Navagraha Chalisa & Shanti Mantras - Nine Planets, Benefits & Vidhi

The Navagraha are the nine 'grahas' or cosmic influencers honoured in Hindu tradition: Surya (Sun), Chandra (Moon), Mangal (Mars), Budh (Mercury), Guru or Brihaspati (Jupiter), Shukra (Venus), Shani (Saturn), Rahu and Ketu (the two lunar nodes). They are not seen as mere planets but as living forces that distribute the fruits of our karma across health, mind, marriage, wealth, wisdom and destiny. Worshipping them together brings harmony, while strengthening a weak graha or pacifying a troubling one is the heart of grah shanti.

Each graha has its own vedic mantra and a weekday for worship:

1. Surya (Sunday): Om Suryaya Namah 2. Chandra (Monday): Om Chandraya Namah 3. Mangal (Tuesday): Om Angarakaya Namah 4. Budh (Wednesday): Om Budhaya Namah 5. Guru/Brihaspati (Thursday): Om Brihaspataye Namah 6. Shukra (Friday): Om Shukraya Namah 7. Shani (Saturday): Om Shanaishcharaya Namah 8. Rahu (Saturday): Om Rahave Namah 9. Ketu (Saturday): Om Ketave Namah

Chanting the relevant mantra 108 times on its day strengthens that graha's positive blessings.

The Navagraha Chalisa praises all nine planetary lords one by one and seeks their combined grace and peace. It opens with a doha:

Shri Ganapati Guru Gauri pad, prem sahit dhari maath. Navagraha Chalisa kahat, sharan rakho raghunath.

Chaupai (sample): Jai jai Ravi Soma Bhauma Budh, Guru Shukra Shani naam. Rahu Ketu sahit nava graha, karat sabhi ka kaam.

The verses describe each graha's form, colour and gift, ending with a prayer for protection from all planetary afflictions.

1. Bathe early and clean the puja space; place a Navagraha yantra or nine deity images arranged in their traditional grid. 2. Light a ghee or sesame oil lamp and offer flowers of the nine colours linked to each graha. 3. Begin with Ganesh vandana, then recite the Navagraha Chalisa. 4. Chant each graha's beej mantra, or the combined Navagraha mantra, 108 times on a mala. 5. Offer the grain, cloth and items linked to each planet, then perform aarti. 6. Conclude by donating the items of any weak or afflicting graha to the needy. A Navagraha puja or havan done by a priest is especially recommended before weddings, housewarmings and at the start of major ventures.

Each graha is balanced by a gemstone and a charitable donation:

• Surya: ruby; donate wheat, jaggery, copper.
• Chandra: pearl; donate rice, milk, white cloth.
• Mangal: red coral; donate masoor dal, red cloth.
• Budh: emerald; donate green moong, green cloth.
• Guru: yellow sapphire; donate chana dal, turmeric, gold.
• Shukra: diamond; donate sugar, white sweets, perfume.
• Shani: blue sapphire; donate black sesame, urad, iron.
• Rahu: hessonite (gomed); donate blankets, mustard oil.
• Ketu: cat's eye (lehsunia); donate sesame, multi-coloured cloth.

Gemstones should be worn only after astrological guidance, but donations and mantra jap are safe for everyone.

Worshipping the Navagraha is believed to balance the planetary energies in one's life, reduce the harshness of any malefic graha, and strengthen the blessings of the benefic ones. Devotees turn to it for relief from prolonged ill health, repeated obstacles, delays in marriage or career, and unexplained losses. Most importantly, regular Navagraha shanti cultivates patience, gratitude and faith that our karma is held in fair, divine balance.

You do not need an elaborate ritual every day. Light a lamp, bow to the Navagraha, and chant the mantra of the graha that rules that weekday. Add the donation linked to that planet whenever you can, and live with honesty and kindness, since good conduct is the strongest grah remedy. On a troubling planetary period, intensify the practice for that specific graha under proper guidance.