The Greatness of Saturn by Robert E. Svoboda Part V

The Greatness of Saturn by Robert E. Svoboda

A Therapeutic Method

(Book review 12/2015)

Krishna and the Syamantaka Gem

“The Sun said, ‘O Satrajit! I am pleased with your penance. If you have any desire then ask for it; I shall grant you any boon you name.’

“Satrajit said, ‘O Lord Sun! I am a poor man. If you are pleased with me, then give me riches.’

“The Sun took the Syamantaka gem from around his neck and giving it to Satrajit said: “Every day this gem will give you eight wagon loads of gold. You must always bathe and do your daily worship before you wear it, though, because whoever wears this gem when he is impure will be destroyed.’ The personified Sun then disappeared.

“Then I entered into Shri Krishna’s house – both His astrological house and His material home – and as soon as His Seven – and –a- Half began, the desire to possess the Syamantaka gem arose in His mind so He called Satrajit to his palace and offered him to keep it safe.

“After leaving Krishna’s palace Satrajit went directly to Prasenjit and told him ‘Purify yourself, and wear this around your neck.’ Prasenjit then began to wear the gem.

“One day not long afterwards Prasenjit went to the forest to hunt, and while he was in impure state a lion caught him, killed him, and carried away the Syamantaka. Jambavan the bear, attracted by the gem’s glow, tracked down that lion, killed him, and carried the gem back home with him.

“When Shri Krishna returned from abroad and entered Dwarka, He found all the children fleeing in terror before Him, shouting, ‘Run from Krishna the thug, who kills even children to grab their ornaments!’ Though this was a rude awakening, Shri Krishna divined the entire situation in an instant.”

“The epic battle in the cave continued for a full twenty-eight days, until both combatants felt that they had their fill of it. Then Shri Krishna displayed His true form, as Lord Vishnu, to Jambvan. Jambvan, realizing that there was no difference between Krishna and Ramchandra, and remembering his promise of aid made ages ago to Lord Ramchandra, spoke: ‘I am very pleased with Your strength, O Lord! Now I offer Syamantaka , and also my daughter to You; please do accept them.’ Shri Krishna accepted the gem and took Janbavati as His wife and left with them for Dwarka.

When Shri Krishna met Satrajit He returned the Syamantaka to him, recounting the entire story in detail. Satrajit fell to His feet, begging His pardon for ever doubting Him, and then gave his daughter Satyabhama to Shri Krishna for His wife. Satrajit also tried to entrust the jewel to Him. Shri Krishna gladly accepted Satyabhama, but requested Satrajit to keep the gem.

“Everyone in Dwarka was ashamed to have believed the rumor about Shri Krishna, but He forgave them. He must have then thought that this chapter in His life is now closed – but I was not through with Him yet! Satyabhama had originally been promised by Satrajit to a Yadava named Shatadhanva, and this Satdhanva became embittered when she married Shri Krishna instead. Shatdhanva killed Satrajit in cold blood and took the Syamantaka for himself.

“When Shri Krishna came to know of this, Shatadhanva deposited the jewel with Akura and fled town to try to save himself. But when they returned to Dwarka, Shri Krishna and his brother Balarama hunted down Satadhanva like a beast of prey and slew him. Now it was Akura’s turn to take fright and flee. To salvage His reputation yet again, for the rumor was bruited about the city that He had plotted the burglary and murder with his relatives, Shri Krishna called Akura back, and induced him to show the gem to everyone. Then He reassured the terrified Akura and allowed him to keep the jewel.

“When finally HE became free from my gaze, Shri Krishna was so immensely relieved that He joined His hands together prayerfully and said to me, ‘O Lord Saturn Your mastery is miraculous. You torment everyone, even the devas and the asuras. Everyone gets misery, more of it or less, as they deserve. You are profoundly astounding.

“This is the way I aggravated even Shri Krishna; if I did not spare Him, who will I spare? Said Saturn in conclusion.

Then King Vikramaditya rose to his feet and prostrated at full length to Lord Saturn, saying, “O Supreme Lord Saturn! Glory to you! You have purified me. Now I seek this boon from you, that you will torment no living being.”

Lord Saturn replied, “O King Vikrama! It is because you are always intent on the welfare of others that you request from me the boon of removing the liabilities of others. I am really at a loss to find comparable benevolence in anyone else.”

The pleased Saturn then offered King Vikrama this boon: “I will not torment anyone who listens to or meditates on this Mahatmya of mine. I will protect day and night anyone who hears or concentrates on this Mahatmya and, installing this book in his house, worships it. If you cannot read or listen to this Mahatmya daily, at lest do so on Saturdays, fasting on that day and worshipping intently. Do this particularly on the Saturdays of the lunar month of Shravana. O King Vikramaditya! Your mind has been purified; it is now free of filth. I shall explain you how to worship me. Pay close attention!” Saturn then explained how to worship him with the hymn known as the Dasharathokta Shani Stotra. King Vikrama was immensely gratified to receive this hymn directly from Saturn’s mouth.

Saturn then said your Seven – and –a- Half is now completely over, and your rise will now occur.”

Vikramaditya prostrated to Saturn and taking that planet’s blessing for long life and prosperity, he said, “Great Lord Saturn! Just as you have showered your grace on me, even so shower it on every being.”

“Let it be so!” said Saturn as he became invisible, leaving Vikramaditya a wiser and much more sober man.

King Vikramaditya returned to Ujjayini with two wives, one the princess and other the merchant’s daughter. The King Chandrasena gifted a village to the oilman for taking care of King Vikramaditya. And King Vikramaditya also gifted a village to the daughter –in-law of the oilman as a gratitude for the help done to him. All was well by the grace of Lord Saturn. Then on an auspicious day, King Vikrama ordered the erection of a temple to Lord Saturn, and the populace began to diligently perform Saturn’s worship.

