Shani, the ruling deity of Saturday, is also addressed as Sanaischara. He is one of the nine sacred celestial beings (Saturn) commonly known as Jytoisa according to Hindu mythology. In almost all the languages existent in India, Shani denotes the seventh day or Saturday. The origin of the word comes from Sanaye Kramati Sah. This terminology means a slow-moving man. Shani is aptly called this way,
because the Saturn planet takes around 30 years to move around the Sun. Shani Dev’s father is Surya and mother is Chhaya. Sometimes, he is also known as Chhayaputra. Shani Dev’s elder brother is Lord Yama; the most feared God of Death. Both these sons of Surya are perfect judges. While Shani Dev judges a person’s actions and awards him or punishes him during his lifetime itself, Yama Dev, awards or punishes a person based on his deeds, after his death. Legend has it that when Shani Dev was born into this world and opened his eyes for the first time, even, the powerful Sun became dark as there was an eclipse that time. Therefore Shani Dev is said to have a powerful influence on one’s birth chart. He brings lots of wealth and goodness for people who lead a righteous life and provides severe punishment to people who are revengeful, greedy and do bad deeds in their life. Shani Dev’s vahana or vehicle is the crow and he is always dressed in black attire, carrying a sword, two daggers and an arrow. Shani Dev suppresses the bird’s stealing tendencies as his main duty is to protect properties from theft. Every year, the new moon day or Amavasya day of the Jyeshta month of the Hindu calendar is celebrated as Shani Jayanthi or the birth anniversary of Shani Dev. Capricorn is ruled by Saturn, or Shani. Cronus, a Titan, according to Greek Mythology was very greedy about power and ate all his children, to safeguard his power and his throne. However, his wife did a trick with the help of Saturn’s powers and made Cronus swallow a big stone thinking it was his son Zeus. Zeus survived and went to one become one of the powerful rulers. Saturn and Jupiter have contradicting movements. Saturn contracts with the expansion of Jupiter. Though commonly to bring bad luck, misfortune and depression, Saturn is actually a do-gooder. It is the best judge of time and gives more meaning and value to one’s life. It is because of Saturn’s power, that people remain grounded in their lives, know their boundaries and take all efforts to operate within their boundaries. Lives become more structured because of Saturn’s presence. One can relate Saturn’s actions to our father and grandfathers. At home, our parents, grandparents etc. always rebuke us when we do a mistake. Though we feel depressed when they scold us, we also understand and appreciate that it is for our own well-being and develop. Similarly Saturn’s powers should be taken as good action points for us to learn and grow as we move along in our lives. The position of Saturn in our birth chart is symbolic of our duties and responsibilities, our shortcomings and our fears. The birth chart gets more clarity and structure because of Saturn. Shani Dev Hanuman Ji
First story
Lord Rama, the descendant of the Sun God and a true Raghukul warrior was sent to exile for 14 years because of Shani Dev’s anger. The whole of Lanka, Ravana’s country was also destroyed because Ravana had insulted Shani Dev in an earlier instance. Once Ravana, in an anxiety to become immortal, entered into Shani Dev’s kingdom and imprisoned Shani Dev. Shani Dev was kept imprisoned in an underground jail in Lanka until Lord Hanuman went there to set Sita Ma free. Lord Hanuman’s tail was set on fire and with this fire, he destroyed the entire city of Lanka. He found Shani Dev imprisoned there and upon the latter’s requirement, set him free. The powerful combination of Shani Dev and Hanuman destroyed Lanka in a matter of seconds and Ravana’s fort came tumbling down. Shani Dev was so furious with Lanka that he burnt the entire city into ashes within no time. He didn’t spare even one single member from the family of Ravana. Shani Dev was happy with Hanuman’s efforts and wanted to grant him a wish. Shani Dev was known to be a ruthless god who doesn’t grant wishes at will. However, he was mighty impressed with Hanuman, as he had helped Him to beat his most brutal enemy, Ravana. Shani Dev felt very insulted that Ravana had the courage to imprison him, therefore felt grateful for Hanuman for coming to Lanka and setting Him free. Hanuman requested that Shani Devi should not disturb devotees who are pious towards him (Hanuman). Shani Dev agreed and since then it is believed that Hanuman devotees are not punished by Shani Dev. Second Story
