Greatness of Shani Devta (Planet Saturn)

 

1. Shani Devta in Astrology

In Hindu Dharma, the planets are regarded as Deities. Saturn is a malefic planet and among all the planets, this planet has unique importance in our worldly life. In astrology, the superior and inferior signs of planets have been determined. Makar (Capricorn) and Kumbh (Aquarius) are the astrological signs associated with Shani Devta. Saturn, when placed in Tula (Libra) sign, is in exalted position. When a planet is present in its superior sign, it is auspicious in relation to the things it is associated with and the positions it is master of in the horoscope. Shani Devta is associated with Vayu Tattva (Absolute Air Principle), and he leads one from materialistic attachment to detachment. He guides one away from ‘respect, disrespect and indignity one faces’ towards spirituality. Shani indicates the merits from the past life and shows the path to salvation.

Shani (the planet Saturn) takes around 1 year 10 months in Earth years to traverse a nakshatra (Lunar asterism). Shani is called as a slow planet as it remains in a rashi (Zodiac sign) for 2.5 years. Therefore, one does not experience any good or bad effects immediately after the position of Shani moves into one’s zodiac sign. The effects are primarily seen in the last 6 months.

 

2. Shani Devta and human traits

According to astrology, every planet has both auspicious (positive) and inauspicious (negative) effects. No planet is only inauspicious or only auspicious. As per this principle, even Saturn has two aspects, however, people take into consideration only the inauspicious side of Shani Devta due to which they get afraid of Him. Shani teaches us humanity by eliminating our pride, ego, and prejudice. He brings out the awareness of the inner qualities of human beings. He is a teacher who teaches us through our experiences. He elevates those who are disciplined, humble and selfless, to a higher position and gives distress to those who are egotists, arrogant and selfish. These are the times that bring out the true character of a person. During this period a person becomes aware of who he can rely on and on whom he cannot, he realises his own merits and demerits, loses pride and ego, gets a sense of humanity and the knowledge of ‘how to lead the life of an ideal human being’. It has been observed that the fruits of the past deeds performed with ill-thinking are reaped during the seven and half years.

Shani is the Deity of actions, and He eliminates ego. Since Shani is a contemplative planet, He renders success to the spiritual practice performed by the seekers who put in earnest efforts in elimination of their personality defects and ego. Shani helps us in contemplating in the right direction.

– Mrs. Prajakta Joshi (Jyotish Phalit Visharad), Sanatan Ashram, Ramnathi, Goa (10.5.2019)

 

3. Characteristics of Shani Devta

3 A. Family

3 A 1. Parents : Deity Sun and Chaya Devi

3 A 2. Siblings : Two sisters namely Tapi and Yamuna and the elder brother, Deity Yama.

3 B. Associated places

3 B 1. Birthplace : He was born in Sourashtra, India at noon on the new moon day of Hindu calendar month of Vaishakh. His birth anniversary is celebrated on this day.

3 B 2. Sphere of authority : At Shanishinganapur in Maharashtra, a big black stone is present and the Shakti (Divine Energy) of Shani Devta is active at this place. Hence, Shanishinganapur is where Shani Devta authority lies. A fair is held at Shanishinganapur on the birth anniversary and this day is celebrated as a festival.

3 C. Other names

Following names of Shani Devta are popular – Suryasut, Babhrubhut, Krushna, Roudradeh, Antak (this is Deity Yama’s name), Yamasanjna, Sourya, Mandasanjna, Shanaishchar, Bibhishan, Chayasut, Nibhashruti, Sanvartak, Graharaj, Ravinandan, Mandagati, Neelasya, Kotaraksha, Suryaputra, Adityanandan, Nakshatragananayak, Neelanjan, Krutanto, Dhanapradata, Krurakarmavidhata, Sarvakarmavarodhak, Kamrup, Mahakay, Mahabal, Kalatma, Chayamartand etc.

3 D. Region

In the solar system, Saturn is located far away from the Sun. Similarly, the subtle region of Shani Devta is also located far away from the region of Deity Sun. Due to lack of sunrays, the region is pitch dark. Shani Devta brings the sinners who insult Him to His region and punishes them.

