Basic Principles - Introduction to Nav Graha (Nine Planets)

There are in all Nine planets in Vedic Astrology that are considered important, 7 mains planets and 2 are shadow planets. These planets are as follows:

Sun (Surya) 

  

Sun (Surya) is a royal planet and the King of all planets in vedic astrology. It represents soul, will power, king, highly placed leaders, father, and government and authorities.

Moon (Chandra)

 

Moon (Chandra is also a royal planet and considered as a Queen in vedic astrology. It represents mind, emotions, imaginations, creativity, sensitivity, Queen, mother, milk, sea, oceans, domestic comforts, and hotel/food industry. 

The sign in which your Moon is placed in the birth chart is called your "Janma Rasi" and the star constellation in which your Moon is placed is called your "Janma Nakshatra".

Mercury (Budh)

Mercury (Budh) is a Prince in vedic astrology. It represents youth, speech, intelligence, communication, media, commerce, business, analytical skills, trade, computers, web, matern

Venus (Shukra)

Venus (Shukra) is a "DaityaGuru" i.e. Guru of Demons and is a Princess in vedic astrology. It represents wife, girlfriend, Princess, wealth, sex, love (not lust), pleasures, reproduction, jewels, wine, media, fashion, cosmetics, beauty, movable property, vehicles, and all females in your life. 

Mars (Mangal or Kuja)

Mars (Mangal or Kuja) is considered as a Soldier or Commander in vedic astrology. It represents your friends, brother, brotherly figures, ego, fighting ability, courage, energy, confidence, armed forces, police, commanders, administrators, land, engineering metals, real estate or immovable property, and surgery. 

Jupiter (Guru)

    

Jupiter (Guru) is known as "Dev Guru" i.e. Guru of Gods and a King's Minister in vedic astrology. It represents higher knowledge, teacher, education, dharma, spirituality, priests, temples, research, scientist, lawyers, judges, vedas and shashtras, first husband, children, and astrology. It is single most planet that is known as a karaka (giver) of education, first husband in female nativity, and children. Jupiter also represents life or jeeva. 

Saturn (Shani)

  

Saturn (Shani) represents General of the Army and not the servant (as per some experts) in vedic astrology.  It is a karmic planet and represents learning, career, uncle, second husband in female nativity, boss, hard work, servant, masses, old men, sorrow, iron and steel industry, career, muncipality, drainage, organizational ability, maturity, honesty, loyalty, justice, wisdom, and sincerity. As it is a karmic planet, Saturn transits and position indicate the native's good and bad deeds in this as well as past lives. 

North Node or Dragon's Head (Rahu)

  

North Node of the Moon or Dragon's Head (Rahu), which only has head and no body because the body is the South Node or Dragon's Tail or Ketu plays a very important role in vedic astrology. It is not a true planet and is therefore considered as a shadow planet. It represents foreigners, foreign countries, foreign travel, engineering, technical trades, smoke, old men, grand parents, theft, gambling, ambitions, worldly desires, nonconformist, taboo breakers, underworld, poisons, and the bad elements in the society. 

Rahu is the single most planet in Kali Yuga that can take you to greatest heights or to deepest bottom of earth. 

South Node or Dragon's Tail (Ketu)

     

South Node of Moon or Dragon's Tail (Ketu) is the headless body of the demon, which usually represents loner or without a brain. It represents detachment, letting go, grandparents, spiritual inclinations, moksha (salvation), superstitions, supernatural, or non-worldly desires. Ketu also represents past lives and the house that it is placed in shows all the activities that were fulfilled in past lives and hence one should not invest much time as it will manifest without you even thinking about it. 

Like Saturn, both Rahu and Ketu play a huge role in laws of karma.   

Research has proved that Mantra chanting is the most effective technique for healing. Mantras chanting or listening creates a positive vibrations in you as well as in your aura that removes negativity and all evil aspects around you. 

