Shiva and Shani

It would be difficult to debate Shiva’s connection with yoga as there are numerous commentaries and teachings from him regarding yoga, additionally, he is commonly referred to as Yogeswar, the lord of yoga.  Even while reading select puranas, it becomes apparent that Shiva has a strong connection with yoga/meditation as he is frequently referenced as meditating for long periods of time; his dress is that of a renunciant, and one should note his strong association with caves, mountain tops and other locations for meditation.  From a Shaivite (a follow of Shiva) perspective, it is Shiva’s meditation that upholds and transforms the universe.  It is his relationship with Durga/Parvati/Uma that gave rise to many forms within the realm of creation.   But more interestingly, it is Shiva’s relationship with Shani (Saturn) that is largely ignored yet applicable to students of modern Hinduism/Yoga/Spirituality.

Within Vedic Astrology, Shiva and Saturn are closely linked via the elements and chakras.   While Shiva is associated with the atmosphere (antariksha), it should be noted that Saturn is associated with the air element as well; yet Saturn is also associated with the muladhara chakra (root or 1st chakra—earth element).  This allows for a powerful manifestation of Shiva’s energies, as Saturn pulls the energies of Shiva into the physical world of the individual.  An examination of Saturn in the birth chart can provide some indicators as to how one’s relationship with Shiva will unfold.  The birth chart will clearly indicate if the relationship with Shiva will be of a more gentle nature (Shankara) or if our karmas require a more intense transformative relationship (Rudra).  But Shiva and Saturn should not be limited to merely harsh and gentle forms of transformation; they also bring healing energies into the physical world, an example would be the well-known Mahamrityunjayamantra.  This is an important mantra to the three-eyed form of Shiva known as tryambakam.   Likewise, the bija mantra for Saturn is ‘Sham’, which is an important sound for healing and health.

As Shiva and Saturn are lords of karma, a karmic aspect will often strongly manifest during an astrological period call Sade Sati.   This period is Saturn and Shiva’s transit of the moon (the emotional mind).  This is a long cycle and can be highly unpredictable.  Sade Sati is a seven year cycle where numerous powerful karmas can manifest.  But just as there can be karmic challenges, there is also karmic opportunity.  It is during this period that one can receive the fruit from actions that they have sown over previous years, decades and lifetimes.  It is also a period where intense pressure can be placed upon the emotional mind to transform or elevate; resistance to this process often increases suffering, as we are out of harmony with karmic flow of our life.  From a karmic point of view, there is opportunity to release false identifications, illusions and attachments. During this cycle, the transformative energies of Shiva can manifest powerfully within one’s life, so depending on how easily one can embrace this process of transformation will color one’s perception as to whether this is an enjoyable or difficult experience.  During this cycle, a key is to cultivate what the ‘Yoga Sutras of Patanjali’ referred to as Ishvara Pranidhana or surrender to God, in this case Shiva.  Another key is in developing an understanding of the role Shiva and Saturn play within one’s life, and learning how to work with the roles they play.  This is best learned from a Vedic Astrologer.