Are you going through a very difficult period in your life? For instance, do you have to deal with obstacles, restrictions, and bad luck that make your life hell? Take your horoscope to an astrologer and find out if you are going through Shani Sade Sati, Dhaiya, or Shani Mahadasha.
In Vedic astrology, the above Shani phases can be very difficult and trying times for a person. If Shani is unfavorable in your Kundli, a person will be severely tested during such periods.
Who is Shani?
Shani is the lord of planet Saturn. There are 9 planets (Navagrahas) in Vedic astrology. Of these, Saturn has an important place as its impact on our life can be huge and can even be life-changing.
As per mythology, Shani is the son of Surya or the Sun God and Chhaya. Chhaya was the shadow of his real wife, Sanjana. The latter could not endure his heat and radiance and left him. But she installed her shadow, Chhaya, in her place without Surya’s knowledge.
Shani’s birthday is celebrated as Shani Jayanti or Shani Amavasya.
Shani’s guru is Lord Shiva, who is also his brother-in-law. It was Shiva who made him the planet of karma and justice. Shani’s brother was Lord Yama, the god of death.
Is Shani a Malefic Planet?
Many people think that Shani is a malefic planet. This is understandable because he inflicts so much suffering on people. But that is because they deserve it. As the planet of karma and justice, Shani punishes those who do evil deeds. So he is, in fact, blameless. If you do good deeds, he will reward you. Shani’s rewards and punishments will come during one’s lifetime itself. Your horoscope and Shani’s position in it will clearly reveal how your karma will play out in your life through the agency of Shani.
If Shani’s position is unfavorable, you may face many problems. For this reason, people worship him on Shani Jayanti and perform special rituals to pacify him. Such rituals may include Pooja, Homa, Abishekam, etc. It is also customary to observe a fast/vrat on this day.
While Shani gives the results of our deeds while we are still on earth, his brother, Yama, gives the results of our misdeeds after we die. Shani will punish us if we violate the laws of nature. The Sun, who is Shani’s father, bears witness to all our deeds. From the moment we are born, we will begin to experience Shani’s results in our life. After we die, Yama sends us to heaven or hell, depending on our actions. People get some chronic or incurable diseases due to Shani’s affliction. During Shani’s main period, sub-period, and sub-sub periods, it will bring forth the hidden diseases in our body.
Shani also makes thieves and dacoits acknowledge their evil deeds publicly. They will have to undergo a long imprisonment, and suffer severe physical and mental torture. Shani gives results without any bias. But he is not someone who causes only pain. He also nullifies the effects of our misdeeds and makes us pure. He brings us closer to the Divine.
If you follow the path of truth and Dharma, you will make Lord Shani happy. This will ensure that you get Shani’s blessings.
Shani is very strict in his punishments and generous with his rewards. He brings people down to earth and leads them towards Moksha (liberation), the ultimate goal of life. Only Shani has the power to do this. He is like a goldsmith who purifies gold by subjecting it to intense heat and melting it. He purifies us by making us repent our sins. In many cases, Shani has engineered a complete reversal of people’s fortunes in a very short span of time by turning rich and powerful people into beggars during his main-period (Mahadasha) or the sub–period (Antardasha) or the sub-sub period (Pratantar-Dasha).
What to do on Shani Jayanthi
1) Worship the Sun God and chant “Aum Suryaya Namah” 108 times or Sri Aditya Hrudayam Namah.
2) Chant Shani Mantra – “Aum Sham Shanescharya Namaha” 108 times.
3) Offer Abishekam to Shiva Lingam.
4) Donate to needy people.
5) Try to do meditation.
6) Give respect to old people.
7) Fast from sunrise to sunset.
8) Be truthful and righteous in your actions.
9) Visit a Shani temple or perform Shani Pooja at home.
10) Try to be sattvik on Shani Jayanti by avoiding non-veg food, alcohol, smoking, etc.
