Shani is
one of the "Navagraha ” which
are the nine primary celestial beings in Hindu astrology, or Jyotish.
Shani is embodied in the planet Saturn. Shani is the Lord of Saturday;
the word Shani also denotes the Seventh day or Saturday in most
Indian languages.
The origin of word Shani comes from the following: Shanaye Kramati
Sa: i.e. the one who moves slowly, as Saturn takes about 30 years to rotate
around the Sun. Shani is also known as Shanaiscarya, Shani Bhagavan, Shaneesvara,
Saneesvara, Shaneesvaran, Shani Deva.
Shani is a Deva and son of Surya (the Sun
God) and his wife Chhaya (Shadow goddess) and hence also known
as Chayyaputra. He is the cousin of Yama, the Hindu God of
death. It is said that when he opened his eyes as a baby for
the very first time, the sun went into an eclipse, which clearly
denotes the impact of Shani on astrological charts. He is known
as the greatest teacher. He is known in Hindu scriptures as
the greatest trouble maker as well as the greatest well wisher.
He is depicted dark in colour, clothed in black; holding a
sword, arrows and two daggers and variously mounted on a black
vulture or a raven.
The Story of Shani Dev
Once all the Nine Planets gathered together
at one place and started talking to each other. Along with
talking on many subjects the talk started on "Which planet
was the most respectable among them?" They had arguments
for long time, but to no avail. So they decided to go to Indra.
So they all went to Indra. Indra was in a flux, he could not
tell anybody lower or higher as he did not want to be victim
of anybody's anger. After a while he said - "I am not
very capable to decide this, but there is a king named Vikramaaditya
now a days in Ujjayinee, who can tell you this." So, all
the planets came to the king Vikram's court.
Vikramaaditya was a very favorite ruler of his times because
he was famous for his justice. His court was packed full with
many kinds of courtiers. When Vikram saw all the Graha coming
to his court, he immediately got up from his throne and offered
them Aasan but they did not sit. They said - "We will
not sit until we know that who is the highest Graha amongst
us?" Vikram also got in a flux hearing this, but he soon
gathered himself and thought of a plan. A line of small Aasans
went up to the door of the court, so he asked them to sit there
and wait till he decides about them.
The throne which was nearest to Vikram's throne, Brihaspati
Jee ran there to sit on it, the next throne was taken by Soorya,
then Chandramaa, then Budh, Mangal Raahu and Ketu sat. Bhaargav's
(Shukra or Venus) position was 8th number, and he was sure
that after him Shani will sit, but since that throne was the
last and was close to the door, Shani did not sit down there.
Vikram had thought that whoever will sit there, he will be
full of humility, so he will declare him the highest, but everything
was messed up by Shani by not sitting there.
Shani Dev is a very angry Devta. When he did not sit there,
all Graha started laughing. Seeing his insult like this he
got very angry, he said to Vikram - "You did not do well
by insulting me like this. What do you think of me? Why did
you want me to sit here in the last? The Moon stays in a Raashi
for 2 and 1/4 days; Soorya, Budh and Shukra stay only 15 days;
Mangal stays for 2 months and Guru for 13 months; and Raahu
and Ketu stays there for 18 months; while I live for 7 and
1/2 years. That is why you should be careful; you will have
to bear the consequences of this insult."
Saadhe Saatee on Vikram
The King passed some days without
any problem, but then soon the King started his Saadhe Saatee
(Shani's 7 and 1/2 years period). In those days a horse trader
came there and stayed there to sell his horses. The King also
ordered to buy some good horses from him. One horse's
name was Bhanvar. The King liked that horse, so he rode the
horse. The horse wandered around for a few minutes then suddenly
he ran away and disappeared after leaving the King in a dense
forest. Seeing this, the King got very surprised. He started
wandering in that forest hungry and thirsty.
When the night fell and the King felt very thirsty, he started
shouting. A milkman was passing by, he heard his shouts. He
came to the King, took him to a nearby river and made him drink
its cool water. The King got greatly satisfied, he took off
his ring and gave it to the milkman and said - "I live
in Ujjain and I have lost my way here, please show me the way." The
milkman brought him to the village; there he ate some sweets
as he was very hungry. He gave one ring to that shopkeeper
also. When the shopkeeper enquired, he told him the same thing,
that he had lost his way. Then he talked to the shopkeeper
at length. On that day the shopkeeper earned a lot of money
so he thought that it was because of this man, so he asked
him to come to his house and have food with him.
He offered him his best hospitality, good food, but when he
was eating his food, a strange thing happened. Where the King
was eating food, there was hanging a seven-chain necklace.
