The legend of Saturn
Sham Misri
The legend of Saturn goes as follows:
Once there was a dispute
between the nine planets as to who is superior among them. When they could not
decide, they all went to Indra the king of gods, who was also was confused to decide such an issue. So he advised that they should go to the just
and benevolent king Vikramaditya.
King Vikramaditya, after
great thought got seven seats spread out, the first of gold and the last of
iron. He then requested the deities to take their seats. Shani (Saturn) knew
that his seat was iron seat viz. the last and as much, he was recognized as
inferior to all. Therefore, he cursed Vikramaditya and said "Surya stays
on one Zodiac for one month, the moon for two days, Mangal (Mars) for one and a
half month, Brihaspati (Jupiter) for thirteen months, Budha (Mercury) and
Shukra (Venus) for one month each and Rahu, Ketu for eighteen months only; but
I (Saturn) stay at one Zodiac for thirty months: I have made many a gods suffer
because of my power and influence. Due to my influence Rama and Lakshmana were
exiled and Ravana suffered a defeat and his dynasty destroyed, so a king, you
beware of my wrath."
The king said, "Whatever
be my luck, I shall face it."
After some time, a merchant
of beautiful horses came to Ujjain, the capital of Vikramaditya. The courtiers
praised the horses and requested the king to visit. When the king came, he took
a fancy for the particular horse and to try the same, he got on the saddle. The
horse took to heels. The king tried hard to stop the horse, but the house flew
into the forest, with none to accompany or follow the king. In the far off,
where no one knew him, desperate with hunger and thirst, he sought refuge in
the house of a rich merchant. The merchant judging the person as a good person
allowed him (king) to stay in his house. At night, Vikramaditya saw that a
pearl necklace hung on a peg, was being swallowed by the peg. The next day when
the merchant found the necklace missing, he reported the matter to the kotwal
who got king Vikramadiya's hands and legs cut. The king was then left helpless.
An oil crusher took pity on him and employed him to sit on the crusher and see
to the proper movement of the bull while sitting, handicapped and helpless.
Vikramaditya used to sing. One day, the princess of the kingdom heard the song
and was charmed by it. She sent her maidens to find out the singer and she made
up her mind to marry him. Her parents tried their best to make her select any
other but she did not agree. She was married to the handicapped person
(Vikramaditya). At night on the nuptial bed, the king in a dream saw Shani
deity who said that all his sufferings were because of his (King) having
decided Saturn as Inferior. The king asked his pardon, worshipped him and
sought his blessings. The king (Vikramaditya) then narrated his story of woe to
his bride. Saturn deity blessed the couple so that they would lead a happy
married life. His limbs were restored. The rich merchant invited them to his
house and there in the presence of everyone, they saw that the lost necklace
was oozing out from the peg. All were surprised. The merchant felt ashamed and
asked his pardon and offered his daughter to Vikramaditya in marriage. Then
Vikramaditya and his two brides went in procession to a rousing reception in Ujjain.
