Millions of devotees in India and other parts of the world celebrate this holy festival of Shani Jayanti for Lord Shani. An epitome of discipline, karma, and justice, Lord Shani is one of the nine celestial bodies or the Navagrahas of Hindu astrology. There are several Shani Dev worship benefits as he is believed to hold immense power in human life and can give as much misery as he can prosperities according to what a human being has done in life, known as 'karma'. Shani Jayanti is the birthday of Shani Deva and is one of the great celebrations in the Hindu calendar and is the day on which the followers through Shani Jayanti puja rituals wish for the success and well balance of life at his blessings.
Who is Lord Shani?
Lord Shani is considered to be the son of Surya, the Sun God, and Chhaya, the sage who is a shadow incarnation of his mother, Sanjna. He can be illustrated in dark color, sitting on a crow or vulture with a sword and a shield in hand. He's a god of justice, in Hindu mythology. The Lord Shani and karma connection is that the role he would play could be that of an enforcer of karma. In these beliefs, people are rewarded or punished, presumably for the way they conducted their lives in previous existences.
Shani is basically a god feared much due to creating troubles. Shani transit effects on zodiac signs, especially the seven and half year cycle of Shani on a person's zodiac, are believed to create a trouble or difficulties. Yet Shani is that god which makes one wiser, patient and disciplinary. The difficulties are learned by one in life as transformation lessons.
Shani Jayanti: Festival of Lord Shani
Shani Jayanti is the date of Amavasya of Vaishakha, May or June according to the Hindu lunar calendar. This is considered the birthday of Lord Shani; It is one day when is believed to be so benevolent towards devotees that on this day, devotees seek his blessings for health, success, and removal of obstacles. This is a special day for those under the influence of the Shani planetary transit or seeking relief from the problems created by Shani in their life as they look to reap Shani Dev worship benefits.
Shani Jayanti Rituals
There are many traditional worship and rituals that have to be done on Shani Jayanti to seek the boon of the planet and get divine blessings. The Shani Jayanti puja rituals are done to please the planet, to appease him, and reduce the negative effects which are thought to emanate from the position of the planet in one's horoscope.
1. Fasting and Prayers: On Shani Jayanti day devotees observe a long fast. It is observed on fasting and without water throughout the whole day till evening. It is besides worshiping Lord Shani a purification of body as well as soul. The ritual starts with the Shani Ashtakshara Mantra or the Shani Stotra, which is a prayer in praise of the qualities of Lord Shani, seeking bestowal of health, prosperity, and fortune on the devotee.
2. Darbans of Lord Shani: Devotees pay Darbans to sesame seeds (til) black lentil; mustard oil; and iron articles, said to be unlucky and dear to Lord Shani. The usual practice of Darbans is offered at Shani temples in India or house altars. Lighting a mustard oil lamp is the other notable ritual associated with Shani Puja.
3. Visitation to Shani Temples: Shani temples in India are visited by devotees for particular rituals, which include the most popular Shani Shingnapur in Maharashtra or Shani Dham temple in Delhi. The devotees perform rituals and prayers and pray to Shani for protection from its bad influence while asking for the latter's blessings for personal and professional growth.
4. Charity and goodness: Shani being a god of justice, the charitable work done on the day of Shani Jayanti is also prominent. Giving charities to the needy ones, helping a person who deserves help, or serving people that are less lucky than us can be some things that are practiced on this day. It is considered that through this goodness, those wrong karmas get balanced out, and the gods showers their mercy.
5. Reciting Shani Mantras: The mantras that are especially dedicated to Lord Shani are recited. Some of the important mantras that are chanted include the Shani Gayatri Mantra, Shani Beej Mantra, and Shani Stotra for the purpose of seeking blessings from Shani and warding off any adverse effect of his influence.
Importance of Shani Jayanti
Shani Jayanti puja rituals are not only prayer and fasting but also involve contemplation over one's work. Because Lord Shani is associated with karma, whatever a person does in life becomes his or her destiny. During Shani Jayanti, people are asked to do good deeds, seek forgiveness for the wrongdoings that they have committed in the past, and make new intentions toward spiritual growth and success.
It reminds of virtues of patience and self-control. Often, it teaches its lessons through problems; however, through such experience, it infuses some spirit of resilience, self-control, and responsibility in life. Hence, by realizing the lesson taught by Lord Shani, people may convert adversity into an opportunity to bring improvement into themselves.
It is the festival of devotion and reflection wherein there is scope for practicing virtues such as discipline and charity. Worship of Shani Deva on this day reminds one that life is a cycle; every action gives an equivalent reaction, whether good or bad. Performing Shani Jayanti puja rituals, prayers, and acts of kindness to honor Lord Shani are performed by devotees praying for a balanced, successful, and spiritually evolved life. For many, Shani Jayanti is more about seeking refuge from the difficulty but also about learning to live in life with prudence, patience, and sense of justice.
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