Worshipping Shani Dev a Boon or Bane as Per Holy Scriptures

Worshiping Shani Dev is Not Scripture Based

The sole purpose of human birth is to do true worship and attain salvation. Devotees of Hinduism can be broadly put into two categories: Those who worship just because of their inherent spiritual nature by birth while others are those who worship out of sheer fear that something wrong can happen to them in the future or they are already suffering and want to get rid of difficulties life has thrown at them.

Those falling in the first category generally tend to worship over glorified powers like Trinity (Brahma Ji, Vishnu Ji, Shiv Ji), or Hanuman, Durga, etc. who are in fact mere puppets in hands of butcher Brahm Kaal.
While the second pool of people usually worship deities who are lower than Trinity in the spiritual hierarchy but due to wrong/incomplete knowledge embedded in masses by fake spiritual leaders, are considered to be the ones who will harm people if they don’t worship them. There is one such God who has gained centre stage in this category, known by the name of Shani Dev (शनिदेव).

Let's know in detail about Shani Dev

Devotees worship Shani Dev's black colored stone idol by pouring mustard oil on it on Saturdays, by lighting an oil wick and wearing a small black cloth. The special day of his worship is considered to be Saturday, most of the devotees worship him only to avoid the wrath of Shani Dev in their lives and to please him. Shani Dev is considered to be the son of Surya.

This article is focused on doing the fact-based analysis of Shani Dev’s widespread folklore glory while we go through, ending with a conclusion whether he is capable of doing any good for his devotees!! We would start by listing some of the stories which you may already have heard as they are in the public domain and then would go to see what Holy scriptures say; so that you can gauge the spiritual power of Shani Dev and can know whether Shani Dev is a worshipable God or not ?

This article will aim to highlight the following. Let's first know

Who is Dharmarai ?
Is Shani Dev the God of justice & Karma ?
Trinity Gods fear Maha Shani
Brahm Kaal misleads for arbitrary worship of Shani Dev
Folktales Prevalent about Shani Dev
Is Shani Dev worshipable?
What does the Holy Scriptures say about the Almighty?
Is Shani Dev a provider of salvation?
Who is Supreme God?
What is the identity of a Tatvdarshi saint?

Who is Dharmarai ?

Owner of 21 universes Brahm-Kaal also known as ‘Dharamrai’ has promised Almighty Kabir; creator of the entire universe; Param Akshar Brahm, Satpurush that he will rule in this deceased world basis truth, basis Karma. There is evidence in Sukshma Veda

Dharamrai darbani chera, sur asuron ka kare nibera |
Sat Ka raaj dharmrai karahi, apna kiya sabhe dand bharahi | 6 |

We are all imprisoned here in the web of Kaal. All souls trapped in his web get reward and punishment according to their deeds. According to mythology, for this he has delegated responsibility to a deity well known as Shani Dev.

Is Shani Dev the God of Justice & Karma ?

Shani Dev is a popular Hindu deity worshipped by devotees intending to ward off evil and obstacles from their life and is believed to be one who rewards or punishes people according to their Karma.

Let us dive deep in spiritual facts and know more about Shani Dev. This article will focus to highlight that Shani Dev is not a worshipable God since he is not the provider of salvation.

Trinity Gods Fear Maha Shani

Ref: Shri Brahma Purana, published from Gita Press Gorakhpur, Chapter "Tapasthirtha, Indratirtha and Vrishakatirtha and Abjak-teerth glory" on page 216.

Mentioning the glory of ‘Abjak Teerth’ Brahma Purana narrates a real time incident. There was one ‘Maha Shani’ , a demon who could not be defeated by Gods. Once all gods went to Lord Vishnu and prayed to kill the demon ‘Maha Shani’. Lord Vishnu said ‘Maha Shani’ the monster is ‘Avadhya’ for me meaning, I (Vishnu) cannot kill Maha Shani. Gloomy Indra then went to Shri Shiva and prayed to kill the demon ‘Maha Shani’. Lord Shiva said that ‘I alone cannot kill the demon ‘Maha Shani’, you (Indra) and your wife Shachi should worship God ‘Janardan’ means Brahm Kaal then that demon Maha Shani can only be killed.

