Shani Dev Aarti — “Jai Jai Shri Shanidev Bhaktan Hitkari” — is sung in the Saturday evening Shani puja. Shani Dev is the son of Surya Dev and Mother Chhaya and is regarded as the judge who gives the fruit of our karma. This short aarti describes his form — dark complexion, four arms, blue garments, riding an elephant — and the things dear to him: iron, sesame, oil and urad. It is sung with faith during Sade Sati, Dhaiya or Shani dosha. Below are the full lyrics in English and Hindi, the meaning and the puja method.
Shani Dev Aarti lyrics in English
Jai Jai Shri Shanidev Bhaktan Hitkari,
Suraj Ke Putra Prabhu Chhaya Mahtari.
॥ Jai Jai Shri Shanidev… ॥
Shyam Ank Vakra Drisht Chaturbhuja Dhari,
Neelambar Dhaar Naath Gaj Ki Asvari.
॥ Jai Jai Shri Shanidev… ॥
Kreet Mukut Sheesh Rajit Dipat Hai Lilari,
Muktan Ki Mala Gale Shobhit Balihari.
॥ Jai Jai Shri Shanidev… ॥
Modak Mishthan Paan Chadhat Hain Supari,
Loha Til Tel Udad Mahishi Ati Pyari.
॥ Jai Jai Shri Shanidev… ॥
Dev Danuj Rishi Muni Sumirat Nar Nari,
Vishwanath Dharat Dhyan Sharan Hain Tumhari.
॥ Jai Jai Shri Shanidev… ॥
Shani Dev Aarti in Hindi
जय जय श्री शनिदेव भक्तन हितकारी।
सूरज के पुत्र प्रभु छाया महतारी॥
॥ जय जय श्री शनिदेव…॥
श्याम अंक वक्र दृष्ट चतुर्भुजा धारी।
नीलाम्बर धार नाथ गज की असवारी॥
॥ जय जय श्री शनिदेव…॥
क्रीट मुकुट शीश राजित दिपत है लिलारी।
मुक्तन की माला गले शोभित बलिहारी॥
॥ जय जय श्री शनिदेव…॥
मोदक मिष्ठान पान चढ़त हैं सुपारी।
लोहा तिल तेल उड़द महिषी अति प्यारी॥
॥ जय जय श्री शनिदेव…॥
देव दनुज ऋषि मुनि सुमिरत नर नारी।
विश्वनाथ धरत ध्यान शरण हैं तुम्हारी॥
॥ जय जय श्री शनिदेव…॥
Meaning of Shani Dev Aarti
- Introduction: Glory to Shri Shanidev, well-wisher of devotees. You are the son of Surya Dev, and Chhaya is your mother.
- Form: your body is dark, your gaze is oblique, you bear four arms, wear blue garments and ride an elephant.
- Adornment: a crown shines on your head, your forehead glows and a garland of pearls adorns your neck.
- Offerings: modak, sweets, paan and betel nut are offered to you; iron, sesame, oil, urad and the buffalo are very dear to you.
- Refuge: gods, demons, sages and all men and women remember you; the poet Vishwanath meditates on you and takes your refuge.
How to do the Shani Dev puja and aarti on Saturday
- On Saturday after sunset, bathe, wear clean (black or blue) clothes and go to a Shani temple or a peepal tree.
- Offer mustard oil to Shani Dev and light a mustard-oil lamp. Offer black sesame, urad and blue flowers.
- Chant “Om Sham Shanaishcharaya Namah” 108 times.
- With your head bowed, standing slightly to the side, sing the Shani Dev Aarti.
- Then read the Hanuman Chalisa and donate black sesame, urad, oil or a blanket to someone in need.
7 rules of Shani Dev Aarti
- Do not look straight into Shani Dev’s eyes — worship with the head bowed.
- Light only a mustard-oil lamp.
- Tradition avoids buying iron, oil and salt on Saturday.
- Avoid meat and alcohol on Saturday.
- Never insult the poor, labourers or the elderly — Shani Dev is the judge of karma.
- After the puja, do not look back; return home directly.
- Worship with devotion, not fear.
Benefits of Shani Dev Aarti
- Believed to ease the troubles of Sade Sati and Dhaiya.
- Removes obstacles in work.
- Builds patience, discipline and hard work.
- Removes fear and negativity from the mind.
For Shani Amavasya dates, see When is Amavasya. On Saturday also read the Hanuman Chalisa and Hanuman Ashtak. Read more on Wikipedia.
Frequently asked questions
When should the Shani Dev Aarti be done?
On Saturday evening after sunset is considered most auspicious. It is also done on Shani Jayanti, Shani Amavasya and during Sade Sati or Dhaiya.
What is offered to Shani Dev?
The aarti itself says — iron, black sesame, mustard oil and urad are dear to Shani Dev. On Saturday a mustard-oil lamp is lit and black sesame and urad are donated.
Should one stand directly in front of Shani Dev's idol?
Tradition says one should not look straight into Shani Dev’s eyes, so worship and aarti are done standing slightly to the side, with the head bowed.
What else should be read for Saturn's troubles?
Along with the Shani Dev Aarti, devotees read the Hanuman Chalisa and Hanuman Ashtak, as it is believed Shani Dev does not trouble devotees of Hanuman ji.
