The Great Planetary Debate in King Vikramaditya's Court.

When observing the Shani Vrat, we recite the glory of Shani. Attached herein is the glory of Shani.

Throughout Indian history, many rulers have borne the illustrious name Vikramaditya. Among them was the renowned King Vikramaditya of Ujjain, celebrated for his wisdom, valor, and generosity. His immense power earned him the title of emperor. His wife, Queen Madanlekha, ruled by his side, and together they had two children, Adityavardhan and Manjili.

The seven grahas Surya (Sun), Chandra (Moon), Mangal (Mars), Brihaspati (Jupiter), Budh (Mercury), Shukra (Venus), and Shani (Saturn)—once convened a divine assembly.

Joined by Rahu and Ketu, they debated a pressing question: “Who among us is the most powerful?”

Unable to reach a consensus, they sought the judgment of Devraj Indra, the king of the gods. Fearing that favoring one deity would provoke the others, Indra diplomatically declined to decide, saying, “I am but one among you; how can I render an impartial verdict? Instead, seek the wisdom of King Vikramaditya on Earth, renowned for his just rulings.”

Thus, the Grahas descended to King Vikramaditya’s court in Ujjain. The king welcomed them with profound respect and offered his services. When they presented their dilemma, Vikramaditya recognized the gravity of the task but accepted the challenge with grace. After careful deliberation, he devised a solution: seven thrones, crafted from gold, bronze, brass, tin, zinc, mica, and iron, were arranged in a sequence, with the golden throne at the forefront and the iron throne at the rear. He invited the deities to choose their seats, declaring, “Let the order of your thrones determine your rank, free from my imposition.”

Surya Dev chose the golden throne, while Shani Dev selected the iron throne at the end. Once seated, Vikramaditya proclaimed, “By the order of your chosen thrones, your ranks are established, and none can contest this judgment.” Enraged, Shani Dev rose and addressed the king: “You have deemed me the least among the gods, ignorant of my might. The Sun lingers in a zodiac for one to two months, Mars for one and a half, Jupiter for thirteen, Mercury and Venus for one each, and Rahu and Ketu for eighteen months . But I, Shani, govern a zodiac for two and a half to seven and a half years—a period known as Sade Sathi, during which even the mightiest tremble. When I turned my gaze upon Lord Rama, he faced exile. Now, prepare to face my wrath.” With that, Shani Dev departed, while the other deities left content.

Soon after, Shani Dev’s Sade Sathi period, lasting seven and a half years, began to afflict King Vikramaditya. Disguised as a horse trader, Shani Dev arrived in Ujjain with a herd of magnificent steeds. Intrigued by tales of these extraordinary horses, the king sent his stable master, Ashwapal, to procure the finest one. When the horse was brought to him, Vikramaditya, captivated, mounted it. Instantly, the horse galloped with supernatural speed, vanishing into the air and leaving the king stranded in a dense, unfamiliar forest.

Exhausted, hungry, and far from his kingdom, Vikramaditya faced numerous hardships orchestrated by Shani Dev.

Meanwhile, in Ujjain, Queen Madanlekha, a devoted follower of Shani Dev, prayed fervently for her husband’s safety. Moved by her devotion, Shani Dev assured her, “I will spare your husband, but he must endure the consequences of his actions.”

Wandering as a stranger, Vikramaditya arrived in a nearby city, where a kind merchant, mistaking him for a beggar, offered him food and shelter. That day, the merchant’s business flourished, leading him to believe the stranger brought good fortune. He employed Vikramaditya, unaware of his true identity, to assist in his household.

During his Sade Sati, Vikramaditya lived under an assumed name in the merchant’s home. When the merchant’s daughter was to be wed, Vikramaditya was entrusted with preparations. While shopping in the market with the merchant’s other daughter, he encountered Shani Dev in disguise, who gifted him a painting of a duck. During the wedding preparations, the bride’s necklace mysteriously vanished swallowed by the duck in the painting. When questioned, Vikramaditya’s explanation was dismissed as absurd, and the merchant’s wife accused him of theft. She handed him over to soldiers, who delivered him to King Chandrasen, Vikramaditya’s enemy.

Overjoyed at capturing his rival, Chandrasen ordered Vikramaditya’s hands and feet be severed. The soldiers carried out the brutal punishment, leaving the king to languish on the roadside. A compassionate oil presser, (Teli) took pity on him, providing food and tending his wounds. In time, Teli trained Vikramaditya to drive oxen at the oil mill using only his voice, allowing him to earn a living despite his condition.

As the Sade Sathi neared its end, Vikramaditya sang a soulful melody one rainy night while working alone. His voice captivated a passing princess, who, enchanted, sent her attendant to inquire about the singer. Learning he was a maimed servant, the princess nonetheless vowed to marry him or remain unwed. Despite her parents’ objections, her resolve prevailed, and the king, her father, arranged her marriage to the handicapped Vikramaditya at Teli’s home.

On their wedding night, Shani Dev appeared in Vikramaditya’s dream, saying, “You ranked me lowest among the gods, and my gaze has brought you these trials. Your Sade Sati is now complete.” Humbled, Vikramaditya pleaded, “Spare others such suffering.” Shani Dev granted his request and vanished.

Awakening, Vikramaditya found his hands and feet restored. The princess and her family, astonished to learn he was the great King Vikramaditya, rejoiced. News of his return spread, reaching the merchant, who, filled with remorse, sought forgiveness for his accusations. Inviting Vikramaditya to dine at his home, the merchant witnessed a miracle: the duck in the painting regurgitated the lost necklace. Overwhelmed with gratitude, the merchant offered his daughter’s hand in marriage to Vikramaditya, gifting him great wealth.

Vikramaditya returned triumphantly to Ujjain with his two new queens, the princess and the merchant’s daughter, where Queen Madanlekha welcomed him with joy. In court, he proclaimed Shani Dev’s might equal to that of all gods, decreeing that every Saturday, his subjects should fast and honor Shani Dev.

Thenceforth, the kingdom observed weekly worship of Shani Dev, and Vikramaditya, with his queens, lived in peace and prosperity.