Shani: The God of Justice

Shani in Images

In Hindu iconography, Shani is portrayed as a black figure riding in a chariot that moves slowly through the heavens. He carries various weapons, such as a sword, a bow and two arrows, an ax, and/or a trident, and he is sometimes mounted on a vulture or crow. Often wearing dark blue or black clothing, he carries a blue flower and sapphire.

Shani is sometimes shown as lame or with a limp, a result of fighting with his brother Yama as a child. In Vedic astrology terminology, Shani’s nature is Vata, or airy; his gem is a blue sapphire and any black stones, and his metal is lead. His direction is west, and Saturday is his day. Shani is said to be an incarnation of Vishnu, who gave him the task of granting to Hindus the fruits of their karmic nature.

Origins of Shani

Shani is the son of Surya, the Hindu sun god, and Chaya (“Shade”), a servant of Surya who acted as surrogate mother for Surya’s wife Swarna. While Shani was in Chaya’s womb, she fasted and sat under the hot sun to impress Shiva, who intervened and nurtured Shani. As a result, Shani turned black in the womb, which is said to have enraged his father, Surya.

When Shani opened his eyes as a baby for the very first time, the sun went into an eclipse: that is Shani turning his father (temporarily) black in a rage of his own.

The elder brother of the Hindu god of death, Yama, Shani delivers justice while a person is alive and Yama serves justice after a person’s death. Among Shani’s other relatives are his sisters—the goddess Kali, destroyer of evil forces, and the goddess of the hunt Putri Bhadra. Shiva, married to Kali, is both his brother-in-law and his guru.

Lord of Bad Luck

While often considered cruel and easily enraged, Shani Baghwan is both the greatest troublemaker and the greatest well-wisher, a strict but beneficent god. He is the god of justice who oversees the “dungeons of the human heart and the dangers that lurk there.”

Shani Baghwan is said to be very harmful to those who betray, backstab, and seek unjust revenge, as well as those who are vain and arrogant. He makes people suffer for their sins, so as to purify and cleanse them of the negative influences of evil they have acquired.

In Hindu (also known as Vedic) astrology, the planetary position at the time of one’s birth determines his or her future; anyone born under Shani’s planet Saturn is believed to be at risk for accidents, sudden failures, and money and health problems. Shani asks that Hindus live in the moment, and predicts success only through discipline, hard work, and struggle. A worshipper who practices good karma can overcome the difficulties of an ill-chosen birth.