Navagraha Devatas

Navagraha Devatas

Invoking the Lord in the form of planetary deities is one of the unique forms of worshipping Īśvara seen in the Vedic culture. The planetary deities are perceived as playing a significant role in the life of an individual. Jyotiṣa, one of the Vedāṅgas, includes astronomy and astrology. Jyotiṣa connects the life events of a human being to the orderly patterns of the movements of the planets in the earth’s solar system.

 In addition, astrology is a predictive science based upon the positions of the various planets cast at the time of one’s birth (the horoscope). While the horoscope indicates the life pattern destined at birth, the law of karma enables an individual, within the confines of his birth, to exercise free will through actions and to change destined events. 

These actions include prayers known as śānti. Śāntis are specific prayers offered to Īśvara who is invoked in the form of various planetary deities called grahas.  Jyotiṣa recognizes nine planets, nava-grahas, that are associated with various life experiences. These planetary deities also preside over the twelve signs of the zodiac in the following order: Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius and Pisces. 

Sūrya Devatā 

Because the essential nature of Sūrya, the sun, is light, it is called the ātmakāraka or the presiding deity of the ātma, awareness. The sun governs a person’s confidence, authority and status. The sun is also the presiding deity of the eyes and rules the sign Leo. The Viṣṇu Purāṇa (2.8.15) states that the sun does not move; nor does it rise or set. Rising and setting imply appearance and disappearance. 


Candra Devatā 

Candra, the moon, is the presiding deity of the mind and emotions. This devatā is depicted with crescent moon, holding lotus buds in his hands. He rules the sign of Cancer  

Kuja Devatā 

The deity Kuja,  Mars, is also known as Maṅgala or Aṅgāraka. In the Purāṇas he is also described as Kārtikeya, the son of Lord Śiva and Goddess Pārvatī. He is depicted as wearing red clothes and carrying a spear. He governs the qualities of courage and bravery, and presides over siblings and health. He rules Aries and Scorpio. 

Budha Devatā 

Budha, the Mercury, is the deity who presides over intelligence. He governs a person’s teaching capacities. He is depicted as holding the Vedas in one hand and a sword, a mace and a shield in his other hands. He rules Gemini and Virgo. 


Guru Devatā 

Guru, Jupiter, is the presiding deity of religious inclinations and prosperity. He is also the presiding deity of married life for women. He is described in the Purāṇas as Bṛhaspati, the preceptor of the devatās. He is often depicted in a standing posture with four hands, in one of which he holds a weapon called the vajra-āyudha. He rules Sagittarius and Pisces. 

Śukra Devatā 

Śukra, Venus, is the presiding deity of material comforts, arts, culture and aesthetics. He is also the presiding deity of love and married life for men. In the Purāṇas he is depicted as being the preceptor of King Bali. Śukra is depicted as standing with his hands folded. He is the ruler of Taurus and Libra. 

Śani Devatā 

Śani, Saturn is the presiding deity of longevity, calamities and difficulties in life and at the same time, of renunciation and spiritual wisdom. He presides over painful experiences and inner growth.

 In the Purāṇas, he is considered the son of the sun deity. He is depicted with a dark complexion, bearing a mace and moving at a slow pace. He has a crow as his vehicle. His eyes are generally blind-folded because of the belief that his glance is very powerful and may bring misfortune. He rules Capricorn and Aquarius.


Rāhu and Ketu Devatās 

Rāhu is the presiding deity of worldly desires and Ketu is the presiding deity of mokṣa, or freedom from limitations. Astronomically, they are not planets but the northern and southern nodal points of the moon. They are closely connected to each other astrologically. 

Mythologically, they are born of a rākṣasa. The upper half of Rāhu’s body is similar to a man, while the lower half is like a snake. Conversely, the upper half of Ketu’s body is similar to the head of a snake, while the lower half is like a man. They do not rule any signs but give the effects of the ruler of the signs where they are situated.