Scientific Explanation of Sadesati

First, let us discuss the planet Saturn. People in general tend to fear saying this planet's name and are scared once they find that they are under the influence of Saturn (Saade Sathi or the so called Seven and half years period of Saturn's cycle). Saturn is identified with Iron & Steel and its rays contain Iron particles. When Iron substance is excessively found in one's body then the neuron chips in the brain gets disturbed. Thus the emitting of brain wave is also disturbed or scattered and this puts a person under Saturn's effects to great hardship. People tend to ignore this person. Many a time clashes occur. A person under its influence is likely to slip from his or her routine. They are more often attracted towards unwanted and unlawful activities. Greed takes them for a ride and they may even tend to go for gambling, howsoever a refined person he or she may be.Saturn is a very slow moving planet and it takes roughly two and half years to cross one sign of 30 degrees. Unless it is a new moon or full moon day, generally during all Saturdays, the atmospheric pressure is very minimal. This low pressure in atmosphere causes lethargic attitude in most of us and for those who suffer from the Seven and Half years (Sade Sathi) period of Saturn, in particular. That's why persons affected by it become lazy and lethargic during the ill effect period.This I have seen in many peoples' horoscopes that practically during the Saturn's ill effect periods known as Sade Sathi, they tend to forget even most important assignment, lose valuable items, become very lethargic and inactive, lose weight, and spend money more than usual and mostly borrow it even if it is for higher interest rates etc. thus taking him to a bad debt trap.Many a person who suffered these bad effects were given some remedial suggestions according to astrological considerations. If a person wears a blue sapphire stone during that specific period, the Saturn's ill effects are minimal. But how a stone or gem can bring solace is questioned by many. The fact is that the mineral content in a particular stone and the cosmic radiation combined together are beneficial, that much one can be sure of. And there is always a link between our Mother Earth and the Celestial movement of planets; even the researchers inform, that some sort of sound emission from other planets too reaches the Earth; this sound vibration too causes some disturbances with any person affected during the 7and half year (Saade Sathi) period.Some alternative methods are also suggested to weed off Saturn's radiations. 0ne such suggestion is to light/burn the gingili (sesame) seeds soaked into gingili (sesame) oil and inhale the carbon. This method is practically done on every Saturday evenings in the famous South Indian temples which hold a separate location for the Temple of Planets. This method supposedly relieves one from Saturn's ill effects, viz. by inhaling the gingili Carbon, the ventricles take it directly to the brain and the chemical reaction caused in the brain releases the excessive Saturn Radiations from the brain, through the seven visible holes in the face itself - i.e. nostrils, ear, eyes and mouth. In addition, the skull punch or the focal point, (from where brain waves are emitted) also ventilates the Saturn's radiations. Saturn's rays are, presumably, thick containing more iron substance/iodine.Another such method is, just to keep the gingili seeds into one's palm for few minutes and then to gift it to a Brahman. It is said, that gingili seeds absorbs the Saturn's rays directly from the body and gives relief to the sufferer. This is also done on a Saturday. It is widely believed that the receiver of this gingili gets the ill effects of the Planet Saturn and the receiver is mostly a Brahman who should take remedial measures to correct the imbalances.

Misconceptions About Sadesati

Sadesati one of the most terrible periods, according to the believers in astrology, is the dreaded 7-1/2 years of Saturn transit called "Sadesati" in North India and "Elinatishani" in South India. When the transiting Saturn transits the 12th, 1st and 2nd houses from one's Rasi, i.e., where one's Moon is placed in the birth chart, it is called Sadesati. ( Saturn takes 30 years to make one round of the zodiac hence 2-1/2 years in each sign multiplied by 3 = 7-1/2 years).
While it is true that during this 7-1/2 years Saturn transit period people do experience some tensions and troubles, it is nothing to be scared about. On an average every man has to go through at least 2 sadesatis during his life time. The results of the sadesati transit vary considerably from person to person depending on the planetary configurations in one's birth chart. Even while giving some troubles and tensions, it does not deny you success. For example when Mrs. Indira Gandhi became a Cabinet Minister for Information and Broadcasting in 1964, she was going through her Sadesati! In January 1966 when she became Prime Minister she was still going through her Sadesati!! There are thousands of people who not only got away scot-free during sadesati, but actually prospered during it.
All kinds of dreadful results are forecast by the astrologers to scare the people and apart from living under fear, people spend a lot of money quite unnecessarily on all kinds of remedies. Actually the pundits love Saturn, Mangal, Rahu and Ketu, the fearsome four names in Indian astrology, as they have given more money to them by way of remedies than the benefic like jupiter or sun!
There are plenty of remedies for sadesati, the most effective being the daily reciting of Hanuman Chalisa or the Dasaratha Shani stotra.
Saturn, which according to Hindu mythology is the son of Sun God, is an excellent planet. No other planet can give what Saturn can. In fact having a well placed saturn in ones chart is one of the best things to hope for! When Mrs. Indira Gandhi re-elected PM, she was going through the mahadasa of Saturn. When Amitab Bacchan was at his peak, he was also going through Saturn mahadasa. Unfortunately people and the pundits ignore the positive side of Saturn and project it only as an evil planet.

