Shani / Saturn - in a better light

In Sanskrit, the full name of Shani is "Shanischara" (Shanaihi + chara) meaning : One who walks (chara) slowly, haltingly (Shanaihi). He is described as thus : Shanaihi Shanaihi charaha iti Shanaishcaraha. He who walks slowly,dragging his feet is referred to as Shanaichara.

He is supposed to walk thus because of the fetters on his feet and the fact that his thigh was injured by his brother Yama.

The fetters symbolically represent the rings around the planet Saturn and his slow gait represents of the long time it takes for one revolution of the planet around the Sun. Remember, Saturn is the farther most planet that can be seen by the naked eye.

If we look at the astrological texts carefully, Shani has also been attributed with a lot of positives. It depends on how we take it. Saturn is supposed to be a hard taskmaster. He will not give easy success. Especially when one runs the Shani Maha dasha (14 years), it will be uphill struggle for the person. That is not to say that Shani is bad or evil. Shani will make you work doubly hard, so that you don't take success for granted. In the process, Shani makes the person learn the hard lessons of perseverance, toil and labour. He cultivates the qualities of vairgya and patience in the person.

But he will surely give the results of your labour- especially during the second half of Shani Maha dasa. He is not the one to play tricks - which Mercury or Venus (Budha or Shukra) are capable of.

SHani is attributed wit the qualities of Nirbhaya (he makes the person fearless). He is also kami-tartha-phalada-kamedhenu - One who fulfills all desires , except that he will make you work hard.

He represents the working class- the low trodden, the labourers. He vehicle is the crow and he has kajal applied all over his body. He is dressed in blue jewels- especially the gem sapphire.

He is the lord of the two constellations (rashis) : Makara and Kumbha (Makara Kumbha rashyadhipatim)

His favourite food is rice mixed with til (seasame) and he is pleased when one lights lamps of til oil on Saturdays.

He himself is a devotee of Shiva and on Shiva's instructions has agreed to grant favours to those on whom Lord Shiva's grace falls. Apart from this, he is also indebted to Hanuman who rescued him from the imprisonment of Ravana. Hence he has offered not to trouble Hanuman Bhakts too much.