Thread by @VandanaJayrajan

#ShaniDev
He's one of the Navagraha (the 9primary celestial beings in Hindu astrology) of Jyotiṣa. He's embodied in planet Saturn and is the Lord of Saturday. The word Shani comes from Śanayē Kramati Sah, the one who moves slowly bcs Saturn takes about 30 years to orbit the Sun.

He's son of Surya & Chhaya, hence also known as Chayyaputra. He's the elder brother of Yama, God of death, who corresponds to the deliverance of justice. Shani Dev gives results of one's deeds thru appropriate punishments, rewards; Yama grants results of one's deeds after death.

Shani Dev defines our fortune, our health and our popularity. In Vedic astrology, anyone born under Shani’s influence is feared to have bad luck. To mitigate negative obstacles, he is often worshiped to fend off misfortune, adversity, and evil. However, he's often misunderstood.

This misunderstanding is created by our fear of the frustration, pain, and loss that is often attributable to Shani. As spiritual aspirants, we come to realize that Shani is actually a friend rather than an enemy.

For the righteous, he is known as a great guru.
For the wicked, he represents the great disciplinarian.
For everyone under his influence, he establishes self-discipline and discrimination.
There are several stories which have linked him with misfortunes.

Such as disease, death and calamities etc. He can create situations where we lack motivation, inspiration and vision. He has no cleverness nor deceit. He exhibits complete seriousness and gravity in every circumstance, with no levity.

As a slow moving planet, Shani rules over restrictions and limitations. He does this not to deny us, but to foster the lessons that we must learn in order to evolve spiritually. The experiences of loss and frustration help us to become detached.

Through taking away our attachments, Shani reveals the truth about our mortal life and the limitations of the body and mind.
We slow down.
We contemplate more.
We discriminate prior to taking action.

Through this difficult and often painful process, the great spiritual quality of self-discipline blossoms and we develop a strong foundation of structure and meaning in our lives.
What initially appeared to be bad luck was actually his way of strengthening us.

Shani also has many benevolent effects in our astrological ecology. He helps us create discipline in every action. Those who take birth with the qualities of Shani will have a steady life without extreme variations in worldly attachments, relationships etc.

It is said that when Shani Dev opened his eyes as a baby for the very first time, the sun went into an eclipse, which clearly denotes the impact of Shani Dev on astrological charts. Worshiping Shani Dev brings the wealth of discipline and the removal of obstacles.

Learn Shani Dev's Mantras. They are one of the most efficacious ones to chant in a way averting the ill effects of the Saade Sati period (seven and a half years) when an individual comes under the influence of Shani or Saturn.
Beej Mantra:
ॐ प्रां प्रीं प्रौं स: शनैश्चराय नम:

For Saade Sati period:
ऊँ त्रयम्बकं यजामहे सुगंधिम पुष्टिवर्धनम ।
उर्वारुक मिव बन्धनान मृत्योर्मुक्षीय मा मृतात ।।

ॐ शन्नोदेवीरभिष्टय आपो भवन्तु पीतये।
शंयोरभिश्रवन्तु नः।
ऊँ शं शनैश्चराय नमः।।

ऊँ नीलांजनसमाभासं रविपुत्रं यमाग्रजम्‌।
छायामार्तण्डसम्भूतं तं नमामि शनैश्चरम्‌।।

Recite the Shani Chalisa on every Saturday. 🙏