Shani Jayanti 2023: The Significant Role of Saturn

All about Shani

Shani or Saturn is a planet, but it is also a deity in Hinduism. It is one of the Navagrahas, the 9 planets in Vedic astrology that influence our lives and destinies. Mythology says that Shani is the son of Surya and his shadow wife, Chhaya or Sandhya. She was the shadow of his actual wife, Sanjana. Sanjana could not bear the heat of her husband, so she left her shadow behind to take on her wifely role and returned to her parental home. The Sun, or Surya dev, mistook Chhaya for his wife, and they had 3 children, one of whom was Shani, who was born black. Surya, who had a radiant complexion, doubted that Shani was his son. This led to a troubled relationship between father and son. It was after Shiva’s intervention that all misunderstandings were cleared, and they became reconciled.

Shani was a great devotee of Shiva, like his mother. It was Shiva who made him the god of justice who metes out rewards and punishments to people based on their actions. Shani is said to have cursed his father for being indifferent toward him, which caused his eclipse. He is also lame, as he supposedly kicked his mother when his mother, who was busy with her Shiva Pooja, refused to feed him until the Pooja was over. Due to this sinful act, he became lame.

Shani is regarded as a malefic planet in astrology. It is a slow-moving planet that takes 2.5 years to transit from one sign to the next. If Shani is not favorable in one’s birth chart, there will be delays and hardships in life. His effects are based on one’s karma.

Shani Jayanthi

Shani Jayanti is an important festival in Hinduism. It is the birthday of Shani, the deity who rules the planet Saturn. In the Hindu Scriptures, each day of the week is associated with a Hindu God or Goddess. Shani’s day is Saturday.

Shani is the most powerful among the Navagrahas.

Significance of Shani Jayanti

Let us learn some more facts about Shani Jayanthi.

∙ It falls on Amavasya, or the dark moon night, of Vaishakha month in the Hindu calendar.

∙ As the most powerful Navagraha, Shani has a great influence on human life.

∙ His role is to punish those who have become very arrogant due to their wealth and power.

∙ His punishment can last for seven and a half years and is called Shani Sade Sati.

∙ Shani devotees and those who fear him observe a fast on this day to please him and get his blessings for a good life.

Shani Jayanti Rituals

On this day, a special Shanti Pooja and Path take place, usually in a Navagraha or Shani Temple, to appease Shani.

∙ During the Pooja, the idols of Shani and his mount, the Vulture, are offered a bath with honey, Mustard oil with mole seeds, curd, and Gangajal are some of the other offerings.

∙ Some devotees offer a necklace that is made of nine gemstones.

∙ Devotees perform Shani Pooja and recite Shani Stotra and Shani Chalisa or Shanti Path to please Shani and gain his blessings.

∙ Reciting Shani Mantras on this day can reduce the malefic effects of Saturn. People donate things like black clothes, black lentils, and mustard oil on this day.

∙ After reciting Stotras and Mantras and worshipping Shani, people perform Aarti and offer Prasad.

More Facts about Shani Dev

Shani is usually depicted as a black-hued figure who rides a chariot and moves very slowly through heaven.

•  ∙ He carries a sword, a bow and arrows, an ax, and a trident.
• His mount is a vulture or crow.
• ∙ He is ruled by Brahma.
• ∙ His color is Black.
• ∙ His taste is Astringent.
• ∙ The body parts he rules are the Muscles.
• ∙ 8 is his number.
• ∙ His metals are Iron, Lead, and Tin. 

Shani’s Significance in Vedic Astrology

Shani exerts a tremendous influence on our lives, and his transits can trigger major events. Therefore, Shani Jayanti has great significance in Vedic Astrology.

The truth is that many people fear Shani and lose sleep over the problems he may bring. But Shani does not target innocent or good people. He punishes only those who have committed sins and unethical deeds. Shani is a judge and teacher. He judges us and gives us what we deserve. He teaches us valuable lessons in life. He brings arrogant and proud people down to earth and makes them humble. He helps us to course correct, and by the end of his Dasa period, we actually become better and stronger. But for Shani, evil and dishonest people would continue with their shenanigans, as there would be no one to mete out justice if they managed to hoodwink the laws of the land.

If Shani occupies the 2nd, 7th, 3rd, 10th, and 11th house in a horoscope, the results will be beneficial. But if it occupies the 4th, 5th, and 8th house in the horoscope, then it can cause many problems.

Shani has many names, which find mention in the “Shani Sahasranaam”. They include Manda, Chhayasunu, Sharanya, Nischala, Chhayaputra, Neel, Kshrushang, Kapilaksh, Vairagyadha, Kutsitha, Paavana, Tamasa, etc.

All of us may face bad times at some point in life. When Shani passes through the 12th, 1st, or 2nd house from the Moon sign, the natives will undergo Shani Sade Sati. There will be many challenges and hardships during this time.

Shani does not always bring suffering in life. He can also bless you with great success – especially in career - and prosperity in life. Also, you can be free from mental problems and liver diseases.

Shani’s younger brother is Yama (God of death).

Supposedly, Shani's wife, Damini, cursed him, saying that his eyes would always remain turned down as his gaze would cause trouble for people. Later on, Goddess Parvati gave him a boon that no important event in people’s lives would be complete without his worship. Also, after he was appointed the God of justice, he got freedom from this curse.

By reciting the Shani mantra 23000 times, one can please Shani and get relief from problems.

Effects of Shani

∙ When Saturn is transiting through the 4th or 8th house from the Moon sign, it is “Dhaiya.”

∙ Shani’s Sade Sati is for seven and a half years, while Dhaiya lasts for two and a half years.

∙ Whether it is Sade Sati or Dhaiya, the effects depend on the person who is undergoing it. With patience, one may overcome the challenges successfully during this time. One will also become more mature, responsible, and stronger.

∙ But if Shani enters into a wrong house of a person who is quite old and has many diseases, then Shani can even end their life.

Remedies for Weak Saturn

 ∙ Install Shani Yantra in your Pooja area and recite Shani Chalisa daily.

∙ Mix jaggery and sesame seeds and put the mixture in ant holes or spread it over a part of the land along with the Shani Yantra pooja on Shani Jayanti.

∙ Chant Puranokta Mantra (given below) during the daytime. 

“ Nilanjan Samaabhaasam Raviputram Yamaagrajam, Chhaya Maartand Sambhootam Tam Namami Shanaishcharam.”

Shani Jayanthi 2023 is on May 19 (Friday).