Nav Graha

Vedic Astrologers states that Grahas influence the auras (energy bodies) and minds of beings connected to the Earth. Each Graha carries a specific energy quality, which is described in an allegorical form through its scriptural and astrological references. The energies of the Grahas are getting connected in a specific way to the individual auras of humans at the time they take their first breath in a given nativity.

These energy connections remain with the natives of Earth as long as their current body lives. "The nine planets are transmitters of universal, archetypal energy. The qualities of each planet help to maintain the overall balance of polarities in both the macrocosmic and the microcosmic universe - as above, so below..."

Humans are also capable to tune themselves to the chosen energy of a specific Graha through Samyama with that Graha or its presiding deity. The effects of worship of specific deities are manifested accordingly to the layout of their relative energies in a given nativity of a worshiper in question, in particular depending on the Bhavas occupied by the respective Grahas.

The condition of a man corresponds to the changes in the position of the nine grahas. A human being does not enjoy happiness all the time nor does he always suffer hardships - that is, he experiences a mixture of happiness and sorrow. While he may be pushed up to a high position today, he may be thrust down to the depths tomorrow. It is not man alone that is subject to changes of fortune. Establishments too have their ups and down, so also nations.

There are different reasons for the ups and downs in a man's life, for his joys and sorrows. It is similar to finding out the different causes of the ailment he suffers from. All these different causes may be valid. All of them go to create an experience. Many outward signs manifest themselves as the fruits of our past karma. They are all related to one another. The course of planets governing our life is in accordance with our karma. We come to know the consequences of our actions in previous births in various ways. Astrological calculations help us to find out such consequences as indicated by the heavenly bodies.

The sages saw a relationship between the position and movements of the planets and the destiny of man, the sorrow and happiness experienced by him. There is a branch of astrology called 'hora-skandha'. If we know the planetary position at the time of commencing a job or enterprise, with its help, we should be able to find out how it would take shape, how we would fare in it. If our horoscope is cast on the basis of the configuration of the planets at the time of our birth, our fortunes over the entire period of our life can be predicted.

The cosmic energy we always receive contains different energies coming from different celestial bodies.When we repeatedly utter a Mantra we are tuning to a particular frequency and this frequency establishes a contact with the cosmic energy and drags it into our body and surroundings.

The idea of planets, stars and other celestial bodies being the living energy entities influencing the other beings of the Universe has cross-references in many ancient cultures and had become the background of numerous modern fiction works .

All the navagraha (nine plantes) have relative movement with respect to the background of fixed stars in the zodiac. This includes the planets: Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus, and Saturn, the Sun, the Moon, as well as positions in the sky, Rahu (north or ascending lunar node) and Ketu (south or descending lunar node).

Positioning

As per Hindu customs, the Navagraha are typically placed in a single square with the Sun (Surya) in the center and the other deities surrounding Surya; no two of them are made to face each other. In South India, their images are generally found in all important Saiva temples. They are invariably placed in a separate hall, on a pedestal of about three feet in height, usually to the north-east of the sanctum sanctorum.

There are 2 kinds of installation of the planets when arranged in this fashion, known as Agama Pradishta and Vaidika Pradishta.

In Agama Pradishta, Surya occupies the central place, Chandra on Surya's east, Budha on his south, Brihaspati on his west, Shukra on his north, Mangala on his south-east, Shani on his south-west, Rahu on north-west and Ketu in the north-east. Temples such as Suryanar temple, Tiruvidadaimarudur, Tiruvaiyaru and Tirucchirappalli follow this system.

In Vaidika Pradishta, Surya is still in the centre, but Shukra is in the east, Mangala in the south, Shani in the west, Brihaspati in the north, Chandra in the south-east, Rahu in the south-west, Ketu in the north-west and Budha in the north-east.

Other temples install the Navagrahas in other arrangements.

In Ramanathapuram district, in a place called Navapashana, nine stone slabs are worshipped as the Navagraha. In temples like Tirukuvalai and Tiruvarur, the nine planets stand in a straight line. In Thirupanjali temple, they are represented by nine holes in a stone.

The Gangaikonda Cholapuram temple boasts a unique structure wherein the nine grahas are installed in a single stone. Surya is prominently displayed in this structure with seven horses in a chariot with two wheels and a charioteer. The other eight grahas are placed in eight directions with the sun in the centre.

At Agasthiyar Temple Chennai Pondy Bazaar a totally different form of position is done with Sun at the elevated centre and the remaining planets in an octogonal structure. This is called Agasthiyar Kattu (the form promoted by Sage Agasthiya (Agastya).

Navagraha temples

In Indian Astrology movement of the Navagrahas is considered to have a major role in influencing the fortunes of any individual. In order to mitigate the negative effects of a planet which is debilated in the birth chart or to provide more potency to a planet that is in an exalted state, believers undertake pilgrimage to designated Navagraha temples.

Navagraha worship

Traditional Hindu astrologers castes in India are known to be major experts of Navagraha, many people would approach a Hindu astrologer when they have problems and ask them on how to overcome them by performing certain rituals which involve worship of Navagraha to overcome ill effects. People of the Kaniyar (Ganaka) caste of south India, particularly in Kerala state and the Graha Bipra, Acharya or Ganak Brahmins in the north eastern states of India have custom of high preference for worshiping planets and sun. They are believed to be the descendants of Sakaldwipiya Brahmins, who were once sun worshipers by nature.

