Shri Shani Ashtottara Shatanama Namavali: 108 Names of Lord Shani with Meaning
Shri Shani Ashtottara Shatanama Namavali - Sanskrit Text
ॐ प्राँ प्रीं प्रौं सः शनैश्चराय नमः।
ॐ शनैश्चराय नमः।
ॐ शान्ताय नमः।
ॐ सर्वाभीष्टप्रदायिने नमः।
ॐ शरण्याय नमः।
ॐ वरेण्याय नमः।
ॐ सर्वेशाय नमः।
ॐ सौम्याय नमः।
ॐ सुरवन्द्याय नमः।
ॐ सुरलोकविहारिणे नमः।
ॐ सुखासनोपविष्टाय नमः।
ॐ सुन्दराय नमः।
ॐ घनाय नमः।
ॐ घनरूपाय नमः।
ॐ घनाभरणधारिणे नमः।
ॐ घनसारविलेपाय नमः।
ॐ खद्योताय नमः।
ॐ मन्दाय नमः।
ॐ मन्दचेष्टाय नमः।
ॐ महनीयगुणात्मने नमः।
ॐ मर्त्यपावनपदाय नमः।
ॐ महेशाय नमः।
ॐ छायापुत्राय नमः।
ॐ शर्वाय नमः।
ॐ शततूणीरधारिणे नमः।
ॐ चरस्थिरस्वभावाय नमः।
ॐ अचञ्चलाय नमः।
ॐ नीलवर्णाय नमः।
ॐ नित्याय नमः।
ॐ नीलाञ्जननिभाय नमः।
ॐ नीलाम्बरविभूषणाय नमः।
ॐ निश्चलाय नमः।
ॐ वेद्याय नमः।
ॐ विधिरूपाय नमः।
ॐ विरोधाधारभूमये नमः।
ॐ भेदास्पदस्वभावाय नमः।
ॐ वज्रदेहाय नमः।
ॐ वैराग्यदाय नमः।
ॐ वीराय नमः।
ॐ वीतरोगभयाय नमः।
ॐ विपत्परम्परेशाय नमः।
ॐ विश्ववन्द्याय नमः।
ॐ गृध्नवाहाय नमः।
ॐ गूढाय नमः।
ॐ कूर्माङ्गाय नमः।
ॐ कुरूपिणे नमः।
ॐ कुत्सिताय नमः।
ॐ गुणाढ्याय नमः।
ॐ गोचराय नमः।
ॐ अविद्यामूलनाशाय नमः।
ॐ विद्याविद्यास्वरूपिणे नमः।
ॐ आयुष्यकारणाय नमः।
ॐ आपदुद्धर्त्रे नमः।
ॐ विष्णुभक्ताय नमः।
ॐ वशिने नमः।
ॐ विविधागमवेदिने नमः।
ॐ विधिस्तुत्याय नमः।
ॐ वन्द्याय नमः।
ॐ विरूपाक्षाय नमः।
ॐ वरिष्ठाय नमः।
ॐ गरिष्ठाय नमः।
ॐ वज्राङ्कुशधराय नमः।
ॐ वरदाभयहस्ताय नमः।
ॐ वामनाय नमः।
ॐ ज्येष्ठापत्नीसमेताय नमः।
ॐ श्रेष्ठाय नमः।
ॐ मितभाषिणे नमः।
ॐ कष्टौघनाशकर्त्रे नमः।
ॐ पुष्टिदाय नमः।
ॐ स्तुत्याय नमः।
ॐ स्तोत्रगम्याय नमः।
ॐ भक्तिवश्याय नमः।
ॐ भानवे नमः।
ॐ भानुपुत्राय नमः।
ॐ भव्याय नमः।
ॐ पावनाय नमः।
ॐ धनुर्मण्डलसंस्थाय नमः।
ॐ धनदाय नमः।
ॐ धनुष्मते नमः।
ॐ तनुप्रकाशदेहाय नमः।
ॐ तामसाय नमः।
ॐ अशेषजनवन्द्याय नमः।
ॐ विशेषफलदायिने नमः।
ॐ वशीकृतजनेशाय नमः।
ॐ पशूनां पतये नमः।
ॐ खेचराय नमः।
ॐ खगेशाय नमः।
ॐ घननीलाम्बराय नमः।
ॐ काठिन्यमानसाय नमः।
ॐ आर्यगणस्तुत्याय नमः।
ॐ नीलच्छत्राय नमः।
ॐ निर्गुणाय नमः।
ॐ गुणात्मने नमः।
ॐ निरामयाय नमः।
ॐ निन्द्याय नमः।
ॐ वन्दनीयाय नमः।
ॐ धीराय नमः।
ॐ दिव्यदेहाय नमः।
ॐ दीनार्तिहरणाय नमः।
ॐ दैन्यनाशकराय नमः।
ॐ आर्यजनगण्याय नमः।
ॐ क्रूराय नमः।
ॐ क्रूरचेष्टाय नमः।
ॐ कामक्रोधकराय नमः।
ॐ कलत्रपुत्रशत्रुत्वकारणाय नमः।
ॐ परिपोषितभक्ताय नमः।
ॐ परभीतिहराय नमः।
ॐ भक्तसङ्घमनोऽभीष्टफलदाय नमः।
॥ इति शनि अष्टोत्तरशतनामावलिः सम्पूर्णम् ॥
Transliteration (Roman/IAST)
Oṃ prāṃ prīṃ prauṃ saḥ śanaiścarāya namaḥ | Oṃ śanaiścarāya namaḥ |
Oṃ śāntāya namaḥ | Oṃ sarvābhīṣṭapradāyine namaḥ | Oṃ śaraṇyāya namaḥ | Oṃ vareṇyāya namaḥ | Oṃ sarveśāya namaḥ | Oṃ saumyāya namaḥ | Oṃ suravandyāya namaḥ | Oṃ suralokavihāriṇe namaḥ | Oṃ sukhāsanopaviṣṭāya namaḥ | Oṃ sundarāya namaḥ |
(The litany continues for all 108 names - each beginning with Oṃ and ending with namaḥ - closing with) Oṃ bhaktisaṅghamano'bhīṣṭaphaladāya namaḥ || iti śani aṣṭottaraśatanāmāvaliḥ sampūrṇam ||
Meaning
This namavali offers reverent salutation to Lord Shani under one hundred and eight names. Each line means "Om, salutations to (Shani who is) ...". The names paint a complete portrait of Saturn as a deity: he is Shanta (the calm one), Sarvabhishta-pradayi (bestower of all wishes), Sharanya (the refuge), Manda (the slow-moving one), Chhayaputra (son of the shadow-goddess Chhaya), Nilavarna (dark-hued), Krura (the severe), yet also Varada (the boon-giver), Apad-uddhartri (rescuer from calamity) and Dina-arti-harana (remover of the suffering of the distressed). The litany honours both Saturn's stern, disciplining face and his ultimately benevolent, liberating nature.
