The Glory of Shanaishcharaishvara and King Dasharatha's Hymn to Shani

Verse 1 (skanda.7.49.1)

॥ ईश्वर उवाच ॥ तस्माच्छुक्रेश्वराद्गच्छेद्देवि लिंगं महाप्रभम्॥ शनैश्चरैश्वरंनाम महापातकनाशनम्

|| īśvara uvāca || tasmācchukreśvarādgaccheddevi liṁgaṁ mahāprabham|| śanaiścaraiśvaraṁnāma mahāpātakanāśanam

Ishvara said: "From that Shukreshvara, one should go, O goddess, to the greatly radiant linga named Shanaishcharaishvara, destroyer of great sin."

Verse 2 (skanda.7.49.2)

बुधेश्वरात्पश्चिमतो ह्यजादेव्यग्निगोचरे ॥ तस्या धनुः पंचकेन नातिदूरे व्यवस्थितम्

budheśvarātpaścimato hyajādevyagnigocare || tasyā dhanuḥ paṁcakena nātidūre vyavasthitam

To the west of Budheshvara, within the fire-range of Ajadevi, situated at a distance of not more than five bow-lengths from her.

Verse 3 (skanda.7.49.3)

कल्पलिंगं महादेवि पूजितं देवदानवैः ॥ छायापुत्रेण संतप्तं तपः परमदुष्करम्

kalpaliṁgaṁ mahādevi pūjitaṁ devadānavaiḥ || chāyāputreṇa saṁtaptaṁ tapaḥ paramaduṣkaram

This is the Kalpalinga, O great goddess, worshipped by gods and demons; most difficult austerity was performed here by the son of Chhaya (Shani).

Verse 4 (skanda.7.49.4)

अनादि निधनो देवो येन लिंगेऽवतारितः ॥ प्राप्तवान्यो ग्रहेशत्वं भक्त्या शंभोः प्रसादतः

anādi nidhano devo yena liṁge'vatāritaḥ || prāptavānyo graheśatvaṁ bhaktyā śaṁbhoḥ prasādataḥ

The god without beginning or end, Shiva, was manifested by him in this linga; he obtained the lordship of the planets through devotion, by the grace of Shambhu.

Verse 5 (skanda.7.49.5)

यस्य दृष्ट्या बिभेति स्म देवासुरगणो महान् ॥ न स कोऽप्यस्ति वै प्राणी ब्रह्मांडे सचराचरे

yasya dṛṣṭyā bibheti sma devāsuragaṇo mahān || na sa ko'pyasti vai prāṇī brahmāṁḍe sacarācare

At whose gaze the great host of gods and demons was afraid; there is indeed no being whatsoever, in the whole moving and unmoving universe—

Verse 6 (skanda.7.49.6)

देवो वा दानवो वापि सौरिणा पीडितो न यः ॥ शनिवारेण संपूज्य भक्त्या सौरीश्वरं शिवम् ॥

devo vā dānavo vāpi sauriṇā pīḍito na yaḥ || śanivāreṇa saṁpūjya bhaktyā saurīśvaraṁ śivam ||

—be he a god or a demon — who is not afflicted by the Son of the Sun (Shani). Having worshipped Sauriishvara Shiva with devotion on Saturday—

Verse 7 (skanda.7.49.7)

शमीपत्रैर्महादेवि तिलमाषगुडौदनैः ॥ संतर्प्य तु विधानेन दद्यात्कृष्णं वृषं द्विजे

śamīpatrairmahādevi tilamāṣaguḍaudanaiḥ || saṁtarpya tu vidhānena dadyātkṛṣṇaṁ vṛṣaṁ dvije

"—with shami leaves, O great goddess, with sesame, black lentils, jaggery, and rice — having satisfied him according to rule, one should give a black bull to a Brahmin."

