Shri Shani Chalisa in English

Shri Shani Chalisa in English

Read and download the complete Shri Shani Chalisa in English for free, with the meaning of every chaupai beside it.

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Shri Shani Chalisa in English Lyrics

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॥ Doha — Invocation ॥

Jai Ganesh Girija Suvan Mangal Karan Kripal।Deenan Ke Dukh Door Kari Keejai Nath Nihal॥

Victory to Ganesha, son of Girija, giver of blessings and source of mercy; remove the sorrows of the humble and make them whole, O Lord.

Jai Jai Shri Shanidev Prabhu Sunahu Vinay Maharaj।Karahu Kripa He Ravi Tanay Rakhahu Jan Ki Laj॥

Hail, hail, Lord Shani Dev; hear my prayer, O great one. Show your grace, son of the Sun, and keep your devotee’s honour.
॥ Swaroop — Form and Grace ॥

Jayati Jayati Shanidev Dayala।Karat Sada Bhaktan Pratipala 1

Victory, victory to Shani Dev, the compassionate, who always protects his devotees.

Chari Bhuja Tanu Shyam Virajai।Mathe Ratan Mukut Chhabi Chhajai 2

He has four arms and a dark complexion, and a crown set with jewels shines on his brow.

Param Vishal Manohar Bhala।Tedhi Drishti Bhrikuti Vikarala 3

His forehead is broad and handsome, but his gaze is slanting and his brows are fierce.

Kundal Shravan Chamacham Chamke।Hiya Mal Muktan Mani Damke 4

Earrings gleam brightly beside his ears, and a necklace of pearls and gems sparkles on his chest.

Kar Mein Gada Trishul Kuthara।Pal Bich Karain Arihin Sanhara 5

In his hands are a mace, a trident and an axe, and in a moment he destroys his foes.

Pingal Krishno Chhaya Nandan।Yam Konasth Raudra Dukhbhanjan 6

Pingala, Krishna, Chhaya-nandan, Yama, Konasth, Raudra and Dukhbhanjan are among his names.

Sauri Mand Shani Dash Nama।Bhanu Putra Poojahin Sab Kama 7

Sauri, Mand and Shani complete his ten names; the son of the Sun is worshipped for every wish.

Ja Par Prabhu Prasann Hvain Jahin।Rankahun Rav Karain Kshan Mahin 8

When the Lord is pleased with someone, he can make a pauper a king in a moment.

Parvatahu Trin Hoi Niharat।Trinhu Ko Parvat Kari Darat 9

With a glance he turns a mountain to straw, and he can make straw into a mountain.
॥ Ramayana — Shri Ram’s Story ॥

Raj Milat Ban Ramahin Deenhyo।Kaikeihun Ki Mati Hari Leenhyo 10

When Rama was about to receive the kingdom, he was sent to the forest, and Kaikeyi’s judgment was clouded.

Banahun Mein Mrig Kapat Dikhai।Matu Janaki Gai Churai 11

In the forest a deceitful deer was shown, and Mother Janaki was carried away.

Lakhanahin Shakti Vikal Karidara।Machiga Dal Mein Hahakara 12

Lakshmana was struck down by a weapon, and a cry of alarm rose through the army.

Ravan Ki Gati Mati Baurai।Ramchandra Son Bair Badhai 13

Ravana’s judgment was confused, and he grew hostile to Ramachandra.

Diyo Keet Kari Kanchan Lanka।Baji Bajrang Beer Ki Danka 14

Golden Lanka was left in ruin, and the war-drum of brave Hanuman sounded.
॥ Vikram, Harishchandra, Nala and Shiva ॥

Nrip Vikram Par Tuhi Pagu Dhara।Chitra Mayur Nigali Gai Hara 15

When Shani’s period fell on King Vikram, the necklace was swallowed by a painted peacock.

Har Naulakha Lagyo Chori।Hath Pair Darvayo Tori 16

The nine-lakh necklace was thought stolen, and the king’s hands and feet were cut off.

