Lord Shani happens to be the most revered of the planets in Vedic Mythology. It is with such strength that Lord Shanishwara is possessed that merely by his mention; a sense of fear is induced in the minds!

Lord Shanishwara is said to be embodied with the planet Saturn.

When Saturn is placed properly in one’s birth chart, one achieves the heights of success in life.

But if Saturn is ill placed, it may lead to malefic effects in one’s life.

In Vedic Astrology, Lord Shanishwara is mentioned with great regard and fear as well! It is a deep Karmic connection that Lord Saturn is associated with.

When one is afflicted by Lord Shani, it is no longer possible to escape the fruits of one’s Karmas. For one’s karmas of the past, one finds the outcome.

The two phases very often associated with Lord Shani are the Shani Dhaiya and Shani Sadhesati.

Lord Shani stays in each of the zodiacs for a period of around two and a half years.

The Dhaiya of Shani is when Lord Saturn is in the 4th or 8th sign from one’s birth sign as per one’s birth chart.
In the similar way, the Sadhe Sati of Shani is the phase of seven and a half years wherein Saturn passes through the one’s moonsign, the sign prior to it and the sign just next to it.

Now a Sadhe Sati of Shani is a lengthy phase wherein influence of Lord Shani is said to be very strong over an individual. In such a period it is difficult to make progress in any areas of life, and one is required to make do with the Karmic package that Lord Shanishwara delivers.

Origins of the word Shanidev lie in the Sanskrit word शैनः which means slow. Lord Shani may pose obstacles or cause delays while a person is under his influence, but he is said to be the best teacher.

Post affliction posed by Lord Shanidev, a person emerges out to be stronger, and possessed with wisdom.

As a matter of fact, each of the planets transfers our Karmas to ourselves in varied ways, but it is Lord Shanishwara who is an enforcer. He enforces our karmas on to us such that there is no escape.

While Lord Saturn signifies honor and integrity, he also stands for discipline, responsibility and limitations.

The planetary rings that we see around the planet Saturn signify these limitations.

Let us now run through some of the very basic facts about Lord Shani from an astrological point of view.

1. Lord Shani happens to be feared planet in Vedic Astrology, even while he is taken in a great regard.

2. Some astrologers even have the viewpoint that none of the planets yield a positive outcome if Lord Shani acts as the obstructer.

And there is a whole lot of folklore associated with Lord Shani! Let’s run through some of them.

- Lord Shani is the son of Suryadev, who is the Sun, and his wife Chhaya. He is thus also known as Chhayaputra.

- Some of the other names Lord Shanishwara is known by are Saura, which means the son of Lord Sun. He is also known as Kruralochana, which means the cruel eyed. Sometimes, Lord Shani is referred to as Mandu, which means dull and slow. He is also known as Saptarchi, or the seven eyed, and sometimes as Asita or dark.

- The famous mythological tale goes that when Lord Shani opened his eyes for the first time after being born, Suryadev or the Sun was eclipsed. This simply goes to show the effect of Shanidev on one’s horoscope!

- As per the glorious mythological legends of India, lord Shani is always shown riding a chariot. He carries a bow and arrow while the chariot is pulled by a crow or a vulture.

- He is represented in blue clothing and a sapphire.
- At times, Lord Shani may be represented in black clothing while holding a sword, arrow and two daggers, while mounted on a crow.

- He is shown with a limp which he endured when he fought as a child with Yama.

3. Saturn is different from Jupiter because while the planet Jupiter bestows upon one a whole lot of optimism for future. But Shanidev or Saturn is a planet which wants one to live in the present, such that we do not spend too much time thinking about the past or fantasizing about the future.

4. Some astrologers even classify Lord Shani as a negative planet. But this may not necessarily be true. Shanidev should instead be considered to be a disciplinarian.

Saturn is a slow planet which allows success only through one’s discipline and struggle. So it is really the role of a teacher that Lord Saturn plays in our lives.

5. It is struggle that Lord Saturn symbolizes and when under his influence, one is likely to face some of the toughest challenges in life. How one meets up to these challenges really depends on one’s inner strength.