Saturn enters the star constellation of Rohini

Saturn enters the star constellation of Rohini once in every 30 years. This is one of the most dreaded transits of the kings and his kingdom. The scriptures say "Kings will die and kingdomes will fall when Shani enters Rohini". Last time it entered Rohini on 22nd May 2001. On the night of 1st June 2001 the entire Royal family of Nepal was wiped out. It was followed by the death of the Indian Congress minister and Raja of Gwalior Sri Madhav Rao Scindia on 30th September 2001 in a plane crash. Then came the 9-11-2001 strike by Osama Bin Laden.

Story Behind 'Dasaratha Shani Stotra'

It is said that during the reign of king Dasaratha when Shani was about to enter Rohini Nakshatra, king Dasaratha worshipped Shani and pleased with his prayers Saturn did not enter Rohini during the reign of king Dasharatha. Hence the Dasaratha Shani stotras are considered an excellent remedy for Saturn related troubles.

Dasaratha Shani Stotra

The following is from Skanda Purana.

Shani Shodasanama stotra
Kona shanaischaro mandah chhayaa hridayanandanahMaargandaja sudhaasouri neelavastraan janadyutihAbrahmanah kroorakroora karmaatangi grahanaayakahKrishnodharmaanujah shantah shushkodara varapradah

Apart from this reciting the following dashanama stotra of Shani by Dasharatha near a Pepal tree is also a highly recommended one.

Shani Dasanaama StotraKonastha pingalobabhruhKrishnoroudraantakoyamahSouri, shanaischaro mandahPippaladishu sansthitah

Dasaratha Shani Stotram
Om. asya shree shanaishchara stotrasyadashratha rishishanaish-charo-devatatrishtup chandahahshanaish-chara preety-arthe jape viniyogahdasharatha uvacha

Om. Sri Shani Stotra, Dasharatha is the Rishi (seer of the mantra). Shanaishchara is god (related to this hymn). Trishtup is metre. Enjoined is repetition (of this hymn) for the appeasement of Shanaishchara (Saturn).

kono-antaka roudra-yama-tha babhruhkrishnah shanih pingala manda sourihnityam smrito yo harate cha peedamtasmai namah shree ravi-nandanaya

Prostrations to Sri Ravinandana (Saturn), who when regularly remembered as (the ten names listed in the first and second line of this verse) steals away the suffering (misfortune of the devotee).

sura asurah kim purusha ragendragandharva vidyadhara panna-gash chapeedyanti sarve vishama-stitenatasmai namah shree ravi-nandanaya

Prostrations to Sri Ravinandana, by whose unfavourable position, gods, demons, celestial beings, celestial musicians, celestial masters of various wisdom-teachings and even celestial snakes succumb to sufferings.
nara narendra pashavo mrigendravanyas-cha ye keeta-patanga-bringahpeedyanti sarve vishama-stitenatasmai namah shree ravi-nandanaya

Prostrations to Sri Ravinandana, whose unfavourable position brings agony to laymen, emperors, common animals, huge animals, forest creatures, insects, flies and humming bees (irrespective of their status).

desah-cha durgani vanani Yatrasena-nivesah pura-pattnanipeedyanti sarve visham-stitenatasmai namah shree ravi-nandanaya

Prostrations to Sri Ravinandana, whose unfavourable position brings about suffering to countries, citadels, forests, war-camps, houses and cities.

tilairya-vair-masha gudanna danaihiohena neelambara danato vapreenati mantrair-nijavasare chatasmai namah shree ravi-nandanaya

