Original text
शमी प्रार्थना: शमी शमयते पापं शमी शत्रुविनाशिनी। अर्जुनस्य धनुर्धारी रामस्य प्रियदर्शिनी॥ करिष्यमाणयात्रायां यथाकालं सुखं मया। तत्र निर्विघ्नकर्त्री त्वं भव श्रीरामपूजिते॥
Transliteration
Shami prayer: Shami shamayate papam shami shatruvinashini Arjunasya dhanurdhari ramasya priyadarshini Karishyamanayatrayam yathakalam sukham maya Tatra nirvighnakartri tvam bhava shriramapujite
Shami water offering mantra
The prayer traditionally recited at the Shami tree is:
शमी शमयते पापं शमी शत्रुविनाशिनी। अर्जुनस्य धनुर्धारी रामस्य प्रियदर्शिनी॥
करिष्यमाणयात्रायां यथाकालं सुखं मया। तत्र निर्विघ्नकर्त्री त्वं भव श्रीरामपूजिते॥
Shami Shamayate Papam Shami Shatruvinashini, Arjunasya Dhanurdhari Ramasya Priyadarshini. Karishyamanayatrayam Yathakalam Sukham Maya, Tatra Nirvighnakartri Tvam Bhava Shri Ramapujite.
Meaning: "Shami calms (destroys) sin; Shami destroys enemies. She held Arjun's bow and was dear to Ram's sight. On the journey I am about to undertake, may it go well and in good time — O Shami, worshipped by Shri Ram, make it free of obstacles."
The word play in the first line — shami shamayate, "Shami quells" — is the heart of it. The second half asks for an obstacle-free journey, which is why the prayer belongs especially to Dussehra, the day for setting out on new undertakings. (Some texts read dhanurdhatri for dhanurdhari; the meaning is the same.)
How to offer water to Shami
- Bathe in the morning and put on clean clothes — water is offered to Shami in the morning (see the timing section below).
- Take clean water in a copper or brass lota and pour it slowly at the root of the tree or the potted plant — a small amount.
- Light a lamp of ghee or oil at the foot of the tree — traditionally in the evening, especially on Saturdays.
- Offer akshat, a flower and incense.
- Fold your hands and recite the Shami prayer, then bow.
Best time to offer water to Shami
- Water: in the morning, after bathing. This is considered the most auspicious time, and many people offer it before or at sunrise.
- Lamp: in the evening, around sunset (pradosh kaal). When older texts and family customs speak of evening Shami puja, this is usually what they mean — the lamp and prayer, especially on Saturdays.
- Day: water can be offered daily, but Saturday is considered the most special day for Shami puja because of its connection with Shani Dev; Dussehra is the other great Shami day.
Which lota should you use?
A copper or brass lota is traditional for offering water to Shami. Steel is not considered a puja vessel in this tradition and is commonly advised against; avoid plastic as well. Keep the lota clean and set aside for puja.
What should you add to Shami water?
Clean water is enough. Some traditions add a little Ganga jal, and on Saturdays some people put a few grains of black til in the water — but neither is mandatory. Akshat, flowers, incense and the lamp are offered separately, not mixed into the water.
What to offer to the Shami tree
| Offering | How it is offered |
|---|---|
| Clean water | Poured slowly at the root, in a small amount |
| Akshat | Offered separately at the base |
| Flowers | Offered during the puja |
| Ghee or oil lamp | At the root, somewhere safe, away from dry leaves |
| Dhoop / incense | During the puja |
| Black til | On Saturdays, by tradition |
| Black urad | On Saturdays, by tradition |
| Shami leaves | Not offered to the tree — a few are taken, gently, to offer to Ganesh |
| Naivedya | On a separate plate |
Shami puja on Saturday
Saturday is Shami's day because of its association with Shani Dev.
- Bathe and put on clean clothes.
- In the morning, offer clean water at the root of the Shami from a copper or brass lota.
- Recite the Shami prayer.
- Offer a few black til or black urad, according to your tradition.
- In the evening, light a ghee or mustard-oil lamp at the base.
- Bow with folded hands.
- If your tradition includes Shani worship, chant a Shani mantra.
Shami and Shani Dev
In traditional jyotish and devotional practice, Shami is associated with Shani Dev. Caring for it — water, an evening lamp, black til on Saturdays — is counted among the gentler Shani remedies, and traditional astrological belief includes Shami puja among the practices undertaken during Shani's difficult periods such as Sade Sati and Dhaiya. See also Shri Shani Dev and the Shani Chalisa.
Why is Shami worshipped on Dussehra?