Verse 8 (skanda.7.49.8)

स्तुत्वा स्तोत्रैश्च विविधैः पुराणश्रुतिसंभवैः ॥ अथ वैकेन देवेशः स्तोत्रेण परितोषितः

stutvā stotraiśca vividhaiḥ purāṇaśrutisaṁbhavaiḥ || atha vaikena deveśaḥ stotreṇa paritoṣitaḥ

Having praised him with various hymns arising from the Puranas and the Shrutis, or alternatively, the lord of gods can be fully satisfied by a single hymn—

Verse 9 (skanda.7.49.9)

राज्ञा दशरथेनैव कृतेन तु बलीयसा ॥ स्तुत्यः सौरीश्वरो देवः सर्वपीडोपशांतये

rājñā daśarathenaiva kṛtena tu balīyasā || stutyaḥ saurīśvaro devaḥ sarvapīḍopaśāṁtaye

—the one composed by the mighty King Dasharatha himself; the god Sauriishvara is to be praised with that, for the pacification of all afflictions.

Verse 10 (skanda.7.49.10)

॥ देव्यु वाच ॥ कथं दशरथो राजा चक्रे शानैश्चरीं स्तुतिम् ॥ कथं संतुष्टिमगमत्तस्य देवः शनैश्चरः

|| devyu vāca || kathaṁ daśaratho rājā cakre śānaiścarīṁ stutim || kathaṁ saṁtuṣṭimagamattasya devaḥ śanaiścaraḥ

The Goddess said: "How did King Dasharatha compose this hymn to Shanaishchara? And how did the god Shanaishchara come to be satisfied with him?"

Verse 11 (skanda.7.49.11)

॥ ईश्वर उवाच ॥ रघुवंशेऽति विख्यातो राजा दशरथो बली ॥ चक्रवर्ती स विज्ञेयः सप्तद्वीपाधिपः पुरा

|| īśvara uvāca || raghuvaṁśe'ti vikhyāto rājā daśaratho balī || cakravartī sa vijñeyaḥ saptadvīpādhipaḥ purā

Ishvara said: "In the lineage of Raghu there was a most renowned, mighty king, Dasharatha; he is to be known as a universal emperor, lord of the seven continents in former times."

Verse 12 (skanda.7.49.12)

कृत्तिकांते शनिं कृत्वा दैवज्ञैर्ज्ञापितो हि सः ॥ रोहिणीं भेद यित्वा तु शनिर्यास्यति सांप्रतम्

kṛttikāṁte śaniṁ kṛtvā daivajñairjñāpito hi saḥ || rohiṇīṁ bheda yitvā tu śaniryāsyati sāṁpratam

When Saturn was at the end of Krittika, he was informed by astrologers thus: "Saturn shall now go on, piercing Rohini."

Verse 13 (skanda.7.49.13)

उक्तं शकटभेदं तु सुरासुरभयंकरम् ॥ द्वादशाब्दं तु दुर्भिक्षं भविष्यति सुदारुणम्

uktaṁ śakaṭabhedaṁ tu surāsurabhayaṁkaram || dvādaśābdaṁ tu durbhikṣaṁ bhaviṣyati sudāruṇam

They spoke of the "piercing of the Shakata" asterism, terrifying to gods and demons; a most dreadful famine of twelve years would come about.

Verse 14 (skanda.7.49.14)

एतच्छ्रुत्वा मुनेर्वाक्यं मंत्रिभिः सहितो नृपः ॥ आकुलं तु जगद्दृष्ट्वा पौरजानपदादिकम्

etacchrutvā munervākyaṁ maṁtribhiḥ sahito nṛpaḥ || ākulaṁ tu jagaddṛṣṭvā paurajānapadādikam

Hearing this word of the sage, the king, together with his ministers, seeing the world in distress — the citizens, the country-folk, and others—

Verse 15 (skanda.7.49.15)

वदंति सततं लोका नियमेन समागताः ॥ देशाश्च नगर ग्रामा भयाक्रांताः समंततः ॥ मुनीन्वसिष्ठप्रमुखान्पप्रच्छ च स्वयं नृपः

vadaṁti satataṁ lokā niyamena samāgatāḥ || deśāśca nagara grāmā bhayākrāṁtāḥ samaṁtataḥ || munīnvasiṣṭhapramukhānpapraccha ca svayaṁ nṛpaḥ

—while the people, gathered together in observance, spoke continually of this in fear; the lands, cities, and villages were on all sides overcome by fear — the king himself questioned the sages headed by Vasishtha.

