Navagrahas Power and Influence

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.