Shani Dev is a Hindu deity associated with the planet Saturn. He is considered both beneficial and malefic, representing discipline, justice, and hardships.

Shri Shani Dev Ki Aarti | शनि देव जी की आरती

Q: What is the importance of Shani Dev in astrology?

Shani Dev's placement in a person's astrological chart is believed to influence their life experiences, discipline, and karmic lessons.

Q: How is Shani Dev usually depicted?

Shani Dev is often portrayed as a dark-complexioned deity with a fierce appearance, riding a chariot pulled by crows or a buffalo. He is shown with a sword and a bow.

Q: What are the different names of Shani Dev?

Shani Dev is also known as Shani Bhagwan, Shani Maharaj, Shanishwara, or simply Lord Saturn.

Q: What is the significance of worshiping Shani Dev?

Worshiping Shani Dev is believed to bring about relief from malefic influences, provide protection from obstacles, and aid in spiritual growth.

Q: When is Shani Jayanti celebrated?

Shani Jayanti, the birth anniversary of Shani Dev, is celebrated on the 15th of Vaishakha month (April or May) according to the Hindu calendar.

Q: Are there any specific rituals associated with Shani Dev worship?

Devotees often observe fasts, chant Shani mantras, and offer oil, black sesame seeds, black urad dal, or black clothes to please Shani Dev.

Q: Can the negative effects of Shani Dev be mitigated?

It is believed that by performing good deeds, showing patience, and leading a disciplined life, one can lessen the negative impacts of Shani Dev.

Shani Dev Image The Hindu god Shani, also known as Shanaishchara, represents Saturn, one of the nine celestial bodies (Navagraha) used in Hindu astrology. In the Puranas, Shani is also a male Hindu deity depicted as a black figure riding a crow and holding a sword or danda (sceptre). He is the god of karma and justice and retribution, and he gives people what they deserve for their own actions, words, and thoughts. Longevity, misery, sorrow, old age, discipline, restriction, responsibility, delays, ambition, leadership, authority, humility, integrity, and experience-based wisdom are all under the jurisdiction of Shani. Spiritual asceticism, penance, discipline, and hard work are all qualities he represents. Neela and the gandharva princess Manda are considered his consorts.

Shani is usually depicted with a dark complexion, dark robes (either blue or black), and either a vulture or an iron chariot pulled by eight horses. He is armed to the teeth with a bow, arrow, axe, and trident. In canonical depictions, he is shown travelling on the back of a huge crow. The astrological community is split on whether or not he has a mount (which could be anything from a horse to an elephant to a donkey to a lion to a dog to a jackal to a deer to a vulture).

The Brahma Vaivarta Purana claims that Krishna identified himself as the planet Shani, leading to the belief that Shani is an incarnation of Krishna. He is the most feared of the Hindu astrological gods because he is responsible for bestowing the rewards for human endeavours, earning him the name Saneeswar. Even though he has a reputation for wreaking havoc on people's lives, worshipping him is said to make him lenient.

In the Hindu calendar, Shani is the basis for one of the seven days that make up a week, known as Shanivara. According to the Greek and Roman system of naming the days of the week, this day is Saturday, named after Saturn. People believe that Shani is the most malevolent planet because it causes limitations and bad luck.

Why is Shani Jayanti Celebrated?

Lord Shani's birthday, or Shani Jayanti, is celebrated on the day of the new moon, or Amavasya, in the Krishna Paksha month of Vaisakha. People worship Shani Dev, who is the son of Lord Sun (Surya) and the ruler of the planet Saturn, on this day to bring luck into their lives. Shani Jayanti is held every year to honour the powerful Lord Shani. For Hindus, he is one of the most important Navagraha and one of the most important gods according to their holy texts. Some people believe that Lord Shani is one of the most hostile Hindu gods. There is a fast, prayers, and a big party on His birthday so that people can get His blessings and good luck. But people who worship Shani Dev have to follow very strict rules in order to make Him happy, since He is known for being very angry. Astrology says that people who are going through "Shani Saade Saati" (the hardest and most complicated time of life) should fast and worship with all their heart.

Significance of Shani Jayanti

According to Hindu mythology, Shani Dev rules over Saturn and Saturdays. In space, Saturn is the planet that moves the slowest. Astrologically, where this planet is in a person's birth chart is very important because it has bad effects on the lives of the natives. Because of this, Hindus worship and pray to the Lord of Saturn to lessen the bad effects of the planet. People believe that Lord Shani is the Lord of Justice and that he only gives success to people who have done penance and been disciplined and worked hard. On this day, people who fast and pray to Shani dev can develop qualities that will help them live a successful life. Hindus believe that everyone goes through a difficult phase called Shani Sade Sati at least once in their life. This is when they have the most problems.

Rituals to be followed

You can get rid of problems and struggles by praying and worshipping Lord Shani. Shani can also help people be successful and grow in their lives. Here are some important things you should do to celebrate Shani Jayanti:

• A priest has to get up before dawn and take a bath. Fans of Lord Shani must bathe an idol of him on this day with Gangajal, panchamrit, oil, and water.

• Give the idol flowers, Diya, and incense sticks after bathing it.

• Some devotees also give the Navratna garland, which is a necklace with nine gemstones.

• A lot of people who are religious do a special ceremony called Shani Shanti puja or yajna on this day. They do it in either a Shani temple or a Navagraha temple.

• To make Shani Dev happy, sit in front of the idol and say the Shani Stotra, mantras, and prayers.

• A fast means that a person should not eat or drink anything during the day.

• When the puja is over, the person performing it should give something black to someone in need, such as black clothes, black til (mustard oil), black shoes, or a black umbrella.