ShanidevImage Credit source: AI
Shani Dev: Navagrahas are considered to have special importance in Hindu religion. These nine planets – Sun, Moon, Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus, Saturn, Rahu and Ketu influence the karma, fate and circumstances of human life. But do you know that among these Navagrahas, there is a deity who suffered deep sorrow because of his father, and the same sorrow made him seek refuge in Lord Shiva? After the rigorous penance of Shiva, he not only got rid of his sorrow but also got the boon of being the best among the nine planets. Let us know.
Got ‘sorrow’ and ‘curse’ due to father Surya
Shanidev, He is the son of Surya Dev and his second wife Chhaya. According to mythology, Shanidev received the biggest sorrow and curse of his life from his father.
Difficulties in pregnancy: It is believed that when Shani Dev was in the womb of Mata Chhaya, Chhaya performed rigorous penance for Lord Shiva. Due to the intensity of this penance and the prolonged stay of Saturn in the womb, when Shanidev was born, his complexion was somewhat Shyam (black).
Father’s neglect: Seeing Shani Dev’s dark complexion, Surya Dev refused to accept him as his child. He also insulted his wife Chhaya and cursed Shanidev for being an inauspicious, cruel and slow-moving planet.
Deep wound of insult: This contempt and curse of his father deeply saddened the heart of Shanidev. This is the reason why in astrology the relationship between Saturn and Sun is seen as ‘ancestral enmity’.
Got ‘boon’ and ‘highest position’ from Lord Shiva
According to the Kashi section of Skanda Purana, After being insulted and saddened by his father, Shanidev forgot his insult and performed very severe penance to please Lord Shiva. The entire world trembled due to his penance. Lord Shiva was extremely pleased to see the steadfast devotion and dedication of Shani Dev. He appeared before Shanidev and asked him to ask for a boon. Shani Dev said to Shiva, “O father! I want to achieve such a position, which no one has achieved till date.” Lord Shiva gave Shani Dev the highest position among the Navagrahas and gave the boon that “You will become a ‘magistrate’ who provides ‘results according to the deeds’.” Shiva said that only Shani Dev would have the right to give the results of a person’s auspicious and inauspicious deeds. Even gods, demons, humans and all living beings will not be able to escape from your influence (like Saade Sati and Dhaiya).
Why is Shanidev the ‘best god’?
This story of Shanidev tells how a disgraced son attained the most powerful position among the nine planets on the basis of his penance. Shanidev is now not just the god of sorrow, but of strict justice, discipline and hard work. He does not do injustice to anyone, but gives everyone the fruits of his deeds. According to astrology, Shanidev is the only planet which frees a person from worldly attachment and leads him towards salvation. It is this boon that makes Shanidev the ‘best deity’ among the nine planets, who comes out of sorrow and becomes worshipable through penance and the grace of Lord Shiva.
Disclaimer: The information given in this news is based on religious beliefs and general information. TV9 Bharatvarsha does not confirm this.