"Shani Jayanti- Custodian Of Karma & Justice”

Shani Jayanti, a propitious day dedicated to the God of Justice in Hindu Shastras- Lord Shani, falls on the Amavasya tithi (new moon day) during Krishna Paksha in the month of Jyeshtha. As per the Gregorian calendar, it lies in the month of May or June. This year, we are commemorating this very divine occasion of Shani Jayanti on the 6th June ‘24.

As per “Drik Panchang”, the “tithi” for “Shani Jayanti” in ‘24 is as follows:

Shani Jayanti on Thursday, 6th June ‘24

• Amavasya Tithi Begins - 07:54 PM on 5th June ‘24
• Amavasya Tithi Ends - 06:07 PM on 6th June ‘24

As Lord Shani was born on this day, hence his birth anniversary is celebrated as 'Shani Jayanti.' It is also known by the names 'Shri Shanaishchara Janma Diwas' & 'Shani Amavasya.'

Significance of “Shani Jayanti” in Astrology:

The name "Shani" has been derived from a Sanskrit word "Shanaishchara" which means 'slow mover.' Here, 'Shanai' (pronounced as 'Shani') refers to the planet Saturn & 'chara' stands for 'movement.' Hence, the Vedic astrology believes that the sixth planet (from the sun) of the solar system- 'Saturn' is related to Lord Shani. Saturn takes a period of 30 years to complete one rotation around the Sun. That's why, it is considered that the effects of the planet Saturn are slow and last for a longer period in a person's horoscope.

Astrology considers that Shani Dev is the ruler of the planet Saturn which is the planet of 'Karma.' It is associated with the zodiac signs of Capricorn and Aquarius. Its effects can be both positive and negative, depending on its placement in the birth chart. If Saturn is well-placed, it can bring success, recognition, and prosperity to the native. However, if it is placed in an unfavorable position, it can cause delays, obstacles, and challenges in one's life.

Rituals & Observances of “Shani Jayanti”:

Shani Jayanti holds an immense significance for all the devout followers of Shani Dev. The devotees visit a nearby Shani Temple or Navagraha Temple & light a mustard lamp mixed with black sesame seeds. For Shani Puja, evening time is considered the best. Offering black Til (black sesame seeds) to Lord Shani is very meritorious, hence people perform the Shani Tailabhishekam along with the Shani Shanti Puja.

Many mantras related to Lord Shani are also chanted to calm down his impact. The recitation of Shani Stotra is also observed. Remember that the power of the mantra lies in the intention and devotion behind it. Chanting the Shani mantra with faith and sincerity can alleviate the negative effects of Saturn in one's life.

Many people observe a strict & devoted fast to observe penance for any ill deeds committed in the past and to seek refuge of Lord Shani. The devotees abstain from consuming food and water during the entire day and break their fast only after performing the evening Puja.

At many places, the women observe a fast of Vat Savitri on this day. As per Purnimanta lunar calendar system (followed in North India), it is observed during Jyeshtha Amavasya coinciding with Shani Jayanti. And in Amanta lunar calendar system (followed in parts other than North Indian states), it falls during Jyeshtha Purnima.
Hence we find a 15 days' gap between the observance of Vat Savitri Vrat by North Indian and South Indian women.

Donating black grams, sesame seeds, mustard oil & black clothes to the poor, needy on Shani Jayanti is believed to be a powerful practice to appease Shani Dev. Feeding animals, birds & insects, especially black dogs, crows & ants, also fills one's life with prosperity and desire fulfillment.

Legend behind “Shani Jayanti”:

The Hindu Shastras say that Lord Shani is the son of Surya (the Sun God) & his wife Chhaya.

There is also an interesting legend behind the divine birth of Lord Shani:

Once, there was a celestial architect named Vishwakarma (the deity of Chitra nakshatra). He had a daughter called Devi Saranyu. She was very beautiful and compassionate towards others, and was married to Lord Surya. The couple had two sons & a daughter namely: Vaivasvatha, Lord Yama and Yami.
As the time passed, Saranyu Devi couldn't bear the immense radiance, heat and light coming from her spouse, Surya Dev. Ultimately, she requested him to reduce his radiance a bit. To this, Lord Surya made her understand that it's his nature to radiate heat and light for the benefit of the universe. At the end, he also promised not to disturb her until the time she would accept him as he is.
Devi Saranyu then decided to leave Lord Surya & went to her father Vishwakarma's house. From there, she went to a forest to perform penance. Weeks passed,
she was getting worried about her children & husband, hence she decided to make a clone of her. She created a replica of her namely Chhaya who looked exactly like her. She prepared Chhaya and sent her to take care of Lord Sun & her children. Chhaya agreed to this and went to Surya Dev. He became very happy on seeing his wife again. But nobody was able to see through the plot. They lived happily together.
One day, Lord Vishnu told Narada Muni about this mysterious story of Devi Saranyu & her replica, Chhaya. At the same time, the DevLok was waiting for the birth of the 7th Navagraha. Hence, Lord Vishnu gave the responsibility of instigating Chhaya to Narada Muni & got the seventh Navagraha born from Lord Surya & Devi Chhaya.
Then, Narada Muni met Devi Chhaya. He made her think about the day when her real identity would be revealed to Surya Dev. He told her that if Lord Surya finds out about her, he would disown her. And the only thing that could grant a permanent place to her in Surya Dev's life was to have children with him.
To this, Chhaya got very tense. Hence she convinced Surya Dev to have children. Lord Surya granted her wish.
In a while, Chhaya gave birth to a baby on the eighth day of Pushya in the year Pramodootha, with the star, Swaathi, in the ascendant, and the Ashtami moon waning in the sky. Chhaya had expected the baby to be born of a vibrant skin tone. But exactly the opposite happened. The newborn was of dark complexion.
On his baby's birth, Surya Dev became so happy and held a grand ceremony for the celebrations. He invited the whole divine family including Lord Shiva, Lord Brahma & Lord Vishnu.
As the moment of the newborn's Namakaran arrived, Shri Maha Vishnu gave him the name 'Sanaischara' (Shani).

