The word shani also denotes the seventh day or Saturday in most Indian languages. The word shani comes from Śanayē Kramati Saḥ , the one who moves slowly, because Saturn takes about 30 years to revolve around the Sun.
Shani is a Deva and son of Surya and his wife Chhaya, hence also known as Chayyaputra. He is the elder brother of Yama, the Hindu god of death, who in some scriptures corresponds to the deliverance of justice. Surya's two sons Shani dev and Yama judge. Shani dev gives the results of one's deeds through one's life through appropriate punishments and rewards; Yama grants the results of one's deeds after death.
It is said that when Shani dev opened his eyes as a baby for the very first time, the sun went into an eclipse, which clearly denotes the impact of Shani dev on astrological charts. He is known as the greatest teacher and well wisher for the righteous as well the greatest punisher for those who follow the path of evil, betrayal, backstabbing and unjust revenge. Shani is also known as the lord of masses & God of Punishment and his blessings are thus considered very important in an individual's horoscope for bestowing him with mass following and popularity. He is depicted dark in colour, clothed in black; holding a sword, arrows and two daggers and mounted on a crow, which is Shani's vāhana. As protector of property, Shani dev is able to repress the thieving tendencies of birds.
Shani Jayanti the birth anniversary of Lord Shani falls on the Amavasya of Jyeshta month of Hindu calendar.
According to legends Shani Dev has destroyed many men, monsters and other gods with his angry stare, but these powers were given to him by Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva to keep all evil on earth under check.All these contexts clearly show that while Shani Dev’s displeasure causes sadness, his pleasure can shower extreme happiness into anybody’s life. That is why many measures have been mentioned in our mythology to keep Shani Dev happy.
Have a look at the 4 sure-shot measures to please the god:
1):Apply light oil on your body once you wake up. Follow it by taking a bath with pure water mixed with black sesame seeds and dill.
2);Offer mustard oil to Shani Dev’s idol and chant this mantra:
नमस्ते कोणसंस्थाय पिङ्गलाय नमोस्तुते।
नमस्ते बभ्रुरूपाय कृष्णाय च नमोस्तु ते॥
नमस्ते रौद्रदेहाय नमस्ते चान्तकाय च।
नमस्ते यमसंज्ञाय नमस्ते सौरये विभो॥
नमस्ते यंमदसंज्ञाय शनैश्वर नमोस्तुते॥
प्रसादं कुरु देवेश दीनस्य प्रणतस्य च॥
3);Fast on Saturdays and also donate on this day. To calm down Shani Dev, donate Urd, oil, sesame, amethyst gemstone, black cow, buffalo, black blanket or cloth, iron to a Brahmin.
4);Make sure that when you fast for Shani Dev, you only have pure thoughts. As for the one time meal, consume milk and fruit juices.