Original text
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 रजित 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 सुमरिन नर नारी। विश्वनाथ धरत ध्यान शरण हैं तुम्हारी॥ ॥ जय जय श्री शनिदेव..॥
Transliteration
Jai Jai Shri Shanidev Bhaktan Hitkari, Suraj Ke Putra Prabhu Chhaya Mehatari. (Refrain: Jai Jai Shri Shanidev) Shyam Ank Vakra Drishta Chaturbhuja Dhari, Neelambar Dhar Nath Gaj Ki Asavari. (Refrain) Kreet Mukut Sheesh Rajit Dipat Hai Lilari, Muktan Ki Mala Gale Shobhit Balihari. (Refrain) Modak Mishthan Paan Chadhat Hain Supari, Loha Til Tel Udad Mahishi Ati Pyari. (Refrain) Dev Danuj Rishi Muni Sumirin Nar Nari, Vishwanath Dharat Dhyan Sharan Hain Tumhari. (Refrain)
What the verses describe
This aarti opens by naming Shani's parents — Surya (the sun) and Chhaya ("shadow") — before describing his iconography: a dark-complexioned form with a piercing, sidelong gaze, four arms, blue robes, and riding an elephant in some depictions (other traditions show a crow or vulture). It describes his crown and pearl garland, and lists the offerings devotees traditionally bring — modak sweets, betel nut, iron, sesame oil, black lentils (urad) and buffalo milk products.
Universal reverence
The closing verse notes that gods, demons, sages and ordinary people alike remember him in meditation — a reminder that Shani's fair, impartial judgement applies to everyone regardless of status, which is central to how he's understood across Hindu tradition.
When it's sung
It's sung especially on Saturdays (Shanivar), during Shani Jayanti, and as part of navagraha worship more broadly, typically after the Shani Dev Chalisa as a shorter, sung close to the pooja.