Behind it was a picture. Suddenly that necklace got disappeared
from there. A maid reported to the wife of the shopkeeper that
her necklace was not there. Shopkeeper also heard this so he
asked the King, the King showed his ignorance about the necklace.
He said - "But there was nobody else there. Tell me where
is that necklace?" The King again said - "I don't
know anything about the necklace, I don't have it." The
shopkeeper then took him to the King. When the King saw Vikram's
innocent face, he said, "This man cannot steal anything." and
he freed him.
Vikram started wandering in that city that a oil presser saw
him and asked him if he could work for him. He would give him
boarding and lodging. Vikram got ready for it. So the oil presser
brought him home. Now the King was driving the bulls to press
the oil and the oil presser sold the oil in the market. When
the rainy season came, Vikram started singing in high pitch.
The city's King lived nearby, so when the Princess heard his
singing, she lost her heart to him.
She sent her maid to find out who was singing so sweetly. The
maid went and came back with the information that a handsome
young man was singing closing his eyes. The Princess left eating
and drinking. Her mother came to see what happened to her daughter.
The Princess told her that if she would marry, then only to
that oil presser. When the King heard this, he got very
angry. He called Vikram, cut his hands and threw him in a forest.
When the Princess heard this, she became firmer in her ideas,
that if she would marry she would marry only to the oil presser
whether he is with hands or without hands. Seeing adamancy
of his daughter, the King called Vikram, married his daughter
to him in a very ordinary way and inhabited them in an ordinary
house.
Saadhe Saatee is Over
One day when Vikram was asleep, he saw Shani
Dev in dream, he prayed him and asked for his forgiveness.
Shani Dev blessed him and said - "Now your Saadhe Saatee
is over." And Vikram's both hands grew again. The King
did not wake up his wife. When she got up in the morning she
found him whole. She got very happy to see this. The King also
came to know about this. When he came to see him, he told him
also that it was by the grace of Shani Dev. Then he introduced
himself to him. Hearing all this he fell on Vikram's feet and
asked for his forgiveness.
When the shopkeeper heard this, he also came rushing there
and fell on Vikram's feet. He said to him - "Go and see
on the peg, I am sure you find your necklace there only." The
shopkeeper went home and found his necklace on the peg where
it was hanging before.
Vikram asked the King to go back his home. The King gave him
a good farewell with many horses, elephants, maids etc. People
got very happy to see him coming back in the city. He worshipped
Nava Graha and gave the highest position to Shani Dev.
The legend of Shani Dev
Suryadev(son of Brahma) and Sandna (the daugther
of Daksha Prajapati) were Shri Shaneshwar's parents.
Sandna and Suryadev had two sons Dakshinadhipati Yama and Shri
Shaneshwar and four daughters Tapti, Bhadra, Kalindi and Savitri.
Sandna finding it unbearable to live with the harsh glare of
Surya's light, created her own replica and named her as Sanvarna
and asked her to behave as Surya's wife and perform all the
duties and savour the privileges of a wife. She made her promise
that under no condition would she reveal to Suryadev that she
was not Sandna and promised to help her when needed.
Sandna went back to her father Daksha. When Daksha saw that
his daughter coming back, he advised her that she better live
with her husband only. The dejected Sandna did not follow her
father's advise and instead transformed herself into a mare
and resided in the Himalayas and started penance.
Savarna performed the role of dutiful wife. She also gave birth
to five sons and two daughters from Surya. Surya did not have
any doubts about Sanvarna.
One day Shanidev was very hungry and he asked his mother to
give him something to eat. She asked him to wait till she had
made her first offering to God. But Shanidev insisted on serving
him first and in anger kicked his mother Sanvarna. She in return
cursed him that his leg would break.
Shanidev reported the matter to his father Surya. Surya said," a
mother would never curse a son like this." Surya observed
Sanvarna closely and found that she was not Sandna. Surya was
enraged and asked her who she was. Sanvarna confessed that
she was a 'shadow' of Sandna. and that Sandna had gone to the
Himalaya for penance.
Surya told Shanidev that Sanvarna was like his mother and her
curse would not go in vain. It is therefore that Shanidev has
one lame leg.
Another Story about
Shanidev
It is commonly believed that many miseries
in life are caused due to the displeasure of Shanidev. A
local legend given below demonstrates the need to keep Sahnidev
propitiated.
There was a small town and there lived a poor brahmin with
his family. He had three daughters-in-law. During the rainy
days, he used to get up early in the morning, have his Breakfast
and leave for the farm. As a routine, he had entrusted the
house-hold chores to the youngest daughter-in-law. It was
Shravan Month. On the first Saturday, he told the young lady
that today is Saturday, go upstairs, get some food grains,
grind them to prepare the roties and kenakurdu vegetables.