Note: Brahm Kaal has been greeted God ‘Janardan by Arjun in Gita Chapter 3 Verse 1 and 2

This description of Brahma Purana proves that Shri Vishnu Ji and Shri Shiv Ji are not capable. They are not Omnipotent. It cannot be even said that they do not have power. These Gods are more powerful than other deities but are mere puppets of this Kaal form Brahm -Sadashiv also known as Maha Vishnu, Maha Shiva. They are incapable of defeating Shani Dev. Brahm Kaal acquires the form of these deities -Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva and provides them some help because of this, the glory of these three deities enhances. Therefore, seekers remain dependent on these three over glorified powers only and do not understand Brahm form Kaal’s trap.

This episode proves Trinity Gods fear Maha Shani.

Let’s move ahead to understand that Brahm Kaal misleads innocent ignorant souls and lets them perform arbitrary worship which is devoid of holy scriptures hence, useless.

Brahm Kaal Misleads for Arbitrary Worship of Shani Dev

Greeted as Shaneeshwara, Pingala, Babhru, Pippalayshraya, Roudhraantak, Raviputram, etc. Shani Dev the son of Surya and Chayya is believed to be capable of conferring boons and blessings to the deserving. Due to his ferocious behaviour Shani Dev is feared for delivering misfortune.

Ref: Holy Kabir Sagar, Conversation of Brahm Kaal with God Kabir in Chapter ‘Anurag Sagar’ from Page 62 and 63:

Deval dev paashaan pujaayi |
teerth vrat jap tap man laayi ||38 ||

God Kaal told Almighty Kabir that in Kalyug he will mislead naïve souls to worship deities, ghosts, put them on fasting, perform austerity and visit to pilgrims, such will be useless worship which will not provide innocent creatures any spiritual benefit rather will turn out to be a sheer wastage of precious human birth. This is huge Kaal’s trap and he misguides creatures by letting them perform arbitrary worship like worshipping Shani Dev and other deities.

Holy Bhagavad Gita Chapter 16 Verse 23 states:

YaH, shaastrvidhim, utsrjya, vartte, kaamkaaratH,
Na, saH, siddhim, avaapnoti, na, sukham, na, paraam, gatim ||23||

Meaning: One who practices by following his/her own beliefs rather than following the way of worship described in Holy scriptures ends up getting nothing!!

As can be seen from the above Verse of pious GIta Ji, it’s of utmost criticality that you understand what the Holy scriptures say about Almighty and the way of worship to connect with him!! It would be of no use to keep doing what you’ve been doing until now. If you think that God will help you in whatever form you worship him, as is believed by masses, then why is it that almost everyone in this world is suffering and their so-called God isn’t able to provide relief to them?

The Answer to this is that practice which isn’t according to scriptures, won’t help anyone!! If you see someone enjoying his life then it’s all due to his past Karma; otherwise why does the same person start suffering despite following the same method of worship which he used to do when you were considering him leading a happy life?

So, the gist of the above is that one MUST follow the holy scriptures to embark on the journey of spiritualism. Now comes the next problem of understanding holistically the true translations of our Holy scriptures which are in Sanskrit. We know that it’s next to impossible for us to understand the scriptures on our own otherwise we would already be knowing that. Isn’t it?

One such arbitrary worship prevalent amongst pious Hindu religion is of Shani Dev. Moving ahead let us know about folktales prevalent amongst devotee society about Shani Dev.

Folktales Prevalent about Shani Dev

Shani Dev is a God who, if not worshipped, can harm people.
Worshipping Shani Dev on Saturdays keeps one safe from his malefic effects.
Also known as ‘Chayaputra’, he is the one who gets easily enraged and is considered a troublemaker if he isn’t happy with someone.
Pouring mustard oil on a tree or donating it on Saturdays keeps Shani Dev Happy.
Chanting Shani Dev Mantra, reciting Shani Dev Chalisa gives materialistic benefits.

With aforesaid, now the curiosity raises; Is Shani Dev worshipable? Let’s find out

Is Shani Dev Worshipable?

