I sat in my office in a bustling business locality in Bengaluru, watching the summer sun shine hard on tinted window. The harsh afternoon heat was neutralized by the cool, darkened glass, creating a calm that stood in contrast to high-energy summit I had attended last week.
During the event, I had shared the stage with a veteran CTO of a global MNC. When it was his turn to speak, he didn’t rely on complex slides or technical data. Instead, he leaned into the microphone and gave the audience a piece of raw, lived-in wisdom that hit everyone hard, “Beware of Teflon Colleagues at work. They are like oil on a marble floor, they look polished and reflect a beautiful image, but the moment you try to lean on them for support, you find yourself flat on your back “.
Beware of Eel in Armani Suit
As I watched the sun hit the tint of my window, I realized those people are exactly like that glass, they present a cool, polished surface to the world, but you can never truly see what is happening on the other side. The CTO’s words brought back the memory of Sameer from my days at a big firm in Hyderabad. Sameer was a master of corporate soft touch. He never disagreed, never frowned, and always carried himself with an effortless grace that made people want to trust him. While my lead developer, Madhu, would loudly argue about technical flaws in the middle of the office, Sameer ended every conversation with a warm pat on the back and a, “don’t worry, brother, I am here for you”. But behind that tinted exterior, Sameer was busy. While Madhu’s bluntness was honest and out in the open, Sameer’s influence was invisible. In meetings with the others and behind my back, Sameer wouldn’t launch a frontal attack, that was too messy. Instead, he would use helpful questions to plant seeds of doubt. He would ask if the team had considered the scalability risks, knowing full well that such a vague question would linger in the air like a bad smell, making everyone nervous without him ever having to say a single negative word about our work.
The danger, as my co-speaker had pointed out from the podium, was that by the time we realized we were being undermined, damage would already done. Sameer didn’t leave a trail of broken windows, he just quietly ensured the doors were locked when we tried to walk through them. The danger of slippery folks was that they didn’t leave bruises that one could show a doctor.
I watched a stray beam of light catch the edge of my desk and smiled. Over the years, I have finally learned that a colleague who openly challenges me is a person I can work with, because their cards are on the table. But the one who agrees with everything while sliding through the shadows of the office hierarchy is the one who can sink a career.I picked up my phone and sent a quick message to the Team Lead, “Document everything, and never mistake a polished tongue for a steady hand. Make sure every point is backed by hard facts and clear ownership. That is your only real defense against the slippery folks of the world”.
A honest enemy is a teammate you haven’t won over yet, but A smooth-talking pretender is a shadow you can never catch.
ॐ नीलांजनसमाभासं रविपुत्रं यमाग्रजम्। छायामार्तण्डसम्भूतं तं नमामि शनैश्चरम्॥ Om nilaanjana samabhasam raviputram yamagrajam | chhayaamartanda sambhutam tam namami shanaishcharam ||
I bow to Lord Shani, who glows with the deep luster of blue antimony, the son of the Sun and the elder brother of Yama. Born from the shadow of the Sun, I prostrate before that slow-moving celestial deity.
Shani Jayanti is observed on the Amavasya (New Moon) of the Jyeshtha month (3rd Month in the Hindu Calendar), to honour birth of Bhagwan Shani, personification of the planet Saturn and god of justice. It In Vedic tradition, Shani is regarded as the Karmaphaladata, the one who delivers the fruits of one’s actions.
Significance
The day is deeply revered for its focus on discipline, penance, and balance. Devotees believe that observing this day with sincerity can mitigate the malefic effects of Saturn (Shani Dosha) and bring mental peace. It is a reminder that hard work and ethical living are rewarded, while arrogance and negligence are corrected.
According to Puranas, Shani was born to Surya, Sun God, and Chhaya, shadow form of Surya’s wife, Saranyu (or Sanjna). Sanjna, unable to bear intense heat and radiance of Surya, created Chhaya to take her place and went away to perform penance.
