Shani: Shanidev is Partly Shiva's Avatar

By C D VERMA

Shanidev is Partly Shiva's Avatar

There's a solar eclipse today; it is also Shani Bhagwan's birthday; it is Shani Amavasya. Such an auspicious combination in the planetary system occurs once in several centuries. Believers say that worshipping Shani today rids one of all troubles and suffering.

Shani or Shanichar (Saturn) is believed to be the son of Surya the Sun-god and Chhaya. So he is also called Saura. His other names include Kruradris and Kruralochana (the cruel-eyed), Mandu (dull or slow), Pangu (physically challenged), Saptarchi (seven-eyed) and Asita (dark). Shani is believed to wield evil influence, so anyone born under his influence is at risk. Hence the day named after him, Shanivara, is considered inauspicious to begin any new venture.

In Hindu temples, Shani-dev is depicted wearing blue robes. His skin is dark, he rides a vulture or travels in an iron chariot drawn by eight horses. He holds in his hands a bow, an arrow, an axe and a trident. Buddhists believe he is seventh among the navagraha or nine planets and they depict him as wielding the rod, dandadharah and his vehicle is the tortoise. The Jains, too, include him in the navagrahas. Digambara texts describe him as wearing a three-fold sacred thread.

Since Shani is manda and rides a tortoise, he is very slow. Anyone who comes under his evil influence has to suffer saadhesaati - hardship for seven-and-a-half years or dhaiya - for two-and-a-half years. As he is believed to be the giver of slow and long afflictions, Shani is feared by one and all.

Here's an interesting story about Krishna and Shani: When Krishna was born many gods and rishis visited Nandgaon. Shani was among them. Everyone was allowed to have Krishna's darshan but not Shanidev. He was not allowed to see the baby. Yashoda stopped him at the door and said: "Your name is fearful; your form fierce. If my infant-son sees you, he will be frightened".

Dismayed and disappointed, Shanidev went to a nearby forest. There he prayed: "O God! I am your servant. You have appointed me to judge and punish sinners according to their karmas. Then why does everybody think of me as being malignant and cruel; why do they avoid even my shadow? Today, when all gods and demi-gods could enjoy the bliss of your darshan, I am denied that right and benediction."

Touched, Krishna manifested Himself to him. He advised him to stay put near Nandanvan. He granted him the boon that anyone who came to his temple to pray would immediately be freed from all worries and afflictions. Eventually, Krishna visited the temple and began playing the divine flute. The many gopis who collected there turned ecstatic at seeing Krishna but He suddenly disappeared. Unable to find Him, the gopis began to cry. Krishna turned himself into a koyal and he advised them to remain calm. Consoled thus, the gopis went home. That part of the forest where Krishna appeared before Shanidev, has since been called Kokilavan. Today, one can visit the renowned Shani temple there.

The Kokilavan Shani temple is just six km from Kosi (UP) on the Nandgaon-Barsana road. Just as the only temple to Brahma is at Pushkar, Rajasthan, Shanidev has only this one ancient temple at Kokilavan.

Every Saturday thousands of devotees throng the temple, seeking forgiveness and blessings. After the three-km circumambulation, devotees pray, burn incense and pour mustard oil on the idol of Shanidev. Contrary to popular belief, Shanidev is not heartless and merciless; he does not cause suffering. In fact, as the partial incarnation of Lord Shiva, he is both preserver and destroyer.