Shani (Sanskrit: शनि, Śani), or Śanaiśchara, refers to the divine personification of the planet Saturn in Hinduism,[4] and is one of the nine heavenly objects (Navagraha) in Hindu astrology.[5] Shani is also a male Hindu deity in the Puranas, whose iconography consists of a black figure carrying a sword or danda (sceptre) and sitting on a Crow. He is the god of Karma (deeds), justice, and retribution and delivers results depending upon one’s thoughts, speech, and deeds (karma). Shani is the controller of longevity, misery, sorrow, old age, discipline, restriction, responsibility, delays, ambition, leadership, authority, humility, integrity, and wisdom born of experience. He also signifies spiritual asceticism, penance, discipline, and conscientious work.
Shiva has created great spiritual energies (known as Devas and lesser Gods in religion) and great material/spiritual energies (planets), that keep all the dimensions and realms in balance throughout creation and sustain spiritually unrefined beings (man is just one example). These energies collectively, govern how material beings should live in Shiva’s light. In man’s case, each planet governs how he lives on Earth and the Sun gives him life. Shani or Saturn, is the governor of Karma on Earth. Shani teaches man how to live according to Shiva’s karmic law. If one oversteps Shiva’s rules for Earthly living, by engaging in bad karmic action, Shani, sends one negative karmic energy, which manifests as difficulties or bad luck. If one engages in good karmic action, the Shani rewards him accordingly on Earth, as per Shiva’s law. So in relation to Shiva, Shani or Saturn, is simply a greater spiritual energy, that Shiva manifested, to transform the spiritual effects of good or bad karmic action into positive or negative material effects for life on Earth.
English: “Om kaakadhwajaaya vidmahae khadga hastaaya dheemahi tanno mandah prachodayaat”
Sanskrit: ओम काकध्वजाय विद्महे खड्ग हस्ताय धीमहि तन्नो मंदः प्रचोदयात्
Translation: Om, Let me meditate on him who has crow in his flag, Oh, He who has a sword in his hand, give me higher intellect, And let Saneeswara illuminate my mind.
