Hello everyone. This year's practice will start on Saturday July 18 and last until Wednesday, August 26, 2026.  Take this time to plan for your practice. This program is free for all participants and takes place through a private WhatsApp group.

Shani 40-day Mantra Japa Program:

Goal: To chant at least one mala (108 times) of Shani Mantra daily for 40 consecutive days. Each day The WhatsApp group with post a daily reflection based on one of the 108 names of Saturn. This year we will be exploring the last 40 names on the list which are often lesser known aspects of Lord Shani.

Start and End Dates: We will start on Saturday 18 July (Shani’s day) until Wednesday 26 August. This will be 40 days of consecutive practice.

How to count: You can use a Rudraksha or other mala if you have one and know how to use it. A black or blue mala is preferred. Using a mala takes your mind off counting how many times you have chanted. You may also consider keeping a simple journal to track your daily progress. This way you can ensure that you don’t miss a day.

Duration: 40 days is a standard Mantra Japa duration. It is said that if we forget to chant and skip one day, we have to restart from Day 1. The purpose of this program is to support people in their Mantra Japa practice, so we don’t need to be so strict. However, those with a strong Shani may restart from Day 1, or once the program is over, they can continue until they have 40 consecutive days.

Full Japa: when doing a stricter Mantra Japa for Shani, the rule is to chant 19,000 repetitions over 40 days. That breaks down to five malas daily. Those who are used to mantra chanting, please go for it. But if you are not used to mantra chanting, it is better to start small.

When to chant: in theory, it is advised to chant Shani mantra in the evening. Please note in this case, Saturday is between sunrise on Saturday and sunrise on Sunday. If you feel that it is easier for you to chant in the morning so you won’t forget or be too tired to do it in the evening, please do so. To chant at the same location around the same time of the day is recommended but if you can’t, it is okay to do it when/where you like.

Define your Practice: Here are some suggestions you may want to consider as you develop your daily practice.  

1. Your Asana: You can choose to sit on a cushion or in a chair, in either case, you should be sure that you are comfortable and there is a slight curve at the base of your spine to allow your chest and shoulders to be open and relaxed.

2. Take your seat and breathe for a moment to settle into the moment.

3. When you are focused, you may want to start with 3 Mantras to Ganesha so that he will remove all obstacles for your practice. Om Gam Ganapataye Namah x3.

4. Then you can complete your Saturn Mantras. See Mantra Options below.

5. As you end your Saturn Mantras, take a moment to be still and receive the practice. Then you can close by chanting:

6. Manthra Heenam, Kriyaa Heenam, Bakthi Heenam, Ya Math Poojitham, Ganapati, Pari Poornam Thadasthu Me.

7. Meaning: Oh Ganapathi kindly rectify and complete properly any errors or deficiency in my pronunciation, or in my devotion or in my performance of the pooja ritual.

8. Chant OM Shanti, Shanti, Shanti.

Donation (optional and highly recommended): We have established a GoFundMe site to thank Panditji as he guides us this year. You can donate at https://gofund.me/cf43e2e6f . All proceeds will be sent to Pandit Yogesh and to the Temple in Chandigarh.

Please note that you can adjust the GoFundMe Tip amount at the top of the last screen by moving the green slider to the left or right. This Tip goes to support the GoFundMe platform which is free for fundraisers like our group to use. The tip money does not go to the fundraiser (our group).

WhatsApp Group: Bill Sinclair (Ramdas) and Keiko Ito will co-moderate a WhatsApp Group to support the group during the program. If you are interested in joining, please email Bill at Ramdasbill@outlook.com and he will send you the links to join the groups.

This program has 2 WhatsApp groups. The first is the Silent group where the Moderators post the daily reflection and the Second is the Interactive group which allows participants to chat with each other about the practice and share support with each other.

Mantra Options

Choose one of those mantras below or any Shani mantra you know and continue chanting the same mantra.

1) Om Sham Shanischaraye Namah

2) Om Praam Preem Praum Sah Shanishcharaye Namah

3) Om Neelanjana Samabhasam Ravi Putram Yama Grajam Chaaya Martanda Sambhutam Pranatoasmi Divakaram

4) Om Kaakadhwajaaya Vidmahe Khadga Hastaaya Dheemahi Tanno Mandah Prachodayat

Transliterations of Mantras

Om Sham Shanischaraye Namah

• OM The primordial sound, representing the universal consciousness. OM Invokes the divine presence and aligns the chanter with the cosmic vibration.

• The Beeja mantra “Sham” (शं) is a seed sound specifically associated with Lord Shani (Saturn) in Vedic astrology. Each Beeja mantra carries a unique vibrational energy that invokes the qualities and blessings of the deity it represents. In the context of Saturn mantras, “Sham” is used to:

  • Invoke Protection: It is believed to provide protection from the malefic effects of Saturn.

  • Promote Patience and Endurance: Saturn is associated with discipline, patience, and endurance. Chanting “Sham” helps cultivate these qualities.

  • Calm the Mind: The sound vibration of “Sham” is said to have a calming effect on the mind, reducing anxiety and stress.

  • By incorporating “Sham” into mantras, devotees seek to align themselves with the positive aspects of Saturn, such as wisdom, perseverance, and spiritual growth.

