What is Death?
Life is like an eternal stream. Each of us has been living since time immemorial and would continue to do so for millions of years in future. Ignorance of facts makes us believe that life begins in the womb of mother during pregnancy and ends with cessation of functions of heart and brain. It is a myopic point of view– a misleading concept. Modern medical science would make us believe that soul has no independent existence of its own, that the body itself is the totality of a living entity and the being is lost forever on death of the body, But Alas ! Physical sciences themselves are even today in infancy. Take for instance the subject of velocity of electricity. So far, over three dozen theories have been advanced in this context each contradicting the earlier ones. No doubt man has learnt to make use of electrical current, but he is still uncertain about its mode of propagation. To the material world the ever-changing theories of physical sciences may not matter much but it would be unfortunate for mankind to apply the same norms to research in spirituality. Whereas scientists consider body itself as the total existence of a living being, a research scholar of spirituality puts forward evidences of paranormal activities of the departed, defying explanation by material sciences. Then there are authenticated versions of small innocent children, who have identified places and people of their past lives proving beyond doubt that a being goes through cycles of birth and death again and again. Sucking milk from mother’s breast immediately after birth, itself indicates the presence in the infant of a memory from previous life. Extraordinary talents of many young children too are indicative of knowledge acquired in an earlier existence.
Soul (not mind which is recognized as soul in the west) and body are not one and the same entity. Just as one is required to change clothes according to the requirements of occasion, the soul too changes bodies. As it is not possible to wear the same clothes throughout one’s life, the soul with its infinite continuity in time, cannot dwell in the same body. That is why it seeks to find a new body again and again. Though, generally, one discards the old worn and torn clothes only, at times it becomes necessary to do so prematurely, when they are accidentally damaged, torn or have become unusable on account of some other reason. Likewise, though the soul continues to live in the body till the later becomes infirm due to old age or diseases, it may also leave it at a younger age in a contingency.
The Words of Pt. SHRIRAM SHARMA ACHARYA Ji
Astrologers while studying a Birth-chart analyze the Grahadasa and Antaradasa and the after effects of different planets and in this context, then they try to see how much good or bad, these effects are in the birth-chart. But as far as the effects of the planet ‘Saturn’ are concerned, the astrologers consider it as a planet which is too harsh in nature. Regarding the Mahadasa of Saturn, the astrologers view it as a period which signifies “Suffering, full of sorrows, and losses, etc”. in the life of a human being. The person concerned is unable to see anything or visualize anything and his mind is blank (or ‘Shunaya’) and he is unable to think rationally. The person feels lethargic. He is unable to think properly. He is not rewarded properly. Time and again his near and dear ones abuse him. Even the readers will agree that whatsoever is being said about the effects of the planet Saturn, during its Mahadasa, is absolute truth.
Generally, it is said that Saturn is like a Judge, and possesses the powers just as the powers possessed by a Judge. But in every birth-chart its effects are different. It behaves not only as a planet which punishes a human being but it does give various other results as well. For example, if Saturn is in Taurus or Libra rashi and in the ‘Kendra sthan’ (centre of the birth-chart), or it is in the birth chart as a yogakaraka in Kendra, or in ‘Trikonesh’ or if ‘Kendresh along with Trikonesh’ or if ‘Trikonesh and then in Kendresh’ then during its mahadasha, Saturn has the following good results like in agricultural activities, cattle and the herd, servants, a good remuneration, money, materialistic goods (luxuries), success in achieving goals, a good flourishing business, state honours, political benefits, etc. Therefore, it is clear that Saturn gives not only malefic results but also benefic, and these results depend on the different situations. In different situations, at times just like other planets, it gives us peace and prosperity. To declare Saturn as a planet ‘full of sorrows’ is a perception shared by thinkers and people at large. This is however, far from the truth. The reality is that Saturn helps one in the realization of truth and a just and an equitable planet.
All the qualities of a truthful, just and equitable Judge are found in the Lord Saturn which is considered to be occupying the seat of a Chief Justice amongst the planets. Hence, even the nature has given ‘Shanidev’ the power and the right to punish. Therefore like a true Judge, ‘the Lord Saturn’ not only punishes human beings for their bad deeds, but also rewards them for their good deeds. In the true sense of the word ‘Chief Justice’ the Lord Saturn is perceived as one who teaches as well as one who punishes. The act of inflicting punishment on its subjects is performed by Lord Saturn during its different phases of Mahadasha, Antardasha and Sadhesati, to purify them. This is something like the act of purifying gold, which entails subjecting raw gold to intense heat. The beauty of this process of punishment at the hands of Saturn is that the subject realizes his own follies and thus learns to stay away from the wrong doings in future. Thus, the act of punishment at the hands of Lord Saturn teaches human beings, - ‘the Art of living’. Lord Saturn has a multifarious personality. He is a friend, philosopher and guide, as well as, he induces the virtue of detachment from the worldly things. Because self-realization and true knowledge is the only way to get rid of all kinds of sufferings, in this universe. Thus, in this world, the act of granting or classifying a deed as good or bad or a moment as auspicious or otherwise is best done amongst planets by Lord Saturn only. It has been rightly said by Jataka Paarijaatakaar –
‘‘Aayurjeevan, mrityukaran, vipat, sampat, pradata shani’’
आयुर्जीवन, मृत्यूकरण, विपत, संपत, प्रदाता शनि ||
Lord Shani bestows his blessings on all beings, in return for only being worshipped and remembered.
