Article by Anuj Bobby Anand

As I sit down to pen down this article, the first thought that would run down my mind was the selection of the planet for this article.

For the moment nothing struck me better than the Saturn (Shani as it is called in the Hindu mythology). It is one of the most feared planets in the Hindu world, since it’s said to give pains and troubles to the human being.

I would like to clarify to all the readers that, this is a wrong conceived notion and doesn’t hold good in reality. Actually this planet changes every human being by doing a lot of good for him, but we all are not aware of it.

The person becomes more independent
His/Her courage to fight trouble increases
Capability to think out of the box increases

This planet is also known as the planet of hard work and responsibility. The major domain that are controlled by this planet include patience, stability, maturity and realism

The power of the planet is such that it gives us more than we can handle in life and hence the person who is under the influence of Saturn is always advised to be down to earth and always help others without any personal gains, else his is writing his downfall

The shani god is the son of SURYA and Chhaya and hence at times he is also called the Chayyaputra (Son of the Shadow). The most amazing thing that is said about the Shani is that, when he was born and he opened his eyes for the first time, at that point of time, the sun went into eclipse, which clearly has an indication of the fact that Shani strong impact on astrological charts

It is one of the Navagraha which are the nine primary celestial beings according to the Hindu astrology.

As you will be the well aware of the fact that Saturn is the root of the English word “Saturday.” The word shani also denotes the seventh day or Saturday in most Indian languages.

The origin of word Shani actually comes from the following: Shanaye Kramati Sa: (that means who in the real sense moves slowly, as it is known fact that Saturn takes about 30 years to rotate around the Sun. It is also known as the Shanaiscarya Shaneesvara, Saneesvara, Shaneesvaran, Shani Deva.

The greatest teacher the world has ever known and is also known as the greatest trouble giver as well as the greatest well wisher. Lord Shani is depicted dark in color, clothed in black; holding a sword, arrows and two daggers and variously mounted on a black vulture or a raven.

The Roman Mythology has defined the Saturn as the god of agriculture. Whereas the Greek mythology it is known as Cronus, who was also the father of the Zeus (Jupiter).

The life story of Shani’s life is very well described in Shri Shani Mahatyam written several centuries ago.

It actually tell , how the actually devotion is required to please him and receive his krupa (blessings). The book begins with descriptions of the importance of the other planets and their strengths. These are told by the scholars serving king Vikramaditya’s court from the city of Ujjain. Shani has been the one shown as having a dark complexion, a beautiful face, his caste is teli (Oil vendors), and he prays Kal-bhairav.

While listening the story the King Vikramaditya laughed and ridiculed the LORD Shani. Hearing these comments Shani immediately places a curse on the king. Then the story takes a U turn and it then describes the various difficulties encountered by the King Vikramaditya’s, which where do to the result of offending Shani.

The king loses his kingdom, he is accused of stealing, his hands and legs are cut-off by a neighboring king.

Going futher eventually the king then start praying to Shani, who is satisfied with Vikramaditya’s devotion and brings him back to his former glory.

The later part of the story describes the various experiences faced by various gods, demons and sages, including Brihaspati (the Guru of gods) and Shiva et al.

The major emphasis is on the case of that it lays stress on the person capability to believe in himself and never to lose confidence in life in spite of difficulties.

Shani and Hanuman

Globally it is said that the worship of f Lord Hanuman is a panacea for the harsh effects of the ‘unfavourable’ presence of Lord Shani.

In the holy book of Ramayana , it was lord Hanuman that is said to have rescued Shani from the clutches of Ravana and in gratitude, and it was at that time Shani promised Hanuman that anyone who prayed to Him (Hanuman), especially on Saturdays, would be rescued from the “malefic” effects of Saturn, or at the very least, the effects would be softened..

Shani Pilgrimages

There are many famous shani temples in India; we have tried our best to comply them

Lord Shani Temple, Gwalior Kokilavan, Vrindavan.
Shree Shani Temple Beedh, Maharastra.
Shree Shani Kshetra Nastanpur, Maharastra.
Shree Shani Kshetra Model Tirth Nandur bar, Maharastra.
Shree Shani Kshetra Rameshwar Tirth.
Shree Shani Tirth Tirunalaru, Tamil Nadu.
Shree Shani Mandir Tirth, Ujjain.
Shree Shani Tirth Kshetra, Asola, Fatehpur Beri, Mehrauli, Delhi.
Shree Sidh Shakti Peeth ShaniDham,
Shree Shani Temple, Madivala, Bangalore
Shanaischara Temple Hassa
Shree Shingnapur, Maharastra. ( Pic below)

Shani Yantra

How to please Lord shani is also of prime importance and this can be done by praying.

According to famous legend it is said that , Shani is a devotee of Lord Shiva.

As mentioned in the “Navagraha Pidahara Sthothram” of “Brahmanda Purana”, anybody who chants the following sthothra is relieved from all the ill-effects of Shani.

Suryaputhro Deerghadeho Vishaalaakshah Shivapriyah |

Mandachaarah Prasannathmaa peedam harathu me Shanih ||

One who prays to Lord Vishnu is protected from Shani as he is said to be a great devotee of Vishnu. (It is interesting to note that Hanuman Himself was devoted to Lord Rama, an avatar of Vishnu).

It is also a wide spread belief that one who is an ardent devotee of Lord SriLakshmiNarasimha Swamy or Lord Venkateswara (Balaji) is also always protected by Sri Shani Maharaj.

A common mantra for drawing the support of Shani is:

Om Sham Shanaiscaryaye Namah.

The following is another mantra for propitiating Shani:

Aum praang preeng proung sah Shanaye namah Neelaanjan samaabhaasam raviputram yamaagrajam, Chaayaa-maartandam-sambhootam, Tam namaami Shanaishcharam.