ord Shani known by different names (Shani Dev, Shani Maharaj, Chayyaputra, etc.) is highly regarded in Hindu mythology. Often known as the harbinger of bad luck and retribution, Lord Shani occupies the seventh place among the nine planets (Navagraha) which govern the world.
Shani dev (or planet Saturn) is the son of Surya Dev (the Sun) and Chhaya is also believed to be the brother of Yama (the God of Death) and often called the God of Justice and Karma. The name Shani originates from the word “Sanaischara” meaning slow mover. In the Sanskrit language, “Shani” means “the planet Saturn” while the word “Chara” indicates movement. As per the Hindu calendar, Shanivara (Saturday) is the day that is dedicated to Shani Bhagwan.
At times, Lord Shani is also known to be an incarnation of Lord Vishnu, who’s responsible for giving the fruits of one’s deeds in their present life. As per the Vedic astrology, planetary positions determine the future of an individual. Thus, anyone who’s born under Shani’s planet (Saturn) is believed to be at the risk of encountering accidents, failures, wealth, or health issues. To ward off evil and bad luck, Hindus perform Shani mantra Jaap regularly to surpass the bad luck phase lasting 7.5 years and comes every 27 to 29 years.
Shani Dev nearly takes around 2-2.5 years to pass through each zodiac sign – a period known as Dhaiya. Any horoscope sign afflicted by Lord Shani or under Dhaiya can experience disputes, delays, unwanted struggles, and in some circumstances, death. To escape the adverse effects, believers must chant these Shani mantras consistently.