Verse 16 (skanda.7.49.16)

॥ दशरथ उवाच ॥ समाधानं किमत्रास्ते ब्रूहि मे द्विज सत्तम

|| daśaratha uvāca || samādhānaṁ kimatrāste brūhi me dvija sattama

Dasharatha said: "What remedy is there for this? Tell me, O most excellent Brahmin."

Verse 17 (skanda.7.49.17)

॥ वसिष्ठ उवाच ॥ प्राजापत्ये च नक्षत्रे तस्मिन्भिन्ने कुतः प्रजाः ॥ अयं योगो ह्यसाध्यस्तु ब्रह्मादींद्रादिभिः सुरैः॥

|| vasiṣṭha uvāca || prājāpatye ca nakṣatre tasminbhinne kutaḥ prajāḥ || ayaṁ yogo hyasādhyastu brahmādīṁdrādibhiḥ suraiḥ||

Vasishtha said: "When that Prajapatya asterism (Rohini) is pierced, how shall the creatures survive? This conjunction is indeed unresolvable even by the gods headed by Brahma and Indra."

Verse 18 (skanda.7.49.18)

तदा संचिंत्य मनसा साहसं परमं महत् ॥ समादाय धनुर्दिव्यं दिव्यैरस्त्रैः समन्वितम्

tadā saṁciṁtya manasā sāhasaṁ paramaṁ mahat || samādāya dhanurdivyaṁ divyairastraiḥ samanvitam

Then, having resolved in his mind upon a supreme and great act of daring, taking up his divine bow, equipped with divine weapons—

Verse 19 (skanda.7.49.19)

रथमारुह्य वेगेन गतो नक्षत्रमंडलम् ॥। रथं तु कांचनं दिव्यं मणिरत्नविभूषितम्

rathamāruhya vegena gato nakṣatramaṁḍalam ||| rathaṁ tu kāṁcanaṁ divyaṁ maṇiratnavibhūṣitam

—mounting his chariot, he went swiftly to the sphere of the constellations; his chariot was golden and divine, adorned with jewels and gems—

Verse 20 (skanda.7.49.20)

ध्वजैश्च चामरैश्छत्रैः किंकिणैरथ शोभितम्॥ हंसवर्णहयैर्युक्तं महाकेतुसमन्वितम्

dhvajaiśca cāmaraiśchatraiḥ kiṁkiṇairatha śobhitam|| haṁsavarṇahayairyuktaṁ mahāketusamanvitam

—adorned with banners, chowries, parasols, and little bells; yoked with swan-white horses, bearing a great pennant.

Verse 21 (skanda.7.49.21)

दीप्यमानो महारत्नैः किरीटमुकुटोज्ज्वलः ॥ बभ्राज स तदाकाशे द्वितीय इव भास्करः

dīpyamāno mahāratnaiḥ kirīṭamukuṭojjvalaḥ || babhrāja sa tadākāśe dvitīya iva bhāskaraḥ

Blazing with great jewels, radiant with crown and diadem, he shone then in the sky like a second sun.

Verse 22 (skanda.7.49.22)

आकर्णं चापमापूर्य संहारास्त्रं नियोज्य च ॥ कृत्तिकांते शनिं ज्ञात्वा प्रविश्य किल रोहिणीम्

ākarṇaṁ cāpamāpūrya saṁhārāstraṁ niyojya ca || kṛttikāṁte śaniṁ jñātvā praviśya kila rohiṇīm

Drawing his bow fully to his ear, and fitting the annihilating weapon to it, knowing Saturn to be at the end of Krittika, entering into the space of Rohini indeed—

Verse 23 (skanda.7.49.23)

