In Astrology, whenever we ask masses which is the most dreaded planet according to them? Most often then not their common answer is Saturn. In my humble opinion, Saturn is the most misunderstood planet in astrology. Why a planet who is considered equivalent to Shiva by Sages/ Ascetics & also the knower of Para Brahman (Supreme Consciousness) be relegated to such a status? In our Sanatana Dharma, knowing is becoming so Saturn is one with the Supreme Consciousness. Saturn is Shiva, the all pervading consciousness. Saturn makes the person learn from his experiences. When we say that Time teaches everything or that we are governed by our situations & circumstances, whom are we referring to? It’s Saturn! He rules the whole system that we live in.
People always ask what’s the best remedy to pacify Saturn? The best remedy to ward off evil effects of Saturn is purification of mind through introspection, meditation & selfless service. Basically, The ego should be surrendered to God. When the ego vanishes, personal self is merged with supreme self & only consciousness exists as eternal absolute bliss. Withdrawal from the outer world, detachment, penances & spirituality are also under Saturn’s domain. If Saturn is the one who causes mental melancholy in our minds & also the cause of ignorance surrounding the Atma that creates a sense of separation from unity consciousness then he’s also the one who can remove it! People tend to miss this important point. It’s because of our ignorance, we invite unnecessary worries which consumes us & kills us softly. There’s not much difference between Chinta (worries) & Chitaa (Funeral Pyre). Saturn is the also the reason for delay, restraints, boundations, limitations & restriction in the system.
In the form of a god, Saturn is shown as an old man with Dark Navy Blue Complexion & extremely huge airy body having four hands riding on a Vulture. Actually Saturn has many animals as his ride like Buffalo, Crow, Donkey, Elephant, Lion etc. signifying various esoteric interpretations. In his hands he has a bow in one hand, and an arrow in the other hand and a javelin in the third hand. The fourth hand is raised as if blessing us. Outer appearance is generally deceptive & we have to be a little esoteric in matters related to Saturn & not generalise . Old age indicates the maturity of the person. Shani comes from the Sanskrit word Gold. Saturn is truly Gold from inside. He has seen much of this world and has full experience of the world. Just like Rudra form of Shiva, Saturn is also the god of death, destruction & transformation. Saturn follows Pravritti Marg signifying it wants Soul to come into the materialistic realm & see the material world, experience it & then internalize after realizing that all of it is transient & perishable, then the longing for something everlasting arises inside & the individual self starts walking on the path which would take him to the absolute.
By serving the suffering humanity, we like Saturn can virtually expand ourselves to embrace the whole world. By doing it, we can expand out consciousness & then we can begin to see ourselves in everybody and reach the stage of Shivoham (I am Shiva) which is beyond Moksha or Emancipation. What an individual soul witnesses due to ignorance happens because of disequilibrium within the Soul. Outer world is just a reflection of inner world that we usually ignore to explore. Saturn is the balancing force in this cosmic dance of Consciousness with Energy and it is beautifully represented by Shiva Tandava. Saturn is the one who brings that balance or equilibrium in the theory of everything. That’s why he’s exalted & most comfortable in the sign of Libra from Cosmic & Astrotheological viewpoint.
No individual being is an isolated identity and everyone’s governed by eternal one God or Supreme Consciousness. The planets are the manifestation in physical terms of intelligence of that Supreme Consciousness. They have their own energies, frequencies, they vibrate and influence not only us but each other as well through their rays. These planets are centres of energy & remember no energy is good or bad in itself but the way it is used which makes the difference. The use a human being can make depends not only on his ability and intelligence but also on his intentions, thoughts, emotions and actions.
The energy of Saturn if cultivated properly inside us can take us on the path of spirituality under the guidance of a competent Guru. Saturn causes Spiritualism and helps in practicing restraint, self control, concentration and undivided attention to the supreme consciousness in a slow & steady manner which helps in establishing the equilibrium and gaining access to esoteric and occult knowledge. Saturn helps in gaining great retentive memory which helps in strengthening will and taking right actions. Saturn when favorable also helps in regeneration by conservation of vital seminal fluids in the body. Saturn tries to dissolve the individual ego and make us one with the supreme self. The pain and suffering that we feel during our stay in the outer world is directly in proportion to our attachment to this world. Saturn also inculcates detachment which frees an individual from ego as he no longer associates himself with his actions and does all his deeds in the name of almighty which elevates his consciousness to a higher level & merges him with the Eternal & Absolute Self