About this Namavali
An Ashtottara Shatanama ("one hundred and eight names") is a classical form of devotion in which a deity is worshipped through a garland of 108 epithets, the number 108 being sacred across Vedic tradition. The Shani Ashtottara is recited especially during the worship of Shani Dev, the deity who personifies the planet Saturn and the principles of karma, time, discipline and justice. Many devotees pair it with the bija (seed) mantra "Om pram preem proum sah shanaishcharaya namah" given at the head of the litany.
Significance & Spiritual Benefits
Shani is regarded as the great cosmic judge who returns to each soul the fruit of its own deeds. Reciting his 108 names is believed to soften the harshness of his testing periods, cultivate patience and humility, and turn his severity into grace. Devotees chant it to seek protection from accidents, debts, chronic delays and obstacles, and to invite steadiness, discipline and eventual reward for honest effort. Regular recitation is said to calm fear and anxiety, since Shani himself is praised here as Para-bhiti-hara, the remover of dread.
Astrological Relevance
Shani is the lord of Saturn, ruler of Capricorn and Aquarius and karaka of longevity, discipline, labour and karma. This namavali is one of the principal remedies prescribed when Saturn is afflicted, debilitated or transiting sensitive points - above all during Sade Sati (the seven-and-a-half-year transit of Saturn over the Moon sign and its neighbours), the Dhaiya (two-and-a-half-year transit over the 4th and 8th from the Moon) and the Shani Mahadasha. Because Saturn rewards sincere, sustained effort, the disciplined repetition of these names is itself a fitting offering to the planet of perseverance.
How to Chant (Vidhi)
Bathe and sit facing west before a lamp lit with sesame (til) oil. Offer black sesame, blue or black flowers and iron, and light an oil lamp before an image of Shani Dev. Begin with the bija mantra, then recite all 108 names with devotion, ideally completing the full litany in one sitting. Conclude with the closing line and a prayer for forgiveness and grace. Offering to the poor, to crows and to labourers afterwards is considered especially pleasing to Saturn.
Best Day & Time
Saturday is sacred to Shani and is the ideal day for this recitation; sunset or early evening on Saturday is traditionally preferred. Amavasya (new moon) and Shani Jayanti are also highly auspicious. Many devotees observe a continuous practice through the difficult years of Sade Sati or the Shani dasha.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Shani Namavali safe to chant at home?
Yes. Despite Shani's stern reputation, this is a devotional prayer of surrender and seeking grace. Chanted respectfully with a clean body and place, it brings peace rather than harm.
How many times should the 108 names be recited?
Reciting the complete set of 108 names once constitutes one full round and is sufficient for daily practice. Some devotees repeat it 3, 11 or 21 times on Saturdays or during Sade Sati for stronger effect.
Can women chant the Shani Namavali?
Yes. There is no restriction; anyone seeking Saturn's grace and protection may recite it with devotion and a sincere heart.
Saturday's sacred litany: approaching Lord Shani with reverence
The Shani Ashtottara Shatanama Namavali holds a singular place among Navagraha devotional texts, for no planet inspires quite the same mixture of awe, respect, and earnest supplication as Saturn. Each of the 108 names prefixed with Om and sealed with Namah paints a vivid portrait of Shani's character and cosmic function - the slow mover, the limping one, the dark-complexioned judge, the son of Surya - and collectively they acknowledge him not as a punisher but as the great teacher who administers the precise fruits of past action. This understanding is the spiritual heart of the namavali: by naming Shani's attributes clearly and bowing to each, the devotee moves from fear toward a mature, philosophically grounded acceptance of karma.
In the Jyotish tradition, this namavali is among the most widely prescribed remedies for Saturn's difficult transits. Devotees believe that chanting all 108 names on Saturdays, particularly at dawn or during twilight (sandhya), with the offering of sesame oil (til tel) to a Shani idol or peepal tree, helps mitigate the trials of Sade Sati, Dhaiya, and Shani Mahadasha. The practice is not about bypassing Saturn's lessons but about approaching them with spiritual steadiness - the tradition holds that Shani rewards genuine humility and sincere effort above all things. Regular recitation of the namavali is therefore considered as much a practice of character-building as it is a planetary remedy, cultivating the patience, discipline, and equanimity that Shani himself exemplifies.