During the time Shani was in Chhaya’s womb, she was deeply absorbed in the devotion of Bhagwan Shiva. Because of her intense penance and the heat of the sun, the child in her womb turned dark. When Shani was born, his dark complexion surprised Surya, who doubted the child’s parentage and insulted Chhaya. It is said that when Shani first opened his eyes and looked at his father, the Sun God was immediately struck by an eclipse, turning black himself. This moment established Shani’s immense power and his role as a deity who spares no one, not even the gods, from the consequences of their actions and perceptions.
Realizing the mistake and seeing the strength of his son, Surya eventually accepted Shani. Bhagwan Shiva later intervened, granting Shani the status of a planet and bestowed the powers of Divine and Karmic Judge of the Universe. Shiva decreed that Shani would be responsible for delivering justice based on an individual’s deeds, rewarding the righteous and disciplining the arrogant through periods of hardship.
Shravana (listening) of this Katha on Shani Jayanti is considered highly auspicious. It serves as a spiritual reminder that while Shani’s influence can be stern and demanding, his ultimate purpose is not to punish, but to cleanse the soul of ego and guide it toward truth and discipline. Listening to the story is believed to instill the patience and humility required to face life’s challenges.
Virtuous Vikramaditya & his Karmic Payback
The legend involving King Vikramaditya and Bhagwan Shani is perhaps the most famous narrative associated with the period of Shani Sade Saati. It serves as a profound lesson on how even the most powerful and virtuous rulers are subject to the laws of karma and the discipline of Saturn.
The story begins in the court of King Vikramaditya, a monarch celebrated for his wisdom and justice. One day, a debate arose among the learned scholars in his court regarding which of the nine planets (Navagrahas) was the most powerful. While each scholar championed a different deity, Vikramaditya concluded that Shani was the most dreaded and perhaps less benevolent than the others due to his association with hardship. Shani, overhearing this perceived insult, appeared before the King and warned him that he would soon experience the weight of Saturn’s gaze.
The period of misfortune began when Shani entered Vikramaditya’s zodiac sign. The King, once the master of a vast empire, was lured into a series of calamities. He was falsely accused of stealing precious jewels from a neighboring kingdom, a crime that led to a brutal punishment: the King’s hands and feet were severed, and he was cast out into the wilderness. Stripped of his identity and physical strength, the formerly majestic King found work at a commoner’s oil press, where he labored day and night, using his voice to sing and guide the oxen.
Despite his extreme suffering, Vikramaditya never wavered in his integrity or lost his faith. He accepted his plight as his destiny without bitterness. Years later, Shani was moved by the King’s unwavering patience and lack of ego. Appearing before the crippled man, Shani revealed that the period of trial was over. Impressed by the King’s resilience, Shani restored his limbs and his kingdom. Vikramaditya, humbled by the experience, asked Shani to be more lenient with others. Shani granted this wish, promising that those who listen to this Katha with devotion and lead a disciplined life would find the strength to endure their own trials.
Listening to this story on Shani Jayanti is significant because it highlights the transformative power of suffering. It teaches that Shani does not act out of malice, but rather to strip away the ego and test the soul’s character, ultimately rewarding those who remain steadfast in their values.
Rituals and Observances for the day
Rituals of the Day at a Glance – Pic Courtesy: Gemini
Performing the Shani Jayanti puja at home allows for a focused environment of discipline and devotion. The processes are rooted in simplicity and Satvik (pure) living.
The day begins with self-purification. It is traditional to wake up before sunrise and take a bath, ideally adding a few drops of mustard oil or black sesame seeds to the water. To maintain the sanctity of the day, devotees clean their entire home and designate a specific, quiet corner for the puja. A wooden platform (Peetha) is installed and covered with a fresh black cloth, which serves as the seat for the deity’s idol or a symbolic representation like a black stone or a Shani Yantra.
Pooja Vidhi
Ritual follows a specific sequence to honor the energy of Saturn:
Dhyana (Meditation): Begin by sitting in a comfortable position, facing West (direction associated with Shani Dev). Close your eyes and invoke the presence of Bhagwan Shani, asking for the strength to endure life’s challenges.