She followed the instructions. She found that there were
grains enough for half a roti. She prepared the food out
of this and waited for her in-laws. By the time, Shree Shanidev
appeared at the house in the form of a Lepor and told the
lady that his entire body is aching, please apply oil and
bathe him with hot water and thereafter give me some food
to eat. The young lady had a sympathy for him. She applied
oil and bathed him. Gave him the food and thus quenched his
hunger and thirst. Lepor blessed her. The blessings were
that she will never fell short of anything in the life. After
some time, the in-laws came home and saw an excellent preparation
of food and happily wondered as to how this happened when
there was very little in the home.On the next Saturday, the
Brahmin told the second daughter-in-law to be at home and
left for the farm. Shanidev as usual appeared in the guise
of a lepor and requested the lady to bathe and to serve the
food, This young lady told him that there was nothing in
house to offer him. Shanidev cursed her and said, 'Whatever
you have would vanish'. Shanidev left home. The lady went
up and found that there was nothing in the pots. The father-in-law
came back home and she informed him that there is nothing
for the supper. They scolded her. Then she narrated the whole
episode. The third Saturday, the Brahmin asked the third
daughter in law to manage the home. Shanidev appeared in
diguise and requested this young lady to serve. The young
lady followed the suit of the second one with a negative
approach. The result was that nothing remained in the house.
All the family had to fast. The lady was very sad for the
incident. Again on the fourth Saturday. The Brahmin entrusted
the house to the youngest daughter-in-law and left for the
field. Shanidev came as usual as a lap
lapor and requested to serve. The lady wholeheartedly bathed
him and gave the food to his satisfaction. Shanidev blessed
her that all her desires would be fulfilled. He collected
the leftover food and vanished. The lady went up again and
found ample food grains etc. She cooked a sumptuous supper
for the entire family. The in-laws were happy to have the
food, they enquired from where she got all the grocery. The
lady narrated the story of the lepor. They were quite happy.
All of a sudden the father-in-law spotted a bundle of patravali
(a leaf in which the food was served). He opened the bundle
and found diamonds and pearls in it. He enquired of other
daughters-in-law, they informed that the lepor had come to
them twice but they did not give him anything. The lepor
got annoyed and everything vanished from the house and we
all had to fast. The Brahmin offered prayers to Shanidev
and asked blessing for all.
Shani and Hanuman
The worship of Lord Hanuman is a panacea
for the harsh effects of the 'unfavourable' presence of Lord
Shani. In the Ramayana, Lord Hanuman is said to have rescued
Shani from the clutches of Ravana and in gratitude, 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 Yantra
According to legend, 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.
Shrines for Lord Shani
Shani Shingnapur: A important
Shrine for Lord Shani is in Shingnapur, in Maharastra, India.
Shingnapur is located half-way between Shirdi and Aurangabad.
The deity here is "Swayambhu" that is self emerged
from earth in form of Black but imposing stone. Though no
one knows exact period, it is believed that Swayumbhu shaneeswara
was found from time immemorial by shepherds of then local
hamlet. It is believed be in existence at least since Kaliyugam.
The story of Swayambhu (=Sanskrit self evolved deity) handed
down from generations through word of mouth, goes something
like this : When the shepards touched stone with a pointed
rod the stone began bleeding. The shepherds were astounded
soon whole village hamlet gathered around to watch the miracle.
On that night Lord shaneeswara appeared in the dream of most
devoted and pious of the shepherds.
He told the shepared that he is "Shaneeswara".
He also told that the Unique looking Black Stone is His swayambhu
form. The sheppered prayed and asked Lord whether he should
construct a temple for him. To this, Lord Shani Mahatma said
there is no need for a roof as the whole sky is his roof
and he preferred to be under open sky. He asked the shepered
to do daily pooja and 'tailabhishekam' every Saturday without
fail. He also promised the whole hamlet will have no fear
of dacoits or bulglers or thieves.
So, Lord Shaneeswara can be seen even today, in the open
yard without any roof above. To this day, there are no doors
for any house, shop, temple. It is to be seen to believe
that even post office has no door, not to speak of locks.
Due to fear of Shani, none of the structures, be it dwelling
houses, huts, shops etc situated within one kilometre radius
of this Lord Shani temple, have neither doors and locks.
No thievery or burglary ever occurred here in this hamlet
called Shani Singhapur. Some who have tried to steal have
died omitting blood within minutes of their act and before
they could cross the boundary. Many others are said have
received varied punishments such as long sickness, mental
imbalance etc.
