Navgraha

Navagrah Pooja

The great Indian yogi Paramahamsa Yogananda said, “Man is born on that day and that moment when his individual fate is in perfect mathematical harmony with the progress of the stars in heaven”. How the planets are placed in ones horoscope at the time of birth determines the good and bad effects of ones life and the time of their effect. In every horoscope some planets are well placed and some are badly placed. Hence we go through success and failures, happiness and sorrows in various aspects of life in different time slots in varying degrees. Certain planetary conflagrations give rise to strong negative effects called “Doshas”. The Vedic scriptures and the astrology scriptures prescribe various poojas to ward off the negative influence of the planets and to improve the benefic effects.

‘Nava’ means nine. ’Graha’ means planets. As per Vedic Astrology, there are nine planets that influence our lives. The position of planet at the time of human birth will have influence on his actions and reaction to different situations in his life. Every Life as it is has its ups and downs. With there is improper planetary alignment for an individual it is called as a “dosha” or negative influence. Due to these “Navagraha doshas” people fall into depression and certain low moods. This low period may last for some period based on the power of the planet. However this can be averted with intelligence. Connecting to the cosmic intelligence to avert any hindrances in life and to bestow tremendous peace and success in life, Navagraga pooja is conducted.

You might have noticed that as the Moon grows (Purinma) in first half of the month, the waves in the Ocean rises and their aggression will subsides as we approach no moon day (Amavasya) According to this vedic science, these planets and their positions, will have influence on human body and mind.  

Navagraha Puja 

Navagraha Puja is a Vedic ritual which produces tremendous positive energy, and helps people to gain courage to face any situation in their lives. The Vedic ritual performed traditionally for these nine planets (Navagrahas) dilutes the negative influences and infuses peace and prosperity. With the blessing of these nine planets, human being can attain good health, wealth, prosperity, Education and Knowledge. Navagraha Pooja is a collection of powerful rituals performed to the idols.

Navagraha Homa

Homa is fire ritual and an intense spiritual practice which becomes powerful meditation technique when performed with devotion. We invoke the cosmic energy and visualize it in the fire.  Offerings to the deity are offered through the fire.   

‘Nava’ means nine. ’Graha’ means planets. As per Vedic Astrology, there are nine planets that influence our lives. The position of planet at the time of human birth will have influence on his actions and reaction to different situations in his life. Every Life as it is has its ups and downs. With there is improper planetary alignment for an individual it is called as a “dosha” or negative influence. Due to these “Navagraha doshas” people fall into depression and certain low moods. This low period may last for some period based on the power of the planet. However this can be averted with intelligence. Connecting to the cosmic intelligence through fire ritual and to avert any hindrances in life and to bestow tremendous peace and success in life, Navagraga Homa is conducted. 

With Navagraha homa not only the doshas with the body but the space in which the ritual happens and the people who attend the ritual will all be benefited and blessed. Through this homa when done as a personal spiritual practice, the energy is brought from the nirvanic to the physical layer through all subtle layers and radiate. This homa ritual not only helps in spiritual growth but with the offerings it radiates and heals the space and the others who attend this fire ritual. 

The following is the brief explanation about each graha and its influence on human kind. 

Surya (Sun)

Surya or Sun is the most powerful living God - whom everyone can see, perceive and pray. Presiding deity of this planet is God Siva.  Sun bestows good health and prosperity.

Chandra (Moon)

Moon is the planet, which rules over mind and gives success. Chandra or Moon is a lovable God - Pleasing to the children as well as elders, universally appealing to everyone whatever may be the religion. Goddess Parvathi rules the planet. 

Moon is considered as very important planet for astrological predictions. The Moon, at the time of birth is found in a particular star and it will be taken as the star of the person born. 

Kuja (Mars)

Mars is the planet, which gives prosperity and wealth.  Angaraka or Mars is regarded as a God of martial character, red in every aspect. Even the Romans held him as their Guru. He is the Son of Earth and is ruled by Lord Subramanya.