दृष्ट्वा दशरथोऽस्याग्रे तस्थौ सभ्रुकुटीमुखः ॥ संहारास्त्रं शनिर्दृष्ट्वा सुरासुरविमर्द्दनम्॥

dṛṣṭvā daśaratho'syāgre tasthau sabhrukuṭīmukhaḥ || saṁhārāstraṁ śanirdṛṣṭvā surāsuravimarddanam||

—Dasharatha, seeing him, stood before him with a frowning face. Seeing the annihilating weapon, crusher of gods and demons—

Verse 24 (skanda.7.49.24)

हसित्वा तद्रयात्सौरिरिदं वचनमब्रवीत् ॥ पौरुषं तव राजेंद्र परं रिपुभयंकरम्

hasitvā tadrayātsauriridaṁ vacanamabravīt || pauruṣaṁ tava rājeṁdra paraṁ ripubhayaṁkaram

—the Son of the Sun, laughing at that impetuosity, spoke this word: "Your valor, O king of kings, is supreme, terrifying to enemies."

Verse 25 (skanda.7.49.25)

देवासुरमनुष्याश्च सिद्धविद्याधरोरगाः ॥ मया विलोकिताः सर्वे भयं चाशु व्रजंति ते

devāsuramanuṣyāśca siddhavidyādharoragāḥ || mayā vilokitāḥ sarve bhayaṁ cāśu vrajaṁti te

"Gods, demons, men, siddhas, vidyadharas, and serpents — all of them, when beheld by me, swiftly go into fear."

Verse 26 (skanda.7.49.26)

तुष्टोहं तव राजेंद्र तपसा पौरुषेण च ॥ वरं ब्रूहि प्रदास्यामि मनसा यदभीप्सितम्

tuṣṭohaṁ tava rājeṁdra tapasā pauruṣeṇa ca || varaṁ brūhi pradāsyāmi manasā yadabhīpsitam

"I am pleased with you, O king of kings, by your austerity and your valor; ask a boon — I shall grant whatever is desired by your mind."

Verse 27 (skanda.7.49.27)

॥ दशरथ उवाच ॥ रोहिणीं भेदयित्वा तु न गंतव्यं त्वया शने ॥ सरितः सागरा यावद्यावच्चद्रार्कमेदिनी

|| daśaratha uvāca || rohiṇīṁ bhedayitvā tu na gaṁtavyaṁ tvayā śane || saritaḥ sāgarā yāvadyāvaccadrārkamedinī

Dasharatha said: "O Shani, you must not pass through, piercing Rohini, as long as rivers and oceans exist, as long as the moon, the sun, and the earth exist."

Verse 28 (skanda.7.49.28)

याचितं ते मया सौरे नान्य मिच्छामि ते वरम् ॥ एवमुक्तः शनिः प्रादाद्वरं तस्मै तु शाश्वतम्

yācitaṁ te mayā saure nānya micchāmi te varam || evamuktaḥ śaniḥ prādādvaraṁ tasmai tu śāśvatam

"This is the boon I ask of you, O Sauri; I desire no other boon from you." Thus addressed, Shani granted him this eternal boon.

Verse 29 (skanda.7.49.29)

प्राप्यैवं तु वरं राजा कृतकृत्योऽभवत्तदा ॥ पुनरेवाब्रवीत्सौरिर्वरं वरय सुव्रत

prāpyaivaṁ tu varaṁ rājā kṛtakṛtyo'bhavattadā || punarevābravītsaurirvaraṁ varaya suvrata

Having obtained this boon, the king then considered himself to have accomplished his purpose. Again the Son of the Sun said: "Choose another boon, O one of good vows."

Verse 30 (skanda.7.49.30)

प्रार्थयामास हृष्टात्मा वरमेवं शनेस्तदा ॥ न भेत्तव्यं च शकटं त्वया भास्करनंदन

prārthayāmāsa hṛṣṭātmā varamevaṁ śanestadā || na bhettavyaṁ ca śakaṭaṁ tvayā bhāskaranaṁdana

Then, with delighted heart, he prayed for this further boon from Shani: "The Shakata asterism must not be pierced by you, O son of the Sun."

