Shani Jayanthi is the festival ascribed to Sri Shani Bhagwan, one of the Nava Graha, the nine planets which are said to rule the course of life.
Shani Jayanthi falls on the Amavasya Day of Jyeshta month. For the Year 2023, it occurs on Friday, 19th May 2023. The exact duration of the Amavasya Tithi has to be ascertained from the respective regional calendars.
Sri Shani Bhagwan is considered as the progeny of Bhagwan Surya. Sri Shani was born to Sri Chaaya Devi and Sri Surya. There is also a belief that Sri Shani was never accepted by Surya Bhagwan. It was Bhagwan Shiva who made Sri Shani prominent by giving Him the title ‘Eshwar’.
Hence, of the nava graha, only Sri Shani is referred with the title “Eshwar” and hence is called Sanishwara. In all Shiv temples, apart from the sanctum for Nava graha, there is always a dedicated sanctum for Sri Sanishwar.
Sri Shani Bhagwan is called as the Bhagwan of the West Direction. He is also called as Sauri, Mandha, Neel, Yama, Kapilaksha and Chatta Sunu.
Sri Shani is considered as the Bhagwan of Justice. The spell of Sri Shani Bhagwan in the horoscope works as the catalyst for the persons to work hard to attain their objectives. Sri Shani is referred as Mandha as His progress is slow. Hence, His influence on the lives lasts for longer period.
Festival
It is considered auspicious to worship Sri Shani on Shani Jayanthi day. The devotees wake up very early in the morning. After their morning rituals, they visit the Shiv temple.
Special Puja is done for Sri Shani Bhagwan. Garlands made of blue color flowers are offered to the Deity. At times, the garlands made of nava rathna are also offered. Mud lamps are lit in sesame oil with the wicker made of sesame seeds.
In some community places Homam / Havan invoking the blessings of Sri Shani Bhagwan are conducted.
Some devotees observe fasting on this day. Making daan of sesame seeds and black urad are considered auspicious.
Mantras ascribed to Sri Shani Bhagwan and Sri Shani Chalisa are recited. Donation of food, money and clothes are made to the poor and the needy.
Possible benefits
Observing Shani Jayanthi and doing Puja to Bhagwan Shani are said to alleviate the obstacles in the devotees’ lives. The ill effects, if any, due to the spell of any graha are removed.
Sri Shani Gayathri
ॐ भग-भवाय विदमहे मृत्यु-रूपाय धीमहि तन्नो शनिः प्रचोदयात्
Om bhaga-bhavaya vidhmahae mruthyu-roopaya Dheemahi thanno shani prachodhayaath
ॐ काकध्वजाय विद्महे खड्गहस्ताय धीमहि तन्नो मन्दः प्रचोदयात
Om kaakadh-wajaaya vidhmahae khadga-hasthaaya Dheemahi thanno mandah prachodhayaath
ॐ सूर्यपुत्राय विद्महे मृत्युरूपाय धीमहि तन्नो सौरि: प्रचोदयात
Om surya-puthraaya vidhmahae mruthyu-roopaaya Dheemahi thanno sauree prachodhayaath
ॐ शनैश्चराय विदमहे छायापुत्राय धीमहि तन्नो मंद: प्रचोदयात
Om shanesh-charaaya vidhmahae Chayaa-puthraaya Dheemahi thanno mandhah prachodhayaath
Sri Shani Stotram
This Slokam is also called as Dasaratha Shani Stotram. This is said to be composed by the Emperor Dasaratha, the father of Bhagwan Rama. He had composed this when he was facing the seven and half years Shani phase in his horoscope. It is believed that he had obtained protection to his kingdom from the probable havoc which would have been caused by the spell of Sri Shani Bhagwan.
Chanting of this Slokam is said to minimize the hard effects, if any, of the Shani phase in one’s life.
नमः क्रुष्णाय नीलाय शिखिकण्डनिभाय च
नमो नील मधूकाय नीलोत्पल निभाय च (1)
namah kruShNaaya neelaaya shikhi-kaNda-nibhaaya cha
namo neela maDhoo-kaaya neeloathpala nibhaaya cha
नमो निर्मांस देहाय दीर्घ श्रुतिजटाय च
नमो विलास नेत्राय शुष्कोदर भयानक (2)
namo nirmaaMsa dhehaaya dheergha shruthi-jataaya cha
namo vilaasa nethraaya shuShkodhara bhayaanaka
नमः पौरुष गात्राय स्थूल रोमाय ते नमः
नमो नित्यं क्षुधार्ताय नित्यत्रुप्ताय ते नमः (3)
namah pauruSha gaathraaya sThoola roamaaya thae namah
namo nithyaM kShuDhaarthaaya nithya-thrupthaaya thae namah
नमो घोराय रौद्राय भीषणाय कारालिने
नमो दीर्घाय शुष्काय कालदम्ष्ट्र नमोऽस्तुते (4)
namo ghoraaya raudhraaya bheeShaNaaya kaaraalinae
namo dheerghaaya shuShkaaya kaala-dhamShtra namo(A)sthuthe
नमस्ते घोर रूपाय दुर्निरीक्षयाय ते नमः
नमस्ते सर्व भक्षाय वलीमुख नमोऽस्तुते (5)
namasthe ghora roopaaya dhur-nireekShayaaya thae namah
namasthe sarva bhakShaaya valee-mukha namo(A)sthuthe
सूर्यपुत्र नमस्तेऽस्तु भास्वरोभयदायिने
अदोद्रुष्टे नमस्तेऽस्तु संवर्तक नमोऽस्तुते (6)
soorya-puthra namasthe(A)sthu bhaasvaro-bhaya-dhaayine
adho-dhruShte namasthe(A)sthu saMvar-thaka namo(A)sthuthe
नमो मन्दगते तुभ्यं निष्प्रभाय नमो नमः
तपसा ज्ञान देहाय नित्य योग रताय च (7)
namo mandhagathe thubhyaM niSh-prabhaaya namo namah
thapasaa jnaana dhehaaya nithya yoga rathaaya cha
ज्ञान चक्षुर्नमस्तेऽस्तु कास्यपात्मज सूनवे
तुष्टो ददासि राज्यं त्वं क्रुध्दो हरसि तत्क्षणात् (8)
jnaana chakShur-namasthe(A)sthu kaasyapa-athmaja soonave
thuShto dhadhaasi raajyaM thvaM kruDhdho harasi thath-kShaNaath
देवासुर मनुष्याश्च सिध्द विद्याधरोरगाः
त्वयाव लोकित स्सौरे दैन्यमाशुव्रजन्तिते (9)
dheva-asura manuShyaash-cha siDhdha vidhya-aDharoragaah
thvayaava lokitha ssaure dhainya-maashu-vrajanthithe
ब्रह्मा शक्रोय मश्चैव मुनयः सप्त तारकाः
राज्य भ्रष्टाः पतन्तीह तव द्रुष्ट्याऽवलोकितः (10)
brahmaa shakroya mashchaiva munayah saptha thaarakaah
raajya bhraShtaah pathantheeha thava dhruShtyaa-(A)valokithah
त्वयाऽवलोकितास्तेऽपि नाशं यान्ति समूलतः
प्रसदं कुरुमे सौरे प्रणत्वाहित्वमर्थितः (11)
thvayaa-(A)valokithaa-sthe(A)pi naashaM yaanthi sa-moolathah
prasadhaM kurume saure praNathvaa-hithva-marThithah
