Shanidev has been classified as one of the primarly planet deities in Sanatan. He is the son of Surya Dev (the Sun God) and Chhaya Devi.
Siblings of Shanidev include the lord of death, Yam, and the holy river Yamuna. The wife consort of Shani Dev is Damini, daughter of Gandharva King Chitrarath.
Beej Mantra
The beej mantra is a shortened mantra (like a seed, and hence the name) of a main mantra and is often used for doing jaap (chanting).
ॐ प्रां प्रीं प्रौं सः शनैश्चराय नमः
Full Mantra
Below is the Dhyana Mantra or Meditation mantra for Shani Dev.
Sanskrit
ॐ नीलांजन समाभासं रविपुत्रं यमग्रजम |
छायामार्तानंद संभूतं तम नमामि शनैश्चरम ||
Word-by-Word Meaning:
- ॐ (Om) – The universal sound, a sacred syllable that represents the Supreme Being.
- नीलांजन समाभासं (Nīlāñjana Samābhāsam) –
- नीलांजन (Nīlāñjana) – Refers to a deep blue or black-colored substance like collyrium (kajal/kohl).
- समाभासं (Samābhāsam) – One who shines or appears like.
- Together, it means: “One who has a complexion resembling deep blue collyrium or dark clouds.”
- This represents Shani Dev’s dark complexion and his association with the planet Saturn.
- रविपुत्रं (Raviputram) –
- रवि (Ravi) – The Sun (Surya).
- पुत्रं (Putram) – Son.
- Together: “The son of Surya (the Sun God).”
- Lord Shani is the son of Surya Dev (the Sun God) and Chhaya (his shadow wife).
- यमग्रजम (Yamagrajam) –
- यम (Yama) – The god of death.
- अग्रज (Agraja) – Elder brother.
- Together: “The elder brother of Yama (the god of death).”
- Yama and Shani share the same father, Surya, but different mothers.
- छायामार्तानंद संभूतं (Chhāyāmārtānanda Sambhūtam) –
- छाया (Chhāyā) – Shadow (Shani’s mother).
- आर्त (Ārta) – Afflicted or sorrowful.
- आनंद (Ānanda) – Bliss or joy.
- संभूतं (Sambhūtam) – Born from.
- Together: “Born from Chhaya, who experiences both sorrow and joy.”
- This signifies Shani Dev’s birth from Goddess Chhaya, the shadow of Surya’s wife, Sandhya.
- तम नमामि शनैश्चरम (Tam Namāmi Śanaiścaram) –
- तम (Tam) – Him (Shani Dev).
- नमामि (Namāmi) – I bow down or offer salutations.
- शनैश्चरम (Śanaiścaram) –
- शनैः (Śanaiḥ) – Slowly or gradually.
- चरम (Caram) – One who moves.
- Together: “One who moves slowly.”
- This refers to the slow movement of Saturn in the sky, as it is the slowest-moving planet among the Navagrahas.
Overall Meaning:
“I bow down to Lord Shani, who shines like blue collyrium, the son of Surya, the elder brother of Yama, born from Chhaya, and who moves slowly in the celestial sphere.”