|
|
|
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. |
