Shanidev’s Arrival
Hearing the news of Krishna’s birth, many saints and gods visited Nandgaon to see Lord Krishna. Among them was Shanidev.
Everyone was allowed to have Krishna’s darshan except Shanidev.
Yashoda stopped him at the door, saying that her son would be frightened at the sight of Lord Shani.
Shanidev’s Disappointment
Shanidev was highly disappointed and went to the nearby forest and prayed, “O God! I am your servant. You have appointed me to judge and punish sinners according to their karmas. Then why does everybody think of me as being malignant and cruel; why do they avoid even my shadow?
Today, when all gods and demi-gods could enjoy the bliss of your darshan, I am denied that right and benediction.”
Krishna’s Manifestation
Touched by his prayer, Lord Krishna manifested Himself to him.
He advised him to stay near Nandanvan and granted him the boon that anyone who came to his temple to pray would immediately be freed from all worries and afflictions.
Moral of the Story
Even powerful Shanidev was not allowed to stay in Vrindavan. Why? Because Krishna knew that by his presence, there would be many troubles and disturbances in Vraja. And Krishna did not like the Vrajavasis to suffer.
But because Shanidev is a great devotee and had such a great desire to meet Krishna, He gave him eternal residence at Sri Vrindavan dham. And that place where Shanidev was allowed to stay is exactly on the border of Vraja Mandala parikrama. So, Shanidev is there in Vrindavana and at the same time, he is not.
That part of the forest where Lord Krishna appeared before Shanidev has since been called Kokilavan. One can visit the renowned and ancient temple of Lord Shani (Saturn) today, which is just six km from Kosi (UP) on the Nandgaon-Barsana road.
