The Story Of The Nine Planets Or The NavGrahas

The Story Of The Nine Planets Or The NavGrahas

The Story Of The Nine Planets Or The NavGrahas

We all know about the NavGrahas, their name, and their impact on our lives. NavGrahas play a pivotal role in human life, they control almost every aspect of human life. Do you know the story of each Graha? Here I will tell you about NavGrahas and their backstory one by one.

They were not born in the form of the element, they were persons who became legends and then stars or Graha in the universe for eternal.

1. Surya- The Lord of Skies

Surya (Sun) is the center of all Grahas and the source of light and energy. We can say that Surya the Sun is the lord of the skies. He is honored and worshipped by all. Surya dev is also known as Lord Suryanarayan. He is the strongest who influences many strong aspects of human life such as leadership, adventure, entrepreneurship, and strength but like our family life, his relationship with his family was also troubled. 

Surya Dev is the son of the Great Sage Kashyap and Aditi who was the daughter of Prajapati Daksh. 

It is said through our Vedic scriptures that the source of Surya Dev’s Heat, light, and energy is the Goddess Kushmanda who resides in the center of the Sun and created the whole Universe.

So if you worship Lord Sun you get enlightenment, positive energy, and strength.

Surya Dev’s first wife was Devi Sandhya(Sangya). Yam, Yami, and Ashvins were their children. Sandhya was a loving, caring, and devoted wife but it was becoming impossible for her to bear the heat and blinding shine of her Husband Surya Dev. But Surya Dev never cared about this too much and always got furious with his wife Sandhya as he tried to touch her. It gave immense burning and pain to her. So she decided to make her body easily bear her husband’s heat and shine. But she couldn't leave her husband alone in agony so she created Chhaya from her Shadow who was a doppelganger to her. Then she left for the penance and Chhaya took her place. Surya Dev was happy with Chhaya because remains calm when he touches her. She easily bears the heat and shines of Surya Dev. Then Chhaya got pregnant and everything was perfect until the birth of their son. Their son Shani was born with a dark complexion and this made Surya Dev so angry and devastated that how could his son be so dark whether he was so fair, shiny, and handsome? After a time everything got resolved after Surya’s first wife returned from her penance. But His son Shani never liked or respected his father Surya. Shani disagreed with his father Surya at every step.

Once, Lord Hanuman swallows the sun and assumes that it is a sweet fruit. The whole universe sank into darkness then all Gods requested Hanuman’s parents to release the sun otherwise it would disrupt the universe and everyone’s life.

There are many stories revolving around Lord Sun and one of them is when Sage Jagdamani is distressed by the sun’s extreme summer heat and tries to bring down the sun with his arrows. Lord sun was aware of the power of the Great sage so he decided to resolve this matter. He came down to earth and talked to the Sage with a serenity that he has to fulfill his duty to rise and shine for life but he vows that when summer heat will become intolerable then he will create dark thick clouds that will bring cooling rain. And ever since we wait for the monsoon after a hot summer.

In Mahabharata, Kunti pleased Suryanarayan with a Mantra given to her by Sage Durvasa and bore a son named Karna who was one of the main characters of Mahabharata.

These are very few specialties of the Lord sun; he is more enormous than this. He gives us life. And we honor him every morning standing in the east praying to him by offering water with Mantras. He is the primary source of our liveliness.

2. Chandra Dev(Moon)- He who waxes and wanes. 

Chandra Dev or the Moon, our closest neighbor who even pulls the oceans and oceans responds very dramatically and is attractive. Moon plays a very essential role in the universe, human life, and even in our literature, stories, and poems. The beauty of the moon is well-celebrated in our country by writers, poets, Shayar, etc.

Moon not only lights up our nights but has an extraordinary influence on our many parts like sentiments, beauty, love, passion, and calm. 

There are various tales of the birth of the Moon in our Vedic Scriptures. Lord Moon is also known as Trujanmi(Thrice Born). First, he was created by Brahma during his other creative process but was lost in the middle of the complexities of our Vedic scriptures. Then the moon was reborn through the tears of Great Sage Attri. Sage Attri fell into the Soma and got emotional then a huge teardrop fell from his eyes and spilled over as a beaming drop of Soma which became the Moon. There he stayed for a long time under the white milky waves of the ocean. Then during Samundra Manthan Chandra Dev emerges from the ocean and this was then the third time he takes birth.

But maybe a strange birth cycle, with no parents and family made Chandra Dev emotionally isolated and unstable. 

Due to Chandra Dev’s mood swings, and unstable and irresponsible behavior, he couldn't be a good parent and this leads to a strained relationship between him and his son Budh(Mercury). 

