Sani, Shani Dev, Ravinandana, Saneeswara, Saura, Pangu, Mandu, Kruradris, Asita, and Saptarshi, Sani Bhagwan, Kruralochana, Asita, and Chayyaputra are all names associated with him. These names are related to his personality or legends about him.

Shani Dev represents spiritual asceticism, penance, discipline, and hard work. Shani is the basis for Shanivara (Saturday), one of the Hindu calendar's seven days.

Appearance

Shani Dev is depicted as having a dark complexion and wearing dark blue or black clothing. He is usually depicted riding a crow or vulture and pulling an eight-horse chariot. Shani Deva wields numerous weapons, including a bow, two arrows, a sword, a trident, and an axe, similar to Lord Parshuram.

Qualities of Shani Dev

Shani is capable of combining gross and inert forms. He has authority over all of the body's gross components, including the nerves, muscles, cells, nails, hair, skin, teeth, and bones. Shani has complete control over death. Shani Dev has the ability to create situations in which we lack motivation, inspiration, and vision. He is neither clever nor deceitful. He is completely serious and grave in every situation, with no sense of humour.

Birth of Shani Dev

According to legend, Lord Surya (Surya Dev) was first married to Saranyu (Sanjana, Sanjna). She is the Sun's consort, and she has three children (Shraddhadeva Manu, Yama, and the Yamuna). Sanjna left him and went away for penance due to the unbearable heat and brightness of the Sun, leaving her Shadow/Chhaya behind. Her father told her to return to her husband, but she refused.

On Jyestha Krishna Paksha Amavasya Tithi, Chhaya gave birth to Shani while Sanjna was performing severe penance. He is also known as Chhayaputra. Chhaya (Suvarna) gave the Sun three children: Savarni Manu, Shani, and Tapti.

Shani was preoccupied with serving her husband even while she was in the womb. The baby in the worm turned black due to the heat of The Sun. As a result, Shani was born black. He is Yama's elder brother (the god of death and justice), so he takes on the role of Yama and can end life. Saturn also represents detachment, which has spiritual significance. No saint can be born unless Saturn is well-placed and powerful in the Kundli or Birth Chart.

Legends associated with Shani Dev

Shani Dev's abandonment

Lord Sun refuses to accept his son as his son after seeing him, who does not even resemble his father. As a result, he abandoned both Shani and Chaya. They both faced scorn and humiliation, as well as the agony of abandonment.

Lord Shiva's Tapasya

Shani Dev struggled and sacrificed his childhood and youth in order to gain power and vision comparable to his father. He practiced strict austerity in order to please Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva is moved by his devotion and intent. Finally, Lord Shiva bestowed upon him the right and authority to impose severe penalties and compensation. Shani is thus also known as the god of justice.

Lame Shani

Shani was hungry one day and went to his mother to ask for food. Chhaya, his mother, told him to wait because she needed to make an offering to the Gods first. Shani insisted on being served even in front of the Gods, kicking her in frustration. Shani's one leg became inactive as a result of his immorality, and he became lame.

Wife Curses Shani

The two wives of Shani were Neelima and Damini. Shani's first consort, Neelima or Neela, balances and increases Shani's power. She possesses the power of Brahma's fifth head. Damini was both Gandharva's daughter and the princess. Her dance can entice anyone in the universe. Shani cursed him to always have his eyes turned downwards and his sight to bring trouble when he was performing his Shiva Pooja and ignored Damini.

Shani in Vedic Astrology

In Vedic astrology, Shani is also known as Saturn. Saturn is one of the Navagraha, or nine planetary deities. It is the seventh of them all. Saturn is a planet that moves at a glacial pace. Traveling through all 12 zodiac signs takes about 30 years. Saturn is said to be a judge of our past actions. Saturn is a natural benefactor of Jobs and Services, Metals, Industries, Age, Poverty, Hardships, Diseases, Obstacles of All Kinds, and Selfishness. Saturn, as the manifestation of inert matter, determines our fortune, health, and popularity. According to Vedic astrology, anyone born under Shani's influence is cursed with bad luck. Shani Dev is frequently worshipped to prevent misfortune, adversity, and evil, as well as to remove negative obstacles. Shani, on the other hand, is frequently misinterpreted.