Shani, the planet Saturn,
remains perhaps the most-feared celestial entity. This powerful planet is one
among the Navagraha, a group of 9 planets, and wields tremendous influence on
our lives and fortunes. Shani or Shani Dev is its planetary lord. According to
mythology, Shani is the son of Surya, the Sun God, and his spouse Chaya, and
was born on Amavasya, the New Moon Day of Vaikasi Tamil month that corresponds
to May-June. Shani's Day of birth is observed as Shani Jayanthi, which falls on
June 6, 2024, this Year.
Significance
of Shani
Saturn is a giant planet,
the second largest in the solar system, next only to Jupiter. It is the sixth
in the order of planets from the Sun and takes about 30 years (29.45 years to
be precise) to orbit around the Sun.
The ancient predictive
science of Astrology attaches immense significance to Saturn. Astrologically,
Shani is the planet of Karma and justice, who gives results in line with
people's actions. Shani symbolizes responsibility and discipline and also
denotes hard work, a sense of duty, the impediments we face, and the lessons we
have to learn in the journey of life, which can influence one's career and
achievements. Its placement in a birth chart can indicate how the native will
face challenges, handle responsibilities, and work towards his/her goals in
life.
The
Legend of Shani
Surya and his wife Sandhya
Devi had 3 children, Vaivasthava Manu, Yama and Yamuna. But Sandhya, unable to
bear the Sun's radiance and heat, created a shadow (Chaya) of herself, named
her Suvarna, entrusted her with the responsibility of taking care of her
children, and went away to her parent's place. Surya, unaware that the one
staying with him as his spouse was not Sandhya but her very similar-looking
shadow, Chaya Devi, continued his life with her, and their association produced
3 children, Manu, Shani, and Tapti.
Even when Chaya was
pregnant with Shani in her womb, she continued to serve her husband Surya with
dedication, but the intense heat virtually charred the fetus, and Shani was
born completely dark. When the Sun God looked eagerly at his newborn son, he was
shocked to find him totally black. Fearing that Shani would bring him bad luck,
Surya ignored his son, which caused severe misunderstandings between the father
and son. This is why, astrologically, the planets Sun and Saturn are considered
inimical to each other.
Shani's mother, Chaya
Devi, was an ardent Shiva devotee, which passed on to Shani, too, who also
became a staunch devotee of Shiva. Impressed with his devotion, Shiva raised
him to the level of a planetary lord who would render justice to people by
rewarding or punishing them according to their actions. Like Shiva, Shani also
got the exalted title of Ishwara and is referred to respectfully as Sanishwara.
But once, when Chaya was preparing an offering for Shiva, a hungry Shani
wanted her to feed him first. When she told him to wait, Shani flew into a rage
and kicked his mother. And he paid dearly for this sin by becoming lame
(physically challenged in the foot). This made him a slow-moving planet who
takes as many as 30 years to go around the Sun once.
According to mythology,
Shani has 2 wives, Manda and Neelima, and 2 sons, Maandhi and Kuligan. His
vehicle is the crow. He rules Saturday, the weekday named after him. Shani is
generally depicted as dark-complexioned, wearing blue or black-colored robes and
riding his crow mount. We can also see him carrying a sword, scepter, and a
trident and riding a chariot drawn by 8 horses.
Why
is Shani so feared?
Shani is a malefic planet
that can cause people to experience tough situations, struggles, delays, and
challenges in life. Sade Sati (the 7 ½ years of Saturn), Shani Dasha and Bhukti
(Saturn's major and minor planetary periods), or Shani's conjunction with some
other malefic planet(s) can give people a trying time. However, praying to
Shani Dev, particularly on his birthday, Shani Jayanthi can be highly effective
in mitigating the adverse effects of Saturn and earning his blessings.
Shani
Jayanthi Pooja/Worship
Shani Jayanthi is regarded
as a very Sacred Day for propitiating this tremendously influential planetary
lord and seeking his blessings. On that occasion, people can worship Shani Dev
at home and also in Temples.
People can chant ShaniMantras like – Om Sham Sanaishcharaya Namah, Om Pram Prim Praum Sah Shanaye
Namah, or others. Hanuman is believed to be a controller of Saturn, so people
can also recite Hanuman Chalisa to earn Shani's grace. It will also be auspicious
to perform Shani Pooja or Shani Dosha Nivarana Pooja under proper guidance,
which can minimize Saturn's negative effects and enhance his beneficial
blessings.
Devotees can light a
traditional lamp using sesame oil at the foot of the Peepal tree in the evening
and go around the tree 7 times. They can also prepare 7 sesame seed ladoos and
other food items where possible and offer them to a black dog or any dog.
They can also visit Shani
Temples, or Temples where Shani is enshrined along with other planetary lords,
as Navagraha, offer sesame oil to him, chant Shani Mantras, and pray. They can
also worship Hanuman in the Temple. People can also do such Saturn worship on
Saturdays.
Let us worship Shani on
Shani Jayanthi and receive his powerful protection and blessings.
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