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| SHANI - THE SATURN |
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.
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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| SHANI AS SEEN IN TEMPLES |
The legend pertains to a king. The king invited merchants from far and wide and
proclaimed that the king himself would purchase all unsold goods. The merchants
were happy. Once a blacksmith brought an iron image of Saturn for sale, which
ultimately was purchased by the king, who installed that in his palace with reverence.
Other gods became unhappy on this action of the king. At night, the king saw
a brilliant woman going out of the house. On king's enquiry, he learnt that,
it was Lakshmi. She said that she could not stay in the place where Saturn is
present. After sometime a male image went out and was told to be Bhaivabh (Prosperity).
Similarly all other gods Dharma (Religion), Dheriye (Patience), Kshama (Pardon)
and all others went out. When the last Satya (Truth) was going out, the king
protested and said that because of faith in Satya, he did not object to the others
from going out. Feeling the sentiments of the king, Satya stopped. All other
deities were waiting outside for Satya, but when he did not come out Dharma (religion)
said that he could not remain without Satya; so he returned in. Similarly all
others followed suite and all gods and attributes came back inside the palace.
They told the king that only because of his devotion to the Satya (truth); they
all had to return and that such a king could never be unhappy. Due to the devotion
to Satya, (truth), Lakshmi (wealth) and Shani (Saturn) came to live together,
to the benefit of the devotees. |
