Interviewer:
Pranam, Gurudev.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Pranam, Pranam.
Interviewer:
On our YouTube channel, "Guptosadhok Shyamakhepa," we have been listening to your insights regarding the Dasha Mahavidya (Ten Great Wisdoms) and their relationship with the various planets. Today, we would like to hear from you about Shani (Saturn).
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Shani is as stern as he is disciplined. People endure great hardships during the period of Shani's influence (Dasha). When Shani takes hold of one's life, he may take away everything. If it is the period of Sade Sati (the seven-and-a-half-year cycle), the struggle lasts for that entire duration.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
There is a unique trait to Shani: he gives once and he takes once. This planet has a profound connection with Mother Dakshina Kali. In fact, Shani is said to worship Dakshina Kali; she is his Ishta Devi (chosen deity). This is the fundamental knowledge regarding Shani.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Shani is a major planet. When we offer our salutations, we refer to him as Mahagraham (the Great Planet). His Dhyana Mantra is:
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
"Neelanjana samabhasam, Ravi putram Yamagrajam, Chhaya Martanda Sambhutam, Tam namami Shanaishcharam." (I bow to Saturn, who is blue like collyrium, the son of the Sun, the elder brother of Yama, born of Chhaya and Martanda.)
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
There is a deep history here. Shani is as transparent as crystal and a great Yogi. He is completely transparent; no one can escape him through trickery. Shani will deliver justice.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
According to the Puranas, before Shani was born, Surya's (the Sun God) wife, Saranyu, told him she wanted to visit her father's house. Surya refused. Eventually, Saranyu left her shadow (Chhaya) behind and took her physical form (Kaya) to her father's house. Surya was unaware of this. Through his union with Chhaya, Shani was born. Thus, Shani has a brother, Yama. Yama was born of the physical body (Kaya), while Shani was born of the shadow (Chhaya). This is why the mantra says "born of Chhaya."
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Shani's worship is typically not performed by traditional Brahmins because Shani is associated with the Shudra class among planets. Usually, non-Brahmins or specific priests perform his rituals.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Shani is known for his trials. Even when he shows mercy, he puts the person through immense suffering first. Consider King Harishchandra—through Shani's influence, he lost his kingdom and his wealth, eventually ending up as a worker at a crematorium. This was Shani's "grace." Once the King remained steadfast in his truth, Shani returned everything to him, including his deceased son and his kingdom.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
There is another story about Shani and his teacher. Surya sent Shani to a Pandit (scholar) to receive an education. After Shani became highly learned, the teacher, knowing Shani's power, requested, "Please do not punish me with your gaze." Shani replied, "I must perform my duty. However, you may sit by the Ganges and chant Narayana's name for ten dandas (a unit of time)."
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
The teacher sat to pray but finished in only eight dandas and left. Shani observed that the teacher failed to complete the full ten dandas. Consequently, Shani used his powers to magically steal two of the King's sons. He created the illusion of their severed heads and placed them in the teacher's house. The King, finding the "heads," threw the teacher into prison and ordered him to be executed. In prison, the teacher prayed to Shani. Shani appeared and reminded him, "I told you to pray for ten dandas, but you only did eight. You must face the consequences." Eventually, Shani revealed the truth to the King, the children were found safe, and the teacher was released. This shows how Shani delivers justice based on discipline.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Shani is also known as the Shani-poka (Saturn insect), which is said to carve the Shaligram stones (representing Narayana) found in nature. Because of this connection, Shani is worshipped daily at the Jagannath Temple in Puri, as Lord Jagannath is a form of Narayana.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Shani's life was marked by family conflict. When Yama learned the secret of their mother's shadow, he confronted her. In anger, the mother cursed Yama, saying his legs would be stricken with disease. This is why Yama is often depicted with swollen legs.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Furthermore, Shani's own wife cursed him. One day, while Shani was deep in meditation, his wife sought his attention. Shani, absorbed in his yoga, ignored her. Angered, she cursed him, saying that whoever he looked upon would be destroyed or face great misfortune. This is why Shani's gaze is considered so powerful and feared.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Shani, like Goddess Kali, is "unbound" and "free-spirited" (Chhara). He prefers to reside in outskirts or desolate places. This is why many Shani temples are located in open areas.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Regarding rituals:
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Women and Shani: Traditionally, women are advised not to touch the idol of Shani or the items used in his puja, as Shani is said to be uncomfortable with the touch of women due to his ascetic nature.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Remedies: People often wear Blue Sapphire (Nila), but stones alone cannot stop Shani's influence. The best remedy is to offer 108 Tulsi leaves to a Shaligram stone (Narayana) once a month or every fifteen days. This pleases Shani and mitigates the severity of his punishment.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Offerings: Offerings include steel or iron plates and bowls (as iron is Shani's metal), a blue cloth, and five types of whole fruits.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
The Ritual: One should fast, go to the Shani temple, offer the gifts, and eat the prasad. Before returning home, one must bathe again.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
I have visited the Shani Shingnapur temple in Maharashtra. Although the Supreme Court has ruled that women may enter, during my visit, women were strictly prohibited from the inner sanctum. Shani remains a planet of immense discipline, justice, and spiritual transformation through hardship.
Interviewer:
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