Bhari Dasha Nikrisht Dikhayo।Telihin Ghar Kolhu Chalvayo 17

A heavy, harsh time was shown to him, and he had to turn an oilman’s press.

Vinay Rag Deepak Mahan Keenhayon।Tab Prasann Prabhu Hvai Sukh Deenhayon 18

When the king sang Raga Deepak in humility, the Lord was pleased and gave him happiness again.

Harishchandra Nrip Nari Bikani।Aapahun Bhare Dom Ghar Pani 19

King Harishchandra’s wife was sold, and he himself carried water at a Dom’s house.

Taise Nal Par Dasha Sirani।Bhunji Meen Kood Gai Pani 20

The same hardship came upon Nala: the cooked fish leapt back into the water.

Shri Shankarahin Gahyo Jab Jai।Paravati Ko Sati Karai 21

When Shani came upon Lord Shankar, Parvati was made to become Sati.

Tanik Vilokat Hi Kari Risa।Nabh Udi Gayo Gaurisut Sisa 22

With one stern glance, the head of Gauri’s son flew up into the sky.
॥ Mahabharata and Surya ॥

Pandav Par Bhai Dasha Tumhari।Bachi Draupadi Hoti Ughari 23

Your period fell on the Pandavas, and Draupadi was saved from being disrobed.

Kaurav Ke Bhi Gati Mati Maryo।Yuddh Mahabharat Kari Daryo 24

You clouded the judgment of the Kauravas as well, and the great war of the Mahabharata followed.

Ravi Kahan Mukh Mahan Dhari Tatkala।Lekar Koodi Parayo Patala 25

Taking the Sun into his mouth, he leapt at once into the netherworld.

Shesh Dev Lakhi Vinati Lai।Ravi Ko Mukh Te Diyo Chhudai 26

Seeing this, Shesha and the gods pleaded, and the Sun was freed from that mouth.
॥ Vahan and Charan — Mounts and Feet ॥

Vahan Prabhu Ke Sat Sujana।Jag Diggaj Gardabh Mrig Svana 27

The Lord has seven clever mounts, among them the elephant, the donkey, the deer and the dog.

Jambuk Sinh Aadi Nakh Dhari।So Phal Jyotish Kahat Pukari 28

The jackal and the lion, with their claws, complete the list, and astrology declares the result of each.

Gaj Vahan Lakshmi Griha Aavain।Hay Te Sukh Sampati Upjavain 29

When he comes on the elephant, Lakshmi enters the home; the horse brings comfort and wealth.

Gardabh Hani Karai Bahu Kaja।Sinh Siddhakar Raj Samaja 30

The donkey brings loss in many undertakings; the lion brings success in the royal assembly.

Jambuk Buddhi Nasht Kar Darai।Mrig De Kasht Pran Sanharai 31

The jackal dulls the mind; the deer brings severe hardship.

Jab Aavahin Prabhu Svan Savari।Chori Aadi Hoy Dar Bhari 32

When the Lord comes riding the dog, there is great fear of theft and the like.

Taisahi Chari Charan Yah Nama।Svarn Lauh Chandi Aru Tama 33

In the same way he has four feet, named gold, iron, silver and copper.

Lauh Charan Par Jab Prabhu Aavain।Dhan Jan Sampatti Nasht Karavain 34

When the Lord arrives on the iron foot, he brings loss of wealth, people and property.

Samata Tamra Rajat Shubhkari।Svarn Sarv Sukh Mangal Bhari 35

Copper and silver bring balance and good; the golden foot brings every comfort and great blessing.
॥ Phalashruti — Fruit and Remedy ॥

Jo Yah Shani Charitra Nit Gavai।Kabahun Na Dasha Nikrisht Satavai 36

Whoever sings this account of Shani daily is never troubled by a bad period.

Adbhut Nath Dikhavain Leela।Karain Shatru Ke Nashi Bal Dheela 37

The Lord shows wondrous play and weakens the strength of the enemies.

