The Legend — Why King Dashrath Composed This Stotra
The Rohini Nakshatra Crisis
In the ancient Puranic tradition, the 27 Nakshatras (lunar mansions) are likened to the wives of the Moon. Among these, Rohini is the Moon's most beloved and favoured wife. When Saturn (Shani) transits through Rohini Nakshatra, it is considered catastrophically inauspicious — causing severe drought, famine, pestilence and mass suffering on earth.
When King Dashrath — the noble emperor of Ayodhya and father of Lord Rama — learned that Lord Shani was moving toward Rohini Nakshatra, he was filled with deep concern for his kingdom and all of creation. With extraordinary courage and devotion, he mounted his divine chariot, flew through the heavens, and followed Saturn through space.
Face to face with the fearsome Lord Shani, Dashrath composed and chanted this powerful stotra in his praise — extolling every quality of Saturn with profound reverence and beauty. So moved was Shani by the king's devotion and the eloquence of his prayer that he granted an eternal boon: never to afflict the Rohini Nakshatra and cause the suffering of famine upon the earth.
This stotra is therefore unique: it is not a prayer of a devotee seeking personal benefit — it is a prayer of a king seeking protection for the entire world. It demonstrates the extraordinary power of sincere devotion and articulate praise to transform even the most fearsome cosmic forces into protectors.
Introduction to the Dashrath Krit Shani Stotra
The Dashrath Krit Shani Stotra (श्री दशरथकृत शनि स्तोत्र) is one of the most important hymns dedicated to Lord Shani in the Puranic tradition. Unlike the Shani Chalisa (which is a general devotional hymn), this stotra has a specific legendary context — it was composed and chanted by King Dashrath himself in a moment of cosmic crisis.
The stotra describes Lord Shani's fearsome physical form in vivid detail — his dark complexion, hollow eyes, immense body, terrifying appearance — and praises each quality as a divine virtue. This approach of praising exactly what others fear is a profound spiritual teaching: the fearsome is divine, and what seems destructive is ultimately purifying.
Recited with devotion, particularly on Saturdays and during difficult Saturn transits, this stotra is considered one of the most effective remedies for mitigating Shani's malefic effects.
Complete Dashrath Krit Shani Stotra — All Verses
॥ श्री दशरथकृत शनि स्तोत्र ॥ दशरथ उवाच — King Dashrath speaks:
Opening Request — Dashrath to Lord Shani
प्रसन्नो यदि मे सौरे! एकश्चास्तु वरः परः।
रोहिणीं भेदयित्वा तु न गन्तव्यं कदाचन् ।
सरितः सागरा यावद् यावच्चन्द्रार्कमेदिनी ॥
Prasanno Yadi Me Saure! Ekasch-aastu Varah Parah
Rohineem Bhedayitvaa Tu Na Gantavyam Kadaachan
Saritah Saagara Yaavad Yaavach-Chandraarka-Medinee
| Sanskrit | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| प्रसन्नो यदि | Prasanno Yadi | If you are pleased / if you are gracious |
| मे सौरे | Me Saure | With me, O Saturn (Saura = son of the Sun) |
| एकश्चास्तु वरः परः | Ekasch-aastu Varah Parah | Let there be this one supreme boon |
| रोहिणीं भेदयित्वा तु | Rohineem Bhedayitvaa Tu | Never crossing / transgressing the Rohini Nakshatra |