Anyone who reads or hears this story with full concentration and heartfelt devotion will obtain relief from all miseries.

The Greatness of Saturn by Robert E. Svoboda Part I

The Greatness of Saturn by Robert E. Svoboda

A Therapeutic Method

(Book review 12/2015)

This book is the translation of the Gujarati version of the “Shani Mahatmya” that was written by Pranjivan Harihar Shastri and published in the 1950s in Bombay by Natvarlal I. Desai. This version is now out of print, and the publisher has closed down but nearly identical Marathi rendition is available published by Jaya Hind Prakashan of Bombay in 1990.

This book is divided into three main parts 1. Purvakarma 2. Pradhankarma and 3. Paschatkarma.

Purvakarma states that a myth should not be overanalyzed as it loses its weight in surgery. Myths are the conscience of any culture and we lose the essence of the culture in over-analysis though it may give temporary intellectual satisfaction but in the end the loss is of the culture. He also said about folklores and songs as it is the responsibility of the hearer to transmit them to other people in case they fail to do so the legends try to come out in some ways but in case if the folklore is not spread it gets lost. Therefore I urge everyone reading these stories to transmit them in their own capacities.

Pradhankarma

King Vikrama deliberates in his court over which of the nine planets is superior. There was a champion for each planet who came to reveal the greatness of their revered ones.

The Sun: - Everything originates from the Sun, for he is the soul of all. His metal is gold or copper, and his gem ruby. In the body he rules the bones.

The Moon: - The Moon is the mind of all, the lord of the senses and the emotions. His metal is bronze or silver, and his gem pearl. He rules the blood in the body, and because he is of the nature of semen he is passion-filled. Whoever seeks sexual satisfaction should worship the Moon.

Mars: - The Mars relieves all difficulties, especially those of illness, debt, and enemies. His metal is copper, and his gem coral. He rules muscles and bone marrow in body. He is Virabhadra, the son of Lord Shiva and the Earth. Some say he is the Karttikeya, the son of Lord Shiva and Parvati. He is also referred as the Skanda, the son of Agni and Swaha, daughter of Daksha.

Mercury: - He is the son of Moon. He is the most intelligent planet of all, and he removes all the obstacles of those who worship him. As far as possible for everyone he causes no inauspicious event, but rather creates prosperity for everyone. His metal is brass, and his gem emerald.

Jupiter:- Jupiter is particularly merciful, and his wisdom is extraordinarily profound. Lord of body’s fat, his metal is gold and his gem topaz.

Venus:- Obeisance to Venus causes all obstacles, all worries, and all disease that surround a person to flee far away. His other name is Ushanas. His metal is silver and gem is diamond. 

Saturn:- Son of the Sun, Saturn is the supreme terrifier among planets. His metal is iron, and his gem is blue sapphire. If you hope to prevent Saturn from mangling your life, as he has mangled so many lives, make regular offerings of black sesame seeds, sesame oil, and sugar on Saturdays to an iron image of that planet; also make Saturday donations of sesame and iron to the needy. 

Rahu and Ketu:- When propitiated, Rahu fills one with mercy and removes disease and fear of snakes, while a pleased Ketu gives transcendental wisdom. Rahu rules lead and agate, while Ketu rules earth and turquoise.

The Verdict

“Better not to have a son at all than to have one with a hateful gaze as Saturn’s. Since Lord Saturn tormented his own father, who will he not torment? Tell me, O wise ones.” Uttered Vikramadatiya in his weak moment. It so happened that Saturn was passing overhead in his aerial car; he overheard these things and landed his craft in the assembly hall of the king. All were terrified including the king and all rose to their feet and pitched forward onto the ground. The king offered him his seat and worshipped him with utter reverence, well aware that his fate has been sealed.

When the king was finished, the dark-countenanced Saturn spoke to him in a voice that rang with the calm cold of reality: “O Vikramaditya! You have insulted me in front of the entire assembly without even knowing the extent of my capabilities. Are you aware that Indra and all the other devas quiver in front of me? You know that whomever I get angry with I totally destroy, but what you have not yet comprehended is that I do not allow even a trace of that miscreant to remain; no, not even his name. While flying through the air just now, I sensed you expressing your disgust for me. As it is, I am about to enter the constellation Virgo, which occupies the twelfth house of your horoscope. This means that for seven and half years you will have no choice but to learn precisely who I am. At the moment, your reason has deviated from its proper course, but soon you will know what my powers really are. I shall remove all these airs of yours, mark my word.

“You do not yet know my prowess. The Moon resides in one constellation of the zodiac for a mere two and quarter days; The Sun, Mercury and Venus for one month each; Mars for one-and-half months, Jupiter for twelve months; and Rahu and Ketu for eighteen months. But I remain far a full thirty months in each sign, and I have delivered prolonged misery even to the great gods themselves. Hear my words with full concentration, O King! When I waylaid Shri Ramchandra, the incarnation of God Himself, He was sent to exile in the forest, and when I accosted Ravana Shri Ramachandra and Laxmana collected an army, invaded Lanka, killed Ravana, and destroyed his entire family. So now, King Vikrama, you had best prepare for misfortune!”

On completing this tirade Saturn rose straightaway, just as Vikramaditya fell on ground. Grabbing hold of Saturn’s two dark feet in dismay the king cried loudly, “O Lord Saturn! Forgive me for this offence, I beg of you! Have mercy on this poor miserable wretch!” Saturn said, “If I show compassion to you, you will never obtain personal knowledge of my abilities. At least once you must experience my play; otherwise your insolence will not leave you.” Having said this, Saturn reentered his vehicle and sped away through space to his own realm.