Bhudha (Mercury)

Mercury is the planet which gives knowledge. Bhudha or Mercury is considered as the greatest among the wise. This Devata bestows wisdom and wealth on his devotees. He is ruled by Lord Maha Vishnu. 

Guru (Jupiter)

Jupiter gives education and knowledge. Brihaspati is the Guru (Jupiter). He results in a cure from ailments and helps one cleanse his/her negative emotions and gives strength, valour, longevity, etc. He grants the boon of fatherhood to the childless, good education (Vidya). He is ruled by Lord Dakshinamurthy. 

Sukra (Venus)

Venus gives the knowledge of art, music etc. Sukra or Venus is the bestower of long life, wealth, happiness, children, property and good education. He is ruled by Goddess Mahalakshmi.   

Sani (Saturn)

Saturn gives happiness. Saniswara or Saturn, is generally known to affect one adversely on occasions when he occupies certain positions in one's horoscope. A prayer to him, especially on Saturdays, is said to mitigate the hardships one will have to face during these periods. Saniswara is considered equally a bestower of all benefits to the devotees who pray sincerely to him. He is ruled by Lord Yama.

Rahu (Ascending node of the Moon)

Rahu makes the life stronger. Rahu is instrumental in strengthening ones power and converting even any enemy into a friend. 

Ketu (Descending node of the Moon)

Kettu brings prosperity to the devotee's family removes the effect of bad, illness arising out of poisonous matter entering one's body. He grants good health, wealth and all round prosperity. 

Indian Astrology associates the following planets with the gods/goddesses as follows: Sun: Lord Siva Moon: Goddess Parvathi Mars: Lord Karthikeya (Subramanya) Mercury: MahaVishnu Jupiter: Lord Dakshinamurthi Venus: Mahalakshmi Saturn: Lord Yama Rahu: Goddess Durga Kethu: Lord Ganesa or Indra.

Mantras and remedies for the nine planet http://www.sutradhari.com

 

here are some remedies for the problems related to planets.  

Surya 

For Surya or Sun related troubles and during the dasa or antardasa of sun:  

1.Worship the ruling deity Lord Shiva 

2. Recite Aditya Hrudayam (stotra) daily or Gayatri Mantra daily.

3. Japa of Sun's moola mantra:

 "Om hram hreem hroum sah suryaya namah", 

  6000 times in 40 days.

4. Recite the surya stotra:

Java kusuma sankasam kashyapeyam mahadutim

Tamorim Sarva paapghnam pranatosmi Divakaram

5. Charity: Donate wheat, or sugar candy on Sunday.

6. Fasting day: Sundays. 

7. Do  Rudrabhishekam on Sunday.

8. Rudraksha: Wear Ekamukhi or 12 mukhi Rudraksha

Chandra 

For Chandra or Moon related problems and during the dasa or antardasa of Moon: 

1. Worship the ruling deity Gouri. 

2. Recite Annapoorna stotram. 

3. Japa of Moon's moola mantra: 

"Om shram sreem shraum sah chandraya namah", 

10000 times in 40 days. 

4. Recite the Chandra stotra: 

Dadhi Shankha tushaarabham ksheero darnava sambhavam

Namaami shashinam somam shambhor mukuta bhushanam

5. Charity: Donate cow's milk or rice on Monday. 

6. Fasting: On Mondays. 

7. Pooja: Devi pooja on Monday. 

8. Rudraksha: Wear 2 mukhi Rudraksha. 

Budha

For Budha or Mercury related problems and during his dasa and antardasa:

1. Worship Lord Vishnu.

2. Recite Vishnu sahasranama stotra.

3. Japa of the Budha beeja mantra: 

" Om bram breem broum sah budhaya namah" , 

17000 times in 40 days.

4.Recite the Budha stotra:

Priyangu Kalika Shyaamam Roopena Pratimam Budham

Soumyam Soumya gunopetam tam Budham Pranamamyaham.