| न गन्तव्यं कदाचन् | Na Gantavyam Kadaachan | Never, at any time — do not go there |
| सरितः सागरा यावद् | Saritah Saagara Yaavad | As long as rivers and oceans exist |
| यावच्चन्द्रार्कमेदिनी | Yaavach-Chandraarka-Medinee | As long as the moon (chandra), sun (arka) and earth (medinee) endure |
Lord Shani Grants the Boon
याचितं तु महासौरे! नऽन्यमिच्छाम्यहं।
एवमस्तु शनिप्रोक्तं वरलब्ध्वा तु शाश्वतम् ॥
Yaachitam Tu Mahaa-Saure! Na-Anyam Icchaamy-Aham
Evam-Astu Shani-Proktam Vara-Labdhvaa Tu Shaashvatam
| Sanskrit | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| याचितं तु | Yaachitam Tu | This alone is what I ask / this is my request |
| महासौरे | Mahaa-Saure | O mighty Saturn, great son of the Sun |
| नऽन्यमिच्छाम्यहं | Na-Anyam Icchaami-Aham | I do not desire anything else |
| एवमस्तु शनिप्रोक्तं | Evam-Astu Shani-Proktam | Shani spoke thus: "So be it" — the divine reply |
| वरलब्ध्वा तु शाश्वतम् | Vara-Labdhvaa Tu Shaashvatam | Having received this eternal boon — lasting forever |
The following ten verses are the core of the stotra — King Dashrath's praise of Lord Shani's divine form and powers:
Verse 1
नमः कृष्णाय नीलाय शितिकण्ठ-निभाय च।
नमः कालाग्निरूपाय कृतान्ताय च वै नमः ॥
Namah Krishnaaya Neelaaya Shitikantha-Nibhaaya Cha
Namah Kaalaagni-Roopaaya Kritaantaaya Cha Vai Namah
| Sanskrit | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| नमः | Namah | Salutations / I bow to |
| कृष्णाय | Krishnaaya | To the dark-complexioned one (krishna = dark) |
| नीलाय | Neelaaya | To the blue-hued one (neela = blue/dark blue) |
| शितिकण्ठ-निभाय | Shitikantha-Nibhaaya | Resembling Lord Shiva (shiti = dark, kantha = throat — the blue-throated Shiva) |
| कालाग्निरूपाय | Kaalaagni-Roopaaya | Having the form of the fire of cosmic dissolution (kaala = time/death, agni = fire) |
| कृतान्ताय | Kritaantaaya | The ender of life — the one who brings things to their end |
| च वै नमः | Cha Vai Namah | Indeed, salutations |
Verse 2
नमो निर्मांस देहाय दीर्घश्मश्रुजटाय च।
नमो विशालनेत्राय शुष्कोदर भयाकृते ॥
Namo Nirmaanasa-Dehaaya Deergha-Shmashru-Jataaya Cha
Namo Vishaala-Netraaya Shushkodara Bhayaakrite
| Sanskrit | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| निर्मांस देहाय | Nirmaanasa-Dehaaya | To the one with a fleshless, emaciated body (nir = without, maanasa = flesh) |
| दीर्घश्मश्रु | Deergha-Shmashru | With a long beard (deergha = long, shmashru = beard) |
| जटाय च | Jataaya Cha | And matted locks of hair |
| विशालनेत्राय | Vishaala-Netraaya | To the large-eyed one (vishaala = large, netra = eye) |
| शुष्कोदर | Shushkodara | With a hollow / sunken stomach (shushka = dried/hollow, udara = stomach) |
| भयाकृते | Bhayaakrite | The creator of fear / the one who instils awe |
Verse 3
नमः पुष्कलगात्राय स्थूलरोम्णेऽथ वै नमः।
नमो दीर्घाय शुष्काय कालदंष्ट्र नमोऽस्तु ते ॥
Namah Pushkala-Gaatraaya Sthoola-Romneth-Atha Vai Namah
Namo Deerghaya Shushkaaya Kaala-Damshtra Namo-Astu Te
| Sanskrit | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| पुष्कलगात्राय | Pushkala-Gaatraaya | To the one with a huge, massive body (pushkala = ample/huge, gaatra = body/limbs) |
| स्थूलरोम्णे | Sthoola-Romneh | With thick, coarse body hair (sthoola = thick/coarse, roman = body hair) |