Navgraha Namaskaar

Brahma- Muraari-s- Tripuraant-kaari, Bhanu, Shashi, Bhoomi-Suto
Budha-scha Guru-s-cha Shukra Shani Rahu Ketavah Kuruvantu Sarve

Mam Suprabhatam aadityaaya somaaya maN^galaaya budhaaya cha |
guru shukra shanibhyashcha raahaveketave namaH ||

Salutations to the navagrahaas, the Sun, Moon, Mars, Mercury,
Jupiter, Venus, Saturn, Rahu, and Ketu.

brahmaamuraaristripuraa.ntakaarii
bhaanushashii bhuumisuto budhashcha |
gurushcha shukrashcha shani raahu ketavaH
kurva.ntu sarve mama suprabhaatam.h ||

Brahma, Murari, Shiva, Sun, Moon, Mangal , Budha, Guru, Shukra,
Shani, Rahu and Ketu - may all of them make mine a good morning.

Navagraha Strota

japaakusumasa.nkaashaM kaashyapeyaM mahadyutim.h .
tamo.ariM sarvapaapaghnaM praNato.asmi divaakaram.h .. 1..

I pray to the Sun, the day-maker, destroyer of
all sins, the enemy of darkness, of great
brilliance, the descendent of Kaashyapa, the
one who shines like the japaa flower.

dadhishaN^khatushhaaraabhaM kshiirodaarNavasaMbhavam.h .
namaami shashinaM somaM shambhormukuTabhuushhaNam.h .. 2..

I pray to the Moon who shines coolly like curds
or a white shell, who arose from the ocean
of milk, who has a hare on him, Soma, who
is the ornament of Shiva's hair.

dharaNiigarbhasaMbhuutaM vidyutkaantisamaprabham.h .
kumaaraM shaktihastaM cha maN^galaM praNamaamyaham.h .. 3..

I pray to Mars, born of Earth, who shines
with the same brilliance as lightning, the
young man who carries a spear.

priya{N^.h}gukalikaashyaamaM ruupeNaapratimaM budham.h .
saumyaM saumyaguNopetaM taM budhaM praNamaamyaham.h .. 4..

I pray to Mercury, dark like the bud of millet,
of unequalled beauty, gentle and agreeable.

devaanaaM cha R^ishhiiNaaM cha guru.n kaaJNchanasa.nnibham.h .
buddhibhuutaM trilokeshaM taM namaami bR^ihaspatim.h .. 5..

I pray to Jupiter, the teacher of gods and
rishis, intellect incarnate, lord of the
three worlds.

himakundamR^iNaalaabhaM daityaanaaM paramaM gurum.h .
sarvashaastrapravaktaaraM bhaargavaM praNamaamyaham.h .. 6..

I pray to Venus, the utimate preceptor of
demons, promulgator of all learning, he who
shines like the fiber of snow-white jasmine.

niilaa.njanasamaabhaasaM raviputraM yamaagrajam.h .
chhaayaamaartaNDasaMbhuutaM taM namaami shanaishcharam.h .. 7..

I pray to Saturn, the slow moving, born of
Shade and Sun, the elder brother of Yama,
the offspring of Sun, he who has the
appearance of black collyrium.

ardhakaayaM mahaaviirya.n chandraadityavimardanam.h .
si.nhikaagarbhasaMbhuutaM taM raahuM praNamaamyaham.h .. 8..

I pray to Rahu, having half a body, of great
bravery, the eclipser of the Moon and the Sun,
born of Simhikaa.

palaashapushhpasa.nkaashaM taarakaagrahamastakam.h .
raudraM raudraatmakaM ghoraM taM ketuM praNamaamyaham.h .. 9..

I pray to Ketu, who has the appearance of
Palaasha flower, the head of stars and planets,
fierce and terrifying.

iti vyaasamukhodgiitaM yaH paThetsusamaahitaH .
divaa vaa yadi vaa raatrau vigh{}nashaantirbhavishhyati .. 10..

Those who read the song sung by VyAsa,
will be joyous, sovereign and powerful,
and will succeed in appeasing obstacles,
occurring by day or by night.

naranaariinR^ipaaNaaM cha bhavedduHsvapnanaashanam.h .
aishvaryamatulaM teshhaamaarogyaM pushhTivardhanam.h ..

Bad dreams of men, women and kings alike
will be destroyed and they will be endowed
with unparalleled riches, good health and
enhancing nourishment.

gR^ihanakshatrajaaH piiDaastaskaraagnisamud.hbhavaaH .
taaH sarvaaH prashamaM yaanti vyaaso bruute na sa.nshayaH ..

All the pain, devastation caused by
fire, planets and stars will be of
the past, so spoke VyAsa, emphatically.

.. iti shriivyaasavirachitaM navagrahastotraM saMpuurNam.h..

Thus ends the song of praise of the
nine planets composed by VyAsa.

Surya	Chandra
Mangala	Budh
Brihaspati	Shukra
Shani	Rahu
Ketu