3 E. Gender of Shani Devta

Shani Devta is neither masculine nor feminine.

3 F. Associated colour – black or dark blue

To eliminate the Tama-predominant actions, Shani Devta assumed a fierce form to mete out severe punishment to the individuals performing such actions. The black or dark blue colour denotes this.

3 G. Colour of the associated clothes – black

The Principle of Shani Devta gets activated through the black colour. The colour of the rice grains and cloth used for the worship of Deities associated with the 9 planets are related to the colour (complexion) of those respective Deities; hence, while installing the mandal of 9 planets during any ritualistic worship, cloth, unbroken rice grains, flowers etc. of specific colour associated with those planets are used.

3 H. Associated Varna

Shani Devta is of ‘Antyaj’ class, which means extinction. Destroyer energy gets transmitted from Him in large proportions. Hence His form appears to be fierce.

3 I. Associated Principle

Shani Devta is associated with the Vayu Tattva (Absolute Air Principle).

3 J. Associated component

As Shani Devta was born from the Sun’s destroyer energy, Tama component is predominant in Him.

3 K. Associated taste

Shani Devta likes astringent taste or juice.

3 L. Beloved flowers

Purple or dark blue coloured flowers attract Shani Principle.

3 M. Associated metals

Shani Devta is associated with iron. Iron idols are installed in some places to appease Shani Devta and iron is offered to Him.

3 N. Favourable time-period

Divine energy of Shani Devta is more active at night.

3 O. Measure of time

The unit of Shani Devta’s tenure is a year.

3 P. Associated lunar date and day

The thirteenth day in a lunar calendar month is the most favourite of Shani Devta. Saturday is associated with Shani Devta.

3 Q. Associated direction

Shani Devta is associated with West direction.

3 R. Associated Deities

3 R 1. Master : Deity Brahma is the master of Shani Devta.

3 R 2. Deity Yama located on the left side : While Deity Yam functions as the Deity of action, He inspires Shani Devta to punish sinners.

3 R 3. Deity Prajapati located on the right side : To reduce the fierceness of Shani Devta and to calm Him down, the saviour energy of Deity Prajapati is active.

3 S. Associated weapons

Bow and arrow and axe are the weapons associated with Shani Devta. The shape of the bow is a symbol of Shani Devta keeping an eye on those adopting illegal ways and targeting His weapon on them. While installing the nine planet Deities on a square stool for ritualistic worship, a bow is drawn using black coloured whole rice grains in the West direction symbolizing the form of Shani Devta.

3 T. Association with the physical body of human beings

Muscles

3 U. Auspicious and inauspicious fruits

If Shani Devta gets angry, then an individual acquires inauspicious fruits, on the contrary, if He gets pleased and showers His grace on an individual, then the individual acquires progeny, wealth, and fame.

3 V. Precious stone

Blue sapphire.

3 W. Letters, Deities and fruits

Letters are grouped into in eight divisions such as अ, क, च, ट, त, प, य and श. There is a specific Deity associated with each such division. Specific benefits can be derived from the lyrics composed through the letters in a division. Shani Devta is associated with the प division and the benefit derived from it is slowness. What it means is that the speed of misdeeds slows down.

3 X. Oblation in sacrificial fires

In the sacrificial fires performed for 9 planets, Durva or Shami leaves are offered to Shani Devta. The divine energy of Ganesh Principle active in Durva and Shami imparts motivation to Shani Devta for performing creative work. By offering Durva or Shami in sacrificial fires to Shani Devta, the worshipper gets cleansed of his sins and obtains good health.

3 Y. Number of chants

The number of chants associated with Shani Devta is twenty-three thousand.

3 Z. Holy verses related to Shani Devta

3 Z 1. Shani stotra

3 Z 2. Shanaischarkavach Stotra

3 Z 3. Shanimahatmya

– Kum. Madhura Bhosale (Reference : Sanatan’s holy text – Supreme God, God, Incarnations and Deities and knowledge obtained from God.)