This is how Lord Shani was born.

More About Shani Dev:

Further, Lord Shani came to be believed to be a powerful deity who owns the power to bless or punish people based on their actions.

Despite his fearsome reputation, Lord Shani is also revered for his role in dispensing justice and upholding moral order.

He has been depicted wearing blue or black robes, having a dark complexion, and riding on his vaahan (crow). Shani Dev is also seen in a vehicle- a chariot drawn by eight horses, carrying a sword and trishul in his hands.

He is a strict disciplinarian and his blessings can help people overcome obstacles and achieve success in life.

Lord Shani is a deity with a unique set of qualities and traits. On the basis of each attribute acquired by Shani Dev, he has been given a total of 108 names. Some of them are: Shanaischara (slow mover), Manda (the slow one), Mahaniyagunatman (the one with glorious qualities), Kurmanga (the one with the body of a tortoise), Ayushyakarana (the cause of long life), Krura (the cruel one), Nilavarna (the blue-colored one) and many more.

Lessons to learn from Lord Shani:

Lord Shani is a fascinating deity with a rich history in Hindu texts, and his stories have been a source of inspiration for generations. However, his relevance is not limited to ancient times alone. In fact, there are valuable lessons that we can learn from Lord Shani in modern times, which can help us navigate the challenges of the present-day world. To lead a fulfilling and successful life, one can imbibe some praiseworthy qualities that can yield huge success to a native. Few of my favorites are listed below :

• Discipline :

  Lord Shani is known for his strict and disciplined nature. He is believed to be a stickler for rules and regulations, and his blessings are often sought to instill discipline and order in one's life.
  One can learn from his teachings that success comes from consistent effort, dedication, and strong work ethics.

• Justice:

  Lord Shani is the God of Justice, and he is believed to be impartial in his judgment. He punishes or rewards people based on their deeds, and his blessings are often sought to receive fair outcomes in life.
  One can learn to stand up for what is right and just, and to fight against inequality and discrimination from Shani Dev.

• Perseverance:

  Lord Shani is believed to be a powerful deity who is preservant & resilient and can help people overcome obstacles and challenges in life.

  Today, one can learn to stay committed and preserved towards one's goals in life despite hardships and setbacks.

• Discernment :

  Lord Shani is known for his ability to discern right from wrong. He is believed to be a deity who can help people make right decisions in life.
  One can use critical thinking & sound judgement for making informed choices and decisions.

• Value of Time:

  Lord Shani is believed to be the lord of time, and his teachings emphasize the importance of using time wisely. In today's fast-paced world, to make the most of every moment, one needs to prioritize tasks and manage time effectively. In modern times, the value of time is crucial for achieving success and maintaining a healthy work-life balance. We must prioritize tasks, maximize productivity and efficiency, and avoid getting caught up in a never-ending cycle of work. Balancing work and personal life, taking breaks, and engaging in activities that bring us joy are important for our mental and physical well-being. By understanding the importance of using our time wisely, we can lead fulfilling and successful lives.

• Humility :

  Letting go of ego , forgiving and being grounded are the key lessons that a person could learn from Shani Dev. During the Saturn period, native tends to imbibe them in his/her life otherwise Lord Shani ensures native learns them the hard way.

  By embodying these qualities, we can cultivate a deep sense of commitment and dedication, and find meaning and purpose in the midst of life's challenges and complexities. We can also make informed decisions and choices that align with our values and goals, and navigate the complexities of the world around us with confidence and clarity.

  So let's embrace these influential qualities of Lord Shani and make a positive impact in our life and also on those around us.

  Here’s a powerful Shani Mahamantra that can be recited today and every saturday :

|| Nilanjana Samabhasam Raviputram Yamagrajam,
Chaya Martanda Sambhutam Tam Namami Shanaishcharam ||