Saturday

(Shanivar) The sixth day of the Hindu
week, whose presiding planet is Saturn
(Shani). Saturn is by far the most feared
of all the planets, and Saturday is considered by far the most inauspicious day
of the week. In Hindu iconography,
Saturn is depicted as a terrifying black
figure holding a sword and riding a buffalo; he is also considered easily affronted and extremely thorough in avenging
any offenses. Any misfortune Saturn
brings will last for fourteen years—a figure doubtless drawn from the fourteen
years of Saturn’s orbit.
Hindus counter this danger by avoidance and rites of protection, just as they
do on Tuesday, the other day considered to be generally inauspicious.
Movements and activities are often
widely restricted on Saturday, and certain activities, in particular buying
things made from iron (whose black
color is associated with Saturn), are
avoided except when absolutely necessary. As on Tuesday, people worship
protective deities and give as charity
(dana) items associated with Saturn:
iron, mustard oil, black sesame seed,
black cloth, and black lentils. Giving
away such items associated with Saturn
is believed to transfer any potential
inauspiciousness from Saturn to the
recipient, providing a way to get rid of
one’s bad luck.