Why people offer Oil to Shani dev ?

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Hindus all across the world are familiar with the act of oil Abhishekam on idols of Shanidev on Saturdays. It is one of the most important rituals for millions of Hindu devotees, who visit Shani temples to pour oil on Shanidev’s murthi.
Lord Shani Deva
In our Hindus society, it is habitual to bath Shani dev in mustard Oil. Many people also raised this question that why people offer oil to Shani dev. There is a short story behind this.
As per Hindu Epic Ramayana, when the bridge was constructed from Rameswaram to Lanka by Ram’s army, Hanumanji had the responsibility of looking after the security of bridge lest the enemy damage it. One day Hanumanji sat under the trees and offering prayer to God Rama. God Shanidev went there and said to Hanumanji, “I am the powerful god Shani dev. I heard you are also so powerful, so I want to test your might with me. Open your eyes and fight with me.”
In response to shanidev, Hanumanji opened his eyes & said “Now I am meditating upon my lord. I request you don’t disturb me in my prayer & leave me alone.” But God Shani dev was stable on picking a fight. At the same time, hanumanji stretched out his tail and started binding it around Shani dev. slowly he tightened the coiled tail. God Shani dev tried to free himself but he could not. Hanumanji moved his tail up & down hitting him against the stone of bridge. Shanidev started bleeding.
When the pain was unbearable, God Shani requested to him, “Release me. I will never do a similar mistake again.” Hanumanji replied, “If you promise me that you shall never afflict Ram’s devotees then I will let you go” In the great pain shanidev promised to Hanumanji, “I will do as you say, I will never interfere in the destiny of those devoted to you & Ram.”
When shanidev became free, He asked to Hanuman, “Could you give me some oil to relieve my wretched pain.” Then Hanuman gave the oil to Shanidev, after the spread of oil on his body, his pain was relieved immediately.
Since then it is customary to offer oil to Shanidev. It is symbolic of soothing his pain. He feels satisfied and this makes him benevolent towards the devotee.

Version 2:

When Lord Ram was constructing the bridge to Lanka to cross the ocean with his army, Lord Hanuman had the liability to look after the bridge in case the enemies damage it. One day, when Lord Hanuman was praying to Lord Ram sitting under a tree, Shani Dev arrived there and said that he is the most powerful God. He added that he had heard Lord Hanumaan to be very powerful, so he wanted to test his might with Lord Hanuman. He asked Lord Hanuman to open his eyes and fight with him.

In reply, Lord Hanuman opened his eyes and warned Shani Dev not to disturb him when he is meditating on his Lord and leave him alone. But, Shani Dev was resolute to pick a fight. Hence, Lord Hanuman extended his tail and bind it around Shani Dev. He tightened his tail and Shani Dev felt the stiff hold around him. Shani Dev tried get free from that tight hold, but he was not able to. Lord Hanuman waved his tail up and down that was hitting Shani Dev on the stones. He started bleeding.

Hanuman and Shani Dev

When the pain became intolerable, Shani Dev requested Lord Hanumaan to release him. He also added that he would never do a same mistake again. Hanuman asked Shani Dev to promise him that he shall never cause problems to Ram’s devotees. Shani Dev promised that he will do the same. He would never hinder in the destiny of Lord Ram’s and Hanumaan’s devotees. Hanuman then loosened his tail’s hold and freed Shani Dev.

After Shani Dev became free, he requested Lord Hanuman to give him some oil to ease his miserable pain. Lord Hanuman offered him some mustard oil. After that oil massage on his body, the pain was calmed instantly. Since then, it is traditional to offer mustard oil to Shani Dev. It soothes his body pain. He feels pleased and this makes him kind towards the Lord Ram’s devotees.

There is a spiritual analysis of the relation amid Lord Hanuman and Shani Dev.

Lord Hanuman is a symbol of selflessness, whereas Shani Dev is a symbol of ego and pride. Hence, to contradict the Karm born out of selfishness, one must be kind and unselfish like Lord Hanuman.This is true for those people who experience the evil effects of Saadhe Saatee, which is a seven and half year’s period when Shani (i.e. Saturn) is believed to trouble the three signs. One is in which the Moon is located in the natal chart of that person and the other two houses around it.

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