Navagraha

What are Navagragha?

In Sanskrit, ‘Nava’ means nine and ‘Graham’ means to hold or grasp. It is also a word commonly used to describe planets. Navagraha hence means ‘nine celestial or astronomical bodies.’ On a subtle form, it means nine celestial influencers.


The Nine Forms:

  • Surya: Sun
  • Chandra/Soma: Moon
  • Mangal: Mars
  • Buddha: Mercury
  • Guru: Jupiter
  • Shukra: Venus
  • Shani: Saturn
  • Rahu: Upper Lunar Node
  • Ketu: Lower Lunar Node


Origin:

Astronomically, Navagraha’s include the seven celestial neighbors of the earth in our solar system. Rahu and Ketu denote the points of intersection of the paths of the Sun and the Moon, as they move on the celestial sphere. Rahu and Ketu are respectively called the north and the south lunar nodes. Eclipses occur when the Sun and the Moon are at one of these points.

Comprehensive study of astronomy and astrology has been an auxiliary Vedic discipline for thousands of years. Known as Jyotishastram (study of light), this discipline studied the interplay of various elements of the cosmos and their impact on our lives, our physical and spiritual wellbeing, and our karmas. The cosmos that we all are a part of is the manifest energy of the supreme consciousness (Prakriti/Shakti). Each celestial body emits cosmic energy and has a unique cosmic vibration that can potentially create, support and disrupt harmony in nature.

Ocean tides occur due to the gravitational forces of the moon and the sun. The earths geomagnetic forces combined with the rotation around its axis and the sun, impacts ocean currents and weather patterns. Solar storms are known to impact telecommunication on earth. Our gross physical and subtle bodies arise from the same elements that makes this universe. Hence cosmic energy reaching us from various celestial bodies is bound to affect us on both a macro and a quantum level. If the moons gravity can create high or low tides, it can surely have impact on us as well, since after all, we are made of 60% water. The subtle energies conveyed by the grahas affect the physical and mental faculties of living beings, thus impacting our karmas (actions) and the consequences there of.

The sages of the Vedic period incorporated the Navagraha’s into the Hindu Tradition, not only impart knowledge of the cosmos and the solar system but also expound the concept of universality. Everything in nature has impact on our lives directly or indirectly and our actions impact nature as well.


Traditional Arrangement of the Navagraha:

The Navagraha are typically placed in a square grid with the Sun (Surya) in the center and the other 8 celestial bodies surrounding it. The fact that our solar system is heliocentric and not geocentric was well known in Vedic Astronomy, including the accurate documentation on the earth’s neighboring planets.

Navagrahas are arranged in two classical ways, known as Agama and Vaidika.

  • Agama: Sun occupies the central place, Moon on Sun’s east, Mercury on its south, Jupiter on its west, Venus on its north, Mars on its south-east, Saturn on its south-west, Rahu on north-west and Ketu in the north-east.
  • Vaidika: Surya is still in the centre, but Venus is in the east, Mars in the south, Saturn in the west, Jupiter in the north, Moon in the south-east, Rahu in the south-west, Ketu in the north-west and Mercury in the north-east.


Symbolism:

Each Navagraha, based on its innate cosmic properties, is associated with specific human mental and physical traits:

  • Surya (Sun) is central to the solar system, the provider of energy and, therefore, represents life-force, longevity, intelligence, and prosperity.
  • Chandra/Soma (Moon) due to its impact on water bodies influences mind, emotions, the digestive system and fertility.
  • Mangala (Mars) is associated with courage, strength and the muscular system.
  • Buddha (Mercury) impacts learning, analytical and communication skills. It can also affect the respiratory system.
  • Guru (Jupiter) symbolizes wisdom and knowledge. It can affect metabolism and the endocrine system.
  • Shukra (Venus) stands for wealth, beauty, desire and can have impact on the reproductive organs and skin conditions.
  • Shani (Saturn) is representative of austerity and discipline and can affect the nervous system.
  • Rahu and Ketu (Lunar Nodes) are considered powerful points of energy and represent fears, phobias and ‘karmic’ effects from previous lives.


Ways of Worship:

Navagraha Shanti or Navagraha Homam is a Vedic ritual when the Navagrahas are invoked while praying to the divine consciousness to ask for harmonious existence of all the elements of the cosmos, to maintain peace on the earth, and in our lives. Many temple complexes such as ours, have a place devoted to the Navagrahas. The Navagrahas are usually placed on a black colored stone or granite pedestal and given a human form. Interestingly, no two navagrahas are placed facing each other. Devotees offer prayers and circumambulate the Navagraha’s nine times (called parikrama).


Famous Navagraha Temples in India:

The Navapashanam Temple, located at Devipattinam is said to be installed by Lord Rama himself.

The Navagraha temple on Chitrasal Hill, Guwahati, Assam: Comprised of nine Shivalingas representing the nine celestial bodies, each covered with a garment of the colour that represents the particular graha. The Shivalinga in the centre is symbolic of Surya.

Shani (Saturn) temple at Shingnapur, Maharashtra.