SHNISHCHAR JYANTI

Shani Jayanti is observed on Amavasya .Shani Jayanti is considered as the Birthday or appearance day of Lord Shani, one of the navagrahas or nine celestial deities in Hinduism. Shani Jayanti 2010 falls on June 12th, Saturday. In Hinduism, Sani is the deity of Shanivar.

Neelanjana Samabhasam Ravi Putram Yamaagrajam
Chaaya Maarthaanda sambhootham tham namami sanaischaram

Believers say that worshipping Shani rids off all troubles and suffering. There is a well-known temple of Shri Shanidev in Shani Shinganapur; about 70 kms form Shirdi.

Shanidev or Shanichar (Saturn) is believed to be the son of Surya the Sun. Shani is believed to have wield evil influence, so anyone born under his influence is at risk. Hence the day named after him, Shanivara, is considered inauspicious to begin any new venture.

In Hindu temples, Shani-dev is depicted wearing blue/black robes. His skin is dark, he rides a vulture or travels in an iron chariot drawn by eight horses. He holds in his hands a bow, an arrow, an axe and a trident Since Shani rides a tortoise, he is very slow. Anyone who comes under his evil influence has to suffer saadhesaati - hardship for seven-and-a-half years or dhaiya - for two-and-a-half years. As he is believed to be the giver of slow and long afflictions, Shani is feared by one and all.But anyone who came to his temple to pray would immediately be freed from all worries and afflictions

Every Saturday thousands of devotees throng the temple, seeking forgiveness and blessings. After the three-km circumambulation, devotees pray, burn incense and pour mustard oil on the idol of Shanidev. Contrary to popular belief, Shanidev is not heartless and merciless; he does not cause suffering. In fact, as the partial incarnation of Lord Shiva, he is both preserver and destroyer. He is the JUDGE of karmas. If one does good deeds/karmas, then Shanidev never trouble such devotees.

Vikramaditya was the king of Ujjaini. He was famous for his wisdom, valour and magnanimity. Due to his great power he had became 'emperor'. Madenlekha (Queen of Ujjaini) was the wife of Vikramaditya. He had two children Adityavardhan & Manjili.

The seven god of the week are the Sun (Surya dev), Moon, Mars, Jupiter, Mercury, Venus and Saturn (Shani dev). Once upon a time, the seven god of the week, were in meeting. Rahu and Ketu were also there. Rahu & Ketu put one question in front of them. The question was 'who is the powerful god among us'? They could not decide on this matter. So, they went to Devraj Indra for his adjudication. God Devraj Indra thought if he gave decision in favour of any one god then other will be unsatisfied with me. He told them that respected gods, I am also like you so, how can I decide that who is great & I can't give an impartial judgment. So, better thing for all of you go to the planet earth. There is King Vikramaditya. He gives good justice all over the earth. So all Gods went to King Vikramaditya.

When all gods came to King Vikramaditya then king gave big respect to them and begged for any kind of service. They told him about their problem. It was very difficult task for Vikramaditya. But he was dutiful king so, he accepted this challenge gracefully. After thinking on this, He arranged seven thrones. These thrones were made from Gold, Bronze, Brass, Tin, Zinc, Mica, & iron respectively. The thrones were put by numbers. The Gold throne was put at number one & the iron throne was at the last. Then King Vikramaditya requested to seven gods to grace the throne of their own selection. God Surya (Sun) was in the gold chair while God Shani selected the iron chair.

When the seven gods sat in the chair of their own selection, Vikramaditya said, 'Now according to the order of your throne you may decide your own rank & none can thrust my judgment upon you.' Hearing to this, God Shani (Saturn) stood up & said to King Vikramaditya, 'You ranked me the lowest among these gods. You don't know my power. Sun can stay on a Zodiac (Rashi) for One to Two months, Marsh for half and one month, Jupiter for maximum thirteen months, Mercury and Venus for one month only. Rahu & Ketu for eighteen months. But only me who can reign a Zodiac from two and half years to seven and half years. This period is called as 'sade sathi'. Due to this sade saathi period powerful god also trembled. When I was angry on Rama then he got to abandon throne. Now be prepared because it's your turn.' Saying all this God shani went back.

After a very short time, the 'Sade Sathi' period was occupies by Shanidev on Zodiac of Vikramaditya. From here, king's sade sathi period began which was for seven & half year. Shani dev went to Vikramaditya's kingdom as a horse-seller & he had very attractive horses. People were also praise of those horses. When King Vikramaditya heard about the strange horses, he sent to Ashawapal to buy a best horse for him & when Ashawapal came with one attractive horse, then king was so pleased to see the horse that he could not stop himself for riding on this horse. But, when he was riding on horse, the horse disappeared in the air with a great speed. After a few second king was in deep and thick forest. He was very tired. Being out of his kingdom, King Vikramaditya faced many problems. These entire problems were created by God Shani dev.

At Ujjaini, Queen Madenlekha was worried about King Vikramaditya. Queen Madenlekha was the devotee of Shani Dev. So, she requested to Shani dev to save her husband. Due to the Prayer of Queen Madenlekha, Shanidev promised that I will save your husband but he has to endure for his work (Karma).