Prostrations to Sri Ravinandana, who is appeased by giving in charity things like sesame, paddy, black-gram, molasses, rice pudding, iron, blue cloth etc., and by chanting mantras on his own day (Saturday).prayaga-koole Yamuna tate chasarasvati punya-jale guhayamyo yoginam dhyana-gatopi sookshmastasmai namah shree ravi-nandanayaProstrations to Sri Ravinandana, who manifests in subtle form before the yogis who meditate on him at any holy bank of prayag (confluence) of two rivers; Yamuna and Saraswati, or in a cave.

anya-pradeshat swagriham pravishtastadeeya-vare sa narah sukhe syatgrihad gato yo na punah prayatitasmai namah sri ravi-nandanaya

Prostrations to Sri Ravinandana, who bestows happiness to a person when He enters His own house (constellation); (though) when He leaves the house, does not return for a long time.

srashta swayam-bhoor bhuvana trayasyatrata hareesho harate pinakeeekas tridhah rig yajuh sama murtistasmai namah sri ravi-nandanaya

Prostrations to Sri Ravinandana, who is the creator of three worlds, who is the self-manifested being, who is Hari the protector and Pinakin (Siva, bearer of the three pointed spear or pinaka), the destroyer, all in one, as well as the embodiment of the three-fold Vedas; Rig, Yajus and Saman.

konasthah pingala babruhkrishno roudroantako yamahsourih shanaish-charo mandaypippalandena sam stutah

Thus, Pippalada praises Thee (by chanting your ten names as contained in lines 1-3).

etani dasha-namanipratar-uthaya yah pathetshanaishchara-krita peedana kadachid bhavishyati
Harih Om

He who chants these ten names, getting-up early in the morning, will never suffer from the pain caused by Saturn. Harih Om.

The following is the Dasaratha Shani Stotra from Padma Purana
Dhyaathwa Saraswatim Devim Gananatham Vinayakam. Raja Dasharathah sthothram Saureridhamathakaroth. Namo Neela mayukhaya Neelothpala nibhaya cha, Namo Nirmaansa dehaaya Deergha shmashru jataaya cha, Namo Vishaala nethraaya Shushkodhara bhayaanaka Namah parushagathraya sthularomaaya Vai namah Namo nithyam Kshudhaarthaaya Nithyathapthaya Vai namah Namah Kaalaagni rupaaya Krthaanthaka namoshthuthe, Nameste Kotaraakshaaya Durnireekshyaaya Vai namah Namo Ghoraaya Raudraaya Bheeshanaaya Karaaline Nameste Sarva bhakshaaya Valeemukha namosthuthe Surya putra namestesthu bhaskare bhaya dhayaka Adho-drushte namasthubhyam vapuhshyaama namosthuthe Namo Manda-gathe thubhyam nisthrinshaaya namo namah Thapasa dagdha-dehaya nithyam yogarathaya cha Namesthe gyaana nethraya kashyapathmaja sunave Thushto dadasi Vai raajyam rushto harasi Thathkshanaath Devaasura manushyaashcha pasupakshisareesrpaah Thvaya vilokithaah saure dainyamaashu Vrjanti cha Brahmaa shakro yamashchaiva rishayah saptha-tharakaah Rajya bhrashtaashcha t'e sarve thava drishtyaa vilokithaah Deshaa nagara graamaa dweepashechai vaadrayasththaa Raudra Dhrushtyaa t'u ye drushtaah kshayam gacchanti thath kshanaath Prasaadam Kuru me saure varaartheham thavaashrithah Saure kshamasvaaparaadham sarvabhutha hithaayacha

Sadesati is one of the hardest period in every one's life. Saturn is belived to be planet of sorrow & hardships. Saturn completes its rotation around the Sun in 30 years. Thus Saturn passes through each sign for a period of 2½ years.
When Saturn passes through the 12th Rashi (sign) from the birth moon sign, the sadesati begins. When Saturn passes through the 2nd sign from the birth sign, sadesati comes to an end.
Depending on the power of the original horoscope, original Saturn, Jupiter & their placements in horoscope, the hardships & damages during the sadesati vary.
Some of the results of sadesati are frequent failures, loss of property, money, illness, trouble in the career, worry e.t.c.
It is advisable to wear a Stainless/Silver/Gold Ring of Neelmani (Blue Saphire) in the middle finger of right hand during sadesati. It is advised to first test if theBlue Saphire is useful, by placing it in the pocket, or tying to the arm et..c. So also this ring needs to be powered by mantras. Consult a knowledgeable Astrologer.
During sadesati reading the Shani Stotra gives a good protection from sadesati.