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In Vedic astrology the planet Saturn is called SHANI.
In Sanskrit Shani comes from SANISCHARA, which means,
"slow mover". From Shani we get the word "shun",
which means to ignore, or lose awareness of something.
Thus, Saturn represents a loss of awareness, or ignorance.
This loss of awareness can also mean the diminishing
awareness of the material world of manifestation.
Here Saturn indicates the ascetic, rich
with inner spirituality, and lost to this material plane
of existence. Saturn is a malefic graha. He rules over
the two sidereal signs of Capricorn and Aquarius. He
is exalted in Libra, and fallen in the opposite sign
of Aries.
Saturn is a karaka, or indicator, of
longevity, misery, sorrow, old age and death, discipline,
restriction, responsibility, delays, ambition, leadership
and authority, humility, integrity, wisdom born of experience.
Saturn also indicates asceticism, denial, non-attachment,
spirituality, hard work, organization, reality and time
itself.
SHANI - THE SATURN
Saturn's most powerful place in the
chart is in the 7th House and the Kendra's, or Angles.
He is a particularly beneficial planet for Taurus and
Libra Ascendants. Saturn's nature is Vata, or Airy.
His gem is Blue Sapphire and all black stones and his
metal is Lead. Saturn's direction is west and his day
is Saturday. He reaches full maturity at age 36. In
Vedic myth Saturn is the son of the Sun, born to his
shadow wife, Chaya. Saturn is lame because one of the
Sun's first wife Sanjana's children became angered with
him and struck him in the foot. Thus Saturn walks with
a limp, which accounts why he is the slowest of the
Grahas.
The graha SANISCHARA (Saturn), also
known as Manda, is generally known to affect one adversely
on occasions when he occupies certain positions in one's
horoscope like Saade Sati (7 1/2 years) Ashtama Shani
(Saturn in 8th house - 2 1/2 years) etc. He is the Lord
of Makaram and Kumbam. He is the slowest moving planet
taking 2 1/2 years in each Rasi, completing one cycle
every 30 years. A prayer to this Devata, especially
on Saturdays, is said to mitigate the hardships one
will have to face during these periods. Sanischara bestows
all benefits to the devotees who pray sincerely to him.
The legend that depict the influence of the worship
of SHANI goes as follows, and is narrated whenever a
worship or offering is made to the deity.
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