Astronomy:
Saturn is 886 million miles away from the Sun.
It is smaller than Jupiter and its diameter is 75,000 miles. It has
nine known satellites. Volume wise it is 700 times bigger than earth.
But its mass is little less than 100times that of the earth. Saturn
takes 29 ? year to go round the sun. Hence, on an average it stays
in one Rashi for a period of 2 ? years.
Saturn is surrounded by a system of three concentric
rings. These rings are separate and there is only black empty space
in between any two rings. Saturn appears like a blue ball with 3
yellow rings.
Mythology:
Shani is the son of Sun and
Chhaya.
Saturn is a planet, which has been much, wronged and was cursed by
his own wife and celestial mother
Parvati. In fact after
realizing her mistake
Maa Parvati gave a boon to Saturn
that no important event in the life of a person will occur unless
Saturn gives his divine sanctity to that work either by transit or
aspect to such relevant house.
He is the elder brother to
Yama(the god
of death) therefore he plays the role of
Yama and can bring
an end to life. Therefore, if a bad
Dasha is running and
at the same time there is an evil transit of Saturn and the age of
death have come Saturn will definitely kill. But, Saturn also represents
detachment. It has great spiritual value. No saint can take birth
without a well-placed and strong Saturn.
Astrological Significance:
According to
Uttara Kalamrita following
are the signification of Saturn.
a) Ill health b) Obstructions c) Disease d) enmity
e) sorrow f) Death g) Maid servant h) Asses i) Outcastes j) Longevity
k) Eunuch l) Wind m) Old age n) Dirty cloth o) Black color p) Significator
of father for those who are born in the night q) Shudras r) Brahman
having Tamsik qualities s) Ugly hair t) Worship of Yama u) Looking
downwards v) Telling lies w) Thefts and hard heartedness x) Oil y)
Hunter z) Lameness
It is seen that a strong Saturn gives good results
however if Saturn is weak it will cause deficiencies with respect
to above mentioned significations.
Other Astrological Considerations:
Saturn owns two signs namely
Makara and
Kumbha.
It is deeply exalted at 20 degrees in the
Tula Rashi and
is deeply debilitated at 20 degrees in the
Mesha Rashi.
Its
Mooltrikona rashi is
Kumbha. It is considered
the
Karaka (Significator) for grief.
In the planetary cabinet Saturn represents servants.
It has a dark complexion. It is of neuter gender. It represents Air
among the
Panchbhootas or the five elements. It belongs
to the
Shudra Varna and has predominance of
Tamsik Gunas.
Saturn has an emaciated and long physique, honey
colored eyes, is windy in temperament, has big teeth, is indolent,
lame and has coarse and rough hair. Saturn represents one year.
It represents astringent taste. It is strong in
the western direction. It is friendly to Mercury and Venus. It is
inimical to Sun, Moon and Mars. It considers Jupiter to be Neutral.
Rahu
and Ketu both regard Saturn as friend.
