Navagraha are nine heavenly bodies and deities that influence human life on Earth according to Hinduism and Hindu astrology. Shani, is the Hindu god of justice and the ruler of the planet Saturn. He is the god of Karma, justice, and retribution and delivers results depending upon one’s thoughts, speech, and deeds. The powerful god keeps a record of karmic deeds of humans and passes his judgements upon them during their lifetime, unlike his brother, Yama, who makes his judgement only after the human has passed away.
Lord Shani is described as lame-legged or limp, as he was injured while fighting with his brother Yama in his childhood. He is represented riding a chariot, pulled by a crow or a vulture or an iron chariot with eight horses and carrying a bow and arrow. He is usually depicted with dark skin, wearing black clothes.
When God Shani was in the womb of Chaya, Shiv Bhaktini Chaya was so engrossed in penance of God Shiva that she did not care for her food even. She prayed so intensely during her penance that the prayers had a profound influence on the child in her womb. As a result of such a great penance of Chaya, without food and shade in the blazing sun, the complexion of God Shani became black.
Therefore, Shani was born dark. . From birth itself, God Shani had inherited the great powers of his mother’s penance. At his birth, Surya or the Sun who was eager to look at is son was only disappointed to see color of his child. He even suspected if Shani was his own child. At the first look of Shani, the Sun went into an eclipse and this was termed as bad luck. Receiving an unjustified and wrong treatment from his father, Shani was also unhappy with the way Surya treated his mother post his birth He saw that his father was insulting his mother. He saw his father with a cruel gaze. As a result, his father’s body was charred black. God Shiva advised God Surya and explained to him about what had happened. God Surya accepted his fault and apologised. Lord Shani was born on Vaishak Vadya Chaturdasi Amavasya; which is observed as Shani Amavasya or Shani Jayanti.
Lord Hanuman reached the place when he was searching for Maata Sita in Lanka after she was kidnapped by Ravana. It was then Lord Hanuman rescued Shani Dev from Ravana. As a thank you gesture, Shani Dev gave a boon to Lord Hanuman that the effect of Shani’s inauspiciousness will never affect him in any way. In return, Lord Hanuman mentioned that none of his devotees should be affected as well. Shani dev obliged. This is the reason why people worship Shani Dev on Saturday and why Shani does not cause adversities to Hanuman devotees.