Abhisheka (Holy Bath): Place the idol or Shani Yantra in a shallow metal tray. Gently pour mustard oil over it. This is the most significant part of the puja. While pouring, chant the Shani Mantra: ॐ प्रां प्रीं प्रौं सः शनैश्चराय नम: (Om Pram Prim Praum Sah Shanaishcharaya Namah)
Offerings: Apply a tilak of vermilion (Sindoor) and black sandalwood paste. Offer black sesame seeds (Ellu or Til), whole black gram (Urad Dal), and blue flowers like Aparajita or blue lotus.
Lighting the Lamp: Light a lamp using mustard oil. Ensure the wick is made of cotton and the lamp remains lit throughout the duration of the puja. You may also light incense sticks to purify the air.
Prasada: Offer simple food prepared at home without onion or garlic. Traditional offerings include khichdi made with black urad dal or sweets prepared with black sesame and jaggery.
Dhaana (Charity): Charity is a core element of the day, as Shani is pleased by service to the underprivileged. Based on one’s abilities, genera items donated are Black clothes or blankets, Black umbrellas, Leather footwear or Iron utensils
Chanting and Prayers: Reciting the Shani Chalisa or the Mahamrityunjaya Mantra is believed to invoke divine protection. Shani Mantra (ॐ प्रां प्रीं प्रौं सः शनैश्चराय नमः Om Pram Prim Praum Sah Shanaishcharaya Namah) is chanted to align one’s energy with the planet’s discipline.
Dietary Restraints: Many observers maintain a strict fast from sunrise to sunset. Consumption of alcohol and non-vegetarian food is strictly avoided to maintain spiritual purity.
Spiritual discipline extends beyond the puja room. Many keep a Nirjala (waterless) or Phalahari (fruit-based) Upavasa (fast) until the evening. It is a day dedicated to silence and introspection-avoid harsh speech, anger, or vanity (good to practice this everyday, not just on this day).
In the evening, visit Shani Temple or a Ashwatta/Arali Mara (Pipal tree) and light mustard oil lamps (Deepam) as Pipal tree is considered sacred to Shani. Performing Pradakshina or Parikrama (circumambulating) around the Pipal tree seven times is a common practice. This act symbolizes bringing light into the dark corners of one’s karma.
Day concludes with the recitation of the Shani Chalisa or the Aarti, followed by distributing the prasad to family members and, if possible, to the needy near your home.
I recall my tenure in one of the amazing companies M/s Essae Teraoka Limited (an Indo-Japanese JV) that I had worked in during my career. The routine part of mandatory assembly is chanting a few select slokas from Bhagavad Gita, reciting Quality Policy and Objective aloud and a thought for the week. Two of the slokas had profound impact on my career in the organisation and in every organisation that I worked thereafter.
Before I get into the Slokas and its application, let me talk about the importance of what seemingly appears a school-assembly type drill to repeat same lines every single morning and the solid reason behind it as I understand. Even if you are saying it like a robot, it does some heavy lifting behind the scenes.
Reinforcing Values together
First off, it’s all about setting the focus. When you start your day by saying Quality first, you are basically giving your brain a GPS coordinate. Without this, the morning rush of emails and pending tasks can easily pull you in ten different directions. This daily ritual acts like a small mental anchor that keeps you steady. It is like mental conditioning. Just like how we know certain prayers or movie dialogues by heart because we’ve heard them a thousand times, repeating your objectives moves them from your to-do list into your common sense & DNA. When things get hectic and you have to make a quick choice, you won’t have to go looking for a handbook. The right answer, quality-focused answer, will just pop into your head automatically. It also helps in building a shared vibe at the workplace. When everyone says same thing daily, it sends a clear signal. This is rule of the house. It stops being just a poster on the wall and becomes actual culture. It’s like a daily reminder that while work changes, standards stay fixed. Lastly, it’s a great way to fight forgetfulness. We all have out of sight, out of mind syndrome. By bringing these goals into your routine verbally every morning, you ensure they stay fresh. Even if recitation is mechanical, message is still sinking in, slowly turning a formal policy into a personal habit. It’s not about words themselves, it’s about making sure you don’t lose sight of the big picture in your daily grind.
