Shani Jayanti marks the birth of Shani Dev, also known as Shani Amavasya. The Kashi section of the Skanda Purana mentions the origins of Lord Shani. Born to Surya Dev or Sun God and Chhaya or Goddess of Shade. He is the Lord of the planet Saturn and Saturday and holds a strong impact on everyone’s life as per Hindu astrology. Worshipping Shani is advised to avoid the malefic influence it has on the horoscope, especially people going through the Shani sade-sati fast and pray to Shani Dev on this day.
Legend of Lord Shani: Story behind the most feared God
Everybody fears him, but what is the reason for this fear? There have been several mythologies associated with Shani Dev. Let’s have a look at some of them:
Birth of Shani
It is said that Surya Dev was initially married to Saranyu, but because of his unbearable heat and brightness, she left him and went away for penance leaving her shadow Chhaya behind.
Shani Dev is the son of Surya Dev and Chhaya, while his mother was going through severe penance. Lord Shiva has therefore, blessed Shani Dev with darkness symbolizing the power of extreme penance that he possesses.
Surya Dev or Sun God had two sons, Yama and Shani. His mother was Chhaya and hence is also known as Chhayaputra. Shani Dev represents the planet Saturn and is the lord of Saturdays. His elder brother Yama is also known as God of death. While Yama, gives the results of one’s deeds after death, Shani is known to give one the fruits of his deeds in his present life itself. He also had two sisters Yamuna Devi and Putri Bhadra. His other two brothers are Vaivastahva Manu and Manu.
When Shani was born, the sun went into an eclipse. This denotes the impact of Shani on the Hindu astrology.
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Family:
Shani Dev considered Lord Shiva as his guru. He was also his brother-in-law as Shiva was married to Goddess Kali. He also represents Lord Shiva’s Vairagya principle.
When his mother Chhaya was carrying Shani in her womb, she was highly devoted to the penance of Lord Shiva. She was so engrossed that she didn’t even care to have any food. This had such a profound influence on the baby in her womb, that he was born with dark skin.
Reputation Of Lord Shani
According to Hindu iconology, Lord Shani is lame and limp, as he was injured while fighting with his brother Yama in his childhood. He is represented riding a chariot, pulled by a crow or a vulture or an iron chariot with eight horses and carrying a bow and arrow. He is usually depicted with dark skin, wearing black clothes.
He is also sometimes known to be an incarnation of Lord Vishnu, who has the responsibility of giving the fruits of one’s deeds in their present life.
Sade-Sati myths
According to Vedic astrology, Shani sade-sati is considered a troublesome time for one’s life. This person may face a lot of challenges, may face failure, accidents, health and money related problems. They also regard this period as a life changing one.
But contrary to popular belief this trouble is false. Shani & Yama are Gods of justice. While Yama, gives the results of one’s deeds after death, Shani is known to give one the fruits of his deeds in his present life itself. One must bear the fruits of their karma.
Shani Dev and Hanuman:
According to Surya Sanhita, Hanuman was born on a Saturday and is the Rudra avatar of Lord Shiva. In numerous occurrences in ancient Hindu Shastras, the skin color of Hanuman is regarded like that of Lord Shani Dev.
Lord Hanuman is said to have rescued Shani Dev from the clutches Raavan, and in return, Shani promised him that who worships Hanuman on Saturdays will be free from the bad effects of Shani.
Shani Dev and Black dogs
Feeding black dogs is also said to overcome the ill effects of Shani. Driven by astrological prescriptions, many people feed black dogs and are sometimes also advised to keep a black dog in the house.
Muhurta for Shani Jayanti
Shani Jayanti is celebrated on the Vaisakh Vidya Chaturdasi Amavasya, as Lord Shani was born on this day. Shani Jayanti will fall on Month of May in Every Year.
Significance of Shani Jayanti:
According to ancient Vedic texts, Shani is considered a cruel planet. It is believed that Shani is the judge of our past and present deeds. He is the benefactor for metal, industries, jobs, hardship, poverty, and diseases. A person with a weak position of Saturn will undergo a lot of hardship in life and will attain very less success even with a lot of hard work.
Shani teaches us the importance of discipline to succeed in life. Having consistency is something that highly beneficial to keep negative influence in check. People perform various pujas to please Lord Shani. Shani Jayanti is considered the easiest day to appease Lord Shani and take his blessings for having a successful life.
Rituals performed on Shani Jayanti
On Shani Jayanti, Yagya or havan are performed in Navagraha temples or Shani temple. The idol of Shani is cleaned with Ganga Jal, Panchamrit, mustard oil and water chanting “Om Shaneshwaraye Namah”. Fasting is observed on this day and Shani Chalisa is read. Shani Tailabhishekam and Shani Shanti Puja are the two most important rituals of this day. These rituals lessen the effect of Shani dosha on one’s horoscope.
It is believed that donating black clothes, black til or sesame, mustard or sesame oil on this day is beneficial.
Shani Jayanti also coincides with the Vat Savitri Vrat, which falls on Jyeshta Amavasya, and is celebrated in Northern India.
