Śani Amāvasyā

A Night of Karma Cleansing and Divine Protection

Introduction

Among the sacred alignments in the Vedic calendar, Śani Amāvasyā—the new moon that falls on a Saturday—holds a unique power. It unites the transformative silence of Amāvasyā (new moon) with the karmic discipline of Śani (Saturn).

On this night, the cosmos invites us to cleanse karmic burdens, pacify ancestral debts, and seek the fierce protection of the Divine Mother Kāli. Far from being a night of fear, Śani Amāvasyā is a night of renewal, humility, and divine grace.

Amāvasyā Tithi timings for Auckland, New Zealand in August 2025

(which is also Śani Amāvasyā, since it falls on Saturday):

Amāvasyā Tithi Begins: 22 August 2025, 6:25 PM
Amāvasyā Tithi Ends: 23 August 2025, 6:05 PM

So the full Amāvasyā period runs for about 23 hours and 40 minutes.

Evening of 22 Aug 2025 (Pradosh Kaal: 6:25 – 8:29 PM) → Pithori Vrat worship time.
Night of 22nd/early morning of 23 Aug 2025 → very powerful for Mahākālī sādhanā, Shani remedies, and havan.
Morning–afternoon of 23 Aug 2025 until 6:05 PM → ideal for Pitru tarpan, charity, and Shani upāsanā.

What Saturn (Śani) Stands For

Karmaphala-dātā – Dispenser of Karma
- Śani ensures that every soul receives the fruits of its deeds, good or bad.
- Padma Purāṇa, Uttara Khaṇḍa, Ch. 13 calls Saturn the “giver of results of actions.”
Discipline & Patience
- Saturn’s slow movement teaches endurance and perseverance.
- Bṛhat Parāśara Horā Śāstra, Ch. 30 describes him as manda (slow-moving), symbolic of steady growth.
Justice & Detachment
- Skanda Purāṇa, Kāśī Khaṇḍa 5.83 states that worship of Śani on Amāvasyā reduces sins and suffering. Yet, he does not forgive easily — he educates through karmic justice.
Humility & Service
- Shani humbles pride and pushes us toward seva (selfless service).
Spiritual Transformation
- Sri Sathya Sai Baba: “Saturn is not to be feared; he is only a stern teacher who ensures you learn your lessons and rise higher in life.” (Sathya Sai Speaks, Vol. 6).

Thus, Saturn is not a punisher but a guru in disguise who polishes the soul through discipline.

Amāvasyā—The Night of Ancestors

Amāvasyā has always been regarded as the most sacred time for ancestral rites.

Garuda Purāṇa, Preta Khaṇḍa 2.26.7–9 prescribes water mixed with black sesame seeds (tarpana) for Pitṛs, which grants their blessings.
Mahābhārata, Anuśāsana Parva 88.2–4 calls Amāvasyā is the most effective day for charity and pitṛ-pūjā.
Manu Smṛti 3.284 declares, “Offerings of food and water to ancestors on Amāvasyā bring endless merit.”

Thus, Amāvasyā is not emptiness, but a portal to gratitude, forgiveness, and karmic release.

Kāli—The Fierce Mother on Amāvasyā

When the world is darkest, the Divine Mother manifests in her most fierce and protective form—Kāli.

Devī Māhātmya, Ch. 7 (7.3–7.23): Kāli slays Chanda and Munda, showing her power to destroy inner demons.
Kālikā Purāṇa, Ch. 61.21: “Offerings of limes and red flowers to Kāli on Amāvasyā remove obstacles and pacify malefic grahas.”
Mārkaṇḍeya Purāṇa, Ch. 81: Worship of Kāli on the new moon burns away accumulated sins and grants liberation.

Hence, devotees offer lime garlands, sesame seeds, red flowers, and mantra japa to Kāli on Śani Amāvasyā.

Ritual Practices (Scriptural Basis)

1. Tarpana (Ancestral Offerings)

Offer water and sesame to Pitṛs.
Garuda Purāṇa 2.26.7–9; Mahābhārata, Anuśāsana Parva 88.2–4.

2. Śani Pūjā & Oil Offering

Sesame oil abhishekam to Śani.
Light a til (seasome) oil lamp under a Peepal tree.
Skanda Purāṇa, Revā Khaṇḍa.

3. Mahākālī Pūjā

Offer limes garland (11, 21, or 27 limes depending on tradition).
Chant:
ॐ क्राम् क्रीं क्रौम् कं महाकाल्यै नमः ॥
Om Krām Krīm Kraūm Kam Mahākālyai Namaḥ (108×).
Kālikā Purāṇa, Ch. 61.21.

4. Havan (Fire Offering)

Offer sesame, rice, and ghee with mantra.
Agni Purāṇa, Ch. 292.