Shani Shingapur is visited daily by thosands of devotees
praying for Lord Shaneswara's favour. The place is busiest
on Saturdays. Shani trayodasi is considered to be a fourite
day for the lord. Similarly Saturday falling on 'Amawasya'
(new moon day in Sanskrit, telugu, Kannada, malayalam) is
considered to be a fovurite day for the Lord Shaneeswara.
Thousands of devotees seeking his blessings throng this temple
in thousands.
One of the mantras for Shani raya is
NILAMJANA SAMABASAM
RAVI PUTRAM YAMAGRAJAM |
CHAYA MARTHANDA SAMBHUTAM TAM NAMAMI SHANAISWARAM
||
Worship
Unlike other places of worship, at the shrine
in Shinganapur there are no long queues and no waiting period.
Devotees need not even wait for a priest. If needed priests
are there on Saturdays and Mondays to offer puja and abhishek.
To worship the Lord Shaneshwara in Shinganapur, a devotee
has to take a head bath and proceed in wet clothes to the
platform where the swayambhu idol of Shani Maharaj exists.
The devotee then circumambulates, offers prayers and performs
Abhishek-s with water from the holy well in the vicinity
and sesame oil. Sacrificial offerings are not permitted here.
Any male devotee can go up to the platform wearing a wet
cloth but women are enjoined to offer worship without mounting
the platform
Generally the devotees can perform pooja
and abhishek on any day at Shari Shaneshvar tirtha. But the
Amavasya or the no day moon which falls on a Saturday is
considered to be most auspicious. On this day lakhs of devotees
from all corners of the country come to receive blessings
of Shri Shanidev. On every Shani Amavasya there is a Yatra.
Location
Shani-Shinganapur lies 6 kilometers off Ghodegaon-
an important market place along Ahmednagar-Aurangabad road.
Ghodegaon is 35 kilometers from Ahmednagar.
Shirdi has been one of the most popular places of pilgrimage
on the national map for long, now Shani-Shinganapur is being
hyphenated with it. It has become especially popular with
the faithful from Andhra Pradesh. Its importance is growing.
How to reach Shani Shingnapur
BY AIR: Nearest Airport
is Pune 160 Kms.
BY RAIL: Nearest Railway station
is srirampur.
BY ROAD: Route: Mumbai-Pune-Ahmednagar-Shani
Shignapur , Distance: 330 Kms approx.
Shignapur location
Shani Devaalayam
in Deonar, Mumbai:
There is a Shani Temple in Deonar, in Mumbai. The temple
is situated east of shivaji Statute at the junction of Chembur,
Deonar, Govandi on (Mumbai-Pune-Bangalore) Eastern Express
Highway. The Presiding Deity of this Temple is Lord Bhaneeswara.
A mighty,7 feet tall imposing beautiful black statue.
Many devotees who have "shani Dosham" or people
who are passing through Shani Mahar Dasa throng the temple,
for doing 'Tailabhishekam' (Tailam = oil in Sanskrit,Telegu
and Malayalam). Nuvvula Nune(Nuvvulu=Sesame; Nune=oil in
Telgu)Ellenne (Ellu=sesame; enne=oil in Kannada) is poured
with utmost devotion on the head in a manner that the oil
covers entire idol while flowing down. This pooja is done
to please Shaneeswara.
Shani Dham, Delhi:
A Shani temple ShaniDham, is at Fatehpur
Beri, about 6 km from Chhattarpur temple & 16 km from
the Qutub Minar, at Mehrauli, South Delhi, India. It has
got the tallest 21 feet high statue of Lord Shani in the
world made of Astdhatu (8 metals) and a natural rock of Shani.
Many devotees visit every Saturday to please Lord Shani.
The main Poojan for Kaalsarp and Sadhesatti and Dhaiya are
done here on Shani Amavasaya, the most auspicious day for
pleasing Lord Shani.
In Astrology
According to Vedic Astrology, Shani is one
of the nine Navagraha or planets. Shani is considered to
be the strongest malefic and a stern teacher who represents
patience, effort, endeavour, and endurance; and who brings
restrictions and misfortunes. However, a favourably-placed
Shani on the horoscope of a person stands for a strong career,
healthy life and everything positive for that person. In
fact, a well-placed Shani in one's horoscope is something
every astrology-believing Hindu hopes for, as no other 'graha'
can bestow what a favourable Shani can. Shani placed "unfavourably",
on the other hand, denotes troubles in all of the above.
Shani is much feared by those Hindus who believe in astrology,
as the "malefic" effects of his being unfavourably
placed can be quite severe. However, it is to be remembered
that any pleasure or pain that befalls a person during Shani's
influence is not arbitrary; rather, it is the result of the
person's own Karma, now being manifested in the "presence" of
Shani. Thus an "unfavourably-placed" Shani brings
about the harsh results of one's bad Karma, and vice-versa.
