Navagraha

Significance & Symbolism

Jyotisha or Jyothishastra
(or Jyotish from Sanskrit jyótis- "light, heavenly body")

• Traditional Hindu system of ASTROLOGY and ASTRONOMY. Also

known as Indian astrology or more recently Vedic astrology.
• Jyotiṣa is one of the Vedāṅga, the six auxiliary disciplines used to
support Vedic rituals. Early jyotiṣa was concerned with the
preparation of a calendar to fix the date of sacrificial rituals.
• Astrology remains an important facet in the lives of many Hindus.
Astrological concepts are pervasive in the organization of the Hindu
calendar and holidays as well as in many areas of life, such as in
making decisions about marriage, starting a new business or job,
moving into a new home, etc.
Introduction
Zodiac: The earth takes one
year to complete its rotation
around the Sun - from the earth,
it appears that the Sun moves
around the earth. The great
circle on the celestial sphere
representing the apparent
annual path of the sun relative
to the stars is called Ecliptic.
An imaginary belt of 18 degree
width with ecliptic in its center
is known as the zodiac. Many
groups of stars occupy this
imaginary belt. Vedic astrology Zodiac
recognizes 27 such groups of
stars called nakshatras.
Nakshatras

The 27 nakshatras identified in Jyothisha – Ashvinī, Bharanī, Kṛttikā,

Rohinī, Mrigashīra, Ārdrā, Punarvasu, Pushya, Ashlesha, Maghā, Pūrva
Phalgunī (Pubbha), Uttara Phalgunī (Uttara), Hasta, Chitrā, Svātī,
Vishākhā, Anurādhā, Jyeshtha, Mūla, Pūrva Ashādhā, Uttara Ashādhā,
Shravana, Dhanistha, Shatabhisha, Pūrva Bhādrapadā, Uttara
Bhādrapadā, Revatī
Raashi Chakra

