Thursday, July 2, 2015

The story of Saturn

श्लोक: मंदाय मंदचेष्टाय महनीयगुणात्मने। मर्त्यपावनपादाय महेशाय नमो नमः॥

According to the Hindu belief our life is governed by the planets. Each human being is influenced by the planets in his/her charts. Each planet is said to have its own plus points and drawbacks according to its placement.
As stated in the scriptures Shani or Saturn  is said to be the most slow moving planet of all. To cross one sign Saturn takes about 2.5 years. There is a very interesting story about as why Saturn moves slowly. The scriptures state that the reason behind the slow planatery movement of  Saturn is the fact that it limps and therefore takes more time than the other planets.There is a very interesting story about the same.
It is believed that Sun ( Suryadev)had a wife called Sangya ( Chhaya)  Devi. Sangya had children with sun and Saturn was one of them. Sangya Devi could not take the heat of Sun and she could not convey the same to her husband as well. Unable to take it anymore, she created a shadow exactly like her and named her “ Swarna”. She asked her to take her place and also take care of her kids too. Sangya Devi then left her for her father’s house. Swarna in the meantime did her duties so well that even Sun could not suspect that she was not his real wife Sangya but a shadow created by her. As the time passed Swarna gave birth to 5 sons and 2 daughters. Having her own kids she now gave less importance to the kids of her creator Sangya. One day when Saturn ( Son of Sangya) asked for food from her step mother, She retorted saying that “ first the food will be offered to God and then the younger siblings and then only he will get the food.” This made Satrun see red with anger. He lifted his foot to kick the food. Seeing this his step mother gave him a curse that since he insulted the food the same leg will break in pieces. Saturn froze as his heard his mother’s curse. He then went to his father Sun and told him about the curse. Sun Immediately understood that Swarna is an imposter, as no mother can be so harsh with her kids to give such a curse. He immediately summoned Swarna, who revealed the truth. Sun them said to Saturn that though Swarna is not your real mother, but she still is your mother so I cannot remove the curse but I can reduce its severity. He told that his leg would not be severed but it will be fractured. This is the reason as to why the Saturn limps and therefore walks slowly.

My take on the story: The Saturn is said to be the most feared and therefore the most misunderstood planet. The story gives us a little insight into his life. To me it is the perfect example of those appearances can be deceptive. One must never be judgmental about the others without knowing the real background of the person. Knowing the story can make you see a person or a situation in a better light and picture. Stories in the scriptures often have more than single motive. If read properly it gives a multi dimensional message

Edited and compiled by
 Mrs  Shruti Chabra

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