After one is through with the phase which involves a deep influence of Lord Shani on one’s horoscope, one emerges out to be not just stronger, but also insightful and spiritual.

There is a famous folklore about Lord Shani and Shivji. Once, Lord Shani told Shivji that I want to come and stay with you. Lord Shiva jumped into the Ganges River and stayed there for seven and a half years. Post the period, Lord Shiva asked Shanidev, ‘What could you do to me?’ Shanidev replied that you rule the three worlds, but for the Shani Sadhe Saati, you were required to take Samadhi in Ganga river for 7 ½ years. So isn’t it sufficient?

WHY WOULD ONE REQUIRE GOING FOR SHANI POOJA?

 If the work that you undertake has come across many hurdles, and simply seems endless.

 You put in all your efforts, but success still is hard to find.

 Is it a promotion which has been pending for long?

 Have you recently been missing out on an opportunity to travel abroad?

 Have you come to realize that your juniors are being preferred for promotions?

 Is it loss of employment which has been intriguing you?

 You might have giving it your best shot, but life just doesn’t seem to be going right?

 Things changing for worse in life?

 Is it the work related stress which has been a cause of bother?

 Making or saving money has been difficult in recent times?

In difficult times such as these, the grace of Lord Shani can safeguard you. As you gain his benevolence and blessings, ill effects of Shani dasha reduces on your family and yourself alike. Positivity is induced in life.
Lord Shanishwara is possessed with great strength, and he can grant luxuries in life, just like he can decline luxuries at will.

Let us now consider some of the prime poojas, homams and spiritual products for someone who genuinely intends to appease Lord Shani and find his blessings.

1. Choose to go for the Navgraha Homam, the pooja which acts a double edged weapon. With the Navgraha Homam, the effect of malefic planets calms down to a great extent. In the same coin, by conducting the Navgraha Homam, you can appease the beneficial planets, so as to make sure that they shine brighter.

Even while you are able drive away the negativity; there is an aura of positive energy around you.

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2. Or you may choose to go for the Shani Pooja. It is highly recommendable to conduct the Shani pooja on a Saturday.

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3. Choose to adorn the 7 Mukhi Rudraksha to appease Lord Shani.

The Rudraksha with seven facets is a representation of Sapta Matrikas, who are the seven mothers. These are Brahmi, Maheshwari, Kaumaari, Vaishnavee, Vaaraahee, Indraanee and Chamunda.

As one adorns the 7 Mukhi Rudraksha, one finds good health, wealth and also protection while Shani Sadhe Sati and Shani Dhaiyya lasts.

The Brahma Puran says that the seven mukhi Rudraksha is also associated with Ananta, who is the dimensionless and supreme Lord Brahma.

The seven Mukhi Rudraksha would work effectively for you if you have been afflicted by:

o Shani Sadhe Sati
o Shani Dhaiya
o Panoti
o Ardha Ashtma
o Ashtma
o If you have been afflicted by neecha Shani or Saturn in the Mesha (Aries) house, then also the seven Mukhi Rudraksha would be vastly beneficial for you.

The seven Mukhi Rudraksha is helpful for getting over disorders such as muscular body pain, foot related diseases and even long standing disorders.

With the Seven Mukhi Rudraksha, you’d find luck, happiness, peace, prosperity and wealth in your life. The negative energy emits from the atmosphere and relationships become harmonious.

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Let us now run through some of the remedies which would reduce the malefic effects of Lord Shani:

o Fast for 51 Saturdays. Consume khichadi made from rice and black urad dal post sunset.

o Worship Lord Hanuman on Saturday evenings, by chanting mantras of the idol. Light up a ghee lamp before the idol.

o Donate sesame seeds on Saturday.

o Pray to Lord Shiva.

o The mantra soothing the effect of Lord Shani is ‘Om Praam Preem Praum Sah Shanayishraya Namah’. Ideally, one afflicted by Lord Shani must chant the mantra 108 times every day.

Author's Bio: 

Harshad has been into freelance writing for some time now. Some of the topics he loves to write about are health, wellness, life & lifestyle, fitness & spirituality.