Om tac cakṣur devahitaṃ purastācchukram uccarat | paśyema śaradaḥ śataṃ jīvema śaradaḥ śatam ||
Om ketuṃ kṛṇvann aketave peśo maryā apeśase | sam uṣadbhir ajāyathāḥ ||
“The Sun and Moon are blessed, known as the cause of planetary affliction. And Rahu of great fangs – may all of them be bowed down (pacified).” 9. Ketu (Descending Node) – केतु Sanskrit: ॐ केतुं कृण्वन्नकेतवे पेशो मर्या अपेशसे । समुषद्भिरजायथाः ॥
“May the divine waters (Shani’s energy) be peaceful for our protection and drinking. May they flow with peace and health toward us.” 8. Rahu (Ascending Node) – राहु Sanskrit: ॐ सूर्याचन्द्रमसौ धन्यौ ग्रहपीडाकरौ स्मृतौ । राहुश्चैव महादंष्ट्रः सर्वे ते नम्रतां गताः ॥ navagraha suktam with meaning
Introduction The Navagraha Suktam is a powerful Vedic hymn (sukta) dedicated to the nine celestial bodies—the Sun, Moon, Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus, Saturn, and the two lunar nodes: Rahu (ascending node) and Ketu (descending node). Unlike later astrological texts that personify these grahas as deities with moods, the Suktam approaches them as manifestations of cosmic energy, each governed by a specific Vedic deity (e.g., Surya, Chandra, Agni, etc.).
“The essence flowing from food is Brihaspati, the lord of food. O lord of food, we serve you with reverence. O Shukra (Venus), we serve you.” 7. Shani (Saturn) – शनैश्चर Sanskrit: ॐ शन्नो देवीरभिष्टय आपो भवन्तु पीतये । शं योरभि स्रवन्तु नः ॥
“O Brihaspati (Jupiter), who shines brightly among men with wisdom beyond the worthy one’s excellence. O born of cosmic order, by your strength you shine. Bestow upon us that wonderful wealth (of knowledge and prosperity).” 6. Shukra (Venus) – शुक्र Sanskrit: ॐ अन्नात्परिस्रुतो रसो बृहस्पतिरन्नपतिः । तं त्वान्नपते नमसा विधेम शुक्र त्वा विधेम ॥ May they flow with peace and health toward us
Om annāt parisruto raso bṛhaspatir annapatiḥ | taṃ tvān napate namasā vidhema śukra tvā vidhema ||
Om udbudhyasvāgne prati jāgṛhi tvām iṣṭāpūrte saṃ sṛjethām ayañca | punastvādityā rudrā vasavaḥ sunirvapantu ||
“Agni (Mars) is the head of the sky, the lord of the earth’s summit. He energizes the seeds of the waters.” 4. Budha (Mercury) – बुध Sanskrit: ॐ उद्बुध्यस्वाग्ने प्रति जागृहि त्वामिष्टापूर्ते सं सृजेथामयञ्च । पुनस्त्वादित्या रुद्रा वसवः सुनिर्वपन्तु ॥ “The essence flowing from food is Brihaspati, the
“Awaken, O Agni (Mercury); be vigilant. Let all offerings and accumulated merits unite with you. May the Adityas, Rudras, and Vasus again offer to you perfectly.” 5. Brihaspati (Jupiter) – गुरु Sanskrit: ॐ बृहस्पते अति यदर्यो अर्हाद्द्युमद्विभाति क्रतुमज्जनेषु । यद्दीदयच्छवस ऋतप्रजात तदस्मासु द्रविणं धेहि चित्रम् ॥
“May the gods nourish this Moon, the nectar of the stars, free from enemies. May the Moon expand (our vitality).” 3. Mangala (Mars) – अङ्गारक Sanskrit: ॐ अग्निर्मूर्धा दिवः ककुत्पतिः पृथिव्या अयम् । अपां रेतांसि जिन्वति ॥