Story of Indus Tech wasn’t just about a company turnaround. It was a story of two people finding their Dharma in the middle of a glass-and-aluminium and steel jungle in Bengaluru.
Chaos at Indus Tech
Indus Tech was a mess. Office was filled with sound of loud keyboard typing, but no real work was getting done. Managers spent their time making colorful PowerPoint decks to hide failures, and engineers spent their time looking for new jobs on LinkedIn. It was a place where just enough was the goal.
Chaotic and a Woolly mess
In the center of this chaos was Ananya. She was a brilliant coder who had lost her spark. To her, every new project felt like a heavy stone she had to carry. She was constantly worried: “Will I get the year-end bonus?”, “What if the client hates this?”, “Why is my manager so lazy?” and so on…
Arrival of the Karmayogi
Then came Vikram, the new CTO. He didn’t arrive with a grand speech or a town hall meeting. On his first day, he walked past his private cabin and set his laptop down on a cramped desk in the middle of the Development floor.
One Tuesday, a major banking client’s system went dark. Office was in a state of pure panic. Project Manager started shouting, trying to find someone to blame. But Vikram did something nobody expected. He didn’t shout. He pulled up a chair next to a terrified junior developer and said, Let’s look at the logic together.
Getting the Feet Wet & Leading in the Trenches
Chapter 3, Sloka 21:
yad yad ācarati śreṣṭhas tat tad evetaro janaḥ sa yat pramāṇaṁ kurute lokas tad anuvartate Whatever a leader does, the followers do. Standards a leader sets, rest of the world follows.
Vikram wasn’t just fixing a bug or a program, he was fixing the culture. By staying calm and getting his hands dirty, he showed the team that a leader’s job is to serve the work, not to sit on a throne. Slowly, shouting stopped, blame-game ended and engineers realized that if the CTO could be in the trenches, they could too.
Twist: Midnight Crisis
A few months later, company faced its biggest test. A rival firm had launched a faster product, and Indus Tech had forty-eight hours to upgrade their entire platform or lose their biggest contract. The stress was suffocating.
Ananya was at her desk, hands shaking. She was obsessed with the outcome. If she failed, she might be fired. If she succeeded, she might finally get that promotion. This “what if” was making her code sloppy.
Vikram walked over and saw her struggling. He didn’t talk about the contract or the money. He simply pointed at her screen and whispered, Ananya, forget the client. Forget the promotion. Just look at this specific function. Can you make it the most beautiful, efficient piece of logic you’ve ever written? Just for the joy of doing for doing sake?
Chapter 2, Sloka 50:
buddhi-yukto jahātīha ubhe sukṛta-duṣkṛte tasmād yogāya yujyasva yogaḥ karmasu kauśalam One with intelligence attuned to yoga outlives both virtue and vice. Dedicate yourself to yoga. Yoga is verily dexterity in performing all kinds of actions
Transformation
Ananya took a deep breath. She stopped looking at Success and Failure gauges. She entered a state of flow. She began to treat code like a sculptor treats clay. Every line was precise. Every variable was perfect. She wasn’t coding for a paycheck anymore, she was coding as a form of meditation. By stopping her worry about the result, her work became so high-quality that the result took care of itself. Upgrade was a massive success. But when the news came that the client had signed a five-year deal, Ananya didn’t jump for joy or brag. She just felt a deep sense of peace. She had learned that the reward wasn’t the contract, it was the excellence she had found within herself.
Equanimity – Work for Work sake
New Indus Tech
Today, Indus Tech is different. There are no more ivory towers. Vikram still sits with the team, setting standard (3.21). And Ananya is now a mentor, teaching new recruits that their work is their worship, and that true success comes when you focus entirely on the Skill in your Action (2.50).
In the busy streets of Bengaluru, they found the wisdom of the battlefield: that when you lead by example and work with excellence, battle is already won.
