Bhakti Arohan
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Shanivar VratSaturday Fast for Shani Dev, Vidhi and Udyapan

The Saturday fast to Shani Dev, kept during Sade Sati, Dhaiya or simply for a steadier life: when to begin, how many Saturdays, the mustard-oil and peepal puja at dusk, the one evening meal, what to donate, and why Hanuman is worshipped alongside.

Shani, the judge

Shani Dev, the planet Saturn and son of Surya and Chhaya, is the most feared of the grahas and also one of the most misunderstood. He is the karmaphaldata, the giver of the fruits of karma: slow, strict and fair. His difficult periods, Sade Sati (seven and a half years) and Dhaiya (two and a half years), are when old debts come due. The Saturday vrat is not a bribe to make him go away. It is a discipline of patience, honesty and service, the qualities Shani rewards. Read more on the Shani Dev page.

When to start and how many Saturdays

  • Begin on a Saturday of the Shukla Paksha (bright fortnight). The Saturdays of Shravan are considered especially good for starting.
  • Common vows are 7, 11, 19 or 51 Saturdays, or every Saturday for the length of Sade Sati.
  • A Saturday that falls on Amavasya (Shani Amavasya) is especially important, as is Shani Jayanti on Jyeshtha Amavasya.

The vidhi

  1. Morning: bathe, wear dark blue or black, and take the sankalp for the number of Saturdays.
  2. Fast through the day. Most keep a fast with fruit, milk and water, and eat one meal after sunset.
  3. Evening puja. After sunset, go to a Shani temple or a peepal tree. Offer mustard oil on the Shani shila or idol, or light a mustard-oil lamp at the base of the peepal. Offer black sesame, whole black urad, blue or black flowers and a little jaggery. Follow the Shani Dev puja vidhi for the full order.
  4. Peepal parikrama. Walk around the peepal tree seven times, offering water mixed with a little sugar and black sesame at the roots. See peepal jal arpan.
  5. Path. Recite the Dashrath Shani Stotra or the Shani Chalisa, and the Shani mantra 108 times.
  6. Aarti. Sing the Shani Dev aarti.
  7. Hanuman. Many also recite the Hanuman Chalisa. In the Ramayana tradition Hanuman freed Shani from Ravana's prison, and Shani promised not to trouble Hanuman's devotees.
  8. Meal. Break the day's fast after the puja with one simple meal, often khichdi of urad dal, or something made with sesame and jaggery.
  9. Daan. Donate black sesame, urad, mustard oil, iron, black cloth, footwear or blankets, especially to labourers, the elderly or the poor. Shani is the lord of workers and servants, and service to them is his favourite offering.

Things to avoid on Saturday

  • Many avoid buying iron, oil, salt and black sesame on Saturday, giving them away instead.
  • Don't look directly into the eyes of Shani's idol; worship with eyes lowered or from the side.
  • Avoid meat, alcohol, lying and harshness. Shani's vrat is as much about conduct as food.
  • Don't mistreat servants, workers or the elderly, ever, but especially on Saturday.

Udyapan

After the last Saturday, do an udyapan the next Saturday: a Shani puja with a havan if possible, feeding poor people or labourers a meal of urad khichdi, and donating a black blanket, an iron vessel, mustard oil and sesame with dakshina.

Frequently asked questions

How many Saturdays should the Shani vrat be kept?

Seven, 11, 19 or 51 are the common vows. Many keep every Saturday for the length of their Sade Sati.

What can be eaten in the Shanivar vrat?

Fruit, milk and water during the day, and one meal after sunset, often urad dal khichdi or something with sesame and jaggery.

Does the Saturday vrat help with Sade Sati?

It is the most common remedy kept during Sade Sati and Dhaiya. Tradition holds that discipline, service and honesty in this period soften Shani's effects.

Why is mustard oil offered to Shani?

A well-known legend says that when Shani was bruised in an encounter with Hanuman, Hanuman gave him mustard oil to soothe the pain, and Shani declared oil his favourite offering. It also belongs to the colour and nature of Saturn.

Why worship Hanuman on Saturday?

Because Hanuman freed Shani from Ravana's captivity, Shani promised not to trouble those who worship Hanuman. Hanuman Chalisa on Saturday is a widely followed remedy.

Can women keep the Saturday vrat?

Yes. Anyone can keep it.

What should be donated on Saturday?

Black sesame, urad, mustard oil, iron, black cloth, footwear and blankets, ideally to the poor, labourers or the elderly.

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