Jo Pandit Suyogya Bulvai।Vidhivat Shani Grah Shanti Karai 38

Whoever calls a capable priest and has the rites for Shani’s planet performed properly is at peace.

Peepal Jal Shani Divas Chadhavat।Deep Daan Dai Bahu Sukh Pavat 39

Offering water at the peepal tree on Saturday and giving a lamp brings much happiness.

Kahat Ram Sundar Prabhu Dasa।Shani Sumirat Sukh Hot Prakasha 40

Ram Sundar, servant of the Lord, says: remembering Shani brings happiness and light.
॥ Doha — The Closing ॥

Path Shanishchar Dev Ko Ki Hon Bhakt Taiyar।Karat Path Chalis Din Ho Bhavsagar Par॥

Those who recite this for Lord Shani Dev with devotion, doing so for forty days, cross the ocean of worldly life.

Meaning & Benefits

The Shani Chalisa is forty chaupais in praise of Shani Dev, son of the Sun, framed by an opening and a closing doha. It describes his form, recalls how his gaze tested Rama, Vikram and Harishchandra, and promises peace to those who sing it.

  • he guards the devotees who sing his praise (chaupai 1)
  • his grace can raise the poor to a throne (chaupai 8)
  • no bad period troubles one who sings it daily (chaupai 36)
  • remembering him brings happiness and light (chaupai 40)

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How to Chant

  • No initiation or fixed count is needed; sing with devotion.
  • Saturday is the favoured day; offer water at a peepal tree and give a lamp (chaupai 39).
  • Read from the opening doha to the closing doha at an even pace.
  • The closing doha speaks of forty days; one reading takes about ten minutes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I download the Shri Shani Chalisa in English PDF for free?

Yes. The Download PDF button on this page is completely free and needs no sign-up. The file carries the full text — both opening dohas, all 40 chaupais and the closing doha — laid out to recite from.

Who wrote the Shani Chalisa?

Chaupai 40 gives the name Ram Sundar, a servant of the Lord, as the voice that speaks. Beyond that little is recorded; the Chalisa has come down through devotional practice rather than through a written biography.

How many verses are in the Shani Chalisa?

Forty chaupais — “chalisa” means forty — framed by two opening dohas and one closing doha. On this page they are arranged in eight sections that follow the story the Chalisa tells.

When is the best time to recite it?

Saturday is the day of Shani Dev and the most common choice. Many people also recite it on Shani Amavasya and Shani Jayanti, and during Sade Sati or Dhaiya. Morning or evening both suit.

What are Sade Sati and Dhaiya?

In Vedic astrology, Sade Sati is the roughly seven-and-a-half-year period when Saturn passes through the signs around one’s Moon sign, and Dhaiya is a two-and-a-half-year period. They are traditional ideas, and the Chalisa does not require you to follow astrology in order to recite it.

What are Shani’s mounts in the Chalisa?

Chaupais 27 to 32 name his seven mounts, including the elephant, horse, donkey, lion, jackal, deer and dog, and say what each is believed to bring. Chaupais 33 to 35 describe four “feet” — gold, iron, silver and copper.

Why does it tell stories of Rama, Vikram and Harishchandra?

They show that Shani’s gaze reaches everyone, from kings to gods, and that humility turns the period around. Chaupai 18 says that when Vikram sang in humility, Shani was pleased and gave him happiness again.

Do I need a priest or initiation to recite it?

No. There is no initiation and no fixed number of recitations. Chaupai 38 mentions peace rites performed by a capable priest, which is an optional extra, not a requirement for reading.

Is the English on this page a translation or a transliteration?

Both, kept separate. The verses are given in simple Roman letters, so you recite the original Hindi sounds, and the meaning of each chaupai is given in English beside it. Hover over a line, or tap it on a phone, to see its meaning.

Can I print the PDF or share it with family?

Yes. The PDF is laid out to print cleanly on ordinary A4 paper, and you are welcome to pass it on, print copies for a group, or use it at a temple or a satsang.