Verse 31 (skanda.7.49.31)

द्वादशाब्दं तु दुर्भिक्षं न कर्तव्यं कदाचन ॥ कीर्तिरेषा मदीया च त्रैलोक्ये विचरिष्यति

dvādaśābdaṁ tu durbhikṣaṁ na kartavyaṁ kadācana || kīrtireṣā madīyā ca trailokye vicariṣyati

"And the twelve-year famine must never be brought about; and this fame of mine shall spread throughout the three worlds."

Verse 32 (skanda.7.49.32)

॥ ईश्वर उवाच ॥ वरद्वयं ततः प्राप्य हृष्टरोमा स पार्थिवः ॥ रथोपरि धनुर्मुक्त्वा भूत्वा चैव कृतांजलिः

|| īśvara uvāca || varadvayaṁ tataḥ prāpya hṛṣṭaromā sa pārthivaḥ || rathopari dhanurmuktvā bhūtvā caiva kṛtāṁjaliḥ

Ishvara said: "Having obtained the two boons, that king, his body-hairs thrilled with joy, set down his bow upon the chariot and, with joined palms—"

Verse 33 (skanda.7.49.33)

ध्यात्वा सरस्वतीं देवीं गणनाथं विनायकम् ॥ राजा दशरथः स्तोत्रं सौरेरिदमथाकरोत्

dhyātvā sarasvatīṁ devīṁ gaṇanāthaṁ vināyakam || rājā daśarathaḥ stotraṁ saureridamathākarot

—meditating on the goddess Sarasvati and Ganesha, lord of the ganas, King Dasharatha then composed this hymn to the Son of the Sun.

Verse 34 (skanda.7.49.34)

॥ राजोवाच ॥ नमो नीलमयूखाय नीलोत्पलनिभाय च ॥ नमो निर्मांसदेहाय दीर्घश्मश्रुजटाय च

|| rājovāca || namo nīlamayūkhāya nīlotpalanibhāya ca || namo nirmāṁsadehāya dīrghaśmaśrujaṭāya ca

The king said: "Salutation to the one of dark rays, resembling the blue lotus; salutation to the one of fleshless body, with long beard and matted locks."

Verse 35 (skanda.7.49.35)

नमो विशालनेत्राय शुष्कोदरभयान क ॥ नमः परुषगात्राय स्थूलरोमाय वै नमः

namo viśālanetrāya śuṣkodarabhayāna ka || namaḥ paruṣagātrāya sthūlaromāya vai namaḥ

"Salutation to the wide-eyed one, of gaunt belly, causer of fear; salutation to the one of rough limbs, salutation indeed to the one of coarse hair."

Verse 36 (skanda.7.49.36)

नमो नित्यं क्षुधार्त्ताय नित्यतप्ताय वै नमः ॥ नमः कालाग्निरूपाय कृतांतक नमोस्तु ते

namo nityaṁ kṣudhārttāya nityataptāya vai namaḥ || namaḥ kālāgnirūpāya kṛtāṁtaka namostu te

"Salutation to the one ever afflicted with hunger, salutation indeed to the ever-tormented one; salutation to the one of the form of the fire of time, O ender of all, salutation be to you."

Verse 37 (skanda.7.49.37)

नमो दीर्घाय शुष्काय कालदृष्टे नमोऽस्तु ते ॥ नमस्ते कोटराक्षाय दुर्निरीक्ष्याय वै नमः

namo dīrghāya śuṣkāya kāladṛṣṭe namo'stu te || namaste koṭarākṣāya durnirīkṣyāya vai namaḥ

"Salutation to the tall, gaunt one; salutation be to you, O time-gazing one; salutation to you, hollow-eyed one; salutation indeed to the one hard to gaze upon."

Verse 38 (skanda.7.49.38)

नमो घोराय रौद्राय भीषणाय करा लिने ॥ नमस्ते सर्वभक्षाय वलीमुख नमोऽस्तु ते

namo ghorāya raudrāya bhīṣaṇāya karā line || namaste sarvabhakṣāya valīmukha namo'stu te

"Salutation to the terrible, fierce, frightful, dreadful-handed one; salutation to you, all-devouring one; salutation be to you, wrinkle-faced one."

