How to Appease Shani Dev and Overcome Hardships

According to Hindu mythology, Shani is one of the most dreaded planets among the Navagrahas. He is also said to be a powerful graha. Shani is believed to be the sun of Lord Surya and represents the planet Saturn. It is considered to be inauspicious for a person to have Shani in a challenging position in his/her horoscope. Hindus pray to Lord Shani to be relieved of hardship in their lives.

Read on to know some simple ways you can keep Shani Dev happy.

Pooja on Saturdays

This is one of the simplest things that you can do. Saturday is the day dedicated to the lord. Wake up early in the morning and take a bath. Do a pooja in honour of the god using a copper utensil and chant the Shani tantric mantra. Offer blue flowers, sesame oil and mustard as prasad. You can also chant any hymn from the Shani chalisa. If possible, you can consider wearing a black garment and observe a fast from dawn to dusk.

Mantra: Om sham shanishcharaya namah

Worship Lord Hanuman

According to a legend, Lord Hanuman once saved Shani Dev from the clutches of the demon king Ravana. As a result, Shani Dev is forever indebted to him. Therefore, he is immensely pleased with those who pray to Hanuman with utmost devotion and chant his chalisa. The ill effects of the graha are reduced and the person is blessed by Lord Saturn.

Some people consider it auspicious to pray to Lord Shiva and Lord Ganesha as well along with Shani and Hanuman.

Declutter Your Home

It is said that the lord removes any object that acts as an impedance to your growth. So, it is best that you take some effort to do some decluttering yourself. Clean your house regularly and dispose all the waste that has been lying around unused for a long time. You must also remember to keep your mind free of negative thoughts.

Worship a crow and a peepal tree

Hindus worship a crow and a peepal tree to help them get alleviated from the evil effects of the graha. The crow is said to be the vehicle of Lord Saturn. Moreover, it is as intelligent as the god although it is not good looking. It is a common practice to feed crows because of the belief that when you do so, ancestors come in their form to partake the offering and bless you while taking away your negative karma with them.

People also go around a peepal tree five times and touch the bark with both hands. They also mix milk, water and jaggery in a bowl and place it under the tree. This is because Shani Dev is believed to dwell on this tree.

Engage in Social Service or Charity

Involve yourself in one or more humanitarian deeds. This can be as simple as giving alms to a poor person or feeding a deserving person. According to the Bhagavad Gita, giving someone food is the biggest form of karma. You can also do any other selfless act for the needy without harming anyone or expecting anything in return. Such acts make the lord happy and he will bestow his blessings on you.
Some people believe that feeding handicapped people and/or lepers on Saturdays pleases the lord the most.

Listen to Dasaratha Shani Stotram

As per astrology, Saturn makes its way to the Rohini star constellation once in thirty years. This is a dreaded period. It is said that Saturn was once about to do this during the reign of King Dasaratha. The king knew that if this happened, his kingdom would face severe poverty. Therefore, he worshipped the graha rigorously and pleased him with his devotion. In return, Saturn did not enter Rohini as intended. Thus, listening to the Dasaratha Shani Stotram is a great way of seeking relief from the troubles caused by the planet.

Lord Shani is called the god of karma and justice. He repays you according to your actions. If you do good to others, he does good to you. Similarly, if you do evil to others, he will ensure that you are punished for your evil deeds. You can also visit any temple in honour of Lord Saturn on Saturdays. Shani Dham Temple in New Delhi, Tirunallar Saniswaran Temple in Pondicherry and Shani Mandir in Indore are some famous temples dedicated to Lord Saturn.

Read the Shani Chalisa

Reciting the Shani chalisa can help a person whose horoscope is influenced by Shani to find a solution to challenges. Reading the Shani chalisa can alleviate the ill-effects of Shani dosha in the reciter’s horoscope. It is recommended that the Shani chalisa is chanted every Saturday evening for best results.

Written by Deepthi K

for servdharm.com