People who observe astrology and daily horoscope updates have some idea of Shani Dosha. What is Shani dosha? Look for the placement of Saturn in your birth chart. Saturn, with its position and association with other planets, cause Shani dosha in the kundli. The dosha, as created by Saturn, brings challenges, delays, hardships, and obstructions in every task and event in the native's life. Shani dosha may be responsible for not getting married at the right time, having property disputes, not getting a right job, etc. Shani dosha is responsible for court cases and long illness. So, if a person has Shani dosha, he must perform remedies as suggested in this write-up to overcome the destructive effects of Saturn.

Why is Saturn an important planet?

Saturn is a karmakaraka planet in astrology and gives results as per the present and past deeds of a native. The planet shows a connection not just to the current life but also to the past life. Saturn dasha in kundli is a decisive time for a person. The person gets the results of his karmas, and Saturn can either take him to the riches or may turn him into rags.

Saturn and its phases

Saturn has three unique aspects and is also the karaka of 5 houses. So, at a time, Saturn influences nine houses with its transit. Saturn is a planet of pressure and puts pressure on the houses and planets it contacts during its transit. 

The transit of Saturn on the first, twelfth and second house from the natal Moon causes unrest in a person's life. The period of Saturn's transit in these houses is called the sade sati of Saturn or Shani sadesati. Similarly, Saturn, when it transits through the fourth and the eighth house of the zodiac, causes Shani Dhaiya, which is again a troublesome period. One needs to perform remedies for Saturn to safeguard against the harmful effects of Saturn's dhaiya and sadesati.

It is common practice in India to prepare a child's birth chart (kundali) soon after birth. The birth chart records the position of the planets in different signs, houses, and nakshatras. Out of these, Saturn if in a bad position in the horoscope, indicates hardships and challenges in a person's life. The placement of Saturn helps to identify the problems and solutions for a person's life.

Saturn puts its more significant influence on the person during its Mahadasha. The Shani mahadasha has been running for 19 years. Depending upon the natal placement, the person gets either good or bad results from the dasha. An exalted Saturn can give good results. Saturn influences a person's life tremendously.

A person in malefic Shani Dasha may confront health issues, failure in business, or experience disappointment in their career or relationships. The ill effects may differ from person to person, and the placement of other planets and Nakshatras in the natal chart.