Festivals - Written by naveen on Wednesday, September 10, 2008 7:18 - 3 Comments

Shani Trayodashi â€“ A Day Dedicated To Lord Shani

Shani, also known as Shanaiscarya, Shani Bhagavan, Shaneesvara, Saneesvara, Shaneeshvaran or Shani Deva, is one of the navagrahas. Navagrahas are the nine primary celestial beings in Hindu astrology. Sani is referred as the Lord of Saturday. The word Shani also indicates the seventh day (Saturday).

Who is Lord Shani:
According to Hindu Astrology, Shani represents the planet Saturn. Since Shani is a god and son of Sun and his wife Chhaya (Goddess of Shadow), he is also known as Chhayaputra (Son of Shadow Goddess). Shani is described as having a dark complexion with a beautiful face.

When is Shani Trayodashi:
Shani Trayodasi is celebrated on the day of Trayodashi when it falls on Saturday. The year 2008 is very significant in terms of Sani Trayodashi. In 2008, Sani Tryodasi comes twice in the months of May and September. Shani Trayodashi is celebrated on 3rd and 17th of May and on 13th and 27th of September in 2008.

Significance of Shani (Saturn) in Hindu Astrology:
Shani is considered as the God of Karmas. It is believed that one can experience his sorrows based on his native karmas (actions and deeds). Oneâ€™s fortune depends on his own birth chart such as birth time, birth star, birth sign etc. Oneâ€™s astro predictions are done mainly based on his Janm Kunadali (birth chart). The location of Shani is the key aspect in oneâ€™s birth chart. Shastras explain that oneâ€™s whole fortune depends on Shani.

Why To Please Shani:
Devotees believe that praying to shani and praising him may reduce the effect of shani on their life. They praise the Lord Shani like all other gods.

How To Please Shani:
Devotees perform Shani puja to please the Lord. They offer â€˜Tailabhishekamâ€™, a bath with til oil while chanting the stotra. Then they cover the idol of shani with black cloth and spill black til, kum kum and turmeric powder. Coconut and other fruits such as banana and mangoes are offered as â€˜naivedyamâ€™. After that, Aarti is given with incense sticks.

Shani Homa or Shani Yagna is performed by those having the Saturn cycle or Sani Cycle or Sade Saathi in their horoscope.

Shani, Lord Hanuman and Lord Venkateshwara:
The worship of Lord Hanuman and Lord Venkateshwara (Lord Balaji) is a panacea for the bad effects of the unfavorable presence of Lord Shani. In Jainism, praying to Lord Munisuvarat, 20th Jain thirthankar, may protect one from Shaniâ€™s effects.

The Best Way To Get Rid Of The Bad Phases In Your Life Is To Concentrate More On Your Karma

3 Comments

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Sunil
Sep 13, 2008 9:17

Superb yr

chandran.pp
Sep 20, 2008 3:38

good article .thanks. Desie to know more about sani and the solution

Krishna
Feb 7, 2009 8:02

Shani is also known as the teacher. As opposed to the common perception, Shani is not malefic….it is just that in his role as a teacher, he imparts wisdom the hard way. Further, the Sade Sati period is not harmful as many believe. On the contrary, the Sade Sati period is when lord Shani makes the afflicted person atone for his sins. This is beneficial since the dushkarma will not be carried by the person later. Invariably, at the end of the Sade Sati, there is some very good benefit that lord Shani provides to the afflicted person. It is also said that for those persons in whose horoscope Shani is well placed will not suffer (that is not necessarily to say that they will prosper….because one’s karma is the overriding factor).

Another means to mitigate the malefic effects of Shani is to pray to lord Shiva (especially the Rudram).