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| SHANI - THE SATURN |
The legend of Saturn has been narrated in a different version
in another scripture. The legend goes as follows:
Once there was a dispute between the nine planets as to who is superior among
them. When they could not decide, they all went to Indra the king of gods, who
was also nonplused to decide such an issue. So he advised that they should go
to the just and benevolent king Vikramaditya.
King Vikramaditya, after great thought got seven seats spread out, the first
of gold and the last of iron. He then requested the deities to take their seats.
Shani (Saturn) knew that his seat was iron seat viz. the last and as much, he
was recognized as inferior to all. Therefore he cursed Vikramaditya and said "Surya
stays on one Zodiac for one month, the moon for two days, Mangal (Mars) for one
and a half month, Brihaspati (Jupiter) for thirteen months, Budha (Mercury) and
Shukra (Venus) for one month each and Rahu, Ketu for eighteen months only; but
I (Saturn) stay at one Zodiac for thirty months: I have made many a gods suffer
because of my power and influence. Due to my influence Rama and Lakshmana were
exiled and Ravana suffered a defeat and his dynasty destroyed, so a king, you
beware of my wrath." The king said, "whatever be my luck, I shall face
it."
After some time a merchant of beautiful horses came to Ujjain, the capital of
Vikramaditya. The courtiers praised the horses and requested the king to visit.
When the king came, he took a fancy for the particular horse and to try the same,
he got on the saddle. The horse took to hells try however he may, but the house
flew into the forest, with none to accompany or follow the king. In the far off,
where no one knew him, desperate with hunger and thirst, he sought refuge in
the house of a rich merchant. The merchant judging the person as a good person
allowed him (king) to stay in his house.
At night, Vikramaditya saw that a pearl necklace hung on a peg, was being swallowed
by the peg. The next day when the merchant found the necklace missing, he reported
the matter to the kotwal who got king Vikramadiya's hands and legs cut. The king
was then left helpless. An oil crusher took pity on him and employed him to sit
on the crusher and see to the proper movement of the bull while sitting, handicapped
and helpless. Vikramaditya used to sing. One day, the princess of the kingdom
heard the song and was charmed by it. She sent her maidens to find out the singer
and she made up her mind to marry him. Her parents tried their best to make her
select any other but she did not agree. She was married to the handicapped person
(Vikramaditya). At night on the nuptial bed, the king in a dream saw Shani deity
who said that all his sufferings were because of his (King) having decided Saturn
as Inferior. The king asked his pardon, worshipped him and sought his blessings.
The king (Vikramaditya) then narrated his story of woe to his bride. Saturn deity
blessed the couple so that they would lead a happy married life. His limbs were
restored. The rich merchant invited them to his house and there in the presence
of everyone, they saw that the lost necklace was oozing out from the peg. All
were surprised. The merchant felt ashamed and asked his pardon and offered his
daughter to Vikramaditya in marriage. Then Vikramaditya and his two brides went
in procession to a rousing reception in Ujjain. |