Nav Graha Stotram:

This single mantra holds the power to please all nine planets and influence them positively. If you are unaware which planet is malefic in your chart, chanting this mantra will remove all ill effects of all planets. 

Daily Recital of this prayer is highly effective. 

Click Here for Navgraha Stotram (Lyrics and Video)

Introduction to Vedic Astrology

"Millionaires don't use Astrology, Billionaires do" 

~ J.P. Morgan

Vedic Astrology or Jyotish or Jyotisha is an ancient Indian form of Astrology. The word Jyotisha is derived from two words: "Jyoti" (meaning light) and "Shashtra" (meaning science or knowledge). Thus, as it's name indicates it is "Science of Light". It is a very powerful knowledge that is well scripted in holy scriptures called as "Vedas" (hence the word vedic) and passed on generations to generations. 

According to this ancient science of astrology, planets represent certain energies that are emitted in the form of magnetic and electric forces (collectively known as astral energies) that influence the life of each human being. When a child is born, depending upon the time and place of birth, a specific planetary combination exist in sky, which can be mapped in a horoscope. 

Depending upon the constellations, lattitude and longitude position of planets, and zodiac sign that planets are transiting, collectively all these planets emit their powerful astral energies that determines the destiny of the child. 

In Vedic Astrological language, the planets in your birth (natal) horoscope decipher two sets of information:

• Karma (activities) performed by the Soul in past lives
• Karma and the purpose of present lives.

It is knowledge that unfolds the karma and purpose of life. It is a blueprint of the soul's journey through different life forms, karmic backlogs (good as well as bad), current life accomplishments, and a snapshot of beginning to the end. 

What is a horoscope (Birth or Natal Chart)?

A Horoscope or Birth Chart is a map of the exact position/location of planets at the time of birth. The position of the planet includes not only the constellation and zodiac sign they are  transiting but also the longitute and lattitude at which they are placed. Similarly, the motion of the planets with regards to earth also plays a significant role. For example: Sun and Moon always travel ahead of earth and hence they always have direct motion. Large planets such as Jupiter and Saturn sometimes appear to be traveling slower than the earth (or lagging in terms of earth's speed) and hence can be termed as "Retrograde Planets". North Node (Rahu) and South Node (Ketu) are shadow planets and are always in Retrograde Motion. I would explain about each planets individually in my later posts. 

Thus, based on the location and motion of the planet, an experienced astrologer is able to predict if the planet is emitting positive or negative energy and its overall impact on the native i.e. whether it will be malefic or benefic. Furthermore, collectively, a vedic astrologer is also able to predict your exact appearance, about your parents, possibility of good and bad events, as well as the cumulative karmic debts that causes pain and suffering in this life. 

How to use Vedic Astrology:

Your natal horoscope is like a permanent 'Blueprint of your Sky' and annual horoscopes are like 'Weather Report'. Hence, if the weather is bad then for sometime you can carry your umbrella to protect yourself rather than locking yourself at home. However, if the weather is detrimental to your sky, then it is better to stay home and lay low. Similarly, if the weather is good than you can enjoy all the good things in life but it's a perfect weather you can party all night long... basically go all in blindly! That is the power of Vedic Astrology. An experienced astrologer will guide you appropriately and provide you remedies that will help you survive the storm or reach the sky. 

Freewill versus Destiny:

Many westerners are now believing the power of Vedic Astrology as it shows us the way to improve our karmas and transcend them. It does not makes us a slave of our destiny but shows a path to find a balance between our growth and leading a moral life. 

Even though these planets control our destiny and fortune, "The Almighty" has blessed us with the most powerful tool i.e. "Freewill". Stars and planets only indicate energies and potentials, it is only up to us work effectively with this good, bad, and ugly, either constructively or destructively. We should respect and accept our destiny and law of karma yet learn how to work with it and surrender to it. 

Remember, Freewill always prevails Destiny!!

That's is the true essence of Vedic Astrology and we are here to help and guide you through your journey.