It is, however, another matter that in this mortal life human beings indulge less in good deeds and spend most of their energies in bad deeds. Thus, true to the system of justice the human beings bear punishment more than being rewarded. Therefore, this is also the reason, why this planet Saturn is considered more as inauspicious and one that inflicts punishment for wrong deeds. Traditionally, Lord Saturn is so perceived and worshipped –
‘‘Neelanjansamabhasam raviputram yamagraJam| Chhayamartand – sammootam tam namaami shaneshcharm||’’
नीलन्जनम समाभासम रविपुत्रम यमग्रजम | छायामार्तंड सम्मूतम तम नामामी शनेशचरम ||
This form of Lord Saturn reminds us of the Judge wearing his long robes and encircled by several advocates dressed in black coats. The verse above means- ‘‘I worship Lord Saturn who embodies such form – with a dark blue aura and jet black demeanor with a radiant glow (All Judges wearing their black robes look as if carrying a radiant glow), he is the son of Lord Suryadev (‘Sun’ is the king amongst the planets and has given birth to Lord Saturn), he is the elder brother of Lord Yama (Lord Yamraj symbolizes ‘a Jailor’ of ‘a hangman); he is born of Chhaya and Martand (Sun’s reign. Light and shade (chhaya) – are the symbols of darkness. Somewhere its light and Somewhere its darkness (crime), because of which these are born. Its a slow moving planet (“In the courts the dispensation of Justice is a long and a tardy process. That is why, it is said – “In the Lord’s court, there may be delays, but the Justice is done”). For delays in Judicial matters, it is wrong on the part of the people to blame the Judicial system.
Hence, the verse is very appropriate in describing the view point of a Judge, as it says – “I offer my prayers to a Judge who is a Jet black demeanor (it is like the colour of ‘kajal’) with a radiant glow, who is karmaputra of the reigning power, who is appointed as the chief-administrator by the reigning power, he is appointed by the reigning power because of the tensions created by the human beings during darkness (or we can say the crimes committed by the bad elements during darkness), and apart from these, he is the one who might be a slow mover and because of a lot of thinking process, it might be delayed but the Justice done is the true Justice and in the right perspective.”
The similarity between a Judge and Lord Saturn is just because of their external appearances, but more important is their internal similarity. In the birth-charts of all the Judges, civil servants, philosophers, scientists, etc. the Lord Saturn plays a very vital role in helping them achieve the highest positions. Apart from this, when a person is about to be punished for his bad deeds, at that time also Lord Saturn’s effects are there. Whether, they are in the form of Mahadasha or Antaradasha or Sadhesati, the results are always against the wishes of the person concerned.
If the rewards are against the wishes of the person concerned then, generally, Lord Saturn’s results are in the following forms, for example – disease, illness, loss of finances, attachment to someone else or going to Jail, separation from near and dear ones, death of someone in close relations, or getting a disease which is equivalent to death, agitation (i.e., retaliation) or quarrels in the family, etc. If the food-habits of a person are irregular then he might get some sort of health problem. And to get rid of such problems, during the ‘dasha-antaradasha’ or the period of ‘sadhesati’, the Lord Saturn gives illness to a human being, so that he can be cured by medicines. By this, he rectifies him and gives indication by putting him on the right path.
Most of us know that immediately after the period of sadhesati, a human being feels fresh and on each and every individual, after every 30 years, Lord Saturn showers his blessings. When a person is old, and during the third phase of his blessings, Lord Saturn removes all difficulties and forever.
In this form, Lord Saturn is similar to a doctor who for the well-being of his patients, in the operation theatre, is not at all bothered by his cries, because the reality lies in the cure of the disease. Therefore, to blame Lord Saturn is wrong, Just as, a child is frightened on seeing an injection in the hands of the doctor.
Similarly, when an individual accumulates wealth by indulging in wrong methods then Lord Saturn, during his dasha-antaradasha, definitely gives him loss of wealth. Similarly, to save the people at the hands of a cruel administrator, he very cruelly brings an end to the reign of such Emperor. If there is increase in social exploitation then like a revolutionary, Lord Saturn tries to bring in social change in the administrative system. Lord Saturn shows the right path to a person who is disheartened and feels helplessness. Therefore, Lord Saturn is like a “Revolutionary Thinker” or “Social Reformer.”
A person is disturbed because of his increased desires and requirements. Lord Saturn, though being a Prince, willingly agreed to be a servant. He did not accept any Princely grandeur. Rather than accepting horses or elephants, he satisfied himself with ‘mahisha’ only. He did not accept gold or silver ornaments but accepted iron ones. Urad dal and mustard oil give him satisfaction. He is not at all fond of colourful silken attire but prefers simple clothes and that too black in colour. Lord Saturn who blesses the Politicians, Judges, advocates, philosophers, etc. and helps them in achieving high positions and live a life in a grand style. And similarly, if a person who is at a very high position but he is cruel, whether, he is an Emperor like King Vikramaditya or the Lord of the universe ‘Indra’ he punishes them and converts them into a beggar. But his own life is simple and without being ostentatious.
So, we can definitely say that Lord Saturn is an incarnation of “Lord Shiva” who in order to make others drink ‘the Nectar of Life’ himself drank ‘Poison’
Now, it is for you to contemplate that – ‘what if Lord Saturn was not to be there amongst the planets …….? Then this universe would have been a place full of darkness?
“Om Shai Shaneeshcharaya namah”.
ओम शम शनेश्चराए नमः ||
By:- Dr. R. B. Dhawan ‘Shukracharya’