• The term “Shanishcharaye” is derived from Sanskrit and refers to Lord Shani, the deity associated with the planet Saturn in Hindu astrology. The word “Shani” means “Saturn,” and “charaye” comes from “char,” which means “to move.” Therefore, “Shanishcharaye” translates to “the slow-moving one” or "he who moves slowly".

• This name highlights the slow orbit of Saturn around the Sun, which takes approximately 29.5 years to complete one revolution, symbolizing patience, endurance, and the gradual unfolding of karmic results.

Om Praam Preem Praum Sah Shanishwaraye Namah

In the Shani Mantra, the syllables “Praam,” “Preem,” and “Praum” are bija mantras or seed sounds. These sounds are believed to carry specific vibrational energies that invoke the qualities and blessings of Lord Shani. Here’s a brief explanation of each:

• OM The primordial sound, representing the universal consciousness. OM Invokes the divine presence and aligns the chanter with the cosmic vibration.

• Praam (प्राँ): This syllable is associated with invoking the grounding and stabilizing energy of Lord Shani. It helps in calming the mind and reducing anxiety.

• Preem (प्रीं): This sound is linked to love and compassion. Chanting “Preem” can help in fostering a sense of inner peace and emotional balance.

• Praum (प्रौं): This syllable is connected to protection and strength. It is believed to provide the chanter with resilience and the ability to overcome obstacles.

• Together, these bija mantras are chanted to seek the blessings of Lord Shani for mental peace, emotional stability, and protection from negative influences

• The Beeja mantra “Sah” (सः) is a seed sound used in various mantras to invoke divine energy and power. In the context of planetary mantras, “Sah” serves several purposes:

  • Divine Affirmation: It acts as an exclamation or affirmation, acknowledging the presence and power of the deity or planet being invoked.

  • Connection: It helps to connect the other Beeja sounds in the mantra to the deity, creating a cohesive and powerful invocation.

  • Enhancement: The sound “Sah” enhances the overall vibrational energy of the mantra, making it more potent and effective. By incorporating “Sah” into mantras, practitioners aim to strengthen their spiritual connection and amplify the benefits of their chanting.

• The term “Shanishwaraye” is derived from Sanskrit and refers to Lord Shani, the deity associated with the planet Saturn in Hindu astrology. The word “Shani” means “Saturn,” and “Ishwara” means “Lord” or “God.” Therefore, “Shanishwaraye” translates to “Lord Shani” or "God Shani".

• This name emphasizes the divine and authoritative aspect of Shani, highlighting his role as a powerful and influential deity in Vedic astrology who is lord of Dharma and Karma. 

  
  

Om Neelanjana Samabhasam Ravi Putram Yama Grajam Chaaya Martanda Sambhutam Pranatoasmi Divakaram

• OM The primordial sound, representing the universal consciousness. OM Invokes the divine presence and aligns the chanter with the cosmic vibration.

• Neelanjana Samabhasam - Neelanjana: "Blue-black like collyrium" (kajal); refers to the deep, dark hue of Lord Shani. Samabhasam: "Radiant" or "shining like"; suggests a mystical brilliance despite the dark appearance. Together, this phrase ymbolizes the paradox of inner light within darkness, the hidden wisdom in hardship.

• Ravi Putram – The Son of the Sun which  represents the shadow of light, or the karmic consequences that follow even the brightest action

• Yama Grajam – Saturn is the elder brother of Lord Yama ( the bringer of death and co-ruler of dharma. As Yama’s elder brother, Shani is a guardian of moral order, overseeing justice and discipline beyond death.

•  Chaaya Martanda Sambhutam – Chaaya means shadow and Saturn’s Mother was the shadow of the Sun’s wife. Martanda is one of the names of the Sun. This verse reminds us that Saturn is born of the shadow of the Sun. Shani embodies the hidden, karmic forces that shape destiny—what lies beneath the surface of action.

•  Pranatoasmi Divakaram – Pranatoasmi (I offer salutations) Divakaram (to the Maker of the Day, the Sun). Here we are acknowledging the source of light and life, while also recognizing that even the Sun casts shadows—Shani being one of them.

• This mantra is not just a praise of Lord Shani, it’s a meditation on the duality of light and shadow, the inevitability of karma, and the transformative power of discipline and suffering.

Om Kaakadhwajaaya Vidmahe | Khadga Hastaaya Dheemahi | Tanno Mandah Prachodayat

• Om Kaakadhwajaaya Vidmahe "Let us meditate on the one whose flag bears the crow"“Kaakadhwaja” refers to the crow-bannered one, a symbol of Lord Shani’s vehicle and his watchful, karmic nature.

• Khadga Hastaaya Dheemahi "We contemplate the one who holds a sword in his hand"The sword represents discernment, justice, and the cutting away of ignorance and ego.

• Tanno Mandah Prachodaya "May that slow-moving one (Mandah) inspire and guide our intellect" “Mandah” is another name for Shani, highlighting his deliberate pace and deep karmic influence

• This mantra invokes Shani’s energy to:

  • Cultivate detachment from illusions and emotional entanglements (symbolized by the crow)

  • Sharpen discernment and inner strength to face karmic challenges (the sword)

  • Align with cosmic justice and patience, allowing spiritual growth through trials (Mandah’s slow movement)

• In Vedic metaphysics, Shani is not feared but revered as the teacher of life’s hardest lessons. Chanting this mantra regularly can:

  • Help dissolve karmic blockages

  • Foster resilience and humility

  • Encourage introspection and transformation