The Twelve Raashis or Zodiacal Signs

NAVAGRAHA
• Planets and Celestial Bodies:
Sun (SURYA), Moon (CHANDRA), Mars (MANGALA),
Mercury (BUDHA), Jupiter (GURU), Venus (SHUKRA),
Saturn (SHANI)
• Ascending Moon (RAHU) and Descending Moon
(KETU)
NAVAGRAHA
• Nava - nine
• Graha – house or influencer
• The word “Graha” is also linked
to planets in the solar system. But,
the Navagrahas that Hindus
worship are all not planets.
• The nine grahas (or influencers)
are believed to affect human lives
and behavior.
• Each Graha is associated with a
specific energy quality, which is
described in an allegorical form
through its scriptural and
astrological references.
SUN - Surya/Aditya
• Son of Kashyapa and Aditi.
• Lord of: Simha Rashi
• Abhimani Devatas: Rudra and Agni
• He is the lord of one’s own self.
• His blessings grant good health and
wisdom.
• Symbolized by:
Color: Red Metal: Gold
Gemstone: Ruby Dhanya/Grain: Wheat
MOON – Chandra/Soma
• Parents: Sage Atri and Anasuya
• Lord of : Kataka Rashi
• Abhimani Devatas: Aap & Gowri
• He is the lord of vegetation and mind. He
represents beauty and affection.
• His blessings are needed for good
relationships and beauty which are quite
natural to his feminine nature.
• Symbolized by:
Color: White Metal: White
Gemstone: Pearl Dhanya/Grain: Rice
MARS - Mangala/Angaraka/Kuja
• He is Bhouma, the son of Bhoo devi.
• Abhimani Devatas: Bhoomi and Kshetrapala
(or Skanda)
• Lord of: Mesha and Vrischika Raashi
• He is a warrior hero who worships Shanmuka.
Brilliantly robust in stature, he is dear to the
warriors and farmers
• He blesses his devotees for their heroic and
agricultural (work) enrichment.
• Symbolized by:
Color: Red Metal: Copper
Gemstone: Coral Dhanya/Grain: Toor Dal
(Pigeon Peas)
MERCURY – Budha/Soumya
• Budha is also known as Soumya, is born to
Chandra and Tara.
• Lord of Mithuna and Kanya Rashi
• Abhimani Devatas: Vishnu & Maha Vishnu
• He is fair, masculine, modest yet he
brilliant and sharp. He is devoted to
Lakshmi Narayana.
• His blessings favor wisdom, as well as
scholarly and intellectual pursuits.
• Symbolized by:
Color: Green Metal: Bronze
Gemstone: Emerald Dhanya/Grain: Whole Moong
(Green Gram)
JUPITER - Guru/Brihaspati
• Son of sage Angirasa and Shraddha.
• Lord of Dhanus and Meena Rashi
• Abhimani Devatas: Brahma and Indra.
• Deva guru or Brihaspati, is the mentor of Gods.
He is also Vachaspati, lord of speech. He is pure,
pious and is unparalleled in his wisdom. Tara is
his consort.
• His blessings yield good results in intellectual
and spiritual pursuits. 'Guru Bala', the approval
of Guru is indispensable for scholarship or
erudition.
• Symbolized by:
Color: Creamy White/ Yellow Metal: Gold
Gemstone: Yellow Sapphire Dhanya/Grain: Bengal Gram
VENUS - Shukra
• Shukracharya, also called Bhargava or Ushanas is the
mentor of the demons or Asuras..
• Abhimaani Devatas: Indra, Indrani and Maruts.
• Lord of Tula and Vrishabha Rashis.
• His tendencies are Rajasik and his association is mostly
with materialistic Asuras. He is charismatic despite his
damaged right eye. His attributes include knowledge in
general and fine arts in particular.
• Pleasure and prosperity devotedly follow those who are
blessed by him. (His presence is for about 20 years –
good things happen in life during this period called
Shukra Dasa)
• Symbolized by:
Color: White Metal: Silver
Gemstone: Diamond Dhanya/Grain: White Beans
SATURN - Shani
• Shani is the son of Surya and Chaya.
• Lord of Makara and Kumbha Rashi.
• Abhimani Devatas: Yama and Prajapati.
• He is considered the most powerful among the
Navagrahas, and commands formidable respect.
His complexion is dark as are his preferences.
• His blessings help to manage adversity or major
changes and cultivates discipline.
• Symbolized by:
Color: Black, Blue Metal: Iron
Gemstone: Sapphire Dhanya/Grain: Sesame Seeds
ASCENDING MOON - Rahu
• Rahu, son of the demon Simhika is represented with
a serpent body and human head.
• Rules no Rashi
• Abhimani Devatas: Sarpa & Nirrati
• His complexion is jet black and his preferences too
are similar. He has a furious disposition and hates
Surya and Chandra. Unlike other Grahas, his
movement is anti clockwise. His influence brings
chaos.
• His blessings compels one to radically change – to
improve future and make the outer self a better
reflection of inner potentials.
• Symbolized by:
Color: Black Metal: Silver
Gemstone: Hessonite Dhanya/Grain: Whole Urad
(Whole Black Gram)
DESCENDING MOON - Ketu
• Ketu is considered as the counterpart of Rahu. He has a
serpent head and human body.
• Rules no Rashi
• Abhimaani Devatas: Brahma and Chitragupta.
• Like Rahu, Ketu too is furious and his movements are anti
clockwise. Ketu’s influence can be inauspicious and can
cause extremely tough life circumstances.
• His blessings bestows power discrimination and gyana or
spiritual knowledge (knowledge of self)
• Symbolized by:
Color: Multi-colored Metal: Silver
Gemstone: Cat’s Eye Chrysoberyl Dhanya/Grain: Horse Gram
NAVAGRAHA - IDOLS
• After Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva, the Navagrahas are considered to be most
important as far as Hindu rituals are concerned. Temples of Navagrahas
along with their consorts are rare in India. But Shiva temples in South India
have Navagraha idols placed in their premises.
• Navagraha idols are placed in designated spots with Surya or Sun in the
center. Each graha is also assigned a particular direction.
Placement Directions
Graha Direction

Surya (Sun) East

Chandra (Moon) North West
Mangala (Mars) South
Budha (Mercury) North
Guru (Jupiter) North East
Shukra (Venus) South East
Shani (Saturn) West
Rahu (Ascending Moon) South west
Ketu (Descending Moon) --
NAVADHANYA- Nine Grains
Nine grains used to invoke Navagrahas in poojas
Surya – Whole Wheat
Chandra - Rice
Mangala – Pigeon Peas
Budha – Green Gram
Guru – Bengal Gram
Shukra – White Beans
Shani – Sesame Seeds
Rahu – Black Gram
Ketu – Horse Gram

Picture above shows nine grains and colored fabric used

in poojas. Note: Each grain is identified by its Sanskrit
NAVARATNA – Nine Gems
The navaratnas linked to the navagrahas are worn together or
separately (as jewelry)for the good graces of the grahas affecting
an individual’s nakshatra or raashi. The gems are set in the metal
associated with the graha for best results.
Surya - Ruby (Maanikya)
Chandra - Pearl (Mukta)
Mangala - Coral (Pravala)
Budha - Emerald (Markata)
Guru - Yellow Saphire (Pushyaraga)
Shukra - Diamond (Vajra)
Shani – Sapphire (Neela)
Rahu – Hessonite (Gomedhika)
Ketu – Cat’s Eye (Vaidurya)