"From different parts of the universe there arrived great sages like Atri, Cyavana, Saradvan, Aristanemi, Bhrgu, Vasistha, Parasara, Visvamitra, Angira, Parasurama, Utathya, Indrapramada, Idhmavahu, Medhatithi, Devala, Arstisena, Bharadvaja, Gautama, Pippalada, Maitreya, Aurva, Kavasa, Kumbhayoni, Dvaipayana and the great personality Narada."
LONG, LONG AGO there was once a severe drought that afflicted a part of Jambhudvipa, which lasted for so long that all the land became dry and all the earth and vegetation turned to dust. The rivers were reduced to trickles of brackish water. As a result a severe famine ensured and the country became desolated.
The sage Kausika found that he could no longer find adequate nourishment for his wife and son, so he decided to travel to another country. They started their journey carrying with them what meager provisions they had left. Soon these provisions were depleted and they continued hoping to find something on the way. However the country remained barren day after day of their journey. Becoming increasingly weaker due to fasting, Kausika could no longer carry his young boy, so with tears in his eyes he abandoned him on the side of the road. The boy remained there crying due to hunger, thirst and solitude. As the sun grew hotter, he decided to seek out some shade. After some time the boy thus gathered his strength and began walking towards the mountains, hoping to come across a steam. Finally he saw a large tree in the distance. He managed to reach it and take shelter in the shade. He then saw that it was a sacred Pippal tree. He noticed with joy that the Pippal tree had many small, purple fig-like fruit, so he thanked the Supreme Personality of Godhead and broke his fast of many days. Behind the Pippal tree he found a small pond and was able to satisfy his thirst.
He continued living under the Pippal tree, absorbed in prayers and meditation as he had learned from his pious parents, and living on the fruits of the Pippal tree. After some time had past his long solitude was broken by the arrival of a divine looking sage, who suddenly appeared in front of him. It was Devarishi Narada, whose saintly presence is an infallible blessing. Seeing him, the boy fell at his feet and bathed his lotus feet in tears of ecstasy. Moved by the boy's piety and gentleness, Narada inquired from him who he was and what he was doing there in the middle of nowhere. Hearing that he was the son of the noble sage Kausika, Narada decided to perform the brahminical samskaras that the boy had been unable to get due to being abandoned and to give him spiritual knowledge. He gave him Brahmana initiation and named him Pippalda, as he had been able to survive thanks to the holy Pippal tree. After teaching him the essence of Vedic knowledge, Narada instructed Pippalda to constantly chant the mantra, "Om namo bhagavate vasudevaya," and thus achieve the mercy of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
Pippalda thus constantly chanted this mantra with such faith and intensity that soon the Lord appeared before him. Pleased with Pippalda's pure devotion, the Lord placed His hand on his head, thus instantly bestowing upon him supreme knowledge. Though still a young boy, Pippalda thus became a maharishi, a status attained by only a few other adults.
One day, Pippalda Maharishi inquired from his spiritual master, Narada Muni, "O noble Devarishi, by good fortune I have met you and by your mercy have become a brahamana. I would like to understand why I had to suffer so much as a child. Which planets so negatively influenced my destiny that I was by force separated from my parents although so young?"
Narada replied, "It is Sanaischara (Sani or Saturn) who tortured you. It is by the influence of his progression that this country experienced such desolation. Look yonder, we can see the gloomy Sani up there in the sky."
Looking up into the heavens, the perfected child, who had attained full mystic powers by the Lord's grace, became angry and his fiery eyes caused Sani the slow one to fall to earth. In his fall he hit a mountain and broke his leg.
Narada summoned all the demigods and headed by Lord Brahma, they all appeared there to see Sani's plummet.
Lord Brahma said to Pippalda, "You nourished yourself exclusively with Pipal fruit and executed amazing tapasya (austerities) despite your young age. You will remain ever famous by the name Pippalda that Narada gave you. Those who glorify you or pray to you on Saturdays will become free from Saturn's malicious influence and have their aspirations fulfill. At present, you must replace Sanaischara in the firmament, as one must not disrespect the planetary Lords."
Sani was thus re-instated in his celestial orbit, but he has remained disabled ever since. Till today those who limp are said to be under the eye of Saturn or Sani.
