Saturn (शनि) in Vedic Astrology
Saturn (Shani) is the great teacher and judge — the karaka of discipline, hard work, karma, delay, endurance, longevity, servants and the masses. Slow but fair, Saturn rewards patience and punishes shortcuts; Sade Sati is its transit phase.
Quick facts
| Sanskrit name | Shani |
| Signifies (Karaka) | Discipline, karma, delay, longevity |
| Nature | Malefic |
| Element | Air |
| Gender | Neutral |
| Own sign(s) | Capricorn, Aquarius |
| Exaltation | Libra (20°) |
| Debilitation | Aries (20°) |
| Mooltrikona | Aquarius 0°–20° |
| Friends | Mercury, Venus |
| Enemies | Sun, Moon, Mars |
| Directional strength | 7th house (west) |
| Day | Saturday |
| Gemstone | Blue Sapphire |
| Deity | Shani / Hanuman |
| Dasha period | 19 years |
When it is strong / well-placed
- Discipline, patience and endurance
- Steady, lasting success through hard work
- Authority over people, labour or large systems
- Longevity and maturity
When it is weak or afflicted
- Delays, obstacles and chronic struggle
- Depression, fear or isolation
- Joint, bone, teeth or nerve issues
- Losses through servants or subordinates
Career & life areas
Saturn favours labour and mining, engineering, iron and steel, oil, agriculture, law, government service, and any long, disciplined career built step by step.
Nakshatras ruled
In the Vimshottari dasha system Saturn rules three of the 27 nakshatras: Pushya, Anuradha, Uttara Bhadrapada. Planets and the Moon falling in these nakshatras carry Saturn's flavour and start its dasha.
Remedies
- Serve the poor, elderly and labourers
- Light a mustard-oil lamp on Saturdays; recite Shani stotra
- Donate black sesame, iron, mustard oil and blankets
- Wear Blue Sapphire only after careful chart confirmation