Lord Hanuman and Shani dev

There is a popular belief that worshiping Lord Hanuman will help in removing the hardships caused by Lord Shani or Saturn in astrology. People worship Lord Hanuman on Saturdays to remove the malefic influence of Lord Shani on their horoscope. There is an interesting story regarding why worshipping Hanuman will help in Shani Dosha or Sade Sati. 

Ravan, the demon-king Ramayana, had defeated all the Devas and had brought all the grahas (planets in astrology) under control. Ravana kept all the grahas (planets) suppressed beneath his leg. Ravana was also a great astrologer. When his eldest son, Indrajit, was about to be born he forcefully kept all the grahas in the most favorable astrological position. 

The Demigods (Devas) were worried that if Ravana’s son was born in a favourable astrological position, he will be undefeatable. So the Devas asked all the grahas (planets) to move from the favourable position. But they told they were unable to escape from the foot of Ravana. Shani graham or Saturn agreed to help provided he was able to glance upon Ravana’s face. 

There is a popular belief that Shani Drishti, or Shani’s glance, is as deadly as his position. Shani is believed to cast an evil eye and this causes deep trouble. 

The Devas took the help of Saint Narada to achieve Shani Drishti. Saint Narada reached the palace of Ravana and saw Shani and other planets under the feet of Ravana. Saint Narada praised Ravana’s victory over the grahas and said that he should stamp on their chest and this is true symbol of victory and not on their back as he is doing now. 

Ravana agreed to Narada’s observation and immediately got the planets turned up. As Shani turned up, his glance fell on Ravana’s face and this kick-started his hardships. 

To take revenge on Shani, Ravana kept him in a tiny prison that had no opening so that no one will again see Shani’s face. But Ravana knew that Shani was not a child which could be imprisoned in a small cage. So what he did was tied up shani above a Shiv linga in such a way that if he tried of escape he would had have to step on it. Shani being a devotee and student to Lord Shiva did not do that. 

Hanuman wanted to know what sufferings he will have to face. Shani explained that first I will come upon on your head and this will make you leave your home, wife and sons and go about suffering. 

Hanuman said that Shani can definitely come upon his head as he has no family and his abode is at the feet of Lord Ram. 

Shani took refuge on Hanuman’s head. Hanuman then began to fight the demons that chased him in Lanka. In the process Hanuman began to head heavy boulders, trees and rocks. He crushed huge rocks with his head and Shani was getting hurt and suffering in the process. 

Finally, Shani got away from Hanuman’s head and said that you are the only one who will have no effect of inauspiciousness. I cannot trouble you. Since you have saved me from Ravana’s prison I would like to give you a boon. 

As the boon, Hanuman asked Lord Shani not trouble or cast evil eye on his devotees. Lord Shani promised not to trouble or cause hardships to Hanuman devotees.

Jai Sri Ram