The four purusharth viz., Dharma, Arth, Kama and Moksha, are the pillars of ideals of Sanathan Dharma.  In order of chronology Dharma comes first.

Dharma represents cosmic law, ethical duty, universal principles that upholds order and support life. It also represents moral responsibility and right action in alignment with the universe & society emphasizing “living in harmony with universal truth interwoven with moral conduct”. The Sanatan Padhathi believes in Dharma, the guiding force for accomplishment of all diurnal activities for the ultimate fulfillment.  By following Dharma, it ensures you achieve your goal or objective in the most plausible manner predisposed on a prolific path.  It has been rightly said that “Dharmo Rakshati Rakshitaha”

धर्मो रक्षति रक्षिताः

One who protects Dharma is protected by Dharma.  

We learn good lessons from our two epic and puranas those who followed Dharma succeeded in their ventures of life.

Amongst the nine Planets Shani (the Saturn) is regarded as the custodian of “Dharma”. He is also Aayu Karak, providing longevity.  Born to Surya and Chaya Devi Shani represents the darker side of earth and conditions of living.  Shani moves from one zodiac sign to another in 2 years and 6 months, during such phase there is always a possibility of going retrograde (Shani has both forward and retrograde motions).  It takes exactly a minimum of 30 years for the Shani to complete one 360 degree of the twelve zodiac sign from Aries to Pieces (Mesh to Meen Rashi).  Of all the planets Shani moves very slow, as such, has enhanced astrological significance in the life of a native.  

One of the significances of Shani is if by chance a human lives for 120 years in earth for 59 years he is directly under the influence of Saturn, i.e. almost half life (19 years Mahadasa, once 7 ½ years for every completed 30 years 7 ½ × 4= 30 years, (7 ½ years is counted when saturn occupies 12th house, 1st and 2 house each for 2 ½  years totalling to 7 ½ years of a native is considered as Shani's sadey saathy)in addition,  it comes once in 8th house of a native every 30 years for 2 ½ years totalling to 2 ½ years x 4 =10 years) thus a native is directly under the influence of Saturn and only on account of such intense longer duration it is believed that he is propitiated for less trouble in life, peaceful longevity and prosperity.  The precious gem of Shani is Blue Sapphire and the metal is Iron.  

Considering these significances of Shani Ved Vyasa gave following mantra for Shani with meaning in English:-

Neelanjana samabhasam ravi putram yamagrajam chayamarthanda samboodham Tam namami shanishcharaam

नीलांजनसमाभासं रविपुत्रं यमाग्रजम्‌।

छायामार्तण्ड सम्भूतं तं नमामि शनैश्चरम्‌।

Looking like a blue cloud, the son of the Chaya & Mathand, brother of Yama, the foremost of those who controls, and can even put his shadow over the glorious sun. We propitiate in devotion and bow down in reverence to that Saturn, the emblem of control.

The numerous treaties on Shani exists.  To illustrate few lest it become very exhaustive, only certain instances are cited here.  When Shani was born the father Surya didn’t see him directly establishing eye contact.  Shani has two brothers Yama, Vaivasvadamanu and a sister Yamuna born out of the first wife of Surya i.e. Sanjana Devi, who left her Chaya behind for tapas to reduce the “Taap of Surya” and Shani was born to Chaya Devi. During the period of pregnancy Chaya did severe penance of Lord Shiva without bothering for food or water.  Owing to severe effect of penance and direct heat of Sun on Chayas body concluded and the child born with Shyam varna (Black colour).  From the childhood Shani was very aggressive.  Shani never got along with Surya well.  Surya being the guru of Hanuman asked him to bring Shani to Surya Loka since he was living separately, Hanuman did bring Shani to his father’s abode fulfilling his duty.  By dint of very hard tapasya of Lord Shiva Shani was designated as “Shaneshwara” adding Ishwara to his name by Lord Shiva.

