What Are the Navagrahas?
The Navagrahas are the nine celestial powers honoured in the Hindu tradition: Surya (Sun), Chandra (Moon), Mangal (Mars), Budh (Mercury), Brihaspati / Guru (Jupiter), Shukra (Venus), Shani (Saturn), and the two shadow points Rahu and Ketu.
In the devotional view, the grahas are not feared as fate but revered as divine forces through whom blessings and lessons flow. Chanting the Navagraha mantras is an act of prayer and gratitude - asking these deities for their grace, balance and peace, and offering reverence to the cosmic order they represent.
Navagraha worship is common at temples that house all nine deities, and many homes chant the Navagraha Stotra for harmony and well-being. This is a devotional practice, not a substitute for medical, financial or professional advice.
Mantra for Each of the Nine Planets
Here is a beej (seed) mantra for each graha, with its Devanagari, transliteration and the deity invoked:
1. Surya (Sun) ॐ ह्रां ह्रीं ह्रौं सः सूर्याय नमः Om Hraam Hreem Hraum Sah Suryaya Namah (Salutations to the Sun, lord of light and vitality.)
2. Chandra (Moon) ॐ श्रां श्रीं श्रौं सः चन्द्राय नमः Om Shraam Shreem Shraum Sah Chandraya Namah (Salutations to the Moon, lord of the mind and peace.)
3. Mangal (Mars) ॐ क्रां क्रीं क्रौं सः भौमाय नमः Om Kraam Kreem Kraum Sah Bhaumaya Namah (Salutations to Mars, lord of courage and energy.)
4. Budh (Mercury) ॐ ब्रां ब्रीं ब्रौं सः बुधाय नमः Om Braam Breem Braum Sah Budhaya Namah (Salutations to Mercury, lord of intellect and speech.)
5. Brihaspati / Guru (Jupiter) ॐ ग्रां ग्रीं ग्रौं सः गुरवे नमः Om Graam Greem Graum Sah Gurave Namah (Salutations to Jupiter, lord of wisdom and dharma.)
6. Shukra (Venus) ॐ द्रां द्रीं द्रौं सः शुक्राय नमः Om Draam Dreem Draum Sah Shukraya Namah (Salutations to Venus, lord of love and harmony.)
7. Shani (Saturn) ॐ प्रां प्रीं प्रौं सः शनैश्चराय नमः Om Praam Preem Praum Sah Shanaishcharaya Namah (Salutations to Saturn, lord of discipline and justice.)
8. Rahu ॐ भ्रां भ्रीं भ्रौं सः राहवे नमः Om Bhraam Bhreem Bhraum Sah Rahave Namah (Salutations to Rahu, the north lunar node.)
9. Ketu ॐ स्रां स्रीं स्रौं सः केतवे नमः Om Sraam Sreem Sraum Sah Ketave Namah (Salutations to Ketu, the south lunar node.)
Benefits of Navagraha Mantras
- Inner balance and peace: Reverently chanting the grahas is believed to bring harmony to the mind and steadiness to daily life.
- Gratitude and devotion: The practice cultivates respect for the cosmic order and a humble, prayerful attitude.
- Focus and discipline: Daily japa builds concentration and a calm, regular spiritual routine.
- Courage in difficult times: Praying to Shani for discipline or Mangal for strength steadies the heart through challenges.
- Auspicious atmosphere: Reciting the Navagraha Stotra is felt to fill the home with positivity and protection.
The grahas teach that life moves in cycles of light and shadow; prayer helps us meet both with faith, patience and equanimity.
How to Chant & Simple Remedies
How to chant: 1. Bathe early, sit facing east before a lamp, and begin with a prayer to your ishta devata and Lord Ganesha. 2. Chant each graha mantra 9, 11 or 108 times with a mala, or recite the full Navagraha Stotra once daily. 3. Sunday morning (for Surya) or the relevant weekday for each planet is an auspicious time to begin.
Simple devotional remedies (upaya):
- Surya: Offer arghya (water) to the Sun at sunrise; recite the Aditya Hridaya Stotra.
- Chandra: Worship Shiva on Mondays; offer white flowers and milk.
- Mangal: Recite Hanuman Chalisa on Tuesdays; offer red flowers.
- Budh: Worship Ganesha on Wednesdays; offer durva grass.
- Guru: Worship Vishnu on Thursdays; offer yellow flowers and chana dal.
- Shukra: Worship Lakshmi on Fridays; offer white sweets.
- Shani: Light a mustard-oil lamp on Saturdays; serve the needy.
- Rahu and Ketu: Recite Durga or Ganesha mantras; donate to those in need.
Keep these as acts of devotion and charity, done with a sincere heart.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the nine Navagrahas?+
They are Surya (Sun), Chandra (Moon), Mangal (Mars), Budh (Mercury), Brihaspati or Guru (Jupiter), Shukra (Venus), Shani (Saturn), Rahu and Ketu (the two lunar nodes). Together they are honoured as the nine celestial deities.
Can I chant just one graha mantra?+
Yes. Many devotees chant the mantra of a particular graha on its associated weekday - for example Surya on Sunday or Shani on Saturday. You can also recite the full Navagraha Stotra to honour all nine together.
How many times should Navagraha mantras be chanted?+
A common practice is 9, 11 or 108 repetitions of each beej mantra with a mala. Consistency and clear pronunciation with devotion matter more than the exact count.
Are Navagraha remedies the same as astrology?+
The remedies described here are simple devotional acts - prayer, offering water or flowers, and charity. They are a way of cultivating faith and gratitude, not a substitute for medical, financial or professional guidance.
About the author
Acharya Vinaya Kapoor · M.A. Sanskrit, Mantra & Stotra Studies
Acharya Vinaya holds an M.A. in Sanskrit from Banaras Hindu University and writes the mantra and stotra commentary on Vandnaa. Her focus is on accurate pronunciation, traditional context, and helping modern readers connect with classical texts.
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