Benefits
Shani is an indicator of misery, longevity, sorrow, old age, death, restriction, discipline, delay, responsibility, authority, humility, wisdom, integrity, and ambition. It is regarded as the planet of darkness, which governs the dark side of human nature. It is seen as both a destroyer and a giver. Worshipping Shani sincerely blesses one with a life sans obstructions, and fulfillment of all wishes.
By: +Prof: Koti Madhav Balu Chowdary
Legend of Lord Shani: Story behind the most feared God
Shani has always been one of the most popular and the most dreaded Gods in Hindu mythology. He is also referred to as Saura, Pangu, Mandu, Kruradris, Asita and Saptarchi.
Everybody fears him, but what is the reason for this fear? There have been several mythologies associated with Shani Dev. Let’s have a look at some of them:
Birth of Shani
It is said that Surya Dev was initially married to Saranyu, but because of his unbearable heat and brightness, she left him and went away for penance leaving her shadow Chhaya behind.
Shani Dev is the son of Surya Dev and Chhaya, while his mother was going through severe penance. Lord Shiva has therefore, blessed Shani Dev with darkness symbolizing the power of extreme penance that he possesses.
Surya Dev or Sun God had two sons, Yama and Shani. His mother was Chhaya and hence is also known as Chhayaputra. Shani Dev represents the planet Saturn and is the lord of Saturdays. His elder brother Yama is also known as God of death. While Yama, gives the results of one’s deeds after death, Shani is known to give one the fruits of his deeds in his present life itself. He also had two sisters Yamuna Devi and Putri Bhadra. His other two brothers are Vaivastahva Manu and Manu.
When Shani was born, the sun went into an eclipse. This denotes the impact of Shani on the Hindu astrology.
(Follow The Hindu Portal on Facebook; and Twitter @Spiritualvoices)
Family:
Shani Dev considered Lord Shiva as his guru. He was also his brother-in-law as Shiva was married to Goddess Kali. He also represents Lord Shiva’s Vairagya principle.
When his mother Chhaya was carrying Shani in her womb, she was highly devoted to the penance of Lord Shiva. She was so engrossed that she didn’t even care to have any food. This had such a profound influence on the baby in her womb, that he was born with dark skin.
Reputation Of Lord Shani
According to Hindu iconology, Lord Shani is lame and limp, as he was injured while fighting with his brother Yama in his childhood. He is represented riding a chariot, pulled by a crow or a vulture or an iron chariot with eight horses and carrying a bow and arrow. He is usually depicted with dark skin, wearing black clothes.
He is also sometimes known to be an incarnation of Lord Vishnu, who has the responsibility of giving the fruits of one’s deeds in their present life.
Sade-Sati myths
According to Vedic astrology, Shani sade-sati is considered a troublesome time for one’s life. This person may face a lot of challenges, may face failure, accidents, health and money related problems. They also regard this period as a life changing one.
But contrary to popular belief this trouble is false. Shani & Yama are Gods of justice. While Yama, gives the results of one’s deeds after death, Shani is known to give one the fruits of his deeds in his present life itself. One must bear the fruits of their karma.
Shani Dev and Hanuman:
According to Surya Sanhita, Hanuman was born on a Saturday and is the Rudra avatar of Lord Shiva. In numerous occurrences in ancient Hindu Shastras, the skin color of Hanuman is regarded like that of Lord Shani Dev.
Lord Hanuman is said to have rescued Shani Dev from the clutches Raavan, and in return, Shani promised him that who worships Hanuman on Saturdays will be free from the bad effects of Shani.
Shani Dev and Black dogs
Feeding black dogs is also said to overcome the ill effects of Shani. Driven by astrological prescriptions, many people feed black dogs and are sometimes also advised to keep a black dog in the house.
Muhurta for Shani Jayanti
Shani Jayanti is celebrated on the Vaisakh Vidya Chaturdasi Amavasya, as Lord Shani was born on this day. Shani Jayanti will fall on Month of May in Every Year.
Significance of Shani Jayanti:
Sani Pooja |
Shani teaches us the importance of discipline to succeed in life. Having consistency is something that highly beneficial to keep negative influence in check. People perform various pujas to please Lord Shani. Shani Jayanti is considered the easiest day to appease Lord Shani and take his blessings for having a successful life.
Rituals performed on Shani Jayanti
On Shani Jayanti, Yagya or havan are performed in Navagraha temples or Shani temple. The idol of Shani is cleaned with Ganga Jal, Panchamrit, mustard oil and water chanting “Om Shaneshwaraye Namah”. Fasting is observed on this day and Shani Chalisa is read. Shani Tailabhishekam and Shani Shanti Puja are the two most important rituals of this day. These rituals lessen the effect of Shani dosha on one’s horoscope.
It is believed that donating black clothes, black til or sesame, mustard or sesame oil on this day is beneficial.
Shani Jayanti also coincides with the Vat Savitri Vrat, which falls on Jyeshta Amavasya, and is celebrated in Northern India.
Benefits
Shani is an indicator of misery, longevity, sorrow, old age, death, restriction, discipline, delay, responsibility, authority, humility, wisdom, integrity, and ambition. It is regarded as the planet of darkness, which governs the dark side of human nature. It is seen as both a destroyer and a giver. Worshipping Shani sincerely blesses one with a life sans obstructions, and fulfillment of all wishes.
By: +Prof: Koti Madhav Balu Chowdary