The answer is No!! None of the God-Given Holy books (Vedas, Gita Ji) have even mentioned Shani Dev to be deity, leave about worshipping him. We would like to add one more point here. We aren’t denying the existence of Shani Dev!! In fact, we fully believe that there are 33 koti Deities and Shani Dev is one of them however as you have seen above, the Knowledge Giver of Gita Ji is saying that even the worshippers of Trinity are among the lowest. So, how can worshipping Shani Dev be of any use?

In Holy Bhagavad Gita Chapter 8 Verse 8-10 knowledge giver of Gita tells to ‘worship only Param Akshar Brahm, complete God who has been referred to in Gita Chapter 8 Verse 3.

So, how to find someone who can help us in understanding what is true way of worship? and what is the exact meaning of the Holy Scriptures?

To get an answer to this, Let’s again turn to our Holy Books. Gita Chapter 4 Verse 34, directs to go in the refuge of a Tatavdarshi Saint. Our Holy scriptures like pious Vedas, Gita Ji contain a lot of references for the identification of True Saint. Going through that would limit your criteria on the intended topic.

Now, let’s try to do a deep dive into what holy scriptures tell about the Almighty and whether Shani Dev is capable of doing anything (good or bad) to people!!

What does the Holy Scriptures say about the Almighty?

Let’s take a quick look into some of the conscience shaking hidden secrets of the Holy Books which would reinforce what we’ve discussed so far:

Gita Chapter 15 Verse 4 and Chapter 18 Verse 62 states that only by doing devotion of the Purna Parmatma (complete God), full benefit – complete liberation is attained, which is scripture-based devotion and practice of other gods as a deity, because of being against the scriptures, is useless (evidence in Bhagavad Gita Chapter 16 Verse 23, 24).
Gita Chapter 7 Verse 12 to 15, It’s stated that those who have their mind limited to the worship of the three Gunas (Rajgun-Brahma, Satgun-Vishnu, and Tamgun-Shiva), who do not worship anyone apart from these, they have been said to be of demoniac nature, the lowest among men, evil-doers and fools, and it has been said that they do not even worship Me (Knowledge Giver of Gita i.e. Brahm / Kaal).
Gita Chapter 18 Verse 62, Knowledge Giver of Gita is asking to go in the refuge of Supreme God so that effectively means that Almighty is someone different from the God who gave knowledge of Gita Ji!!! Looks astonishing? We know, keep reading the material as there will be more such shockers.

Is Shani Dev Provider of Salvation?

Devotees recite Shani Chalisa, celebrate Shani Jayanti, visit temples and offer mustard oil on the idol of Shani Dev. Recite mantra like "Om kaakadhwajaaya vidmahae khadga hastaaya dheemahi tanno mandah prachodayaat'' aiming to please God Shani. These mantras and way of worship hold no evidence in any holy scriptures. Chanting Mantra & chalisa of Shani Dev, celebrating Shani Jayanti and worshiping him as a deity is not correct at all.

Pious Gita Chapter 17 Verse 23 tells three word salvation mantra ‘OM-Tat-Sat’ (coded) which will be provided by enlightened saint chanting which and by remaining in rules of worship as prescribed; seeker will attain God and will reach to immortal abode.

In Gita Chapter 8 Verse 13, the knowledge giver of Gita says that 'His mantra is 'Om' and 'Tat and Sat' (secret mantra) should also be chanted for attainment of Param Akshar Brahm/ Supreme God for complete salvation. In Gita Chapter 7 Verse 18 Brahm Kaal says that salvation attained by his devotion is inferior . Therefore, here is a description of the attainment of the Supreme God, that is, the ultimate state of complete salvation. The seeker who renounces the body while chanting and remembering (Om, 'Tat and Sat'), that is, remembering at the last moment, he attains the supreme State of complete salvation.

Almighty Kabir states in His nectar speech

Kabir, Koti Naam Sansar mein, inse mukti na ho ||
Sar Naam Mukti ka data, vako jane na koy ||

This proves Shani Dev is not a provider of salvation hence, worshipping him is totally useless.

Let us move ahead to know who should be worshipped about whom all holy scriptures certify? Who is Supreme God?

Who is Supreme God?

