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How To Pray To Navagraha? In Hindu Religion Worship

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Navagraha worship is an essential practice in Hinduism that involves venerating the nine celestial bodies or deities believed to influence human life and destiny. "Nava" means nine, and "Graha" means planets, but it includes celestial bodies as recognized in Vedic astrology. The Navagrahas are:

  1. Surya (Sun)
  2. Chandra (Moon)
  3. Mangala (Mars)
  4. Budha (Mercury)
  5. Guru (Jupiter)
  6. Shukra (Venus)
  7. Shani (Saturn)
  8. Rahu (North Node of the Moon)
  9. Ketu (South Node of the Moon)

Symbolism of Navagraha Worship

The Navagrahas are believed to control the cosmic forces and have a profound impact on human lives. Each graha or celestial body has specific attributes and governs particular aspects of life. Worshiping the Navagrahas is thought to balance the planetary influences, bring harmony, mitigate negative effects, and enhance the positive energies.

Ideal Gods or Goddesses to Worship

While worshiping the Navagrahas, specific deities are invoked to mitigate the malefic effects of the planets. For example:

  • Surya (Sun): Worship of Lord Shiva or Lord Rama.
  • Chandra (Moon): Worship of Lord Shiva or Goddess Parvati.
  • Mangala (Mars): Worship of Lord Hanuman or Lord Subrahmanya.
  • Budha (Mercury): Worship of Lord Vishnu.
  • Guru (Jupiter): Worship of Lord Dakshinamurthy (form of Shiva) or Lord Vishnu.
  • Shukra (Venus): Worship of Goddess Lakshmi.
  • Shani (Saturn): Worship of Lord Hanuman or Lord Shiva.
  • Rahu: Worship of Goddess Durga or Lord Bhairava.
  • Ketu: Worship of Lord Ganesha.

Puja Steps for Navagraha Worship

Here is a step-by-step guide to performing a Navagraha Puja:

  1. Preparation:

    • Clean the area where the puja is to be performed.
    • Set up an altar with idols or pictures of the Navagrahas.
    • Gather the necessary items such as flowers, incense, camphor, oil lamps, turmeric, vermilion, rice, betel leaves, fruits, sweets, and water.

  2. Invocation (Dhyana):

    • Meditate and invoke the presence of the Navagrahas.
    • Light a lamp with sesame oil, and offer incense.

  3. Sankalpa (Intention):

    • State your purpose for the puja. This intention helps to focus the mind and channelize energies towards the desired outcome.

  4. Kalash Sthapana (Pot Installation):

    • Place a pot filled with water and topped with a coconut and mango leaves, symbolizing the universe.

  5. Navagraha Ashtotra Namavali (Reciting 108 Names):

    • Recite the 108 names of each of the Navagrahas or their associated deities. This helps in gaining their favor and blessings.

  6. Navagraha Mantras:

    • Chant specific mantras for each planet. These mantras are believed to invoke the planetary energies and seek their blessings.

  7. Offerings (Naivedya):

    • Offer flowers, fruits, rice, and other offerings to each planet. Each graha has specific offerings that are preferred:
      • Surya: Wheat, red flowers, red clothes.
      • Chandra: Rice, white flowers, white clothes.
      • Mangala: Red lentils, red flowers, red clothes.
      • Budha: Green gram, green flowers, green clothes.
      • Guru: Bengal gram, yellow flowers, yellow clothes.
      • Shukra: White rice, white flowers, white clothes.
      • Shani: Black sesame, black flowers, black clothes.
      • Rahu: Black gram, blue flowers, blue clothes.
      • Ketu: Horse gram, multi-colored flowers, grey clothes.

  8. Arati:

    • Perform the arati (circling the lamp in front of the deities) and chant the Navagraha stotras or hymns.

  9. Pradakshina (Circumambulation):

    • Perform circumambulation (walk around the altar) nine times while chanting the Navagraha Mantras.

  10. Closing Prayer and Prostration:

  • Conclude the puja by seeking forgiveness for any mistakes committed during the ritual, and bowing down in prostration to the Navagrahas.

Navagraha Mantras

Each graha has its own specific mantra, which can be chanted during the puja to invoke the deity’s blessings:

  1. Surya (Sun):
    Om Hram Hrim Hraum Sah Suryaya Namah

  2. Chandra (Moon):
    Om Shram Shrim Shraum Sah Chandraya Namah

  3. Mangala (Mars):
    Om Kram Krim Kraum Sah Bhaumaya Namah

  4. Budha (Mercury):
    Om Bram Brim Braum Sah Budhaya Namah

  5. Guru (Jupiter):
    Om Gram Grim Graum Sah Gurave Namah

  6. Shukra (Venus):
    Om Dram Drim Draum Sah Shukraya Namah

  7. Shani (Saturn):
    Om Pram Prim Praum Sah Shanaischaraya Namah

  8. Rahu:
    Om Bhram Bhrim Bhraum Sah Rahave Namah

  9. Ketu:
    Om Sram Srim Sraum Sah Ketave Namah

Rare and Relevant Facts about Navagraha Worship

  1. Ancient Roots: The concept of the Navagrahas has roots in ancient Vedic texts where celestial bodies were worshiped to appease their divine forms and seek protection from their adverse effects.

  2. Navagraha Temples: There are several temples in India dedicated specifically to the Navagrahas, particularly in Tamil Nadu, where devotees undertake a pilgrimage to all nine temples to mitigate the malefic effects of the planets.

  3. Connection to Ayurveda: In Ayurveda, the Navagrahas are associated with different doshas (body constitutions). For instance, Surya is associated with the Pitta dosha, while Chandra is associated with the Kapha dosha.

  4. Astrological Influence: In Vedic astrology, each graha represents specific energies that influence a person’s horoscope. Their positions at the time of birth are said to determine one’s destiny and life events.

  5. Significance of Colors and Directions: Each graha is associated with a specific color, direction, and weekday, which are considered during the rituals. For example, Surya is associated with the color red, the direction East, and the day Sunday.

Navagraha worship in Hinduism is a comprehensive practice that encompasses astrology, spirituality, and devotion. It involves rituals, prayers, mantras, and offerings to appease the planetary deities and seek their blessings. By performing the Navagraha puja with devotion and understanding, devotees aim to harmonize the cosmic influences in their lives, leading to spiritual growth, peace, and prosperity.