He married 27 Nakshatras, daughters of Prajapati Daksh but he loved Rohini the most; it made his other wives so unhappy and they all complained about this to their father Daksh. Daksh got very angry with Moon on seeing his daughter dissatisfied and cursed the Moon that he will lose all his beauty and glory. Then lord Moon pleased God Shiva for years and God shiva resolve that curse partially however He also couldn't return his all beauty and glory

but he modified the curse, that the moon will start fading away for half a month but then will grow for a second half month. This made our calendar.

Chandra Dev accepted that curse with peace so he is the lord of calmness, beauty, and peace for a reason. If the Moon is well placed in your horoscope then you will be blessed with noticeable beauty, creativity, calmness, wealth, and a satisfactory love or married life with a lot of romance and love. But yes you will also be confused and emotional.

3. Mangal- Red, Hot and Angry

Mangal is Mars or the Red planet of our Solar System. Brightest among all other planets.

There are different stories about the origin of Mangal. But in both stories, the same thing is that Mangal was born with the sweat of God Shiva that fell on Earth and she created Mangal.

One is when God Shiva was fighting Andhkasur he took a rest for a while to think and then his sweat fell onto Earth and she created a warrior Mangal.

Another is when God Shiva was highly enraged by the death of his beloved wife Sati then God shiva’s sweat was absorbed by Earth and she created her son Mangal.

Manual was born out of mixed emotions like stress, anger, and modesty(from his Mother Earth). 

When Earth created Mangal, Shiva ordered him to set everything on fire. When Shiva calms down, Mangal also calms down. Shiva was happy with Mangal and gave Mangal his place in the Universe. A red shining ball, Mangal.

Being Earth’s son, maybe that's why after our mother Earth, Mangal has the probability of life on it. 

Mangal affects our strong characteristics such as anger, courage, humility, and acceptance. 

4. Buddh- The Maverick 

Mercury, a shape-shifting metal, is liquid when flowing but solid when stable. Excellent symbol of duality. Mercury as a planet, too, shows these characteristics.

It is closest to the sun so it completes a circle around the sun so quickly but on the other hand, is so slow and lazy on its axis.

Buddh was a person who was a combination of passion, emotions, and intellectual qualities. This is because of his birth and childhood circumstances and incidents.

There are two different variations in our Vedic Scriptures about Buddh’s mother. Somewhere it is said that Rohini the chief and loving wife of Chandra is the mother of the Buddh but in the mainstream, it is believed that Buddh was the son of Chandra Dev and Tara the wife of Brihaspati. Yes! Wife of Brihaspati. The story is:

Brihaspati is the chief advisor or Guru of Devas so he used to stay very busy with work. He had no time for his wife Tara and she was feeling so money and emotional on the other hand Chandra Dev was also very lonely and emotionally unstable due to having no parents and family. Once when Brihaspati was busy with other Devas in their deeds, Chandra Dev entered his place and just got enchanted by Tara’s divine beauty. Both fell in love and eloped. 

All Devas and other Lords got worried about this stressful situation between Brihaspati and Chandra Dev. To avoid any trouble they went to Tara and advised her to go back to her husband and fulfill her duties towards him. Brihaspati accepted Tara but she was pregnant at that time. Brihaspati was so bothered but he was visionary and proficient in wisdom so when Buddh was born and Brihaspati saw his charm and intelligence, he wholeheartedly accepted Buddh as his son. Chandra Dev is known for his calmness, coldness, and mood swings, he willingly consented to this.

Probably Buddh’s personality was highly influenced by his parent's acts. Buddh was emotional and charming like his father Chandra and mother Tara but intellectual because of the teachings of his foster father Brihaspati. He had a strained relationship with his biological father Chandra Dev. Brihaspati sharpened his wit, mind, and intelligence. Buddh became one of the NavGrahas. He is a great communicator, charming and sneaky.

Mercury affects our emotions, desires, learnings, and growth.

5. Brihaspati- Guru of Devas

Brihaspati(Jupiter) or simply we call him Guru. One of Navgrahas Brihaspati associated with Fire, he is the chief counsel of Devas and the largest planet in our solar system. The wisest among all Navgrahas, Brihaspati represents knowledge, wisdom, spirituality, strength, fortune, health, and status.

Brihaspati is depicted as a sage born from the first great light and drove away the darkness, bright, pure, and one who carries a special bow whose string is the basis of Dharma.

