Shani Ashtakam

शनि अष्टकम् • शन्यष्टकम्

ashtakam Shani Dev (Saturn)

About

Shani Ashtakam is an eight-verse hymn dedicated to Lord Shani (Saturn), one of the Navagrahas (nine planets). Shani is the son of Sun God (Surya) and Chhaya, and is considered the lord of karma, justice, and discipline. He rewards or punishes based on one's past actions. This ashtakam is believed to have been composed by King Dasharatha when Saturn threatened to enter an inauspicious position. By reciting this, Shani was pleased and granted protection. It is highly effective during Sade Sati, Dhaiyya, and Shani Mahadasha.

Quick Reference

Author
Traditional / King Dasharatha
Language
Sanskrit
Verse Count
9
Source
Puranic Literature

Benefits

  • Relief during Sade Sati and Dhaiyya
  • Protection from Saturn's malefic effects
  • Removal of delays and obstacles
  • Success in legal matters
  • Relief from chronic diseases
  • Career advancement and stability
  • Protection from accidents
  • Karmic balance and spiritual growth

When to Recite

Days Saturday
Times Evening, During Saturn hora, Before sunset
Occasions Sade Sati period, Shani Dhaiyya, Shani Mahadasha, Shani Jayanti, Saturdays
Recommended Count 7, 11, or 108 times on Saturdays

Verses

shloka 1

कोणस्थः पिङ्गलो बभ्रुः कृष्णो रौद्रोऽन्तको यमः। सौरिः शनैश्चरो मन्दः पिप्पलादेन संस्तुतः॥

Koṇasthaḥ piṅgalo babhrūḥ kṛṣṇo raudro'ntako yamaḥ Sauriḥ śanaiścaro mandaḥ pippalādena saṁstutaḥ

shloka 2

एतानि दश नामानि प्रातरुत्थाय यः पठेत्। शनैश्चरकृता पीडा न कदाचित् भविष्यति॥

Etāni daśa nāmāni prātar-utthāya yaḥ paṭhet Śanaiścara-kṛtā pīḍā na kadācit bhaviṣyati

shloka 3

सूर्यपुत्रो दीर्घदेहो विशालाक्षः शिवप्रियः। मन्दचारः प्रसन्नात्मा पीडां हरतु मे शनिः॥

Sūrya-putro dīrgha-deho viśālākṣaḥ śiva-priyaḥ Manda-cāraḥ prasannātmā pīḍāṁ haratu me śaniḥ

shloka 4

नीलाम्बरो नीलवपुः किरीटी गृध्रस्थितस्त्रासकरो धनुष्मान्। चतुर्भुजः सूर्यसुतः प्रसन्नः सदा मम स्यात्वरदः प्रशान्तः॥

Nīlāmbaro nīla-vapuḥ kirīṭī gṛdhra-sthitas-trāsa-karo dhanuṣmān Caturbhujaḥ sūrya-sutaḥ prasannaḥ sadā mama syāt-varadaḥ praśāntaḥ

shloka 5

नमोऽस्तु शनये देवाय नीलाञ्जनसमप्रभ। नमोऽस्तु रौद्ररूपाय सूर्यपुत्राय वैभवे॥

Namo'stu śanaye devāya nīlāñjana-sama-prabha Namo'stu raudra-rūpāya sūrya-putrāya vaibhave

shloka 6

नमस्ते कोणसंस्थाय पिङ्गलाय नमोऽस्तु ते। नमस्ते बभ्रुरूपाय कृष्णाय च नमोऽस्तु ते॥

Namaste koṇa-saṁsthāya piṅgalāya namo'stu te Namaste babhru-rūpāya kṛṣṇāya ca namo'stu te

shloka 7

नमस्ते रौद्रदेहाय नमस्ते चान्तकाय च। नमस्ते यमसंज्ञाय नमस्ते सौरये विभो॥

Namaste raudra-dehāya namaste cāntakāya ca Namaste yama-saṁjñāya namaste sauraye vibho

shloka 8

नमस्ते मन्दसंज्ञाय शनैश्चरनमोऽस्तु ते। प्रसादं कुरु देवेश दीनानामार्तिभञ्जन॥

Namaste manda-saṁjñāya śanaiścara-namo'stu te Prasādaṁ kuru deveśa dīnānām-ārti-bhañjana

phala-shruti 9 Benefits of recitation

शन्यष्टकमिदं पुण्यं यः पठेच्छनिवासरे। मेषादौ वा विशेषेण शनिपीडा न जायते॥ साडेसाती समये वा द्वितीये च गतागते। अष्टमे वा द्वादशे वा शान्तिर्भवति केवलम्॥

Śany-aṣṭakam-idaṁ puṇyaṁ yaḥ paṭhec-chani-vāsare Meṣādau vā viśeṣeṇa śani-pīḍā na jāyate Sāḍesātī samaye vā dvitīye ca gatāgate Aṣṭame vā dvādaśe vā śāntir-bhavati kevalam