| नमो दीर्घाय | Namo Deerghaya | Salutations to the tall one (deergha = long/tall) |
| शुष्काय | Shushkaaya | To the dried-up, emaciated one |
| कालदंष्ट्र | Kaala-Damshtra | With the teeth of time / terrifying teeth (kaala = time/death, damshtra = fangs/teeth) |
| नमोऽस्तु ते | Namo-Astu Te | Salutations to you |
Verse 4
नमस्ते कोटराक्षाय दुर्नरीक्ष्याय वै नमः।
नमो घोराय रौद्राय भीषणाय कपालिने ॥
Namaste Kotara-Akshaaya Durna-Reekshaaya Vai Namah
Namo Ghoraaya Raudraaya Bheeshanaaya Kapaaline
| Sanskrit | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| कोटराक्षाय | Kotara-Akshaaya | To the hollow-eyed one (kotara = hollow/sunken, aksha = eye) |
| दुर्नरीक्ष्याय | Durna-Reekshaaya | Difficult to behold / whose sight is hard to endure (durna = difficult, reeksha = to see) |
| घोराय | Ghoraaya | To the fierce and terrible one |
| रौद्राय | Raudraaya | To the wrathful and terrible one (raudra = form of Rudra/Shiva) |
| भीषणाय | Bheeshanaaya | To the frightening, terrifying one |
| कपालिने | Kapaaline | To the skull-bearer / one who carries a skull (kapaala = skull) |
Verse 5
नमस्ते सर्वभक्षाय बलीमुख नमोऽस्तु ते।
सूर्यपुत्र नमस्तेऽस्तु भास्करेऽभयदाय च ॥
Namaste Sarva-Bhakshaaya Bali-Mukha Namo-Astu Te
Soorya-Putra Namaste-Astu Bhaaskare-Abhaya-Daaya Cha
| Sanskrit | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| सर्वभक्षाय | Sarva-Bhakshaaya | To the devourer of all things (sarva = all, bhaksha = to eat/devour) |
| बलीमुख | Bali-Mukha | The formidable, powerful-faced one |
| सूर्यपुत्र | Soorya-Putra | Son of Surya / the Sun God — a primary name of Shani |
| भास्करे | Bhaaskare | O radiant one, O child of the Sun (bhaaskara = the radiant, the sun) |
| अभयदाय च | Abhaya-Daaya Cha | And the one who grants fearlessness (abhaya = no fear, daaya = giver) |
Verse 6
अधोदृष्टे: नमस्तेऽस्तु संवर्तक नमोऽस्तु ते।
नमो मन्दगते तुभ्यं निस्त्रिंशाय नमोऽस्तुते ॥
Adho-Drishte Namaste-Astu Samvartaka Namo-Astu Te
Namo Manda-Gate Tubhyam Nistrimsha-Aaya Namo-Astu Te
| Sanskrit | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| अधोदृष्टे | Adho-Drishte | To the one with a downward gaze (adho = downward, drishti = gaze/sight) |
| संवर्तक | Samvartaka | The calamity-bringer / the one who causes great upheaval (sam = together, varta = to bring about) |
| मन्दगते | Manda-Gate | The slow-moving one — Saturn moves slowly through the zodiac (manda = slow, gati = movement) |
| तुभ्यं | Tubhyam | To you |
| निस्त्रिंशाय | Nistrimsha-Aaya | To the sword-bearer / one who wields a sharp sword (nistrimsha = sword) |
Verse 7
तपसा दग्ध-देहाय नित्यं योगरताय च।
नमो नित्यं क्षुधार्ताय अतृप्ताय च वै नमः ॥
Tapasaa Dagdha-Dehaaya Nityam Yoga-Rataaya Cha
Namo Nityam Kshudh-Artaaya Atriptaaya Cha Vai Namah
| Sanskrit | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| तपसा दग्ध-देहाय | Tapasaa Dagdha-Dehaaya | To the one whose body is scorched by severe penance (tapas = penance/austerity, dagdha = burnt/scorched) |
| नित्यं योगरताय | Nityam Yoga-Rataaya | Ever and always engaged in yoga and deep meditation (nitya = eternal, yoga = meditation, rata = engaged in) |
| नमो नित्यं क्षुधार्ताय | Namo Nityam Kshudh-Artaaya | Salutations to the one who is eternally hungry (kshudha = hunger, aarta = afflicted by) |
