Shani Dosha

In Vedic astrology the planet Saturn is called Shanaiswara. In Sanskrit Shanaiswara comes from SANISCHARA, which means, "slow mover". From Shanaiswara 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 Shanaiswara (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.Saneeswaran resides in each Rasi for a period of 2 1/2 years. When Saneeswaran resides in the 12th, 1st and 2nd house, it is 7 1/2 Naatu Sani ; when in the 4th house, it is Arthashtama Sani; when in the 8th house, it is Ashtama Sani.

During these periods, he troubles the native.Problems from Govt., peers, wife, children, slowdown in business, loss of property, leprosy are caused by transit of Sani.In a person's life, 7 1/2 Naatu Sani aspects thrice, the first called Mangu Sani, the second called Pongu Sani and the third called Marana Sani.Saneeswaran is reputed to be both, a giver and destroyer. A person who prays to Saneeswaran will be blessed with not only riddance from the problems and worries faced, but a life that one desires.

Shani Mantras:

Chanting of the following mantra which has been taken from the 'Purana' pacifies the Saturn. NILANJANA SAMA BHASAM RAVIPUTRAM YAMA GRAJAM

CHHAAYA MARTANDA SAMBHOOTAM TAM NAMAMI SHANAISHCHARAM

Cryptic Mantra:OM PRAM PRIM PRAUM SAH SHANAISHCHARAYA NAMAH

General mantra:OM SHAM SHANAISHCHARAYA NAMAH

Any of the above given three mantras can be chanted for the pacification of Saturn. Total numbers of chantings = 23,000 times

Time for chanting the mantra = Evening.