5. Charity: Donate Udad dal on Wednesday.

6. Fasting: On Wednesdays.

7. Pooja: Vishnu pooja.

8. Wear a 10 mukhi Rudraksha.

Guru

For Guru or Jupiter related problems and during the dasa or antardasa of Guru:

1. Worship Lord Shiva.

2. Recite Sri Rudram.

3. Japa of the Guru beeja mantra: 

" Om jhram jhreem jroum sah gurave namah " , 

16000 times in 40 days.

4. Recite the Guru stotra: 

Devanam cha rishinam cha Gurum kaanchan Sannibhaam

Buddhi bhutam Trilokesham tam namaami Brihaspatim.

5. Donate: Saffron or turmeric on thursday.

6. Fasting: On Thrusdays.

7. Pooja: Rudrabhishekam.

8. Wear a 5 mukhi rudraksha.

Shukra

For Shukra or Venus related problems and during the dasa or antardasa of Venus:

1. Worship Durga Devi.

2. Recite Shree Sooktam or Devi stuti or Durga chalisa.

3. Japa of Shukra beeja mantra: 

" Om dram dreem droum sah shukraya namah ", 

20000 times in 40 days.

4. Recite the Shukra stotra: 

Hima kunda mrinalaabham daityanam paramam gurum

Sarv shastra pravaktaram bhargavem pranamamyaham

5. Donate clothes to a lady on Friday.

6. Fasting: On Fridays.

7. Pooja: Durga Devi pooja.

8. Wear a 6 mukhi Rudraksha.

Sani

For Sani or Saturn related problems and during the dasa or antardasa of Shani:

1. Worship Lord Hanuman or Lord Siva.

2. Recite Hanuman chalisa or any other Hanuman stotra.

3. Japa of Shani mantra: 

" Om pram preem proum sah shanaischaraya namah " , 

19000 times in 40 days.

4. Recite the Shani stotra: 

Nelanjan samabhasam ravi putram yamagrajam

Chaaya martand sambhutam tam namami shanaischaram

5. Donate a buffalo or black oil (sesame seeds) on Saturday.

6. Fasting on Fridays.

7. Pooja: Hanuman pooja or Siva Pooja

8. Wear a 14 mukhi Rudraksha.

For all Saturn related troubles the following Shani 

Shodasanama stotra of Dasharatha is an excellent remedy. 

Konassanaischaromandah chhayaahridayanandanah

Maargandaja sudhaasouri neelavastraanjanadyutih

Abrahmanah kroora kroora karmaatangi grahanaayakah

Krishnodharmaanujah shantah shushkodara varapradah

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

Konastha pingalobabhruh

Krishnoroudraantakoyamah

Souri, shanaischaro mandah

Pippaladishu sansthitah

Rahu 

For Rahu related problems and during the dasa or antardasa of Rahu: 

1. Worship Bhairava or lord Shiva. 

2. Recite the Kalabhairav asthakam. 

3. Japa of the rahu beeja mantra: 

" Om bhram bhreem bhroum sah rahave namah",

 18000 times in 40 days. 

4. Recite the Rahu stotra: 

Ardha Kaayam maha veryam chandraditya vimardhanam

Simhika garbha sambhutam tam rahum pranamamyaham.

5. Donate: Udad dal or coconut on Saturday.

6. Fasting on Saturdays.

7. Pooja: Bhairav or Shiva or Chandi pooja.

8. Wear An 8 mukhi Rudraksha.

9. One of the best remedies for rahu is reciting the first chapter of Durga Saptasati.

Ketu

For Ketu related problems and during the dasa or antardasa of Ketu:

1. Worship Lord Ganesha.

2. Recite Ganesha Dwadasanama Stotra.

3. Japa of the Ketu beeja mantra: 

" Om shram shreem shroum sah ketave namah " , 

7000 times in 40 days.

4. Recite the Ketu stotra:

Palasha pushpa sankaasham taraka graha mastakam

Roudram roudratmakam ghoram tam ketum Pranamamyaham.