| अतृप्ताय | Atriptaaya | To the unsatisfied, insatiable one (a = not, tripta = satisfied) |
Verse 8
ज्ञानचक्षुर्नमस्तेऽस्तु कश्यपात्मज-सूनवे।
तुष्टो ददासि वै राज्यं रुष्टो हरसि तत्क्षणात् ॥
Jnaana-Chakshur-Namaste-Astu Kashyapaatmaja-Soonave
Tushto Dadaasi Vai Raajyam Rushto Harasi Tat-Kshanaat
| Sanskrit | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| ज्ञानचक्षुः | Jnaana-Chakshuh | Eyes of wisdom / whose sight is knowledge itself (jnaana = wisdom, chakshu = eye) |
| कश्यपात्मज-सूनवे | Kashyapaatmaja-Soonave | To the son of Kashyapa's son — genealogical reference to Shani's lineage |
| तुष्टो ददासि वै राज्यं | Tushto Dadaasi Vai Raajyam | When pleased you grant kingdoms (tushta = pleased, dadaasi = you give, raajya = kingdom) |
| रुष्टो हरसि तत्क्षणात् | Rushto Harasi Tat-Kshanaat | When angered you take them away instantly (rushta = angered, harasi = you take, kshana = moment) |
Verse 9
देवासुरमनुष्याश्च सिद्ध-विद्याधरोरगा:।
त्वया विलोकिता: सर्वे नाशं यान्ति समूलत: ॥
Devaasura-Manushyaash-Cha Siddha-Vidyaadha-Rorugaah
Tvayaa Vilokitaah Sarve Naasham Yaanti Samoolatah
| Sanskrit | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| देवासुर | Devaasura | Gods (deva) and demons (asura) |
| मनुष्याश्च | Manushyaash-Cha | And human beings |
| सिद्ध-विद्याधर | Siddha-Vidyaadha-Ra | Siddhas (perfected beings) and Vidyadharas (celestial beings of knowledge) |
| उरगा | Uragaa | Nagas — the serpent beings |
| त्वया विलोकिता | Tvayaa Vilokitaah | When gazed upon by you |
| सर्वे नाशं यान्ति समूलत | Sarve Naasham Yaanti Samoolatah | All are destroyed completely, from the very root |
Verse 10
प्रसाद कुरु मे सौरे! वारदो भव भास्करे।
एवं स्तुतस्तदा सौरिर्ग्रहराजो महाबल: ॥
Prasaada Kuru Me Saure! Vaarado Bhava Bhaaskare
Evam Stutas-Tadaa Saurir-Graha-Raajo Mahaabalah
| Sanskrit | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| प्रसाद कुरु मे | Prasaada Kuru Me | Bestow your grace and mercy upon me |
| सौरे | Saure | O Saturn / O son of the Sun |
| वारदो भव | Vaarado Bhava | Become the giver of boons / become my benefactor |
| भास्करे | Bhaaskare | O child of the Sun (bhaaskara = the radiant sun) |
| एवं स्तुतस्तदा सौरिः | Evam Stutas-Tadaa Saurih | Thus praised at that time, Saturn |
| ग्रहराजो महाबलः | Graha-Raajo Mahaabalah | The mighty king of planets (graha = planet, raaja = king, mahaa = great, bala = strength) |
Closing Verse — Dashrath's Final Prayer
प्रसन्नो यदि मे सौरे! वरं देहि ममेप्सितम्।
अद्य प्रभृति-पिंगाक्ष! पीडा देया न कस्यचित् ॥
Prasanno Yadi Me Saure! Varam Dehi Mamepsitam
Adya Prabhriti-Pingaaksha! Peeda Deya Na Kasyachit
| Sanskrit | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| प्रसन्नो यदि मे सौरे | Prasanno Yadi Me Saure | If you are pleased with me, O Saturn |
| वरं देहि ममेप्सितम् | Varam Dehi Mamepsitam | Grant me my deeply desired boon |
| अद्य प्रभृति | Adya Prabhriti | From this day forward / henceforth |
| पिंगाक्ष | Pingaaksha | O tawny-eyed one — another name of Shani (pinga = tawny/reddish-brown, aksha = eye) |
| पीडा देया न कस्यचित् | Peeda Deya Na Kasyachit | Do not cause suffering to anyone (peeda = suffering/pain, na = not, kasyachit = anyone) |
॥ इति श्री दशरथकृत शनि स्तोत्र सम्पूर्णम् ॥ Thus concludes the Dashrath Krit Shani Stotra.