5. Charity & Seva

Donate til, oil, food, or clothes.
Mahābhārata, Anuśāsana Parva 106.20—Charity on Amāvasyā yields tenfold fruits.

Spiritual Messages from Authorities

Bhagavad Gītā 2.47 – “You have a right to perform your duty, but not to the fruits of action.” Saturn’s teaching in one line.
Sri Sathya Sai Baba—“Karma is inescapable. Saturn is not to be feared; he is a stern teacher who ensures that you rise higher in life.” (Sathya Sai Speaks, Vol. 6).
Swami Vivekananda—”Saturnis the symbol of patience and discipline. His worship brings steadiness in life.” (Complete Works, Vol. 3).
Swami Rama—”Amāvasyā is not darkness; it is silence. In silence, you meet yourself. The Mother appears in silence as Kāli, who teaches fearlessness.” (Living with the Himalayan Masters).
Kabir (Bijak, Sakhi 134) –
“Kālī ke ghar jāna hai, bhaya na rākhe koi;
Jo bhaya ko māre yahī, soī bhakta hoy.”
(“To enter Kāli’s abode, abandon fear. The true devotee conquers fear.”).

Essence of Śani Amāvasyā

Śani Amāvasyā is not about fear of Saturn or dread of darkness. It is about understanding karma, purifying the soul, and surrendering to the Mother’s grace.

Śani disciplines and teaches justice.
Amāvasyā dissolves karmic residue and honors ancestors.
Kāli liberates from fear, sin, and ignorance.

“Saturn disciplines, Amāvasyā dissolves, and Kāli liberates.”

This sacred night is a reminder that even in the darkest silence, the Divine Light shines within.

Conclusion—A Strong Spiritual Message

On Śani Amāvasyā, do not look at Saturn as a punisher, nor the new moon as darkness, nor Kāli as terrifying. Instead, see them as mirrors of your own inner journey.

Saturn places you face-to-face with your karma—not to destroy you, but to purify you. He strips away pride and illusion so that the diamond of your soul may shine.
Amāvasyā is the moment when the Moon disappears into stillness, teaching that in silence and surrender the mind is cleansed. It is the night when ancestral voices whisper blessings if we remember them with love.
Kāli is not the dark goddess to fear, but the Mother who drinks our poison, absorbs our negativity, and dances upon our ignorance until we awaken to truth.

Sri Sathya Sai Baba reminds us,

“Saturn is not to be feared; he is a stern teacher

who ensures you learn your lessons and rise higher in life.”

(Sathya Sai Speaks, Vol. 6, Chapter 17, “The Three Paths”, Discourse delivered on 28-2-1966, Prasanthi Nilayam).

And Kabir sings:
“Kālī ke ghar jāna hai, bhaya na rākhe koi;
Jo bhaya ko māre yahī, soī bhakta hoy”

Therefore, this night is not about fear at all—it is about fearlessness.

Śani Amāvasyā invites you to place your burdens in the fire of havan, your pride at Saturn’s feet, and your fears into Kāli’s garland—and walk away renewed.

In the silence of Amāvasyā, the discipline of Saturn, and the embrace of Kāli, the soul discovers its true freedom.

References

Brahma Vaivarta Purāṇa, Prakṛti Khaṇḍa, Ch. 48
Padma Purāṇa, Uttara Khaṇḍa, Ch. 13
Skanda Purāṇa, Kāśī Khaṇḍa 5.83; Revā Khaṇḍa – Peepal lamp
Bṛhat Parāśara Horā Śāstra, Ch. 30
Garuda Purāṇa, Preta Khaṇḍa 2.26.7–9
Mahābhārata, Anuśāsana Parva 88.2–4, 106.20
Manu Smṛti, 3.284
Devī Māhātmya, Ch. 7
Kālikā Purāṇa, Ch. 61.21
Mārkaṇḍeya Purāṇa, Ch. 81
Agni Purāṇa, Ch. 292
Sri Sathya Sai Baba, Sathya Sai Speaks, Vol. 6
Swami Vivekananda, Complete Works, Vol. 3
Swami Rama, Living with the Himalayan Masters
Kabir, Bijak, Sakhi 134

Ravinder Grover

Disclaimer: ‘Without Prejudice’. I offer my insight into astrology solely based on my learnings of astrology principles and techniques, some of which I learnt from the Sages of the highest order. These predictions are offered for guidance purposes only. I offer absolutely no guarantee on my calculations and analysis. These predictions are not intended to harm anyone by any means. I expressly disclaim all warranties, implied or contingent, for making use of these predictions or for incurring any loss or loss of profit in any manner. No notice or advice from anyone will create any liability whatsoever