The Navagrahas: Nine Planets in Vedic Astrology
"The word 'Graha' in Sanskrit means 'that which seizes or grasps'. In Vedic astrology, the nine planets are cosmic relay stations that hold and distribute specific archetypal and karmic forces throughout our lifetimes."
The Navagrahas include the two central luminaries (Sun and Moon), the five physical planets (Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus, and Saturn), and the two subtle lunar nodes (Rahu and Ketu). Each planet governs particular psychological functions, body tissues (Dhatus), relationships, and life domains.
Comprehensive Navagraha Attributes
| Graha (Planet) | Primary Signification (Karaka) | Own Signs | Exaltation (Uchha) | Debilitation (Neecha) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Surya (Sun) | Soul (Atma), Father, Leadership, Vitality, Bone structure | Leo (Simha) | Aries 10° | Libra 10° |
| Chandra (Moon) | Mind (Manas), Mother, Emotions, Memory, Body fluids | Cancer (Karka) | Taurus 3° | Scorpio 3° |
| Mangal (Mars) | Courage, Energy, Siblings, Real estate, Blood | Aries & Scorpio | Capricorn 28° | Cancer 28° |
| Budha (Mercury) | Intellect, Communication, Speech, Commerce, Skin | Gemini & Virgo | Virgo 15° | Pisces 15° |
| Guru (Jupiter) | Wisdom, Dharma, Children, Fortune, Liver/Fat | Sagittarius & Pisces | Cancer 5° | Capricorn 5° |
| Shukra (Venus) | Love, Marriage, Arts, Luxury, Semen/Reproduction | Taurus & Libra | Pisces 27° | Virgo 27° |
| Shani (Saturn) | Discipline, Karma, Longevity, Service, Nervous system | Capricorn & Aquarius | Libra 20° | Aries 20° |
| Rahu (North Node) | Ambition, Technology, Foreign Lands, Maya (Illusion) | Co-rules Aquarius | Taurus / Gemini | Scorpio / Sagittarius |
| Ketu (South Node) | Moksha, Spirituality, Detachment, Intuition, Mysticism | Co-rules Scorpio | Scorpio / Sagittarius | Taurus / Gemini |
Planetary Gunas and Natural Elemental Tatvas
Sattva (Purity & Light)
Sun (Surya), Moon (Chandra), Jupiter (Guru)
Rajas (Passion & Action)
Mercury (Budh), Venus (Shukra)
Tamas (Inertia & Resistance)
Mars (Mangal), Saturn (Shani), Rahu & Ketu