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Shani and Others - Shani and Hanumaan
In the Hindu faith,
Hanumaan and Ganesh are the two Devtaa who are not afflicted by Shani.
There is also a belief that all the planets are under the control of
Hanumaan's tail. Whoever worships Hanumaan is granted fortitude and
strength.
In the Raamayan, Hanumaan is said to have rescued Shani, that is, the
planet Saturn, from the clutches of Raavan. This happened during the
burning of the Lanka episode in the epic Raamaayan. In gratitude, Shani promised
Hanumaan that those who prayed to him (Hanumaan) would be rescued from the
painful effects of Saturn, which in Hindu astrology, is said to produce
malefic effects on one's life when one is afflicted "negatively" with
Saturn. (read Shani and Raavan)
Another version of the encounter between Lord Hanuman and Shani Bhagavaan
is that once Shani climbed on to Lord Hanuman's shoulder, implying
that he (Hanumaan) was coming under the effects of the influence of Shani.
At this, Hanuman assumed a large size, and Shani was caught painfully
between Hanuman's shoulders and the ceiling of the room they were in. As
the pain was unbearable, Shani requested Hanuman to release him, promising
that if a person prayed to Hanumaan, he (Shani) would moderate the malefic
effects of his influence on that person; following this, Hanuman released
Shani.
One more version of the story behind why Lord Shani stays away from those
who remember the Lord Ram's name. Once Hanumaan Jee was sitting silently
absorbed in deep meditation of Shree Raam. Shani passed by and he felt to
tease Hanumaan so he started teasing him by pulling his tail, and
pinching him. Hanumaan warned him to go away as he is his Guru's (Lord
Sun) son so he respects him. When Shani did not hear, then Hanuman
started to give him a good thrash. In the end, Shani pleaded to leave him
and Hanumaan took a promise from him that Shani will never ever go
near a devotee who is meditating on Lord Raam.
There is a spiritual interpretation of the relation between Hanumaan
and Shani. The former is said to be a symbol of selflessness, while the
latter is symbolic of ego and pride. Thus, to counter the Karm borne out
of selfish action, one must be humble like Hanumaan. This is particularly
true for those who are said to be experiencing the evil effects of Saadhe
Saatee - a period of about seven and half years when Shani (Saturn) is
supposed to afflict the three signs - one in which the Moon is placed in
the natal chart of a person and the two house around it.
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