King Vikramaditya reached a nearby city and in the city he met a respectable businessman. This businessman did not recognize Vikramaditya. King was looking like a beggar. With the sympathy, the businessmen took him to his home and arranged food for him. On that day businessman earned more profit due to the grace of Shani dev. But, he thought that this man (King) is lucky for him. Thinking this he kept him to his house for work.

The king was enduring his Sade Sathi period. He was living in the Businessman's home by changed name. After some days, there was a marriage of Businessman's daughter. In this marriage Vikramaditya was the responsible person. He went to the market with businessmen's another daughter for purchasing of Marriage's material. In the market, Vikramaditya met to shanidev who was in disguise. Shanidev gave a picture of duck to Vikramaditya.

The marriage arrangement was going on properly. Suddenly, in the marriage necklace of bride got lost. The necklace was swallowed by the duck which was in picture. Businessmen's wife asked king about necklace but King could not explain anything to her. She thought that king is thief and she arrested him by the soldier of king Chandrasen.

King Chandrasen was the enemy of King Vikramaditya. Looked to Vikramaditya, King Chandrasen was very happy. He ordered to their soldiers that King Vikramaditya's hands and feet be cut with one stroke of a sward. Listening to this order Vikramaditya cried out. But, Soldiers cuts the hand & feet of him.

Now, The King was without hand and feet. He was dallying like Beggar. An 'Oil seed Crusher (Teli)' was looking and he felt pity on him. He took him to his house and arranged food for him. He also dressed the king's wounds and after some days, Teli made him capable of driving the bullocks around the grinding machine. Now, Vikramaditya can do his work properly. Like this time passed on. The Sade Sathi period was about to be over.

One night, the king was alone in his work. He was singing song. The voice was sweet. His voice was breaking the silence of the night. In the nearest kingdom, one princess heard the song & she got fascinated towards the singer (Vikramaditya). Princess called to her personal attendant and sent him to know about the singer. After some time, the attendant came back and he told to princess that the singer was servant of 'Teli' and he is handicapped. Listening to this thing, Princess decided that she would marry with that singer otherwise she would remain unmarried throughout her life. When princess parents heard about this decision they resented on princess. But, ultimately they were ready for that decision.

The King (father of princess) went to the Teli with the proposal of Marriage. The king said to Teli, 'Arrange for the marriage of this handicapped person, my daughter wants to marry with this man.' Teli did not believe on king but at the final teli became ready for marriage.

Marriage of Princess and handicapped Vikramaditya was over. But princess parents were not happy. At the mid-night of honeymoon King Vikramaditya had a small nap. God Shani dev visited to the King's dream and said, 'King Vikramaditya, you ranked me the lowest among the gods. All this happened with you this is effect of my sight. You have undergone enough sufferings for your misjudgment. But now your Sade Sathi period is over.' Hearing this news king became happy and he requested to Shani dev 'Do not inflict such suffering in future on anyone like me. The God accepted the king's request and disappeared.

After the disappeared of shanidev when King Vikramaditya opened his eyes, he became surprise to see that his hands and feet in proper shape. The princess & her family member were also so much happy to see this. But when they knew about the reality of handicapped person that he is King Vikramaditya, king (princess father) was overwhelmed with joy and praised his stars.

This news reached immediately in all area & nearest area. The businessman also got this news and felt guilty to his behavior with Vikramaditya. He went to Vikramaditya & requested him, 'Excuse me for my wrong behavior with you.' And he also invited him for dinner. King Vikramaditya accepted his request & next day he went to businessman's house for dinner. In the house of businessman, King Vikramaditya said, 'I shall dine in the same room where the necklace had lost.' Without asking any question, the businessman arranged the dinner in that room. When the Vikramaditya were dining, he saw to his great surprise that the invaluable necklace was emerging from the same duck which was in picture. This Imaging thing was seen by all the people who were present in that house. The businessman was so much overwhelmed with joy and he too decided to marry off his daughter to Vikramaditya.

After some days, King Vikramaditya returned to his Kingdom. Queen Madenlekha became so much happy to see Vikramaditya has returned to his kingdom. On the next day in the court, The King Vikramaditya said to his courtiers to make a proclamation by the beat of drum that God Shani is also powerful like other God and so, they should keep fast on Saturday as a mark of honor of God Shani dev. After that in the kingdom of King Vikramaditya, there was arrangement of worship of Shani dev at every Saturday. Now, Vikramaditya & his two queens lived happily.
Shani yagya or homa is conducted on this day by those people who have the Saturn cycle or Sani cycle or Sade sathi in their horoscope. Many believe that Saturn cycle can be a reason for the bad patch in their life. Pacifying Sani or obtaining Shani shanti is the desired result from such pujas.
It is believed that Hanuman devotees are not affected by the pranks of Shani and therefore many people worship Hanuman on Saturdays.

Visiting Navagraha shrines, Sani temples or temples of Lord Ganesha on the day is considered auspicious. Some people also observe a fast on the day and the method followed is the same as that of Shanivar Vrat.