Shani Deva: Is he the lord of bad luck?
Shani is a powerful god in Hindu mythology. One needs his blessings to succeed in one’s life. Although Shani isn’t the most loved Hindu deity, he is worshipped all over the country with great devotion.
Hindus have great respect for Shani Deva (Saturn). He isn’t the most loved deity, but he is worshipped by almost everyone. One of the planets of the celestial system, Shani protects the kind and the righteous. He punishes the wicked.
No one wants to invite the wrath of Shani. Hindus believe that this planet has the power to cause major hardships in their life. So, they appease him by offering him til (mustard) oil and chanting his hymns. Saturday is the best day for worshipping Shani. Since this day is afflicted with the influence of Shani, it is not considered as an auspicious day to start a new venture.
India has several temples dedicated to Shani Dev. Generally speaking, most Hindu temples have a small shrine dedicated to the Navgrahas (Nine planets). Shani is worshipped together with other planets and the Sun.
According to Hindu mythology, one needs the blessings of Shani Dev to succeed in life. The word Shani means ‘one who moves slow’. This is true. Saturn takes 30 years to complete one revolution around the Sun.
Why it is important to appease Shani Dev?
Shani can read your mind. He can understand your motives. If you really want to win his favor, it is important to have the right intentions and thoughts. Shani isn’t kind to those who harbor ill will.
Shani is the son of Surya (Sun) and his wife Chaya (Shadow). He has a dark complexion. Shani is shown as riding a chariot pulled by a vulture or crow. He holds an arrow and a bow in this hand.
A lot of people believe that Shani is an incarnation of Lord Shiva. He is also the brother of Yama, the god of death and justice.
The lord of bad luck?
Contrary to popular belief, Shani isn’t the lord of bad luck. He is hard on the wicked, but he protects the pious. The easiest way to win his blessings is to clean your thoughts.
Does Saturn have an ill effect?
Hindus both respect and dread Shani. While most other Hindu deities are worshipped with much love and affection, Shani is dreaded. This is one god that instills fear in the mind of people.
In Vedic astrology, the planetary position at the time of a person’s birth determines his/her future. Everything in this universe is made up of the five elements. Our body is no different. A person born under the influence of Shani is believed to be at risk.
To please Shani, people light a lamp before his idol or image on Saturday. Reading Shani Mahatmyaham is another popular practice. Shani likes lamps lit with mustard oil.
The protector of the righteous
While there are several stories of his evil influence, Shani has an equally benign side. Don’t mess with him or his devotees. He is good and kind to people who are good and kind to others.
In his musical composition ‘Navagraha’ Muthuswami Dikshitar (AD 1775-1835) likens Shani to Kamadhenu, the wish fulfilling cow.
“Yet o son of Chhaya you are the fire who can destroy Time itself and like Kamadhenu, you grant us all good things with kindness and compassion” wrote the musician in his celebrated work in Sanskrit.
Shani Temples
There are numerous Shani temples in India. The Navagraha temples at Kumbakonam in Tamil Nadu are the oldest temples dedicated to the nine planets. Shani is worshipped in his most benign form at one of these temples. The Shani temple at Shani Shingnapur attracts tens of thousands of devotees every day.
