New Delhi | November 22: The planet of Saturn, popularly known as Lord Shani in the Vedic astrology and Hindu culture, is not just a planet, rather, Lord Shani is worshipped devotedly by his devotees, as he is known as the ‘Lord of Discipline’ or ‘Karma God’.
Although, Lord Shani, being a planet, is worshipped a lot but in the world of Vedic astrology, the astrologers consider this planet as the “most aggressive and cruel” among all the nine planets as it produces malefic effects when it is ill-placed in the birth chart.
But who is he? If we dive deep into the ocean of Hindu mythology, Lord Shani is the son of great Sun (Surya Dev) and Chhaya (shadow). Chhaya was shadow of his wife Sanjna, which is why he is also known as ‘Chhayaputra’. However, according to the astrology, it is believed that Lord Sun initially hated his son, as he was born from shadow of his wife.
Hence, Shani Dev being known as the God of Justice, a sign of ‘Karma’ and he rewards and punishes each human being as per their deeds. In modern astrology, Saturn planet is associated with discipline, karma, hard work, patience, longevity and delay.
What is Shani Mahadasha?
Shani Mahadasha is the main period of Saturn in the 120-year Vimshottari Dasha system, lasting for 19 years where Saturn becomes the major influencer planet in one’s life, which profoundly impacts their life. It can bring both positive and negative effects, depending on the person’s karma and the position of Saturn in their horoscope. It can also bring various challenges, such as career, health, wealth, and relationship challenges.
Key Characteristics
- Nature of Saturn: Saturn represents hard work, patience, discipline, and karma. Its effects can manifest as delays, struggles, and obstacles but also lead to growth, wisdom, and long-term success.
- Placement in the Chart:
- Benefic Position: If Saturn is well-placed (e.g., exalted in Libra, in its own signs Capricorn or Aquarius, or in a friendly house), it brings success, stability, and achievements through hard work.
- Malefic Position: If Saturn is afflicted or placed poorly, it can bring struggles, delays, and difficulties. Effects of Shani Mahadasha
- Positive Effects:
- Recognition and career growth after consistent effort.
- Spiritual growth and detachment from material desires.
- Strengthened discipline and resilience.
- Negative Effects:
- Health issues, stress, or mental burden.
- Delays in personal or professional endeavors.
- Financial struggles or loss.
Understanding Sadhe Sati
Shani Sade Sati is also a time-period of 7.5-year period when Saturn transits through the 12th house, 1st house (Moon sign), and 2nd house from your natal Moon. This transit is divided into three phases:
- First Phase – It starts when the Saturn is placed in the 12th house and it brings initial struggles, detachment, financial loss, or isolation.
- Second Phase – This phase starts when the Saturn is located in the 1st house of the chart is considered as the most intense period, as it brings self-reflection, challenges, and karmic lessons.
- Third Phase – This phase is associated with gradual relief with financial recovery and emotional stabilization and starts when the Saturn is placed in the 2nd house. Effects of Shani Sade Sati
- Positive Effects:
- Transformation and spiritual awakening.
- Life lessons leading to long-term stability.
- Strengthened resilience and wisdom.
- Negative Effects:
- Emotional turbulence, stress, or depression.
- Career or financial instability.
- Strained relationships or health challenges.
Remedies for Shani Mahadasha and Sade Sati
To mitigate the malefic effects of Saturn and harness its positive energy, the following remedies are recommended by the astrologers:
- Chant ‘Shani Mantra’ and ‘Shani Strotam’ as it creates a mental and spiritual connection with the Lord Shani.
- It is recommended to walk barefoot on grass on Saturdays as it helps to develop a sense of humility, which helps in appeasing Saturn.
- Practice Karma Yoga, it means ‘do your karm’. This can be very helpful during such periods, as 0ery few people know about how kind and soft-hearted Lord Shani is once you pleased him. He is pleased by people’s good deeds.
- Try to donate money and things as Lord Shani, appreciates selfless acts of giving.
- Perform Yagya or Havans as this ritual is believed to purify and discard negative energy, which cleanses one’s soul eternally.
- As Saturdays are associated with Lord Shani, offering him lamps lit with mustard or sesame oil, particularly on this day, pleases Lord Saturn. One can also wear black attires. Other offerings that yield positive results include black clothing, black sesame seeds, urad pulse, iron utensils, and blankets.
- Lord Shani is pleased by individuals who abstain themselves from alcohol and non-vegetarian food. Offering sweet milk to a banyan tree is believed to bring favourable outcomes.
- Saturdays are also associated with Lord Hanuman. Reciting the ‘Hanuman Chalisa’ on Saturdays is believed to please Shani Dev. Feeding jaggery and black chana (black gram) to monkeys is thought to bring good fortune.
- When afflicted by ‘mahadosha,’ worshipping the peepal tree, especially on Saturday mornings, is recommended. Offering water to the Peepal tree and circumambulating it clockwise, known as ‘Parikrama,’ are auspicious practices.
