Shani

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Shani planet

Shani Yantra

Shani (also spelled Sani) is one of the nine Navagraha or primary celestial beings in Hindu astrology (that is, Vedic astrology), Shani is embodied in the planet Saturn. Shani is the Lord of Saturday; the word Shani also denotes the seventh day or Saturday in most Indian languages.

He is also known as Sanaiscarya, Shani Bhagavan, Shaneesvara, Saneesvara, Saneesvaran, Shani Deva, etc...

Shani is actually a demi-god and is a son of Surya, the (Hindu deity of the sun). It is said that when he opened his eyes as a baby for the very first time, the sun went into an eclipse, which clearly denotes the impact of Shani on astrological charts (horoscope).

In Hindu astrology, a favourably-placed Shani on the horoscope of a person stands for a strong career, healthy life and everything positive for that person. In fact, a well-placed Shani in one's horoscope is something every astrology-believing Hindu hopes for, as no other 'graha' can bestow what a favourable Shani can. Shani placed "unfavourably", on the other hand, denotes troubles in all of the above. Saneesvara is much feared by those Hindus who believe in astrology, as the "malefic" effects of his being unfavourably placed can be quite severe.

However, it is to be remembered that any pleasure or pain that befalls a person during Saneesvara's influence is not Saneesvara's arbitrary doing; rather, it is the result of the person's own karma, now being manifested in the "presence" of Saneesvara. Thus an "unfavourably-placed" Shani brings about the harsh results of one's bad karma, and vice-versa.

Shani is considered to be a stern teacher who represents patience, effort, endeavour, and endurance; he is not one who gets carried away by platitudes like the careless and/or insincere chanting of matras or the performance of rituals without sincerity and/or faith. He forces people to be disciplined, and to understand that one needs to be humble, focussed, patient, and hardworking to achieve success.

Since most Hindus fear Lord Shani, they prefer not to approach him alone directly; rather they turn to God, in His various Forms, for relief.

1 Shani and Hanuman
2 Shani and Lord Vishnu
3 Shani and Lord Munisuvarat (20th jain tirthankar)
4 Shrines for Lord Shani
5 See also
6 External links

[edit] Shani and Hanuman

The worship of Lord Hanuman is a panacea for the harsh effects of the 'unfavourable' presence of Lord Shani. In the Ramayana, Lord Hanuman is said to have rescued Shani from the clutches of Ravana and in gratitude, Shani promised Hanuman that anyone who prayed to Him (Hanuman), especially on Saturdays, would be rescued from the "malefic" effects of Saturn, or at the very least, the effects would be softened.

Another version of the encounter between Lord Hanuman and Shani is that once Shani climbed on to Hanuman's shoulder, implying that Shani's influence was beginning on Lord Hanuman. At this, Hanuman assumed a large size, and Shani was caught painfully between Hanuman's shoulders and the ceiling of the room they were in. As the pain was unbearable, Shani requested Lord Hanuman to release him, promising in return, that if a person prayed to Lord Hanuman, he (Shani) would moderate the malefic effects of his influence on that person if not all together have no malefic influence on the person; following this, Lord Hanuman released Shani.

[edit] Shani and Lord Vishnu

Shani went everyday to put his ill effects on Maha Vishnu, but Vishnu was busy every time that Shani appeared. Shani was growing restless and asked Vishnu when he was available. Vishnu said tomorrow. Shani wanted to know how Vishnu would remember. Vishnu said write "tomorrow" on the wall and Shani did. When Shani came the next day, Vishnu pointed to the wall with the word "tomorrow". Shani came the next day and the same thing happened. Shani got tired of coming everyday that he left Vishnu alone.

Alternatively, one who prays to Lord Vishnu is protected from Shani as he is said to be a great devotee of Vishnu. (It is interesting to note that Hanuman Himself was devoted to Lord Rama, an avatar of Vishnu).

Note: Maha Vishnu is known for being reached by his devotees and not anyone else who wishes to influence him, including Shani.

[edit] Shani and Lord Munisuvarat (20th jain tirthankar)

One who prays to Lord Munisuvarat is protected from Shani as he is great devotee of Lord Munisuvarat Swami (20th jain tirthankar) as per Jainism & really one can trace from ancient times people Worshiping Munisuvarat Swami whose symbol is Tortoise to get protected from ill effects of not properly placed shani in ones horoscope.

Usually Munisuvarat Swamis idol is always found made up of Black colour. Millions of devotees across the world have witnessed miracles of Munisuvarat swami who appeared approx. 10,000 years ago as 20th jain tirthankar.

At Kankali Tila in Mathura a deity of Muni-Suvrat Swami whose insignia is tortoise, was discovered. One of the nude statues in Mohan-Jodaro (Indus Valley ) has the tortoise insignia, which indicates that it must be of Muni-Suvrat Swami. In Vedic history there are descriptions of a Muni in the Puran, connected to the tortoise, which throws light on Muni Suvrat. In the Rigved (23, 27, 32) a sage with tortoise insignia has been mentioned which is none other than Tirthankar Muni-Suvrat Swami. It connection with the tortoise the Puran (40, 27, 41) writes that Vishnu appeared in the form of tortoise in Rishabh race ( First Tirthankar).

Shared by pajarotouch@yahoo.com (Mr. Pankaz Hingarh)

[edit] Shrines for Lord Shani

In several parts of India, there are clusters of nine temples/shrines dedicated to the Navagrahas. One such cluster is located near the town Kumbakonam in the state of Tamil Nadu, India. Lord Shani's shrine in this cluster is located at Tirunallar. It is a Temple dedicated to Lord Darbaranyesvara, a Form of Lord Shiva, in which Lord Shani is located in a niche in a wall. At this Temple, Lord Shani is considered to be of benevolent nature.

Another important Shrine for Lord Shani is in Shingnapur, in Maharashtra, India. The deity self emerged from the earth in form of stone block and was found by shepherds. When they touched stone with a pointed rod the stone began bleeding. The shepherds were astounded and one night one shepherd got a dream that the deity was Lord Shani. To this day, due to fear of Shani, houses within a 1 km radius of the Shani temple do not have locks. No thefts happen in this place. Some who have tried to steal have received punishment (sickness, mental harrasment) (from Shani).

Another Shani temple is Shani Dhaam , at Fatehpur Beri, about 6KMs from Chhattarpur temple & 16kms from the Qutub Minar, at Mehrauli, South Delhi, India.