The Importance of Shani in our life

In Hindu astrology, the planet Shani (Saturn) has great significance. People fear Shani because of his penchant for strictness and discipline. The Saturn transits of Sade Sati (7 ½ yrs) and Dhaiya (2 ½ yrs) are very important in a person’s life. During these two periods, a person may have to face many problems and difficulties. But at the same time, the person becomes enlightened too as he realizes that he is paying for his sins. Hence, he becomes more spiritual. A person who is under the influence of Saturn will have to work hard all his life. Shani is the planet of justice and is like a judge who dispenses justice according to the actions of a person. Those who commit sins and evil deeds are punished, and those who do good things are rewarded. He is a strict disciplinarian like a teacher who punishes naughty students and rewards the obedient ones. He is regarded as a malefic planet in astrology, and when adverse, he gives sorrow, loss, misery, poverty, accidents, and hurdles in life.

Instead of fearing and blaming Shani, it is better to introspect on what one did wrong and accept Shani’s punishments with equanimity. But if a person is undergoing severe hardships and suffering, doing a Shani Puja can help mitigate the negative effects of Shani’s affliction. Shani Jayanthi is the birth anniversary of Shani Bhagwan. It is an ideal day for performing Shani Puja. This year, Shani Jayanthi is on May 22.

How to do Shani Jayanthi Pooja

Shani Puja should be done on a Saturday, as this day is special to the planet. However, this year, that is 2020, Shani Jayanthi falls on a Friday. The person should get up early in the morning, and have an oil bath after applying sesame oil on the body. After the bath, they should wear black clothes and observe a fast from morning till the evening. Then they should light a lamp using sesame oil.

The next step is to keep an idol or picture of  Lord Ganesha, and an idol of Shani made of iron, on the pooja altar. The idol may be cleaned with mustard oil and sesame seeds. In the absence of such an idol, one can use a picture of Shani Bhagwan too. In case, this too is not available, they can visualize Shani in their mind and sit before the altar. It is also beneficial to worship Hanuman as he has the power to reduce Shani’s affliction. Since Shani is a great devotee of Shiva, one can do pooja for Shiva as well, in order to appease Shani. Thus, doing the pooja for these three deities can enhance the positive effects for the worshipper.

Light the lamp and pray to Ganesha. After this, offer black sesame seeds to Shani. Things like pickle, black pepper, black salt, cloves, peanut oil, etc, can be offered as well. After offering flowers, perform pooja for Lord Hanuman and Lord Shiva. At the end of the pooja, chant the Shani Gayatri mantra 21 times and offer the delicacies that have been prepared for the pooja. Offer arati using camphor. After a day-long fast, perform the pooja again in the evening. The fast can be broken by consuming rice with urad dal or sesame seeds. Non-vegetarian food should be avoided completely when breaking the fast.

The Shani Gayatri mantra is: Aum Sanaischaraya Vidmahe Sooryaputraye Dheemahi, Tanno Manda Prachodayat.