Lord Shani

Saturn, the Son of Sun:

    Sani(🪐Saturn) among the nine planets, holds a unique position. Though Surya(Sun) is the central planet and Sani is revolving around him, the latter has an equal influence on human life as the sun. Sani is the son of Surya but by a quirk of fate they became bitter enemies.                      .               Aditya son of Kasyapa Maharshi, was originally called Vivasvan. He possessed enormous heat and light and shone as a ball of fire. He came to be known in the universe as Surya. 

       Surya married a divine damsel, Samijna daughter of Dvashta rishi. Through her Surya had two sons, Manu and Yamadharma and a daughter Yamuna. Manu is an embodiment of jnana Or supreme knowledge and Yamadharma is an embodiment of Dharma Or righteousness and the pure water, one of the five elements. Yamuna is also referred to as Vishnu patni (wife of Vishnu) 

     Samijna however could not live with Surya for long. She was unable to bear the heat and light of Surya. She was born between the impulse to leave and the sense of responsibility to serve Surya and her children. 

     Ultimately she found a solution through penance. Out of her own shadow she created a woman exactly like her named her as Chaya shadow, left her in her own place with Surya and went to her father Dvashta rishi's house. Dvashta rishi was upset that his daughter had deserted her husband. He cursed her that she be born as a horse. On Samijna's pleading he relented and asked her to do deep penance towards Surya and get back to him. Later she was united with Surya who manifested himself as a make horse. Aswini devas were their children. 

    Surya did not know that Chaya was a replica of Samijna. He thought he was living with Samijna. Chaya served him faithfully and bore him two more sons. Sani and Sarvani Manu and a daughter Badra who later flowed as a river in Bharatavarsha. 

     Though Chaya did not want to be partial even without knowing she was giving better treatment to her own children in comparison to Samijna's children. Yamadharma, who has a sharp eye for righteousness noticed this. He questioned Chaya about this partiality and informed his father also. 

     Surya became wild and lashed out at Chaya. Chaya admitted everything and explained the circumstances of her playing the role of Samijna. Surya still could not control his anger and cursed Chaya to remain a shadow for ever.

     Sani was much perturbed by the treatment meted out to his mother. He argued that his mother was not at all responsible for cheating Surya. It was only Samijna who created Chaya for serving Surya and Chaya was doing her duty faithfully. But Surya had cursed her mercilessly listening to Yamadharma. 

   Put out by this act of cruelty to his mother, Sani disowned his father and took an oath. "I will not adore you as my father. I will gain power equal to yours through penance and enhance the dignity of my mother. However since my brother Yamadharma always respects righteousness I will stand by him in matters of maintaining righteousness, truth and justice".

     With this oath Sani began doing penance on the banks of the Ganga in Kashi praying to Lord Shiva. He did deep penance for getting power equal to that of Surya in the grihamandala. After many years of deep penance, Lord Shiva was pleased and appeared before him and offered to grant a boon. Sani prayed that he should have the power to be in the sokar system as one of the grahas. He must have power equal to that of his father, the Sun-god.Sani also prayed for a title to distinguish from other planets. Siva granted these boons. He said, Sani Deva, I am granting you the title Isvara. You will henceforth be known as Sanisvara. You will rule the body and mind of jivas. You will be righteousness by protecting the righteousness people. You will have a high sense of justice and punish evil doers. 

     Lord Shiva added, However exalted one's position is one must have some respect for one's father. Otherwise one's glory will be a waste. So like the other planets you will also revolve around the Sun, your father.