The story begins in the opulent court of of Ujjayani. A wise and benevolent ruler, the King organized a debate among learned scholars to determine which of the nine planets ( Navagrahas ) was the most superior.
“Nilanjana Samabhasam, Ravi Putram Yamagrajam, Chhaya Martanda Sambhutam, Tam Namami Shanaishcharam.” (I bow to Shani, who is like blue collyrium, the son of Ravi [Surya], the elder brother of Yama, born to Chhaya and Martanda [Surya]). shani mahatmya in english verified
The most authentic English translation of the Shani Mahatmya is found in the Narada Purana (Chapters 52-55) translated by Prof. G. V. Tagare (Motilal Banarsidass, 1981). The story begins in the opulent court of of Ujjayani
: In a neighboring kingdom, he was falsely accused of stealing a precious necklace belonging to the local royal family. Ravi Putram Yamagrajam