord is pleased, pauper turns king in a moment.

At his glance mountains turn to straw, and straw heaps into mountains.

Ram, granted kingship, was sent to the forest; Kaikeyi’s mind was seized.

In the forest a phantom deer appeared; Mother Janaki was stolen away.

Lakshman lay senseless from Shakti’s blow; lamentation broke over the host.

Golden Lanka was brought to ruin; Bajrang hero’s drum resounded.

When you stepped upon King Vikram, a pictured peacock swallowed the necklace.

The nine-lakh necklace brought a theft charge; hands and feet were ordered broken.

You showed the harshest affliction, making him drive the oil-press at the oilman’s house.

He praised you in Raga Deepak with entreaty; then pleased, you granted joy.

Harishchandra the king sold his wife; himself drew water at a Dom’s house.

So Nala’s period passed; the fried fish leapt back into water.

When you gripped Shri Shankar, you made Parvati a Sati.

At a mere furious glance, Gauri’s son’s head flew to the sky.

When your period fell on the Pandavas, Draupadi was near disrobed yet saved.

The Kauravas’ wits too were ruined; you staged the Mahabharata war.

Seizing the Sun, you held him in your mouth and leapt straight to the underworld.

Seeing, Shesha and the gods entreated, and freed the Sun from your mouth.

The Lord’s seven knowing mounts: elephant, great-elephant, donkey, deer, dog...

Jackal, lion and other clawed ones — their fruits astrologers proclaim.

Elephant-mount brings Lakshmi home; horse yields joy and wealth.

Donkey harms many works; lion accomplishes rule and society.

Jackal ruins wisdom; deer brings suffering, destroying life.

When the Lord comes riding a dog, fear of theft and the like grows.

Likewise these are the four-footed names: gold, iron, silver and copper.

When the Lord comes on iron feet, wealth and property are destroyed.

Copper-silver equality is auspicious; gold brings all joy and blessing.

Whoever daily sings this Shani story is never tormented by harsh periods.

The wondrous Lord displays play, loosening foes’ strength and might.

Whoever calls a worthy pandit and duly pacifies planet Shani...

Offers water at peepal on Saturdays, gives lamps and alms, gains great joy.

Says Ram Sundar Prabhu Das: remembering Shani, joy dawns manifest.

Whoever stands ready as Shanideva’s devotee and recites forty days crosses the ocean of existence.