Verse 39 (skanda.7.49.39)

सूर्यपुत्र नमस्तेऽस्तु भास्करे भयदायक ॥ अधोदृष्टे नमस्तुभ्यं वपुःश्याम नमोऽस्तु ते

sūryaputra namaste'stu bhāskare bhayadāyaka || adhodṛṣṭe namastubhyaṁ vapuḥśyāma namo'stu te

"O son of the Sun, salutation be to you, fear-giver even to Bhaskara your own father; salutation to you, downward-gazing one; salutation be to you, dark-bodied one."

Verse 40 (skanda.7.49.40)

नमो मन्दगते तुभ्यं निस्त्रिंशाय नमोनमः ॥ नमस्त उग्ररूपाय चण्डतेजाय ते नमः

namo mandagate tubhyaṁ nistriṁśāya namonamaḥ || namasta ugrarūpāya caṇḍatejāya te namaḥ

"Salutation to you, slow-moving one; salutation again and again to the merciless one; salutation to you of fierce form; salutation to you of fierce splendour."

Verse 41 (skanda.7.49.41)

तपसा दग्धदेहाय नित्यं योगरताय च ॥ नमस्ते ज्ञाननेत्राय कश्यपात्मजसूनवे

tapasā dagdhadehāya nityaṁ yogaratāya ca || namaste jñānanetrāya kaśyapātmajasūnave

"To the one whose body is scorched by austerity, and who is ever devoted to yoga; salutation to you, O one of the eye of knowledge, son of Kashyapa's offspring, the Sun."

Verse 42 (skanda.7.49.42)

तुष्टो ददासि वै राज्यं रुष्टो हरसि तत्क्षणात् ॥ देवासुरमनुष्याश्च पशुपक्षिसरीसृपाः

tuṣṭo dadāsi vai rājyaṁ ruṣṭo harasi tatkṣaṇāt || devāsuramanuṣyāśca paśupakṣisarīsṛpāḥ

"Pleased, you indeed give a kingdom; angered, you take it away in an instant. Gods, demons, men, beasts, birds, and reptiles—"

Verse 43 (skanda.7.49.43)

त्वया विलोकिताः सौरे दैन्यमाशु व्रजंति च ॥ ब्रह्मा शक्रो यमश्चैव ऋषयः सप्ततारकाः

tvayā vilokitāḥ saure dainyamāśu vrajaṁti ca || brahmā śakro yamaścaiva ṛṣayaḥ saptatārakāḥ

"—O Sauri, being beheld by you, swiftly fall into misery. Brahma, Indra, Yama, and the seven-starred sages—"

Verse 44 (skanda.7.49.44)

राज्यभ्रष्टाश्च ते सर्वे तव दृष्ट्या विलोकिताः ॥ देशाश्च नगरग्रामा द्वीपाश्चैवाद्रयस्तथा

rājyabhraṣṭāśca te sarve tava dṛṣṭyā vilokitāḥ || deśāśca nagaragrāmā dvīpāścaivādrayastathā

"—all of them, when beheld by your gaze, become deprived of their kingdom. Lands, cities, villages, continents, and mountains likewise—"

Verse 45 (skanda.7.49.45)

रौद्रदृष्ट्या तु ये दृष्टाः क्षयं गच्छंति तत्क्षणात्

raudradṛṣṭyā tu ye dṛṣṭāḥ kṣayaṁ gacchaṁti tatkṣaṇāt

"—whatever is beheld by your fierce gaze goes to destruction that very instant."

Verse 46 (skanda.7.49.46)

प्रसादं कुरु मे सौरे वरार्थेऽहं तवाश्रितः सौरे क्षमस्वापराधं सर्वभूतहिताय च

prasādaṁ kuru me saure varārthe'haṁ tavāśritaḥ saure kṣamasvāparādhaṁ sarvabhūtahitāya ca

"Show me your grace, O Sauri; I have taken refuge in you for the sake of a boon. O Sauri, forgive my offense, for the welfare of all beings."

