Deity

Shani

शनिŚani

Also called Shani Dev

verses
471
books
23
chapters
189
Child of
Surya

What the texts say

In the Skanda Purana, Shani, the deity known as Saturn, is the son of Surya, the Sun and lord of the day, and is also named Shanaishchara. Skanda Purana 5.2.50.4, 5.1.56.3 The same Purana calls Shani the son of Chhaya. Skanda Purana 3.2.13.44 In the Agni Purana, Saturn is one of the planets whose place in a chart is judged auspicious or not, and he is described as dark in hue. Agni Purana 3.95.8, 13.299.15 The Matsya Purana describes how his image should be made, with the lustre of sapphire, riding a vulture and holding a bow and arrows. Matsya Purana 94.6 The Skanda Purana says that whoever worships Shiva as Saurishvara on a Saturday becomes free from torment by Shani. Skanda Purana 7.1.49.6

Where to read

Every verse that names Shani, book by book.

  1. Skanda Purana

    160 verses · 30 chapters

    All 160 verses in the Skanda Purana
    • 7.1.49.6

      Whether god or demon—whoever is not afflicted by Sauri (Śani), after devoutly worshipping Śiva as Saurīśvara on a Saturday, becomes free from such torment.

    • 6.1.96.2

      He would regularly go to heaven and ever delight Indra (Vāsava). He was one by whom Śanaiścara (Saturn) was subdued, even as he afflicted Rohiṇī.

    • 6.1.174.60

      “It is Saturn (Śani), positioned at your birth, by whom you were brought into this condition—there is no doubt. By that alone you have reached this state; indeed there is no other cause.”

  2. Narada Purana

    67 verses · 15 chapters

    All 67 verses in the Narada Purana
    • 1.1.13.46

      Likewise, (the observance becomes especially efficacious) when the Sun is at mid-rise; when the Sun is in Puṣyā; when Mercury is (placed) in Rohiṇī; similarly when Saturn is in Rohiṇī; and likewise when Mars is in Aśvinī.

    • 1.2.54.68

      For Śita (Venus) and Śīghra (Mercury) the associated groups are named Yaṣṇa, Satriya, Āśvi, Sva, and Bhūdhara; and for Śani (Saturn) they are Bhujaga, Ṣaṭpacara, Saveda, and Niśākara.

    • 1.2.55.240

      When the soul-portion is thus disposed, a person becomes witty and learned, strong, a counsellor, and righteous; he has few children, is often sorrowful, and—when the share relating to Śani (Saturn) is operative—he meets with a wicked wife.

  3. Agni Purana

    36 verses · 25 chapters

    All 36 verses in the Agni Purana
    • 2.21.18

      Bhā (splendour), the eye, Vasu, likewise the Sun’s weapon; the Queen, the spear, and the niṣkubha—(these are assigned) in order to Soma (Moon), Aṅgāraka (Mars), then Budha (Mercury), Jīva (Bṛhaspati/Jupiter), Śukra (Venus), and Śani…

    • 3.73.14

      In the petal located in the eastern direction and the others—beginning with the south-east (Agni’s quarter)—one should place (nyāsa) the seed-syllables: “aṁ” for Mars (Bhauma), “śaṁ” for Saturn (Śanaiścara), “raṁ” for Rāhu, and “keṁ” for…

    • 3.95.8

      Saturn, Mars, the Sun, and Ketu are considered auspicious when placed in the six and three positions; all (planets), whether benefic, cruel, or malefic, are (also) spoken of as occupying the eleven positions (i.e., having effects with…

  4. Padma Purana

    26 verses · 9 chapters

    All 26 verses in the Padma Purana
    • 6.33.18

      Seeing the weapon of destruction—terrifying to both gods and demons—Śani laughed; and Sauri, undaunted by that fear, spoke these words.

    • 1.82.20

      For the worship of Śanaiścara (Saturn), one should make a maṇḍala in the form of a human figure, and, using black-colored powders, worship there with devotion.

    • 1.8.74

      By the power of his austerity, Śani too attained equality among the planets; and Yamunā and Tapatī once again became rivers.

Also named in

Key chapters

The chapters where Shani matters most.

  1. Śanaiścaraiśvara (Saurīśvara) Māhātmya and Daśaratha’s Śani-stotra | शनैश्चरैश्वरमाहात्म्यं तथा दशरथकृतशनीस्तोत्रम्

    Skanda Purana 7.1.49 · 44 verses

  2. Chapter 96: Daśaratha-Śanaiścara Dialogue; Prevention of Rohiṇī-Disruption; Glory of Rājavāpī

    Skanda Purana 6.1.96 · 27 verses

  3. Pippalāda-utpatti-varṇana and Kaṃsāreśvara-liṅga Māhātmya (पिप्पलादोत्पत्तिवर्णनं; कंसारेश्वरलिङ्गमाहात्म्यम्)

    Skanda Purana 6.1.174 · 18 verses

  4. The Glory of Sthāvareśvara Liṅga

    Skanda Purana 5.2.50 · 16 verses

  5. Vishnu Dautya Varnanam: Shani's Curse and Vishnu as Messenger

    Mudgala Purana 2.64 · 11 verses

  6. Pippalāda’s Account and the Māhātmya of Pippaleśvara Tīrtha

    Skanda Purana 5.3.42 · 5 verses

  7. Daśaratha’s Hymn to Śani (Saturn) and the Pacification of Graha-Affliction

    Padma Purana 6.33 · 11 verses

    divine_revealer

  8. The Meeting with Shani

    Mudgala Purana 2.63 · 2 verses

  9. Description of the Worship of the Planets

    Padma Purana 1.82 · 7 verses

    supporting

  10. The Vindhya Episode and the Sanctification of Ashvattha-Pippala Tirtha by Shani

    Brahma Purana 118 · 4 verses

    Tapasvin-protector invoked by distressed ascetics

Also known to Wikipedia · Wikidata Q1296733