THE SACRED SHANI DEV AARTI

Lord Shani is a Hindu deity who is very handsome and sits on a vulture, buffalo or a crow. He is the elder brother of Yama, the God of death, who is responsible for delivering justice to people at the time of their death, as per scriptures.

Astrologically, Shani or Saturn is the slowest moving planet that takes 2.5 years to transit from one zodiac sign to another. When Shani opened his eyes for the very first time after his birth, it is said that the Sun went into an eclipse. This is a clear indication of the impact of Shani on astrological charts.

The planet Saturn astrologically represents Shani and also represents the seventh day of the week or Saturday.

As per some ancient scriptures, there is a story that Lord Shani prayed to his father, Lord Sun, to be given a post that hasn’t been received by anyone until now. He tries to make the Lord Sun see that no other Deva or Asura can challenge him in terms of speed or grandeur.

The Sun God was pleased with his words and suggested to Lord Shani that he should go to Kashi and worship Lord Shiva. Following his father’s wishes, he went to Kashi, paid his respects and pleased Lord Shiva, who gave Saturn a place in the new planetary systems.

Significant epithets for Shani include Saura (son of the sun god), Kruradris or Kruralochana (the cruel-eyed), Mandu (dull and slow), Pangu (disabled), Septarchi (seven-eyed), and Asita (dark). 

THE BIRTH OF LORD SHANI

Lord Shani is the son of Lord Sun and his concubine Chhaya (shadow). When he was in his mother’s womb, she religiously prayed and did severe penance sitting under the blazing sun to please Lord Shiva. The deity heard her prayers and his divine blessings nurtured the child in the womb.

Due to Chhaya’s prayers to Lord Shiva, Lord Shani came to be a sincere devotee of Lord Shiva. However, since she was sitting continuously under the sun for a long time, the child in her womb kept turning black as time went by.

When Lord Shani was born, Lord Sun despised him due to his color and refused to acknowledge him as his son. This greatly angered Lord Shani and gave rise to a tense relationship between the father and son.

THE SHANI DEV AARTI

According to Hindu mythology, singing the Shanidev Aarti on a regular basis after the worship of Lord Shani is the best way to please Lord Shani and get his blessing.

Shani is considered to be a destructive planet. It controls many aspects of a person’s life including endurance, sorrow, discipline, restriction, delays, purpose in life, modesty, and integrity. Shani gives as well as destroys. It does both but in extremes.

Who should perform the Shani Dev Aarti?

The Shani is an extremely strong planet and worshipping it during its Dasha kills its malefic effects. The Shani Aarti done otherwise is also quite beneficial. It is the planet of extremes. Saturn makes its natives work hard and also makes them learn lessons the hard way.

Things do not come easily to a person who is under the influence of Shani. Shani is a planet that serves you exactly what you deserve. The fruits of your karma served to you. If beneficial, the planet can show you the best days of your life.

A person who sincerely prays to Lord Shani is blessed not only with the eradication of problems and worries, but a life that one desires. Those under the Shani Mahadasha or Sade Sati of Shani and have a malefic Shani should certainly perform the Shani Aarti.

How to Perform the Aarti

Some of the things that you need to arrange before the Aarti include uncooked rice, flowers, incense stick, the Thali for puja, Dhoop Batti and a photo or idol of Lord Shani. Some other things needed are a black cloth, coriander seeds, Aasan or place to keep the idol, black urad dal, iron nails, oil, and some sweets to be given as prasad.

Firstly, light the Diya in front of Lord Shani’s idol. Then light the incense sticks, ring the bell and begin the Aarti. Follow this by offering the rice and flowers to Lord Shani.

Focus on the wonderful and majestic form of Lord Shani and do the Aarti with all your devotion and faith. You can also keep some fruits along with the sweets to distribute after Aarti.

Shani dev is said to be very harmful to those who betray, backstab, and seek unjust revenge, as well as those who are vain and arrogant. He makes people suffer for their sins, so as to purify and cleanse them of the negative influences of evil they have acquired. 

Many people misunderstand Lord Shani as cruel and easy to be angered. In reality, he is a very generous God. However, he is a strict God and demands you to lead a truthful and honest lifestyle if you want to receive blessings. If you are just and fair in behavior, he will be very benevolent with you.