Considering what you have read until now, you may be thinking now whom to worship as for a beginner, this looks so new and Shocking

Actually, the weaver of Kashi i.e. weaver Kabir is the Almighty God, who appeared on a lotus flower in Kashi, Uttar Pradesh, about 625 years ago from Satlok, lightening the light of his body and played the role of a weaver. He is the Supreme God and only he should be worshipped. In Gita Chapter 8 Verse 9 it has said that only Worship Satchidanandghan Brahm i.e. Supreme Akshar Brahm. Almighty KavirDev i.e. God Kabir Sahib who is eternal, omnipresent, almighty, i.e. Lord of lords, subtle to subtle, Sustainer of all, in unimaginable form, flamboyant form i.e. luminous like sun, who is corporeal, far from ignorance.

A Tatvadarshi sant tells about God whose identity has been told in Gita Chapter 4 Verse 17, Chapter 15 Verse 1-4. Let’s know in detail the identity of a Tatvdarshi Sant.

What is the Identity of a Tatvadarshi Saint?

Kabir, Akshar Purush ek ped hai , Kaal Niranjan (Kshar Purush) wa ki Dar ||
Teen dev (Brahma, Vishnu, Mahesh) Shakha bhaye paat rup Sansar ||

About a Tatvdarshi Sant, in Gita Chapter 15 verse 1, it has been clarified that how would that Tatvadarshi Saint be, who will tell the complete description of the world like tree that the root is Purna Parmatma, trunk is Akshar Purush i.e ParBrahm, a big branch is Brahm i.e. Kshar Purush and smaller branches are the three Gunas (Rajgun-Brahma Ji, Satgun-Vishnu Ji and Tamgun-Shiv Ji) and the leaves are this world i.e. he will give a detailed description of all the universes. He is an enlightened saint. Only by going under the shelter of an enlightened saint, a person gets complete information about the Supreme God.

When one finds the enlightened saint mentioned in Gita Chapter 15 Verse 4 Chapter 4 Verse 34, Chapter 15 Verse 1, after that one should properly search for the ultimate abode of God i.e. Satlok having gone where, devotees do not return to the world, and the Param Akshar Brahm, from whom the ancient creation–nature has originated.

Kaal says ‘I also am in the refuge of Sanatan Purna Parmatma. One should worship that Supreme God with full determination’.

On the basis of the above facts, it is concluded that on the basis of folk tales, Shani Dev has been considered as the God of Justice in the devotee society, but this deity, who is believed to be the provider of the fruit of karma is not at all worshipable God because no holy scripture of any religion gives proof of worship of Shani Dev. Shani Dev is not even the provider of salvation. Only by taking refuge of a Tatvdarshi sant, and living in dignity, doing true devotion and chanting Salvation Mantras, emancipation can be attained. Almighty Kabir Sahib (KavirDev) Ji is the only worshipable God.

Here through this article, we request all the seekers/devotees and readers to take shelter of enlightened Sant Rampal Ji Maharaj, who is himself an incarnation of Almighty Kabir Saheb Ji and who has incarnated on earth for the welfare of all human beings. All human beings should do devotional practice as described by Satguru Rampal Ji Maharaj. Satguru Rampal Ji Maharaj Ji gives Naam Diksha (Initiation) in three Stages.

First: - Sant Rampal Ji Maharaj gives initiation of secret mantras of Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva, Ganesha, Durga etc. By chanting these mantras one gets the happiness of this world. Today man has started idolatry i.e. worshipping idols leaving behind the chanting of real mantras doing which there is no benefit. Despite worshipping they continuously suffer. The reason for this is that their way of devotion is not correct. Today the seekers are doing exactly as if a person who does not have an account in the bank and worship the idol of the manager by placing it in his house and demand money by folding hands in front of the idol. From where will the idol give money? Whereas all the seekers of Satguru Rampal Ji Maharaj Ji get full benefits because of performing true worship.

In the Second time, after four months, a two-syllable Satnaam is obtained chanting which destroys all sins and gives complete peace and happiness.

Kabir, Jab hi Satnam hriday dharyo bhayo paap ko naah ||
Jaise chingari Agni ki padi purane ghaas ||

The meaning of the above speech is, when you chant the mantra of two letters, then all your sinful deeds will be destroyed. After taking Initiation, by coming under the shelter of Complete Satguru Rampal Ji, the sins of the seeker will finish and no deity, ghost, pitra, nine planets etc. can harm the seeker.

