Article text is currently English only. The calculation below and the rest of the interface follow your chosen language.
In short
Shani is the Sanskrit name for Saturn, the seventh of the nine grahas in BPHS. This app has it rule Capricorn and Aquarius, counts it a natural malefic, marks it exalted in Libra and debilitated in Aries, gives it full aspects on the 3rd, 7th and 10th houses, and times Sade Sati by its transit from the natal Moon.
What the term means
Shani is the Sanskrit name for Saturn as a graha. On this site "Shani" and "Saturn" are the same body. The translator's note to BPHS Ch. 3 gives it the smallest average daily motion of the seven, which is why its transits - Sade Sati above all - are read as long periods rather than passing moments.
Where the term comes from
BPHS Ch. 3 Sl. 10 lists Sani (the translation's spelling) seventh, and Sl. 11 counts it a malefic. Sl. 12-13 say it "denotes grief", Sl. 14-15 make it the servant of the planetary cabinet, Sl. 19 counts it neuter, Sl. 20 gives it rule of air and Sl. 22 calls it tamasic. Sl. 48 calls it the eldest graha, the one that gives the most years in the Naisargik Dasha. Sl. 49-50 put its exaltation in Tula, deepest at 20 degrees, and Sl. 51-54 give it the same arrangement in Kumbh that the Sun has in Simh. Saravali Ch. 4 Sl. 10-11 lists Manda, Kona, Yama and Krishna as other names, and the Bhrigu Sutras head its section "the God Yama" (Part I, p. 11).
How this app uses it
- Lordship: Saturn rules Capricorn and Aquarius. In the Chara Dasha, Aquarius has two lords, Saturn and Rahu, and the engine picks the stronger.
- Dignity: exalted in Libra and debilitated in Aries, deep point 20 degrees; Moolatrikona in Aquarius from 0 to 20 degrees, own sign in the rest of Aquarius and all of Capricorn.
- Aspects: aspectedHouses() adds the 3rd and 10th houses to the 7th, as Saravali Ch. 4 Sl. 32-33 does (see special aspects).
- Nature and friendship: Saturn is in the MALEFICS list; its natural friends are Mercury and Venus, its enemies the Sun, Moon and Mars.
- Transits: Sade Sati is Saturn in the 12th, 1st or 2nd sign from the natal Moon, reported as rising, peak and setting phases; Ashtama Sani is Saturn in the 8th from the Moon, and Ardha Ashtama Sani in the 4th.
- Combustion and timing: combust within 15 degrees of the Sun; Vimshottari period 19 years.
Pages that use this term
- Saturn in Vedic astrology - the full page on the graha.
- Sade Sati - the transit through the three signs around the Moon.
- Saturn Mahadasha - the nineteen-year Vimshottari period.
- Saturn transit in Pisces - one of Saturn's sign transits, with dates.
- Sade Sati calculator - finds the phase for your Moon sign.
- Ashtama Sani calculator - the 4th and 8th from the Moon.
Related terms
Papa graha, Gochara, Makara, Kumbha and Rahu.