Verse 47 (skanda.7.49.47)

॥ ईश्वर उवाच ॥ एवं स्तुतस्तदा सौरी राज्ञा दशरथेन च ॥ महराजः शनिर्वाक्यं हृष्टरो माऽब्रवीदिदम्

|| īśvara uvāca || evaṁ stutastadā saurī rājñā daśarathena ca || maharājaḥ śanirvākyaṁ hṛṣṭaro mā'bravīdidam

Ishvara said: "Thus praised then by King Dasharatha, the great king Shani, the Son of the Sun, his body-hairs thrilled with joy, spoke this word:"

Verse 48 (skanda.7.49.48)

॥ शनिरुवाच ॥ तुष्टोऽहं तव राजेन्द्र स्तवेनानेन सुव्रत ॥ वरं ब्रूहि प्रदास्यामि स्वेच्छया रघुनंदन

|| śaniruvāca || tuṣṭo'haṁ tava rājendra stavenānena suvrata || varaṁ brūhi pradāsyāmi svecchayā raghunaṁdana

Shani said: "I am pleased with you, O king of kings, by this hymn, O one of good vows; ask a boon — I shall grant it as you wish, O descendant of Raghu."

Verse 49 (skanda.7.49.49)

॥ दशरथ उवाच ॥ अद्यप्रभृति पिंगाक्ष पीडा कार्या न कस्यचित् ॥ देवासुरमनुष्याणां पशुपक्षिसरीसृपाम्

|| daśaratha uvāca || adyaprabhṛti piṁgākṣa pīḍā kāryā na kasyacit || devāsuramanuṣyāṇāṁ paśupakṣisarīsṛpām

Dasharatha said: "O tawny-eyed one, from today onward, affliction should not be caused to anyone — to gods, demons, men, beasts, birds, or reptiles."

Verse 50 (skanda.7.49.50)

॥ शनिरुवाच ॥ ग्रहाणां दुर्ग्रहो ज्ञेयो ग्रहपीडां करोम्यहम् ॥ अदेयं प्रार्थितं राजन्किंचिद्युक्तं ददाम्यहम्

|| śaniruvāca || grahāṇāṁ durgraho jñeyo grahapīḍāṁ karomyaham || adeyaṁ prārthitaṁ rājankiṁcidyuktaṁ dadāmyaham

Shani said: "I am to be known as the most difficult of the planets; I do cause the affliction proper to a planet. O king, you have asked for something that cannot wholly be given, but I shall give what is fitting."

Verse 51 (skanda.7.49.51)

त्वया प्रोक्तं मम स्तोत्रं ये पठि ष्यंति मानवाः ॥ पुरुषाश्च स्त्रियो वापि मद्भयेनोपपीडिताः

tvayā proktaṁ mama stotraṁ ye paṭhi ṣyaṁti mānavāḥ || puruṣāśca striyo vāpi madbhayenopapīḍitāḥ

"Whatever men — whether men or women — recite this hymn of mine, composed by you, being afflicted by fear of me—"

Verse 52 (skanda.7.49.52)

देवासुरमनुष्यास्तु सिद्धविद्याधरोरगाः ॥ मृत्युस्थाने स्थितो वापि जन्मप्रांतगतस्तथा

devāsuramanuṣyāstu siddhavidyādharoragāḥ || mṛtyusthāne sthito vāpi janmaprāṁtagatastathā

"—gods, demons, men, siddhas, vidyadharas, and serpents — whether established in the place of death, or arriving at the end of birth—"

Verse 53 (skanda.7.49.53)

एककालं द्विकालं वा तेषां श्रेयो ददाम्यहम् ॥ पूजयित्वा जपेत्स्तोत्रं भूत्वा चैव कृतांजलिः

ekakālaṁ dvikālaṁ vā teṣāṁ śreyo dadāmyaham || pūjayitvā japetstotraṁ bhūtvā caiva kṛtāṁjaliḥ

"—once or twice daily, I grant them welfare. Whoever, having worshipped me, recites this hymn, with joined palms—"

Verse 54 (skanda.7.49.54)

