Shani Jayanti: May 28, 2014 (Wednesday)

Shani Jayanti: May 28, 2014 (Wednesday)

As we all realize by now, Shani Maharaj is personified in the planet Saturn, also known as Shani in Hinduism. He is revered as one of the most popular deities, who wards off all evil effects as well as obstacles, in one’s life. Shani Maharaj is also referred to as the following-

·        Saura: Son of Sun ( Surya)

·        Krooradris or Krooralochana: the cruel- eyed

·        Mandd: Dull and slow

·        Pangu: Disabled

·        Saptarchi: Seven- eyed

·        Asita: Dark

Shani literally means the slow- moving one and also denotes the 7^th day of the week, i.e. Saturday/ Shaniwaar/ Shanichar. Thus, Saturday is the day, when Lord Shani is specifically worshipped. Of course, this does not mean that you do not pay obeisance to the Lord on other days. Rather, you should start each day by remembering him first thing in the morning and chant – “Jai ho Shani maharaj ki!” or “Om Sham Shanishcharaya namah!”

Shani Jayanti is marked as the birth anniversary of Shani Maharaj. This day is also referred to as Shani Amavasya. This year, i.e. 2014, Shani Jayanti is on 28^th May which is a Wednesday. On this day, Lord Shani as one of the ‘Navagrahas’ made His appearance on the Earth.  To mark this, devotees fast on this day and visit the Shani Maharaj temple, to seek the blessings of Lord Shani. Shani Maharaj is a personification of justice and fair play, and if appeased, He blesses His devotees with good luck and fortune. In case someone has a Shani dosh in her/ his horoscope, it is very appropriate to perform the required Hawan/ Hoam/ Yagya to appease Lord Shani on this day. An integral part of this is Shani Tailabhishekham and Shani Shanti Puja.

Some popular Shani Maharaj mantras:

Dhyaan mantra: (to remove ill effects of Shani dosh)

Neelanjan Samaabhaasam Raviputram Yamagrajam

Chaaya Martanda Sambhutam, Tam namami Shanaishcharam

Shani Gayatri mantra: (to get the blessings of Shani Maharaj)

Om Shanishcharaya Vidmahe,

Suryaputra Dheemahi,

Tanno Manda Prachodayat.

Basic mantra: to be recited 108 times

Om Sham Shanishcharaya namah