Sani – The Malefic Planet
Saturn, called Sani in Sanskrit, is one of the most feared planets in astrology for its malefic effects. In fact, one of his names is ‘krura lochana’ or ‘the evil-eyed one’. Sani can cause many problems for us and there are very few people in this world who are fortunate enough to escape his baleful influence. But Saturn plays an important role in our life. He is the karmic planet who teaches us the important lessons we need to learn in order to evolve towards a higher plane of existence. He is the planet who keeps an account of our good and bad deeds and metes out rewards and punishments accordingly. He is also a teacher par excellence who imparts valuable lessons in patience, discipline, hard work and endurance when we face adversities. He also gives us a chance at redemption by sending us opportunities to do good deeds in our present birth to compensate for the bad deeds we committed in our previous births. He is the karmic guru whose job is to test us, often severely, so that our souls can progress to a higher level and realize God. There is no point cursing or lamenting Sani’s transit through your life; the best way to deal with it is to be patient and submit to his tests in all humility. But if he sends great trials and tribulations your way, there are certain things you can do to cushion the pain of his impact on your life.
How Sani Affects You
When Saturn or Sani comes calling, your life undergoes seismic changes. Loss of job, marital problems, legal troubles, unexpected failures, accidents, serious ailments, death of loved ones, loss of reputation… the list is endless. Anything and everything that can go wrong in your life will go wrong if he is badly placed in your horoscope. Sani rules over a person’s karma and dharma. He represents struggle and exposes you to great challenges and hardships. The adverse effects come into play when he occupies certain positions.
- Sade sati – Saturn in the 1st, 2nd and 12th house from the moon
- Ashtama Sani – Saturn in the 8th house from the moon
- Ardha ashtama Sani – Saturn in the 4th house
Remedies to Reduce the Effects of Sani
There are remedies to mitigate the evil effects caused by the malefic aspects of Sani.
Worshipping Hanuman is one way to appease Sani. The best way is to worship south facing Hanuman or Dakshinamukhi Hanuman. When Saturn is transiting your lagna, you may suffer from many problems – financial and health. Dental problems are likely too. To protect yourself, worship Kalabhairava. You can also worship Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy and Tirupati Lord Venkateshwara. In this way, you can get Saturn’s blessings. Alternatively, worship Lord Vishnu with bija mantras as Saturn is Vishnu’s devotee and it will lessen the bad effects.
The mantras given below are very helpful in this regard.
Om Shreem Vishnave Namaha – it destroys negativity and helps you to find a good life partner.
Om Kleem Vishnave Namaha – this mantra can help if Saturn is afflicted in the 7th house. It fulfills your wishes.
Om Hreem Vishnave Namaha – recite this mantra to improve your career.
Worshipping Goddess Kali on new moon days with red hibiscus flowers can diminish the problems caused by Sani and earn his blessings.
Chanting mantras
The mantra ‘Om namo narayanaya’ may be chanted if the 8th house is occupied by Saturn. This will protect you from evil. In case the position of Saturn in your chart is weak, you should chant ‘Om Sanischaraya Namaha’. This will make Sani’s position in your chart stronger.
“Neelaanjana samaabhaasam (To the color of brilliant dark blue) Ravi-putram Yama-agrajam (Son of Surya, elder brother, agraj, of Yama) Chhaya-Maartanda sambhootam (Son of Chhaya and Surya) Tam namaami Shanaishcharam “(We offer our obeisance) chant this mantra regularly to propitiate Saturn and it will strengthen Saturn’s position as well.
Saturday Worship To Please Sani
- Since Saturday is special to Saturn there are many things you can do on Saturday to appease Sani. Some of these things are listed below.
- Abstain from non-vegetarian food and alcohol.
- Wear black or dark blue on Saturday as black is Sani’s favorite color.
- Read the Hanuman Chalisa
- Offer a mixture of curd rice with cumin to Sani in a temple and then feed the rice to crows.
- Fast from sunrise to sunset. Drink only liquids.
- Donate black sesame or light a Til oil lamp to Sani.
- Feed the handicapped (Sani is lame as his knee was injured in a childhood fight with his brother, Yamadev)
- Offer Til oil lamp under a peepal tree on Saturday mornings and chant the Sani Stuti:
- Light a lamp of mustard oil under the shami or saangri tree which is associated with Saturn.
Konastha pingalobabhruh Krishnoroudraantakoyamah Souri,
shanaischaro mandah pippaladishu sansthisah
Sani temples
There are some well-known Sani temples which devotees visit in order to propitiate Sani. Visiting these temples once every two and a half years will bring relief. Two such famous temples are the Sani Shingapur temple in Maharashtra and Tirunallar near Karaikal in Tamilnadu. One thing to remember is that Sani rules the working class. Hence, it would be a good idea to show respect to servants, workers, and others in lowly position and treat them with dignity. One should pay their wages on time as well as this will help them earn Saturn’s blessings.
Don’t fear Sani because Sani puts us on the right path when we go astray. Without Sani we may wander too far from God and never find our way back.
