Shani Dev: The Powerful Deity of Karma and Justice

 

 

|| नीलांजनसमाभासं रविपुत्रं यमाग्रजम्‌।

छायामार्तण्डसम्भूतं तं नमामि शनैश्चरम्‌ ||

 

“Nilanjana samabhasam raviputram yamagrajam.

Chaya martanda sambhutam tam namami shaishcharam.”

 Meaning: ‘Looking like a blue cloud, the sun of the Sun, he is the foremost of those who control. He can even put his shadow over the glorious sun. To that Saturn, the emblem of control, we bow down in devotion.’

This mantra is a lovely description of Shani Dev's distinctive traits and pleasantries, and this evokes his blessings on anybody who recites them with dedication and perseverance. The lines are rather simple to comprehend and recite

 

It is believed that Shani Dev never bothers others unnecessarily. We don't get anything we don't deserve. This maha mantra thus helps reduce the Karmic liabilities that can cause suffering in a person’s life. Nobody is immune to the karmic cycle's grip. This mantra helps reduce troubles in life.

Shani Bhagwan (also known as Sani, Shani Dev, Sani Maharaj, and Chayyaputra) is one of the most powerful deities in the traditional Hindu religion. Shani is the harbinger of bad luck and retribution, and practicing Hindus pray to Shani to ward off evil and remove personal obstacles.

The name Shani comes from the root Sanaischara, meaning slow mover (in Sanskrit, "Shani" means "the planet Saturn" and "chara" means "movement"); and Shanivara is the Hindu name for Saturday, which is dedicated to Shani Baghwan.

Shani is the son of Surya, the Hindu Sun god, and Chaya ("Shade"), a servant of Surya who acted as the surrogate mother for Surya's wife Swarna. While Shani was in Chaya's womb, she fasted and sat under the hot sun to impress Shiva, who intervened and nurtured Shani. As a result, Shani turned black in the womb, which is said to have enraged his father, Surya.

When Shani opened his eyes for the first time as a baby, the sun went into an eclipse. In a rage of his own, Shani temporarily turned his father black.

The elder brother of the Hindu god of death, Yama, Shani delivers justice while a person is alive, and Yama serves justice after a person's death. Shani's other relatives are his sisters—the goddess Kali, destroyer of evil forces, and the goddess of the hunt Putri Bhadra. Shiva, married to Kali, is both his brother-in-law and his guru. 

 According to Vedic astrology, Shani is one of the nine planetary deities called the Navagraha. Each deity (Sun, Moon, Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus, and Saturn) represents a different face of destiny. Shani's destiny is karmic, making individuals pay for or benefit from the good or evil they do during their lifetime.

Saturn is the slowest of the planets in astrology, staying in a particular sign for about two and a half years. Saturn is most influential in the seventh house of the Zodiac and is considered beneficial for Taurus and Libra ascendants.

In Hindu astrology, an individual is believed to be most susceptible to bad luck when Saturn is positioned in their house or in the signs before and after their home. Consequently, once every 27 to 29 years, a believer can anticipate 7.5 years of misfortune, occurring in intervals of 2.5 years (3 times).

Shani Baghwan is often considered cruel and easily enraged, but he is also the greatest troublemaker and well-wisher, a strict but beneficent god. He is the god of justice who oversees the 'dungeons of the human heart and the dangers that lurk there.'

Temples dedicated to Lord Shani are spread across India, each with unique traditions and rituals.

 Among the most revered is the Shani Shingnapur Temple in Maharashtra. Here an ancient, self-emerged black stone idol of Lord Shani stands unguarded in an open space. It symbolizes the deity’s omnipresence and invincibility.

The Shani Dham temple in the capital city of Delhi has the world's tallest statue of Lord Shani. The idol was installed in 2003, and since then, the temple has become a major attraction for all devotees of Lord Shani.

Thirunallar is a small town in Karaikal, Puducherry. It is best known for its temple dedicated to Lord Saturn or Shani, Tirunallar Saniswaran Temple. It is believed that King Nala got relief from his disease caused by the influence of Saturn after worshipping at this temple. The place has been called the Nala Theertam ever since then. Devotees from all over the world come here to bathe and get rid of any problems or diseases caused by the past karmas.

Another revered temple dedicated to Lord Shani, the Shanichara temple, Morena, near Gwalior is visited by devotees from all over the world. According to the legend, when Lord Shani was thrown by Lord Hanuman from Lanka, he came and fell at this place.

The legend of Lord Shani continues to resonate with believers and scholars alike. It symbolizes the eternal principles of justice and righteousness. In every phase of life, his presence acts as a guiding force. It reminds us to embrace virtue and lead a life free of deceit.

 As the embodiment of justice and the celestial magistrate, he stands unwavering, guiding humanity toward the path of righteousness and karma.