5. Donate: A black cow or black mustard seeds on Thursday.

6. Fasting: On Thursdays.

7. Pooja: Ganesh pooja.

8. Wear a 9 mukhi rudraksha.

9. A very good remedy for Ketu is the reciting of Shiva Panchakshari Stotra.

Each of the graha has associations with various characters, such as colors, metals, etc. The following table gives the most important associations: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Navagraha

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Mangal or Mars Pooja

Picture

Kuja(Mangala)

For Kuja or Mars related problems and during the dasa or antardasa of Mars: 

1. Worship the ruling deities Kartikeya and Shiva. 

2. Recite Kartikeya or Shiva stotra. 

3. Japa of the Mars mantra:

" Om kram kreem kroum sah bhaumaya namah ",

 7000 times in 40 days. 

4. Recite the Mangala stotra: 

Dharani garbha sambhutam vidyut kanti samaprabham

Kumaram shakti hastam tam mangalam pranamamyaham.

5. Charity: Donate Masoor dal( red lentils) on Tuesday.

6. Fasting: On Tuesdays.

7. Pooja: Kartikeya pooja or Rudrabhishekha.

8. Rudraksha: Wear a 3 mukhi Rudraksha.

Mars is also the remover of debts and the giver of wealth. The following is a highly recommended stotra of Mars for this purpose. 

Kuja stotra : 

Angarakoyamaschaiva sarvarogaapahaarakah

Nrishtekargaacha hartaacha sarvadevascha poojitah.

Lohito Lohitaakshascha samagaana Kripaakarah

Dharmatmajah Kujobhoumou bhumido bhuminam

Rakta maalyambaradharam shulashakti gadaadharah

Charbhujo yeshagato varadamcha dharaasutah

Mangalo bhumiputrascha runahartaa dhanapradah

Sthiraasano mahaakaayo sarvakaama phalapradam

DO'S AND DONT'S IN WORSHIPING NAVAGRAHAS

Readers must be aware of things to be done and the things not to be done, while doing Pariharam or worshiping the Navagrahas.

DO'S

1. Do the Pariharam on the designated days, time and horas; as this would bring tremendous results.

2. Fasting is advisable but not compulsory. But the restriction on the intake of foods (that instigate the mind) should be maintained.

3. Pariharam and sexual thoughts and actions does not travel in a parallel manner. Hence avoid the Pariharam on the day, if you had done any sexual acts after the Sunrise.

4. Offer anything (flowers/lighting a lamp/cloth and so on) to the Navagrahas that is possible within your economical limits.

5. Distribute prasadam that are offered to Navagarahas to everyone, if you had done puja for removing the doshas.

6. Worshiping or doing Pujas for Navargahas without even looking at the presiding deity would deliver complete negative results.

DONT'S

1. You should not treat the Navargrahas either equal or greater than the Lord Shiva and other Gods. It brings the heavenly curse on you.

2. Worship/Puja for Navagrahas should be done only after the Worship/Puja for the Gods.

3. Do not go around the Navagrahas (9 times) on all days except the Saturday. Because the Shani would offload his burden on the people who unnecessarily go around the Navagrahas on days other than Saturdays.

4. Go around once and exit the place (all days except Saturday).

5. Never go around in a anti clock wise direction (for Rahu and Kethu).

6. Never stand diametrically opposite to the Lord Shani to worship.

7. Never go around the Navagrahas with hands folded or tied; never talk while going around.

8. Never go through the gap (space) that lies between a person who worship (in one side) and Navagrahas (on the other side).

9. Never touch the Navagrahas by yourself. (You can do puja by yourself only if you are sure about the quality of your mind).

10. Never prostrate before the Navagrahas.

11. Never light up your lamp from some else lamp. Use separate match box or light up from the temple lamp.

12. Do not do pariharam for Navagrahas on a daily basis. It is always better to do it on the designated days.