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Lord Shiv is the Guru of God Shani Dev. A short story about Shani and Shiv and shows us the power of Shani even over Mahaadev.

One morning, Shani Dev went to his Guru and bowed him. Shiv asked Shani Dev, “What’s the problem and what can I do for you.” Shani Dev said to Shiv that he was thinking to passing over his Moon. Shiv was shocked to hearing this and said to Shani Dev - “O my dear Shani, Pity on me and please don’t pass over my Moon.” Shani Dev said - “O my lord, I am sorry, but I can’t skip this constellation, that is my duty. If I will give you compassion, then everybody will ask me for this compassion and maybe insult me too. So it is not possible, I am going to gaze you within a very short time. That is the way the things have to go on. Although I am your disciple, but for now you have to ask my grace.”

Listening to this from Shani Dev, Shiv understood that Shani will do those things which he said, and he would not spare him even if he was his disciple, so he asked Shani Dev that how long he would be gracing him. Shani said - “My period for Saadhe Saatee is 7.5 years, so I will grace on you till 7.5 years.” But Shiv was not agreeing for this. Again Shani said - "Ok, let me reside with you only for 5 years or at least for 2.5 years." But Shiv was not ready even for 2.5 years, nor 7.5 months or even 7 days. Then Shani Dev thought it was too much for him as his disciple to be so cruel with him, because a Guru is like a mother - always compassionate always worthy for worship, so Shani bowed down to his feet and spoke in an humble voice, "I am very pleased with you, O my Lord, so ask for any boon you wish for." Shiv said to Shani Dev - "O Shani, if you are pleased with me, please bestow me this boon that you will not be entering my body at all." Shani Dev said to his Guru - “If I will spare you, no one in the world will respect me and maybe insult me, still I will give you this boon. I will stay in your Moon sign for only 7.5 Prahar means 22.5 hours.” Shiv said - “No, not even this much, you may stay in my Moon sign for 1 and ¼ Prahar means 3 hours and 45 minutes.” Shiv asked this much time thinking that Shani Dev would not be do anything great within this short period. So, Shani Dev decided that I will show to my Guru that what I can do even within these 3 hours and 45 minutes. Lord Shiv might be unaware of Shani Dev's ability and capabilities.

So when the time came of Shani Dev’s gaze, Shiv went to Gangaa River to take bath by thinking that the time will be passed in his bath and his gaze period will be over easily. As he was going to Gangaa River, Shani Dev saw him going, so he immediately assumed the form of a melon merchant and met his Guru on his way and as his shadow fell on Shiv, Shiv's body and mind changed. Shani Dev showed him two watermelons. One watermelon was small and the other one was big. He also showed him that how good they were by cutting a little part of them. Shiv got very happy to see those juicy melons and bought them from Shani Dev who was in the form of melon seller. He put them in a bag and proceeded towards the river. After taking bath, Shiv filled his water pot with Gangaa’s water, picked the watermelon bag and proceeded towards town.

Now, just the previous day, city's both King's and the Prime Minister's son had gone for hunting. By the grace of Shani Dev, they lost their way in the forest. The King was worried about his son and he sent his soldiers in the forest to search for both the boys. One of the search parties came to Shiv and asked him what did he have in his bag? Shiv answered them that there are watermelons in this bag. Again soldiers asked, “Why this blood is dripping from your bag? Are you a murderer?” Hearing this from the soldiers, Shiv was shocked and looked at the bag. They were speaking truth, he also found that some blood drops were dripping from the bag. In the meantime those soldiers took off the bag from Shiv’s shoulder and opened it. They found two severed heads in it. Those heads were of those of Princes and the prime ministers son’s. By the gaze of Shani Dev, the watermelons had changed into the heads of those two boys.

The soldiers bound him with ropes and took him to the King. The King felt very sad to see the heads of those boys as well as got very angry. The King said - “He is not a Braahman, he is a murderer. So take him and put him on the stake.” All the people of the palace came there to see the killer of the prince and started throwing stones on Saadhu. Shiv was extremely depressed at all this. So, when soldiers wanted to put him on the stake, Shiv said to soldiers - “Please wait for a few minutes only, and if I am saved, I will give you 10,000 silver coins.” Shiv knew that Shani’s gaze will be ending soon. The soldiers agreed for this.

After a very short time, Shani Dev's gaze time was over. After expiring of Shani's gaze, Prince and the prime minister’s son entered the palace. Seeing them alive everybody got very happy. Immediately the King sent a messenger to the soldiers that they should not put the Saadhu on stake as their children had come back safe and alive and that Saadhu was not at fault. After listening to this massage, Shiv was taken to the palace by soldiers. The King felt very sad and also asked Shiv for his forgiveness. Shiv said - “O King, don’t worry, you are innocent. Whatever has happened with me and you, it’s all Shani’s illusion." After the discussion of the King and Shiv, the King wanted to see the bag of Shiv and he found two watermelons in the bag. He arranged for a fragrant bath for Saadhu and seated him on an Aasan and worshipped him and fed him with delicious food. The King gave him new clothes, filled his bag with silver coins and bade him farewell again asking for his forgiveness.

Shiv left the palace. On the way Shiv met the executioner. he also asked for his forgiveness. Shiv forgave him and gave him all the coins he brought from the King. As he proceeded a little, he met Shani Dev. Shani Dev bowed his head to his Guru and asked - “So Guru Jee, How was the experience of my gaze?” Shiv said - “O Shani, you are great, your only 3 hours and 45 minutes gaze shattered my bones, what would had happened if you had stayed with me for 7 and ½ years? Today I agree that you are the most terrible planet. I can bear all this things but today you promised me that you will not trouble anyone else like this in future.” Shani Dev said - “O my Lord, I am sorry for that, but I just wanted to show you my power. Now please pardon this child of yours, and I promise that I shall never offend you in this way again." After saying this and bowing down to Lord Shiv, Shani Dev went back to his Shani Lok.

Thus this story shows that Shani is a very powerful god and good judge and terrible even for a short period.