Listen & Chant Along
🙏 Chant along on Saturdays. Follow each verse with the text above for maximum benefit.
Benefits of Chanting the Dashrath Krit Shani Stotra
Composed specifically to appease Saturn — chanting during Shani Sade Sati or Shani Mahadasha directly invokes Dashrath's boon and seeks similar protection.
The very boon obtained through this stotra was protection from Saturn's most destructive transit. Chanting it creates a similar shield of divine protection.
Regular recitation brings a deep sense of peace and acceptance — the practitioner aligns with Saturn's energy of discipline and karmic balance rather than resisting it.
Saturn rewards discipline and righteousness. His pleased blessings open legitimate pathways to stable prosperity — built on solid karmic foundations.
This stotra praises Saturn's role as the cosmic balancer of karma. Regular chanting accelerates the clearing of karmic debts and establishes greater harmony in one's life trajectory.
Dashrath's prayer was selfless — it sought protection for all beings. Chanting this stotra cultivates this same altruistic consciousness, deepening spiritual development.
How to Chant — Step by Step
Best day: Saturday morning
Saturday is Shani's sacred day. Chant at sunrise or in the morning hours. Chanting during Shani Hora (Saturn's hour) on any day also yields good results.
Wear dark blue or black
These are Saturn's colours. Wearing them during worship creates natural resonance with his energy.
Offer black sesame and a sesame oil lamp
Black sesame (kala til) and a lamp lit with sesame oil are Shani's traditional offerings. Offering water to the Peepal tree is also highly recommended on Saturdays.
Face west — Saturn's direction
Sit facing west while chanting this stotra, as Saturn is associated with the western direction in Vedic tradition.
Chant the complete stotra
Begin with the Opening Request, chant all 10 verses in sequence, and close with Dashrath's Final Prayer. Do not skip any verse.
Visualise Dashrath's devotion as you chant
This stotra is most powerful when chanted with the feeling of Dashrath's selfless courage — flying through space to protect others. Let that spirit infuse every verse.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Dashrath Krit Shani Stotra?
A powerful Sanskrit hymn composed by King Dashrath — father of Lord Rama — to appease Lord Shani when Saturn was about to transit the Rohini Nakshatra. Such a transit would have caused devastating famine. Dashrath followed Saturn through space in his divine chariot and chanted this stotra so beautifully that Shani granted an eternal boon never to afflict Rohini Nakshatra. The stotra praises every fearsome quality of Saturn as a divine virtue.
Why is the Rohini Nakshatra so important?
Rohini is considered the most beloved wife of the Moon among the 27 Nakshatras (lunar mansions). When Saturn transits through Rohini, it is said to cause severe drought, famine and pestilence on earth — historically one of the most catastrophic astrological events. King Dashrath's boon ensures Saturn will never transit Rohini, which is why this stotra is considered an act of protecting all of humanity.
How is this stotra different from the Shani Chalisa?
The Shani Chalisa is a general devotional hymn of 40 verses recited by ordinary devotees seeking relief from Saturn. The Dashrath Krit Shani Stotra is specifically composed by a king in a moment of cosmic crisis, seeking protection not for himself but for all of creation. It is shorter and more intense, with a specific legendary boon attached to it. Both are powerfully effective for Saturn worship — the Chalisa for regular practice, this stotra for specific crisis periods.
Is this stotra effective during Shani Sade Sati?
Yes — this is one of its primary uses. During Shani Sade Sati (the 7.5-year Saturn transit) or Shani Mahadasha, chanting this stotra on Saturdays is considered among the most effective traditional remedies. The stotra was born out of exactly such a moment of Saturn's most intense and destructive potential — making it especially relevant during these periods.