Brihaspati was the son of Angirasa and Vyasa. Angirasa was also his son’s teacher, after getting mastery of all shastra and Vedas, Brihaspati was appointed as a chief counsel for all Devas. He became the Guru of Gods.

Brihaspati was married to Tara. Brihaspati was the chief advisor or Guru of Devas so he used to stay very busy with work. He had no time for his wife Tara and she was feeling so lonely and emotional on the other hand Chandra Dev was also very lonely and emotionally unstable due to having no parents and family. Once when Brihaspati was busy with other Devas in their deeds, Chandra Dev entered his place and just got enchanted by Tara’s divine beauty. Both fell in love and eloped. 

All Devas and other Lords got worried about this stressful situation between Brihaspati and Chandra Dev. To avoid any trouble they went to Tara and advised her to go back to her husband and fulfill her duties towards him. Brihaspati accepted Tara but she was pregnant at that time. Brihaspati was so bothered but he was visionary and proficient in wisdom so when Buddh was born and Brihaspati saw his charm and intelligence, he wholeheartedly accepted Buddh as his son. Chandra Dev is known for his calmness, coldness, and mood swings, he willingly consented to this.

This incident tells us about Brihaspati’s highly visionary thoughts, calmness, forbearance, and intellectual mind. 

Thursday is considered to be the dedicated day for Brihaspati, praying to him on Thursday provides astrological benefits.

6. Shukracharya- Who Always believed in truth & reality:

First I will tell you about “Shukracharya”. You have usually heard about Daitya Guru Shukracharya. Yes Shukracharya is Shukra Graha The Venus. 

Despite being proficient in wisdom, art, and knowledge why Shukracharya chose to be the chief mentor, counselor, and the Guru of Asuras, Daitya and chose to stay in Patala lok? 

Because he always stood by the truth, reality, and justice.

Shukracharya is the son of Kavyamata and Maharishi Bhrigu who himself is the soul Son of Brahma and the master of star maps and astrology. Shukracharya was born to such an incredible sage that he has effortless access to high teachings and wisdom. His first Guru was Agnirasa but he left his Gurukul because Rishi Agnirasa was not unbiased between his son Brihaspati and Shukracharya. This was an agonizing impact on Shukracharya’s mind how could a Guru be so discriminatory?

After that, he went to Rishi Gautam and completed his education. He got proficient in the Sanjeevani Mantras which led to his tremendous renown. Sanjeevani Mantra used to give life to any person who is dead. He earned this incredible knowledge through extreme penances in honor of God Shiva. When his competitor Brihaspati became the Guru of Devas then Shukracharya decided to become the Guru of Asuras and teach them. This decision of Shukracharya has left everyone in shock because he parted His way from the mainstream. All devta were under deep stress because Shukracharya had the power of Sanjeevani.

Shukracharya was the Guru of Asuras but still, he never stopped standing for truth and justice and it mostly went in the indirect favor of the Gods. This gave him defamation but this never bothered him. He always guided Asuras and showed them the right path.

He even taught Sanjeevani Mantra to Brihaspati’s son Kach at the emotional request of his daughter Devyani. He respected his daughter’s love and feelings for Kach. 

After a certain period, he moved on to another world. Shukracharya became the guiding light on the eastern horizon. Shukra(Venus) is a morning star and it jas a strong influence on special aspects of our lives such as love, emotions, sex, romance, creativity Knowledge, etc.

7. Shani Dev- Slow and Determined

This is such a wonder that Shani Dev is the son of Lord Sun, opposite to his father. Where the Sun is lustrous and bright, Shani is dark and reticent. But no doubt Shani got his short temperament from his fireball father Lord sun.

Shani Dev is one of the Ninth planets, he is Saturn the seventh planet. Shani is the son of Surya Dev & Chhaya and the younger brother of Yam, Yami, and Ashvins. Surya Dev’s first wife was Devi Sandhya(Sangya). Once she decided to make her body easily bear her husband’s heat and shine and went to penance without telling her husband, so But she created her doppelganger Chhaya from her shadow. Chhaya took her place, Surya Dev was happy with Chhaya and she was an ardent devotee of the God Shiva. Then Chhaya got pregnant but she did not take much care of herself and was deeply involved in the worship of the God Shiva. Their son Shani was born with a dark complexion just like the dark shadow complexion of his mother Chhaya and this made Surya Dev so angry and devastated that how could his son be so dark whether he was so fair, shiny, and handsome? He did not accept Shani as his son. When Shani opened his eyes, his father lord Sun went into Eclipse. After a time everything got resolved but Shani never liked or respected his father Surya and always considered him as his enemy. Shani disagreed with his father Surya at every step.