Lord Surya was the father of Shani Dev and the teacher of Hanuman. After imparting all power and knowledge to Hanuman, Lord Surya asked him to go back to his home. However, Hanuman wanted to repay his teacher in some way. Surya then told Hanuman, that his son Shani Devi was very disobedient and disorderly and requested Hanuman to correct him. Hanuman then went to Shanilok; to meet Shani Dev. Nobody could stop Hanuman from entering Shani Dev’s kingdom. Hanuman requested Shani to correct his ways and get back to his father. Shani got surprised at Hanuman’s courage to come and face Him directly. He asked Hanuman to go back as He was very powerful and could destroy Hanuman in no time. Nevertheless, Hanuman stood His ground and he didn’t move one bit. He even challenged Shani Dev that he had not entered Shanilok to go back empty-handed. On hearing this, Shani Dev got angry and tried to burn Hanuman with his eyes and power, but in vain. Shani tried to sit on Hanuman’s head, but just then, Hanuman increased his size so much that Shani got caught between Hanuman’s head and the ceiling. Upon Shani Dev’s request, Hanuman released him and it is believed that Shani promised Hanuman that, devotees who worship Hanuman on Saturdays would not be troubled by him at any cost. After Shani Dev’s promise, Hanuman took Shani Dev along with him to Lord Surya, who in turn was very happy to see his son, return to him after turning over a new leaf. Third story
One day, Hanuman was performing some duties for Lord Ram. Shani Dev who noticed this wanted to create problems and tried to disturb Hanuman from his work. Hanuman got his angry as his duties towards his master, Lord Ram was getting delayed. Therefore, the powerful Hanuman caught Shani Dev by the tail and kept knocking him against a big stone. He kept on continuing the tasks for Lord Ram at the same time. Finally after his work was over, when Hanuman turned to look at Shani Dev, Shani apologised for his mistakes. Hanuman was gracious enough to accept Shani Dev’s apologies. Shani Dev then promised Hanuman, that he will never obstruct t any task performed for Lord Rama and that he will not hurt the true devotees of Lord Ram and Hanuman during their lifetimes. Hearing this, Hanuman was very happy. Since Hanuman was continuously knocking Shani Devi against a big stone, the latter suffered severe wounds in his body and was in immense pain. He requested Hanuman for some oil to be applied for his wounds. When he applied the oil that Hanuman gave, on his wounds, all his pain, wound and scars vanished. Shani Dev was very happy as he was relieved from all pain and troubles. This is why, even today, people who worship Shani Dev, offer oil to Him, to make Shani Dev happy. The people try to please Shani Dev this way, so that the punishments meted out by Him are not severe. Saturday is commonly chosen by people for oil offerings to Shani Dev. It is still believed that Shani Dev accepts this oil from His devotees and doesn’t trouble them much. Fast
If one observes fast on Saturdays, it pleases Lord Shani Dev (Saturn) , particularly those who have Saturn positioned weak in one’s horoscope, as per Hindu philosophy. The Saturday fasting or the Shanivaar Vrat is initiated on the first Saturday during the Shukla Paksh, which is the period of growing phase of the moon of any month. Shukla paksh goes for 15 days and this fast is observed for 11 times or 51 times by a devotee in a year, as one chooses to follow. The method of observing fast is also defined by the tradition. The observer of fast must be an early riser on Saturdays. After finishing daily ablutions and taking holy bath, one should sprinkle holy water in all places of the house and to oneself. The choice of apparel for that day should be in the colour black or dark blue. It is also suggested to worship Shani Dev idol made out of iron, kept in an iron vessel containing Til Oil (Sesame Oil). The material with which one should worship Shani Dev would include Kagmachi or Kalgrah flowers, which will be black in colour, two pieces of black cloth, Rice cooked with Sesame and all these things are to be offered to Shani Dev. The prayer should be rendered by chanting Shani Chalisa, Mantra, Stotra and Aarti. The worshiper should read Shani Vrat Katha also. Visiting Shani Dev temple is also good. This can be done both in the morning and in the evening of Saturdays. As one goes to the temple, worshiping Lord Hanuman and Lord Bhairav is also recommended. In the temple, offerings to Shani Dev can be in the form of black coloured material, such as Urad Dal, Til Oil, etc. Those observing Shanivaar Vrat can take meals 2 hours after Sunset. Normally, the fast observing person offers food made with Urad Dal to a begger first and then one eats the same food. Donations to poor can also be done on Saturdays. Items to donate would include, blanket of black colour, umbrella, Til, black coloured footwear etc. Also, chanting of Shani Dev Mantra should be done as frequently as possible and as many times as possible. Shanivaar Vrat is more important for those who are in the period of Saadhe Satee, Dahiya, the Mahadasa or Antardasa of Shani.
