In the month of Puradhasi, Saivites conduct special puja to Saniswara and do fasting on Saturdays. This write-up provides explantion on the nie planets (navagrahas). The nine planets influence human lifes and history. We trace the importance of each of these planets.
Surya (Sun)
Sun is the God - a living god - whom everyone can see, perceive and pray. Though he is visible, he is also seen as the life-giver, light-giver and time-giver. In the Hindu zodiac Sun occupies a prominent place among the nine planets (navagrahas) - the centre. He is described as the Pranadhata for he is the source of life. The Vedas proclaim Surya to be a witness for all actions.
Suryanamaskara - prayer of sun by prostration, especially on Sundays, is believed to bring manifold benefits to the devotee. It cleanses the devotee from his sins and bestows on him progeny, wealth, good health and long life. The Sun is the lord of Leo in the zodiac. He stays one month in each rasi and takes 365 days or twelve months to complete a round of the twelve rasis.
Chandra ( Moon)
The sun and the moon are two most important grahas which are featured in the calculations of a panchangam (almanac). The five elements of panchangam: tihithi, nakshatra, karana, yoga and vaar, are determined by the position of the moon. This graha who causes nightfall, strengthens the mind, purifies the blood and is considered as the mother who radiates nectar. He provides relief from all sorrows helping one in clearing all mental afflictions. Prayers conducted for this graha on Mondays are said to bring beneficial effect to the devotee. Chandra is the lord of Cancer in the zodiac. He stays two and a quarter days in each rasi, completing a round of the twelve rasis in twenty seven days.
Angkara ( Mars)
He is the lover of Sama Veda. Chanting of this prayer on Tuesdays is said to please him and therefore he frees one from debt, poverty and from any skin diseases. He is the lord of Mesha and Vrischika. He stays one and a half-month in each Raasi, taking eighteen months to complete the cycle.
Budha (Mercury)
This graha gives wisdom and wealth. He is also the remover of evil thoughts from one’s mind. Because of his beauty and resemblance, he is sometimes considered as the Vishnu Rupi (likeness of Vishnu). Prayers offered on Wednesdays to him bring manifold benefits such as removal of obstacles, progeny, possession of fertile lands and so on. Like the sun, he stays one month in each Raasi and completes the cycle in twelve months. He is the lord of Mithuna and Kanya in the zodiac.
Brihaspathi-Guru (Jupiter)
He is the guru of the devas (celestials), protector of the world and dispenser of justice. Thursdays are considered as the best days for worship of this graha deity. Fatherhood and good education, cure of stomach ailments and removal of sins are sought from him. He is the lord of Dhanus and Meena in the zodiac. Guru stays for a year in each Rasi thus taking twelve years to complete the cycle
Sukra (Venus)
While guru is revered by the devas, Sukra is considered as the Guru of the asuras. While allowing his devotees to control their indriyas (sense organs) he bestows them with fame and name. Fridays are set aside for prayers for this graha. He is the lord of Tula. He takes one year to complete the zodiac cycle staying a month in each Raasi.
Saniswara (Saturn)
He is also known as Manda and affects one adversely on occasions when he occupies different positions in one’s horoscope. One shudders when one gets elara-sani or saade sati (seven and half years of malevolent effects) and ashtami sani (two and half years). Sincere prayers offered on Saturdays are said to mitigate the malevolent effects during the periods. He is the lord of Makara and Kumbam in the zodiac. He is considered as the slowest moving graha taking 2 ½ years in each Raasi, completing one cycle in every 30 years.
Rahu and Kethu
The lunar and solar eclipses are attributed to rahu and kethu. They are not planets, yet they are treated as one. (Refer to the story below). They stay one and a half years in each graha. An interesting story about the eclipse of Oct 24, 1995 appeared in the Times of India on 16 Aug. Sudhamahi Raghunathan wrote it. “Celestial events have certain mystery and power which seem to come from the myths and legends of ancient times.... In India a common motif all over the country in folk tales as well as Puranic accounts is the “devouring” motif commonly associated with the serpent. The story goes that Ganesha; the elephant faced god had just partaken of a heavy satisfying meal when he found the sun and the moon laughing at him. This offended the pot-bellied deity who immediately ordered the serpents he had tied around his waist as a belt to swallow the celestial objects. That they did and the whole earth was plunged into darkness.
Dr Nirupama Raghavan, director of the Nehru Planetarium, says that this myth is based on actual observance. “just a little before, about 30 seconds before total eclipse, the sky darkens and as the sun’s light is released into the sky through a very small area now, it flits through the sky in the form of long wiry waves which look like a million snakes or worms. They appear again at the end of the total eclipse. I feel therefore that there is this association of our myth related to eclipses. Talking about Rahu and Kethu the report goes on... “This indicates people as long back as 4000BC knew the alignment when an eclipse occurred. There are two planes, one along which the earth rotates around the sun and other made by the moon as it rotates around the earth. Their points of intersection are called Rahu and Kethu. It is only when the sun and moon are in line at the point of intersection that an eclipse can occur” says Dr Raghavan relating myth and reality.
From the book, Astrology and Karma by K. N. Rao
published by Sagar Publications, 1995