He also had a strained relationship with his sibling Yam the God of death. Yam never treated his younger brother Shani gently. So we can see that Shani’s family life was not good and satisfying, his father and siblings rejected & disrespected him just because of his dark complexion. Maybe this made him so snuffy, tough, rude, and hard to love. And Shani is the slowest planet that moves slowly around the sun because once in his childhood he hit her mother with his leg and his mother cursed him that he will be lame and slowest. 

Despite all these hardships, Shani Dev pursued his goals. He was a devotee and disciple of the God Shiva. God Shiva gave him a boon to be the most powerful among all the planets including his father Surya. Shani defeated his father to avenge his and his mother’s insult.

Shani became Lord of Karma and Justice. You can not satisfy him by just pleasing offerings because Shani Dev is the only deity who acknowledges you through your inner real thoughts and Karma. You can not fool Shani Dev. He is not like his elder brother Yam-who analyzes and compensates afterlife. Shani Dev will give you the consequences of your Karma in this particular life. 

So if you want blessings from Shani Dev then be careful with your Karma and actions.

8. Rahu- Shadow Planet- Snake’s Head

However, Rahu is one of the Navgrahas but we don't consider Rahu auspicious. Rahu is referred to as the north lunar node, and along with his sibling, Ketu is a Shadow Planet that causes eclipses.

The time of day considered to be under the influence of Rahu is called Rahu Kala and this is considered inauspicious.

In our Vedic Scripture, this story is mentioned that tells us about the Churning of the Milk Ocean(Samudra Manthan) where all Gods and all demons altogether churned out the ocean for ‘The Elixir of Eternal Life’, Amrit. When Lord Vishnu in the form of Mohini was distributing Nectar, especially to all Gods then a demon Swarnbhanu saw this happening and drank that nectar by disguising himself as a God. The Sun and The Moon saw this and told Lord Vishnu who got furious and beheaded Swarnbhanu but he had already drunk that nectar so he became immortal. The head became Rahu and the body became Ketu. Since that incident, Rahu & Ketu consider the Sun & the Moon their enemies and swore revenge against the Sun & the Moon. That's why it is believed that sometimes Rahu swallows the Sun & the Moon for some time and this is called a Solar or Lunar Eclipse.

Rahu resembles Buddh, but they are different in nature and temperament. He generally rides a black lion.

Rahu in the horoscope creates many obstacles and miseries in a person’s life. 

9. Ketu - Shadow Planet- Snake’s Head

Ketu is the sibling of Rahu and the south Lunar node. According to our Vedic astrology, Ketu represents a karmic collection of both good and bad spiritual and supernatural influences. It all depends upon its position in the horoscope, as it causes sorrow and loss, and yet at the same time turns a person to God.

Ketu is supposedly responsible for Moksha, Sanyasa, and self-realization. The people who come under the positive influence of Ketu can achieve great rights, most of them spiritual. 

In our Vedic Scripture, this story is mentioned that tells us about the Churning of the Milk Ocean(Samudra Manthan) where all Gods and all demons altogether churned out the ocean for ‘The Elixir of Eternal Life’, Amrit. When Lord Vishnu in the form of Mohini was distributing Nectar, especially to all Gods then a demon Swarnbhanu saw this happening and drank that nectar by disguising himself as a God. The Sun and The Moon saw this and told Lord Vishnu who got furious and beheaded Swarnbhanu but he had already drunk that nectar so he became immortal. The head became Rahu and the body became Ketu. Since that incident, Rahu & Ketu consider the Sun & the Moon their enemies and swore revenge against the Sun & the Moon. That's why it is believed that sometimes Rahu swallows the Sun & the Moon for some time and this is called a Solar or Lunar Eclipse.

Some facts- 

• Each Navagraha, except Raju & Ketu, rules one day each week.

• Navagrahas are present in every Hindu Temple as sub-deities meant to protect the temple and those entering the temple.

• Navagrahas are worshipped after Lord Ganesha is worshipped in any Aayojan.

• Rahu and Ketu are not planets but are ascending and descending nodes of the Moon.

• No two grahas shall face each other if housed in a separate mandapa.

• One must perform NavGrahas Shanti Pooja once in life.

Navgrah Pooja is very important and one must perform it once in life but always consult a knowledgeable astrologer or your family pandit. If You would like to know about Navgrah pooja then you can consult our renowned astrologer Acharya Sumedh Narayan Soni. You can ask on a phone call or visit our Rudra Astro Center, Mohali Chandigarh. Book Your Appointment for online astrology consultation or Walk-in into our Astrology Center in Mohali.