At one time Shani was to enter a Nakshatra Uttara Bhadrapadh in a short time prior to that the Astrologers including Brahmashri Sage Vashista advised Raja Nemi this may bring lots of natural calamities like feminine, earthquake and for some time this transition has to be put on hold. At this instance, Raja Nemi boarded his Chariot capable of moving in all directions including in sky went to stop Shani.  The treatise is very good of the dialogue taking place between Shani and Raja Nemi.  Shani moved in all 10 directions, wherever, it moved it found Raja Nemi in front of Shani unshaken, non-disturbed, ready to face all challenges to stop Shani from transition to Nakshatra Uttara Bhadrapadh. Shani was impressed with Raja Nemi’s velour, grit & determination, said “my name is sufficient to cast fear, agony, distress & devastation", even devas don’t directly come on my way, you without any botheration came to stop in not only in one direction but in all 10 directions showing extreme temerity, I am impressed by your velour, ask for a boon and Raja Nemi said with folded hands please do not transit immediately through Uttara Bhadrapada Nakshatra. At this request,  Shani not only agreed not to enter Uttara Bhadrapadh Nakshatra and told Raja Nemi you came in all 10 directions to stop me riding your Divine Chariot, as such, from now onwards you are named as “Dasrath” (meaning who rode his Rath in all 10 directions).  There are numerous incidences of Shani testing humans in different ways & manner to establish and re-establish tenets of Dharma the one episode of Nala and Dhamayanti, likewise many more exists.

Considering Dharma and other signification of Shani Brahma Shri Muthuswamy Dikshitar wrote the following Shani Graha Kirtana in Raag Yadukulakambhoji said to Eka Thalam beneath the Kirtana the meaning in English.

दिवाकर तनुजं - रागं यदु कुल काम्भोजि - ताळं चतुश्र एकम्

पल्लवि

दिवाकर तनुजं शनैश्चरं

धीर-तरं सन्ततं चिन्तयेऽहम्

अनुपल्लवि

भवाम्बु निधौ निमग्न जनानां -

भयङ्करं अति-क्रूर फलदं

(मध्यम काल साहित्यम्)

भवानीश कटाक्ष पात्र भूत -

भक्तिमतां अतिशय शुभ फलदम्

चरणम्

कालाञ्जन कान्ति युक्त देहं

काल सहोदरं काक वाहं

नीलांशुक पुष्प मालावृतं

नील रत्न भूषणालंकृतम्

मालिनी विनुत गुरु गुह मुदितं

मकर कुम्भ राशि नाथं

तिल तैल मिश्रितान्न दीप प्रियं

दया सुधा सागरं निर्भयम्

(मध्यम काल साहित्यम्)

काल दण्ड परि-पीडित जानुं

कामितार्थ फलद काम धेनुं

काल चक्र भेद चित्र भानुं

कल्पितच्छाया देवी सूनुम्

I bow in reverence to Shanischara the son of Marthand (Surya), the one who moves very slowly from one zodiac sign to another and who is both courageous and sagacious.

In the world of ocean, Samsaara, people who are immersed in worldly existence, Shani is the terrible one who gives cruel, gruesome results. Shanaischara, the great devout, received the merciful glances of Shiva, and he who is capable of giving surprisingly far reaching results.

He whose body is full of dark lustre like a collyrium is the brother of Yama, having black crow as his divya vahana. Shani is decorated with Blue dress,  garland of blue flowers and Blue Sapphire gems. He is propitiated with Malini Mantra and delights Guruguha. Shani is the Lord of Makara, Kumbha (Capricorn and Aquarius)zodiac signs. He is fond of Sesame mixed rice and Sesame oil. He is ocean of nectar of mercy, compassion and fearless, whose knee was disfigured by the staff of Kaala (God of death).  He is one who fulfils all desires and is a fire that breaks wheel of time, son of Chaya Devi.

The Astrological importance of Shani is numerous few of that have been explained in the preceding paragraphs.  Shani has three dedicated Stars viz. Pushya, Anusha and Uttarabadrapada. Native born under these nakshatras mahadasa start with Shani for a maximum of 19 years.  When the placement of Shani is in the 8th House, can provide longevity, 10th house a good career, 11th house life long gains, 6th house victory over enemies, 3rd house fearlessness are some of the generalised astrological significances.  Shani bestows both malefic and benefic results purely on the basis of the deeds of a native.  During the Mahadasa, or Antardasa or Sadey Sathi Astrologers advise the natives to chant Shani moola mantra with Shani Gayatri as under:-

शं शनैश्चराय नमः

ॐ शन्नो देवी रभिष्टय आपो भवन्तु पीपतये शनयो रविस्र वन्तुनः।

ॐ काकध्वजाय विद्महे खड्गहस्ताय धीमहि तन्नो मन्दः प्रचोदयात".

Being a planet that is dedicated for upholding “Dharma” Shani during the time of Mahadasa, Antardasa or Sadesathi endows a native with fortune or misery or both in combination is purely dependent on the previous karmic deeds of individual.

‍