Two stories meet in this tree. In the Mahabharata the Pandavas hid their weapons — Arjun's Gandiva bow among them — in a Shami tree during their year in disguise, and took them back at the end of it; that is why the prayer calls Shami "the bearer of Arjun's bow." Shri Ram is said to have bowed to the Shami before setting out for Lanka and worshipped it after his victory. So on Vijayadashami, the day of victory and of new beginnings, Shami is worshipped and its leaves are exchanged or offered in many regions. For the full Dussehra procedure, see Dussehra Shami Puja and Aparajita Puja Vidhi.
How to light a lamp near Shami
Use a ghee lamp, or a mustard-oil lamp on Saturdays if your tradition links it to Shani. Place it on the ground at the root, on a small plate, well clear of dry leaves and grass — Shami grows in dry places and its fallen leaves catch easily. Don't leave the lamp burning unattended near a potted plant indoors.
How many times should you circumambulate Shami?
There is no single fixed count. Many people do 3 or 7 parikramas, keeping the tree on their right; follow your family's custom if it has one. With a thorny tree, walk at a safe distance.
Precautions when watering Shami
- Don't overwater. Shami is a desert tree; a potted Shami in particular rots in soggy soil. In peak summer a potted plant may need water daily; the rest of the year, water only when the top of the soil is dry.
- Pour at the root, not over the branches, and offer it after bathing.
- Don't let water stand in the pot or around the trunk.
- Mind the thorns — take only a few leaves for Ganesh, gently, and never break branches.
- Keep the lamp away from dry leaves.
- Don't harm the plant in the name of puja — no nails, threads cutting into the bark, or heaps of offerings on the soil.
- Keep the spot clean — a Shami at home is a small shrine, not a neglected pot.
Traditional benefits of Shami worship
These are traditional beliefs, not guaranteed outcomes.
- Shani: according to traditional astrological belief, Shami puja helps ease Shani-related hardships.
- Success in undertakings: the prayer itself asks for an obstacle-free journey and victory.
- Ganesh's favour: Shami leaves offered to Ganesh are believed to steady and clear the mind — see Om Gan Ganapataye Namah and the Ganesh Chalisa.
- Peace at home: some traditions associate keeping and worshipping a Shami plant at home with peace and prosperity.
Related puja, mantras and festivals
- Shani Mantra · Shani Chalisa · Shani Sade Sati
- Dussehra · Dussehra Shami Puja Vidhi · Dussehra Shami Patra Upay
- Ganesh Mantra · Ganesh Chalisa
- Other jal arpan guides: Peepal · Tulsi · Surya Arghya · Shivling Jalabhishek
Frequently asked questions
What mantra should be chanted while offering water to Shami?
The Shami prayer: शमी शमयते पापं शमी शत्रुविनाशिनी। अर्जुनस्य धनुर्धारी रामस्य प्रियदर्शिनी॥ करिष्यमाणयात्रायां यथाकालं सुखं मया। तत्र निर्विघ्नकर्त्री त्वं भव श्रीरामपूजिते॥ Recite it after pouring the water, with folded hands.
How do you worship the Shami tree on Saturday?
In the morning, offer water at the root and recite the Shami prayer; offer black til or black urad; in the evening, light a lamp and bow. Add a Shani mantra if that is part of your tradition.
When should water be offered to Shami?
In the morning after bathing — many offer it before or at sunrise. The lamp is lit in the evening, especially on Saturdays.
Which vessel should be used to offer water to Shami?
A copper or brass lota. Steel and plastic are commonly avoided.
Can Shami be watered every day?
Yes, water can be offered daily, with Saturday the most special day. Mind the quantity: in summer a potted Shami may need daily water, but at other times offer only a little as a gesture and water properly only when the topsoil is dry.
What should be added to Shami water?
Nothing is required. A little Ganga jal, or a few black til on Saturdays, is used in some traditions; other items are offered separately.
Why is Shami worshipped on Dussehra?
Because of its link with Shri Ram's victory and with Arjun's weapons in the Mahabharata — the prayer itself asks for a successful, obstacle-free journey, fitting the day of new undertakings.
What is the connection between Shami and Shani Dev?
In jyotish and devotional practice, Shami is regarded as Shani Dev's tree, which is why Saturday is its day and Shami worship is a traditional Shani remedy.
How many times should you circumambulate Shami?
Commonly 3 or 7, but there is no single rule; follow your family's custom.
How much water does a Shami plant need?
Very little. In peak summer a potted plant may need water daily; otherwise water only when the top of the soil is dry, and never let it stand in water — overwatering is the most common way potted Shami plants die.