śani cālīsā

Dohā — the couplets that open the Chālīsā.

Victory to Gaṇeśa, son of Girijā, doer of good and full of compassion — take away the sorrow of the humble, O Lord, and make them glad. Victory, victory to Lord Śanideva; hear this petition, great king. Show your grace, O son of the Sun, and guard the honour of your people.

Chaupāī — the forty quatrains that give the Chālīsā its name.

Chaupai: Glory, glory to Śanideva the compassionate, who always cherishes and protects his devotees.

Four-armed, his dark form shines resplendent; on his forehead glows the brilliant jeweled crown.

His forehead is supremely broad and captivating; his sideways gaze and furrowed brow are formidable.

His earrings shimmer and glitter at his ears; at his chest gleams a garland of pearls and precious gems.

In his hands he holds a mace, a trident, and an axe; in but a moment he can bring enemies to destruction.

Piṅgala (the tawny-eyed), Kṛṣṇa (the dark), Chāyānandana (son of Chāyā / Saturn), Yama (the restrainer), Koṇastha (the angular), Raudra (the fierce), Dukha-bhañjana (destroyer of sorrow) —

Saurī (son of the Sun), Manda (the slow), Śani (Saturn) — these are ten names of the Lord. Worshipping the son of Bhānu (the Sun) fulfills all desires.

Upon whomever the Lord is pleased, he can turn even a beggar into a king in a single instant.

Even a mountain can become a blade of grass under his gaze; and even a blade of grass he can turn into a mountain.

He gave the forest to Rāma when Rāma was to receive the kingdom, and stole away the very wits of Kaikeyī.

In the forest a deceptive golden deer was conjured; Mother Jānakī (Sītā) was robbed of her shrewdness and taken away.

He struck Lakṣmaṇa with the Śakti dart, rendering him senseless; a great cry of lamentation and panic spread through the army.

The sense and intellect of Rāvaṇa went mad; his enmity with Śrī Rāmacandra grew without bound.

He turned golden Laṅkā into a mound fit for insects to devour; and the glory of the heroic Bajaraṅga (Hanumān) resounded across the worlds.

You set your foot upon King Vikrama (Vikramāditya); a painted peacock swallowed a priceless necklace — strange wonders unfolded.

That nine-lakh necklace was charged against him as theft; in the ordeal that followed, his hands and feet were severed as punishment.

You showed him a terrible and dreadful period of affliction; the king was made to work the oil-press in an oil-presser's house.

The king sang the rāga Dīpak in humble supplication; then the Lord was pleased and granted him happiness once more.

King Hariścandra was made to sell even his queen; he himself carried water at the house of a cremation-ground keeper (Ḍoma).

Similarly, King Nala's period of affliction finally came to an end — like a roasted fish leaping back into the water, he was restored.

When (Saturn) went and seized even Śrī Śaṅkara (Śiva), he caused Pārvatī to take the form of Satī and perish.

From just a brief sideways glance — and in his anger — the head of Gaurī's son (Gaṇeśa) flew up into the sky.

Your afflicting period fell upon the Pāṇḍavas; Draupadī was saved just as she was being dragged and disrobed.

You destroyed the sense and intellect of the Kauravas as well, and caused the great war of the Mahābhārata to be fought.

Śani instantly took the Sun (Ravi) into his mouth and, holding him there, leaped down into the netherworld (Pātāla).

Seeing this, the remaining gods came and prayed; and (Śani) released the Sun from his mouth.

The Lord has seven well-known mounts: the great elephant, the vulture, the donkey, the deer, and the dog —

— the jackal, the lion, and other clawed creatures. These mounts each bestow certain results, as astrologers proclaim aloud.

When mounted on the elephant, Lakṣmī comes to the home; from the horse-mount, happiness and wealth arise.

The donkey-mount causes harm in many endeavors; yet the donkey-mount can also establish one among the kingly assembly.

The jackal-mount destroys one's intellect entirely; the deer-mount brings suffering and may even take one's life.

When the Lord arrives riding on the dog, there is great fear of theft and similar misfortunes.

Similarly there are four "feet" (phases) of Śani's cycle by these names: Gold (Svarṇa), Iron (Lauha), Silver (Cāñdī), and Copper (Tāmā).

When the Lord arrives in his iron-foot phase, he causes wealth, people, and all prosperity to be destroyed.

The copper and silver feet bring balance and auspiciousness; the golden foot brings all happiness and every blessing.

Whoever sings this Śani-carita (account of Śani) daily shall never be tormented by a terrible period of affliction.

The wondrous Lord displays his divine play; he renders the enemy's power weak and destroys it utterly.

Whoever summons a learned and qualified Paṇḍita and performs a proper Śani-graha śānti (propitiatory rite) —

— who offers water to the Pīpala tree on Saturday and gives the gift of a lamp — attains abundant happiness.

Says Rāmasundara, the servant of the Lord: Remembering Śani, happiness and light arise within.

Doha (Closing): Taking up the recitation of Śaniścara Deva, having first prepared oneself in purity — reciting it for forty days, one crosses the ocean of worldly existence.