Shani Chalisa

Victory to Ganesha, son of Girija, the compassionate giver of auspiciousness; remove the sorrows of the humble, O Lord, and grant them bliss. Victory, victory to Shri Shani Deva, O Lord, hear this prayer, O great king; be gracious, O son of the Sun, and preserve the honor of your devotees.

Victory, victory to the compassionate Shani Deva, who ever nurtures and protects his devotees.

Four-armed, his dark form shines resplendent; a jeweled crown adorns his forehead with radiant beauty.

His broad, enchanting forehead is magnificent; his sidelong glance and fierce brows are formidable.

Earrings glitter brilliantly in his ears; a garland of pearls and gems gleams upon his chest.

In his hands he holds a mace, a trident, and an axe; in an instant he destroys his enemies.

Pingala, Krishna, son of Chhaya; Yama, Konastha, Raudra — destroyer of sorrows.

Sauri, Manda, Shani — among his ten names; as son of the Sun (Bhanu), all worship him for the fulfillment of their desires.

On whomever the Lord becomes pleased, that pauper too he makes a king in an instant.

He can see a mountain reduced to a blade of grass, and turn a mere blade of grass into a mountain.

Even as Rama was about to receive the kingdom, he was sent to the forest instead — for Shani clouded Kaikeyi's judgment.

In the forest, a deceptive golden deer was shown, and mother Janaki (Sita) was carried away.

Lakshmana was struck senseless by Shakti's weapon, and an uproar of lamentation arose in the army.

Ravana's fate and intellect became deranged, and he increased his enmity with Ramachandra.

Golden Lanka was reduced to ashes, and the drum of the mighty hero Bajrangbali (Hanuman) resounded.

On King Vikram too you set your foot; a painted peacock swallowed his necklace.

The precious necklace worth nine lakhs brought an accusation of theft upon him, and his hands and feet were bound and broken in fear.

He showed him a grievous and lowly plight, making him work the oil-press in an oil-presser's house.

He offered his prayer in Raga Deepak, and then the Lord, being pleased, granted him happiness.

King Harishchandra's queen was sold, and he himself drew water in an outcaste's house.

Likewise, such an ordeal befell King Nala — even a roasted fish leapt back into the water.

When his influence reached even Shri Shankara's house, it brought Parvati to the depths of grief.

With but a single angry glance, the head of Gauri's son (Ganesha) flew off into the sky.

On the Pandavas also fell your influence; Draupadi narrowly escaped being disrobed.

The Kauravas too had their fate and reason struck down, and thus the great Mahabharata war came to be.

Instantly seizing the Sun in his mouth, he leapt down with him into the netherworld.

Seeing this, Lord Shesha came with a plea, and the Sun was released from that mouth.

The Lord's mounts are seven wise creatures, known to the world: the elephant, donkey, deer, and dog, among others.

The jackal, lion, and other claw-bearing creatures — astrology proclaims their respective results.

When mounted on the elephant, prosperity enters the home; mounted on the horse, he brings happiness and wealth.

On the donkey he brings loss in many undertakings; on the lion he bestows success and royal honor.

On the jackal he destroys one's intellect; on the deer he inflicts suffering, even taking life.

When the Lord arrives mounted on a dog, there is grave fear of theft and the like.

Likewise, his four 'feet' bear these names: gold, iron, silver, and copper.

When the Lord comes upon the iron foot, he causes the destruction of wealth, kin, and prosperity.

The copper and silver feet bring balance and auspiciousness; the golden foot grants every happiness and great good fortune.

Whoever sings this account of Shani's deeds daily will never be troubled by an adverse planetary period.

The wondrous Lord displays his divine play, and he weakens the fortune of one's enemies.

One who calls a learned and competent priest and duly performs the peace-rite for the planet Shani,

and offers water to the peepal tree on Saturday, giving lamps in charity — such a one obtains great happiness.

Says Ram Sunder, the Lord's servant: remembering Shani brings forth the light of happiness.

This recitation of Shanishchar Dev has been prepared in pure, clear form. One who recites it for forty days crosses the ocean of worldly existence. The very praise that Dasharath once offered, standing before Shani, has here been inscribed anew, in sweet and refined language.