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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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