KOYILNET

In Vedic astrology the planet Saturn is called Shani. In Sanskrit, Shani comes from Sanischara, meaning "slow mover." From Shani we get the word "shun," meaning to ignore or lose awareness of something. Thus Saturn represents a loss of awareness, or ignorance — including 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, and wisdom born of experience. He also indicates asceticism, denial, non-attachment, spirituality, hard work, organization, reality, and time itself. Saturn's most powerful placement is in the 7th House and the Kendras (Angles). He is particularly beneficial for Taurus and Libra Ascendants. His nature is Vata (Airy); his gem is Blue Sapphire and all black stones, and his metal is Lead. His 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 — which is why Saturn walks with a limp, accounting for 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, such as Saade Sati (7½ years) or Ashtama Shani (Saturn in the 8th house — 2½ years). He is the Lord of Makaram and Kumbam, the slowest-moving planet, taking 2½ years in each Rasi and completing one cycle every 30 years. A prayer to this Devata, especially on Saturdays, is said to mitigate the hardships one faces during these periods, and Sanischara bestows all benefits to devotees who pray sincerely to him.