Hanuman and Shani Dev - Why Saturday Belongs to Hanuman

Dadi: "Guddu, do you know why people especially visit Hanuman temples on Saturdays?"

Guddu: "Is it just tradition?"

Dadi: "There's a story behind it - about Hanuman, a cruel king, and the most feared planet in the sky."

Guddu: "Which planet?"

Dadi: "Shani - Saturn. In astrology, Shani brings difficulties, suffering, the consequences of our past actions. Even gods fear his influence. And once, the great Ravana had Shani as his prisoner."

Guddu: "Ravana captured a planet?"

Dadi: "He had captured all nine! The Navagrahas - the nine celestial bodies - were installed face-down as steps leading to his throne. Every day, Ravana walked over them, grinding their faces into the stone."

Guddu: "That's so cruel!"

Dadi: "It was his way of saying he had conquered fate itself. "Even the planets serve me," he boasted."

Guddu: "What did Hanuman do?"

Dadi: "When Hanuman came to Lanka searching for Sita, he saw this horrible scene and was appalled. Before burning Lanka, he did something else - he freed the Navagrahas. He lifted each one, restored their dignity, and set them back in their celestial courses."

Guddu: "He freed them!"

Dadi: "Shani was particularly grateful. He said, "Son of Vayu, you have freed me from the greatest humiliation. I must reward you." But Hanuman replied, "I need no reward. I did what was right.""

Guddu: "That sounds like Hanuman."

Dadi: "But Shani insisted. He said, "I am Shani. I bring difficulty to everyone - even gods fear my gaze. Let me give you immunity. When I pass through anyone's life, they suffer. But I will not afflict those who worship you. Saturday - my day - will also be your day.""

Guddu: "So people who worship Hanuman on Saturday are protected from Shani?"

Dadi: "From his harshest influences, yes. That's why during Sade Sati - the seven-and-a-half year period when Saturn transits your birth sign - people worship Hanuman for relief."

Guddu: "But Dadi, isn't Shani just doing his job? Delivering karma?"

Dadi: "*nods approvingly* Smart question! Yes, Shani is not evil - he is justice. He delivers the consequences of our actions. But Hanuman said something wise: "Justice can be tempered by grace. When devotees suffer, they need not suffer alone.""

Guddu: "So Hanuman doesn't stop the suffering?"

Dadi: "He doesn't prevent it - but he stands with you during it. The pain is not reduced, but the isolation is. You know someone is with you. That's Hanuman's role for many devotees."

Guddu: "Why does Shani listen to Hanuman when he doesn't listen to anyone else?"

Dadi: "*smiles* Because Hanuman freed him when no one else would. Because he saw Shani's dignity when everyone only saw his fearfulness. Because he treated a prisoner as a god - which he is. Shani is severe, but he is not ungrateful."

Guddu: "I like that Saturday became Hanuman's day because it's the hard day."

Dadi: "Exactly, beta! Saturday is traditionally a day of difficulty, of facing consequences. Hanuman takes this hard day and makes it his own - not by removing difficulty but by transforming our relationship to it."

Guddu: "Come to me on the hard day, not just the easy ones."

Dadi: "That's exactly what Hanuman teaches. "Come when Saturn presses down on you. Come when karma demands payment. That is when you need me most. That is when I am most present.""

Guddu: "Dadi, I'll remember this next time I have a hard day."

Dadi: "Do that, beta. And remember - Hanuman didn't become protector against difficulties by avoiding difficulties. He became it by standing with someone who was suffering. He freed Shani from humiliation. Shani remembers kindness. Now, rest well."

Guddu: "Every Saturday, I'll think of Hanuman standing with me."

Dadi: "And he will be there. Goodnight, my brave one."