According to the Vimsottari system of planetary periods, Saturn is allocated a duration of 19 years. It is the second longest planetary period, next only to that of Venus. The very mention of this period creates panic among many and the fear is justified to a great extent. The events occurring during this period may be broadly divided into three categories. The end result on a person is the net influence of all the three.
First:
The outcome based on the inherent quality of the planet. In this context, let us discuss the characteristics of Saturn. Saturn owns the 10th and 11th houses of the natural zodiac. They indicate fruition of karma to be borne by the individual and the profits entitled to him/her. His natural tendencies of laziness, lethargy, delay, disappointment, depression and diseases related to nervous system and bones, demise of the elders, annoyance, physical handicap and accidents are manifested.
Movable signs in the zodiac find the 11th house troublesome and the concerned areas of life may be taxing during this period. The afflictions are distributed across the 19 year tenure with varying effects, according to the transition of Saturn over a particular house (considering Aries as the first sign on zodiac). The influence of the planets ruling over the dasa and sub-dasa also needs to be taken into account.
For example, when Mars sub-dasa is running in Saturn main dasa, fevers, injuries, bleeding, hospitalization, harm to male siblings and other such things may be experienced. This is the way of gauging the effect based on natural traits and zodiac positions.
Second:
According to the individual horoscope, depending on how well the Ascendant and Moon are placed, the areas Saturn is entitled to and his planetary positions, the consequences can be estimated. The position of the sub-dasa planet with respect to Saturn and its transit position also play a part in deciding the net outcome.
In case the sub-dasa Lord is placed at 6th, 8th or 12th position from the main dasa lord, the outcome will be negative. If they are located in the kona, trinal position (5/9 from each other), and if they are mutual friends, the outcome will be positive. A mixed outcome can be predicted if both the lords are enemies to each other. If they are located at kendra, angular positions (4/10), it means tasks would move ahead sluggishly. In this case, if the planetary lords are mutual enemies, efforts would not fruitify. Their properties would be damaged.
Third:
As per planetary transits, the movement of Saturn around the position of Moon also decides the outcome of events. Amongst these, Elinati Sani (Sade Sati), Ardhashtama Sani and Ashtama Sani (explained below) play a key role.
Elinati Sani is when Saturn occupies the 12th, 1st and 2nd positions with respect to natal Moon. Saturn resides in each sign for two and half years bringing the net duration of the aforementioned positions to seven and half years.
In general, the comprehensive effect of this duration would be as under:
Saturn’s transit in 12th house from natal Moon would result in unnecessary expenses, illnesses, hospitalization, despair, increase in spiritual thinking, trouble to the left eye, death of mother, facing setbacks in all ventures.
When transit Saturn crosses natal Moon, it results in mental turmoil, fear, threat to mother’s life, deaths in maternal side of the family, ill health to spouse, hurdles at work, difficulties and decline in one’s own health.
When transit Saturn is in the second house from natal Moon, family feuds, ailment of the right eye, troubles due to excessive talking, incoherent speech when in need, ruin of appetite, distress in digestion and death in the family may occur. Hence, Elinati Sani is feared very much by the people at large.
During Ardhashtama Sani (Saturn being located in 4th sign from the Moon), the individual faces obstacles in studies, heart disorders, and may lose his mother.
When Ashtama Sani (Saturn being located at 4th position from natal Moon) commences, one encounters loss in every activity, death in family, legal problems, attack from rivals and prolonged illness.
On correlating all three results, the repetitive indications may be predicted to happen with greater probability. This may appear very simple, but it is extremely difficult to do so in practice.
For example, while the natural characteristics of houses in any horoscope do not change, the ownership could change. Based on its position, Saturn may be exalted, debilitated, retrograde, very weak or combust in a chart. Hence, the outcome is to be predicted by carefully weighing the positive and negative qualities.
Overall, the natural tendencies, ownership, dasa and sub-dasa, planetary transits and if needed, the strength of Ashtakavarga may be considered to make accurate predictions, almost all the time.
However, because of the natural bad traits of Saturn, some ill-effect would result despite all the positivity projected. Hence, the adage ‘Saturn makes you fall flat on the face’. This happened in the case of legendary actor N.T.Rama Rao who enjoyed great luxury in his life, but faced severe mental torture in his last days, due to the ill-effect of Saturn.
In essence, Elinati Sani and Saturn dasa are completely different from one another. Mahadasa of Sani lasts for 19 years as mentioned in the beginning. One may undergo this period at any point of life – during childhood, middle age or old age and some may not undergo it at all.
In case, the horoscope of a person indicates malefic Saturn and Elinati Sani also occurs during the same period, the individual would undergo extreme troubles. If this stage happens in the middle or old age, it is life-threatening to the individual. Suicidal tendencies also prevail in this situation. This would be better explained with a few real-time examples.
All rights reserved. This article has been translated by Gayatri KSN, which was originally posted in teluguyogi.net on June 17, 2009. The content or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express permission of the publisher.