A Hymn to Sani as a Remover of Trouble

Narada said:

1. О best god, tell me how the oppression caused by Saturn goes away (i.e. is removed). A living being is freed by that which is heard from your mouth.

Mahadeva said:

2-11. О divine sage, litsen to the account. By that you will be free from bondage. This Saturn is the lord of Planets and the great lord of all. This divinity is well-known. He is a great Planet of the form of death. He is having matted hair; is having hair like diamond pins; he is fearful to the demons. О lord, in this world his account is not well-known. I have especially guarded it and have not told it to anyone. Formerly in Raghu’s family there was a very famous king, Dasaratha by name. He was a sovereign emperor and a great hero. Knowing Saturn to be near Krttika the astrologers informed him: Now Saturn will go piercing Rohini (i.e. will pass through Rohifli); the piercing of the cart (-like shape of the constellation Rohini) is very fierce and fearful to the gods and demons; for twelve years there will be a very great (i.e. severe) famine. Having heard these words, the king held consultation with his ministers: “What is the fear­ful (calamity) that has come? ” Seeing the world, the citizens and the peasants distressed, people everywhere said: “The end of the world has come. Regions with cities, villages have been frightened all around.” The devout king asked brahmaijas led by Vasishtha: “O best brahmashas, tell me what measure (should) be (adopted) now? ”

Vasisfha said:

12-18. This is the star of Prajapati. When it is pierced, where (i.e. how) will the subjects remain? This conjunction cannot be averted (even) by Brahma and Sakra etc.

Thinking in his mind about a rash act, he took up his divine bow along with divine weapons, quickljf got into his chariot and went to the group of stars (i.e. to the sky), numbering a lakh, and remaining over the Sun, and (covering a region) of a yojana and a quarter, and dwelling on the back of Rohini. Formerly king Dasaratha, shining with great jewels and bright with a diadem and a crown looked bright in his golden, divine chariot which was decorated with gems and jewels, to which horses having the colour of swans were yoked, and which had a banner (fluttering) high. At that time he shone in the sky like another sun. Having fully (drawn) his bow up to the ear he fixed a missile that would destroy (everything). Saturn, having seen that destructive missile causing fear to gods and demons, laughed through its fear and said these words:

Saturn said:

19-20. О lord of kings, your valour is great and causes fear to the enemies. О king, gods, demons, human beings, siddhas, vidyadharas, serpents, when looked at by me, are reduced to ash. О lord of kings, I am pleased with your penance and valour. Ask for a boon — whatever you desire in your mind. I shall grant it.

Dasaratha said:

21-24. You should never pierce Rohirn and go (i.e. you should never pass through Rohiiil), as long as the rivers, the oceans, the Moons, the Sun and the earth remain. I have, О Sauri, solicited (what I want). I do not desire any other boon from you.

Granting him an eternal boon,! shani said: “Let it be so”. Again being pleased, he said: “O you of a good vow, ask for a boon.” With a pleased mind he (the king) then solicited another boon from Saturn. (He said): “O Sun's son, you should never pierce (i.e. pass through) the cart (i.e. Rohini). Never cause a famine (lasting) for twelve years’.

Saturn said:

25-27. There shall never be a famine (lasting) for twelve years. This fame of yours will spread in the three worlds.

The king, having obtained a couple of boons, and thrilling (with joy) kept his bow on the chariot, and with palms of his hands joined he meditated upon goddess Sarasvati and Vinayaka, the chief of (Shiva’s) attendants. (Then) king Dasaratha recited this hymn of praise of Saturn:

Dasaratha said:

28-38. My homage to Krishna, Nila (i.e. the dark one), to Sitikanthanibha (i.e. one who resembles Shiva), to Kalagnirupa (i.e. of the form of the destructive fire), to Krtanta (i.e. Death). My obeisance to Nirmamsadeha (i.e. having no i.e. very little flesh in his body), to DIrghasmasrujata (i.e. having long mous­tache and beard), to Visalanetra (i.e. having big eyes), to you having thin belly and fearful figure. My homage to Puskalagatra (i.e. having a large body), to Sthularoman (i.e. having thick hair), to Dirgha (i.e. long), to Suska (i.e. dry); salutation to you having death-like fangs. Salutation to Kotaraksa (i.e. having hollow-like senses), Durniriksya (i.e. difficult to be looked at); Salutation to Ghora (i.e. fearful), to Raudra (i.e. fierce), to Bhlsana (i.e. terrible), to Kapalin (i.e. wearing skulls); homage to Sarvabhaksa (i.e. one consuming everything), to you, О Valimukha (i.e. to you who have wrinkles on your face); salutation to you, О Sun’s son, to you, О Bhaskari (i.e. the Sun’s son), to Bhayada (i.e. causing fear); homage to you, О Adhodrsti (i.e. (looking down), to you, О Samvartaka (i.e. fire of destruction), to Mandagati (i.e. moving slowly), salutation to Nistrimsa (i.e. pitiless), to you whose body is burnt by penance, to you who are always engaged in abstract meditation; constant homage to Ksudharta (i.e. oppressed with hunger), to Atfpta (i.e. not content); salutation to you, the eye of knowledge, to the son of KaSyapa’s son. When you are pleased, you give a kingdom; when you are angry you take it away in a moment.

Thus praised, that very powerful king of Planets, viz. Saturn, the son of the Sun, was thrilled (with joy) and again said these words (to Dasaratha): “O you best king of a good vow, with this hymn of praise of (i.e. recited by) you, I am pleased. Ask for your desired boon. I shall grant it, О descen­dant of Raghu.”

Dasaratha said:

39. О Sauri (i.e. Sun’s son), from today you are not to cause any trouble to anyone — gods, demons, men, beasts, birds and serpents.

Sani said:

40-51. Grahas (i.e. Planets) are (so called) since they seize (a being). They are said to cause trouble. I (shall) tell you about something proper which is solicited and cannot be given. A man who will recite once or twice this hymn of praise recited by you, will be free from trouble (just) at the moment. In the fourth existence in the end, I, having gone to death, would give death to gods, demons, human beings, siddhas, vidyadharas and goblins. On the other hand, I shall never trouble him who with faith, becomes pure and calm, worships my iron image with ^ami-leaves, and who would offer as present iron mixed with beans, rice, Sheshamum-seeds, and would give a black cow, a bull to a brahmana, and would, especially on my day (i.e. Saturday) worship (me) with this hymn, and would, with the palms of his hands joined, recite the hymn (in my honour) after having worshipped me. I shall always protect him and (keep away) the trouble from a Planet during the Planet’s influence, in the sign of Zodiac in which a person is born, in the Planet’s aspect or in the middle of it. By doing this only, the world would be free from trouble. Thus, О descendant of Raghu, I have skilfully granted you a boon.

Having obtained three boons, king Dasaratha regarded him­self as successful and saluted Sani. Permitted by Sani, he speedily got into his chariot and went to his place. Then the king had obtained bliss. That man who having got up in the morning on a Saturday, would recite this hymn of praise, so also the man who devoutly listens to this hymn of praise when it is being recited, is freed from a sin, and is honoured in heaven.

 

CHAPTER THIRTYFOUR

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