Speech: Nau grah Naman krain Nirvana. Avigat naam niralabh jana ||

When the seekers do devotion to the Supreme God Kabir Ji, then the nine planets do salutations to the seekers and instead of harming them they provide benefit to seekers. We used to do the same devotion in Satyug which Sant Rampal Ji is getting done in today's time. In Satyug, all human beings used to be happy by doing this true devotion, there was rain on time, there was no shortage of anything, human life span used to be lakhs of years, the son do not used to die in front of the father.

In the Third time Aadi Naam (Saranam) is obtained which provides us salvation.

Kabir ekai sadhe sab sadhe, sab sadhe sab jaaye ||
Mali sichen mool ko, phule phale adhaye ||

In this speech It has been told that as a gardener puts water in the root of a plant and fertilises it. The plant grows into a big tree and gives fruit. If the gardener instead of pouring water and manure in the roots starts pouring in twigs and leaves of the plant then the plant will die. Through this example of the plant Kabir Saheb is explaining that if you do not worship the Supreme God and worship different deities, planets, then you will not get any benefit.

To get full benefits, read the books 'Gyan Ganga' and 'Jeene Ki Raah' written by Satguru Sant Rampal Ji Maharaj and listen to his discourses and make your human life successful by taking Initiation.

Abandon unscriptural practice made by Kaal Brahm for deities like Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva, Durga and Shanidev, Sun God etc. Seekers/devotees and readers all are advised to take refuge of Tatvadarshi Sant Rampal Ji Maharaj, do true worship and land back to your native abode ‘Satlok’.

Conclusion

Hold your breath and for a quick reference, keep reading the articles recommended below, as this will turn out to be the best thing that has ever happened to you!!

Recommended Material For Quick Understanding of the Gist of Holy Books:

Considering the limit of how much could have been incorporated in this write up; we believe we were able to include important selected points as evidenced however, we are quite confident that they are more than enough to set the ground for you so that you can explore more about spiritualism from this site and at least now understand that chanting Shani Dev Chalisa, celebrating Shani Jayanti and worshipping him as a deity won’t help at all!!

Following conclusion have been drawn from aforesaid description

Shani Dev also known as God of Justice, God of Karma is not worshipable.
No holy scripture provides evidence of worship of Shani Dev.
Shani Dev is not the provider of salvation.
Salvation is attained by taking refuge of enlightened saint and chanting salvation mantras remaining in prescribed rules of worship.
An enlightened saint provides initiation in three phases with which salvation is attained.
Almighty Kabir is only worshipable God.

Devotees are advised to take refuge of Tatvadarshi Sant Rampal Ji Maharaj who is none other than Almighty KavirDev Himself descended on earth for the welfare of humans.

FAQs about "Worshipping Shani Dev a Boon or Bane as Per Holy Scriptures"

Q.1 Who is Shani Dev?

Shani Dev is the son of Surya, the deity associated with delivering rewards or punishments to individuals based on their Karma. He's worshipped on Saturdays to avoid malefic effects.

Q.2 Is it good to worship Shani?

No, there is no mention in the Vedas, Gita, or other significant holy texts that suggest Shani Dev is a deity worthy of worship. The scriptures emphasize devotion to the Supreme God KavirDev by taking initiation from Complete Saint.

Q. 3 Are there folktales prevalent about Shani Dev?

Yes, various tales exist that portray Shani Dev as a deity capable of inflicting harm or misfortune if not worshipped. Practices like offering mustard oil, reciting mantras, and celebrating Shani Jayanti for appeasement have become popular but lack scriptural evidence.

Q.4 Is Shani Dev capable of providing salvation?

No, the scriptures do not support any evidence that Shani Dev can offer salvation. True salvation is achieved by taking refuge in an enlightened saint and practicing the prescribed salvation mantras by following the prescribed rules of worship.

Q.5 Is arbitrary worship, such as the worship of Shani Dev, deemed useful?

According to our Holy scriptures, following one's beliefs without adhering to scriptural guidance is considered ineffective for spiritual benefits and one cannot attain salvation The Gita Ji suggests that limiting worship to other deities ( like Sani Dev including Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiv Ji) is not the path to the ultimate salvation and they are considered of a lower spiritual nature.