Navagrahas – The
Nine Planetary Deities in Hindu Astrology
The details of the
nine planetary gods in Hindu religion are given below.
Navagraha or the Nine
Planets has great importance in Hinduism and Hindu rituals. Navagrahas are
considered to play a major role in deciding the destiny of man. The Navagrahas
are Surya (Sun), Chandra (Moon), Mangal (Mars), Budha (Mercury), Brihaspati
(Jupiter), Shukra (Venus), Shani (Saturn), Rahu (North Lunar Node) and Ketu
(South Lunar Node). It is believed that these nine planetary deities influence
human lives and is responsible for all good or bad times, one faces in life.
Representations
· Sun represents
soul, king, highly placed persons, father.
· Moon represents
Mind, queen, mother.
· Mars represents
energy, confidence and ego.
· Mercury represents
communication.
· Jupiter represents
the great teacher.
· Venus represents
wealth, pleasure and reproduction.
· Saturn represents
learning and Career.
· Rahu represents an
Asura who does his best to plunge any area of one's life he controls into
chaos.
· Ketu represents
supernatural influences.
Navagraha Stotram
"Namah Sooryaya,
Chandraya, Mangalaya, Budhaya cha, Guruhu, Shukra, Shanibhihi cha Rahuve,
Ketuve Namaha."
This stotra praises
the navagraha’s and is a very popular one. It is believed that by chanting this
stotra, can liberate us from all sins and ill effects that may occur due to
planetary positions.
Navagraha Stuti
"Aum brahmaa
muraari streepuraantakaari,
Bhaanuh Shashi
Bhoomisutau buddhashca,
Gurooshca Shukrah Shani
Rahu Ketavah
Sarve graha
shaantikara bhavantu."
The meaning is “May
Brahma, Vishnu and Maheshwara along with the 9 planets bless us with peace.”
This is a general mantra and is associated with Lord Brahma who controls the
nine planets. This mantra calls for him and the nine planets to remove the
malefic effects of the nine planets. This mantra should be chanted minimum 7
times a day.
