Shani Shothram - A Prayer to Shani

Shani, Hindu planetary god of Saturn

Aum, Sri Mahaaganaadhipataye Namah

Guidelines for pronunciation are in the footnotes

Shani is the planetary god of Saturn whose position in the astrological chart of an individual plays an important role in his or her destiny. Depending upon his position and strength, he may exert either positive or negative influence upon the lives of mortals. Although it is not easy to please him, the adverse influence of Shani can be reduced by invoking him and praying to him. There are temples in India where Shani is the presiding deity and where he is worshipped with offerings of vegetable oil, flowers and food. Those who read the following prayer everyday at morning experience prosperity and auspiciousness and stay free from the adverse influence of Shani.

Shani Sthothram

aum namaha krishnaaya neelaaya sithikanttha nibhaayacha
namah kalaagni ruupaaya krthaanthaayacha vai namaha
namo nirmamsa dehaaya deerghashmashru jataayacha
namo vishaala-nethraaya sthularomnecha vai punaha

namo deerghaya shushkaaya kaaladamshtra namosthuthe
namasthe kotaraakshaaya durnireekshaaya vai namah
namo neela madhuukaaya neelothpalanibhaayacha
namo ghoraaya raudraaya bheeshanaaya karaaline

namasthe sarvabhakshaaya baleemukha namosthuthe
suuryaputhra namasthe'sthu bhaaskare'bhadayacha
adhodhrshte namasthe'sthu samvarthaka namosthuthe
namo mandagathe thubhyam nisrimshaaya namosthuthe

thapasaaraga dehaaya nithyam yogarathaayacha
namo nithyam kshudhaarthaaya athrpthaayacha vainamaha

jnaanachakshu rnmasthe'sthu kasyapaathmaja suunave
thushnodadaashivai raajyam rushnoharasi thakshnaath

devaasura manushaashcha siddha vidyaadharoragaah
thvayaavilookithaa ssarvenaasham yaathi samuulathaha

prasaadam kurume deva vararho'ha mupaagathaha
namasthe konasamsthaaya, pingalaaya namosthuthe

namasthe babhru-ruupaaya, krishnaayacha namosthuthe
namasthe raudradehaaya, namasthe chaanthakaayacha

namasthe yamasaujnaaya, namasthe sauraye vibho
namasthe mandaruupaaya, sanaischara namosthuthe
prasaadam mamadevesa, deepasya pranathasyacha


Suggestions for Further Reading

Guidelines to pronunciation: Sanskrit is essentially a language of sounds and sound vibrations. The efficacy of Sanskrit prayers depends upon the vibrations that are produced during chanting. It is difficult to transliterate Sanskrit words into English with full justification to the original sounds. In the above stated transliteration we followed a simple approach to make it easier even for those who are not familiar with English or Sanskrit. Wherever you find repeat vowels (aa, uu, ee) please stretch the vowel sound (for ex., aa as in vast or path, uu as in cool or root, ee as in eel or feel). Similarly, "ai" should be pronounced as in gait, fight, or tight. Th should be pronounced as in think or thick, but when t alone is used, it should be pronounced as in two, top or tip.

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