तस्य पीडां न चैवाहमिह कुर्यां कदाचन ॥ जन्मस्थाने स्थितो वापि मृत्युस्थाने स्थितोऽपि च

tasya pīḍāṁ na caivāhamiha kuryāṁ kadācana || janmasthāne sthito vāpi mṛtyusthāne sthito'pi ca

"—for him I shall never cause affliction here, whether he be established in the place of birth, or established in the place of death,"

Verse 55 (skanda.7.49.55)

जन्मऋक्षे च लग्ने च दशास्वंतर्दशासु च ॥ रक्षामि सततं तस्य पीडां चान्यग्रहस्य च

janmaṛkṣe ca lagne ca daśāsvaṁtardaśāsu ca || rakṣāmi satataṁ tasya pīḍāṁ cānyagrahasya ca

"—in the birth-star, in the ascendant, in the major and minor periods (dashas); I shall constantly protect him, even from the affliction of other planets."

Verse 56 (skanda.7.49.56)

अनेनैव प्रकारेण र्पाडामुक्तस्त्वसौ भवेत् ॥ एतत्प्रोक्तं मया दत्तं वरं च रघुनंदन

anenaiva prakāreṇa rpāḍāmuktastvasau bhavet || etatproktaṁ mayā dattaṁ varaṁ ca raghunaṁdana

"In this very way, he shall become free from affliction. This is what has been declared and this boon has been given by me, O descendant of Raghu."

Verse 57 (skanda.7.49.57)

॥ ईश्वर उवाच ॥ वरद्वयं च संप्राप्य राजा दशरथः पुरा ॥ मेने कृतार्थमात्मानं नमस्कृत्य शनैश्चरम्

|| īśvara uvāca || varadvayaṁ ca saṁprāpya rājā daśarathaḥ purā || mene kṛtārthamātmānaṁ namaskṛtya śanaiścaram

Ishvara said: "Having obtained these two boons formerly, King Dasharatha considered himself to have accomplished his purpose, having bowed to Shanaishchara."

Verse 58 (skanda.7.49.58)

शनिं स्तुत्वाऽभ्यनुज्ञातो रथमारुह्य वीर्यवान् ॥ स्वस्थानं गतवान्राजा पूज्यमानो दिवौकसैः

śaniṁ stutvā'bhyanujñāto rathamāruhya vīryavān || svasthānaṁ gatavānrājā pūjyamāno divaukasaiḥ

Having praised Shani and been given leave, the mighty king, mounting his chariot, went to his own place, honored by the dwellers of heaven.

Verse 59 (skanda.7.49.59)

य इदं प्रातरुत्थाय सौरिवारे पठेन्नरः ॥ सर्वग्रहोद्भवा पीडा न भवेद्भुवि तस्य तु

ya idaṁ prātarutthāya saurivāre paṭhennaraḥ || sarvagrahodbhavā pīḍā na bhavedbhuvi tasya tu

Whatever man, rising in the morning on Saturday, recites this — for him, no affliction arising from any planet shall occur on this earth.

Verse 60 (skanda.7.49.60)

शनैश्चरं स्मरेद्देवं नित्यं भक्तिसमन्वितः ॥ पूजयित्वा पठेत्स्तोत्रं तस्य तुष्यति भास्करिः

śanaiścaraṁ smareddevaṁ nityaṁ bhaktisamanvitaḥ || pūjayitvā paṭhetstotraṁ tasya tuṣyati bhāskariḥ

Whoever, ever endowed with devotion, remembers the god Shanaishchara, and, having worshipped him, recites this hymn — with him, the Son of the Sun becomes pleased.

Verse 61 (skanda.7.49.61)

इति ते कथितं देवि माहात्म्यं शनिदैवतम् ॥ सर्वपापोपशमनं सर्वकामफलप्रदम्

iti te kathitaṁ devi māhātmyaṁ śanidaivatam || sarvapāpopaśamanaṁ sarvakāmaphalapradam

Thus, O goddess, has been told to you the greatness relating to the deity Shani, which pacifies all sin and bestows the fruit of all desires.