Overview of Navagrahas

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Overview of Navagrahas

Introduction

The term "Navagrahas" literally means "Nine Planets." They are:

Surya (Sun)
Chandra (Moon)
Mangal (Mars)
Budha (Mercury)
Guru (Jupiter) - also known as Brihaspati or Viyazhan
Shukra (Venus)
Shani (Saturn)
Rahu (The North Lunar Node) and
Ketu (The South Lunar Node)

Together, the seven planets with physical form (Sun, Moon, Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus, and Saturn) and the two shadow planets (Rahu and Ketu) constitute the Navagrahas. Astrology asserts that the house (sign) in which these nine planets are positioned and their respective strengths determine a person's destiny.

Depiction of Navagrahas in Temples

In most Shiva temples, the Navagrahas are installed in the northeastern corner (Ishanya), facing west. The central planet is Surya (Sun). Their relative positions are as follows:

Direction	Planet
East of Surya	Shukra (Venus)
West of Surya	Shani (Saturn)
North of Surya	Guru (Jupiter)
South of Surya	Mangal (Mars)
Northeast of Surya	Budha (Mercury)
Southeast of Surya	Chandra (Moon)
Northwest of Surya	Ketu
Southwest of Surya	Rahu

Surya faces east, and the other planets are positioned accordingly. Each planet is usually installed in its own niche (Sannidhi) and is often depicted with its mount (Vahana), although this is not always the case, especially in Shiva temples.

Method of Worship

Devotees should circumambulate the Navagraha shrine seven times in a clockwise direction and twice in a counter-clockwise direction. This is because the seven planets from Surya to Shani move from left to right (clockwise), while Rahu and Ketu move from right to left (counter-clockwise).

Navagraha Invocation

One can chant the following mantra while worshiping the Navagrahas:

"Suryanai Potri, Chandranai Potri, Sevvaayai Potri, Budhanai Potri, Guruvai Potri, Sukkiranai Potri, Shaniswararai Potri, Rahu-Ketuvai Potri, Potri."

Translation: Salutations to Surya, Salutations to Chandra, Salutations to Mars, Salutations to Mercury, Salutations to Jupiter, Salutations to Venus, Salutations to Saturn, Salutations to Rahu and Ketu.

Places to Visit Before Navagraha Worship

The most important place to visit before beginning a Navagraha pilgrimage is Thirumangalakkudi. This temple is located near the Suryanar Kovil (the temple dedicated to the Sun God) and is sacred to Lord Shiva (as Pranavardeswarar) and Goddess Parvati (as Mangala Nayaki). It is known as a "Pancha Mangala Kshetra" (a place of five auspicious aspects) because it houses:

Mangala Vinayaka
Mangala Natha (Lord Shiva)
Mangala Nayaki (Goddess Parvati)
Mangala Theertham (sacred water tank)
Mangala (the temple itself, often referred to as Mangal Kovil)

The place is also praised by Saint Thirugnanasambandar in his verses:

"Mangalakkudi Aalum Aadipiraan Adigal Adaindhu Yetthavé Kōlum Nālaivai Pōyum Kuttramilārkalē"

(Approximate Translation: Those who surrender to the Lord of Mangalakkudi will be blessed with good days and their faults will vanish.)

The Story of Kalava Munivar and the Navagrahas

Once upon a time, the great sage Kalava Munivar, who knew the past, present, and future, was performing severe penance (tapas) in the Himalayas. A wandering ascetic approached him and asked for a prediction of his future. Kalava Munivar replied, "O ascetic, I see nothing worth mentioning about your future through my divine vision."

The ascetic then asked, "O great sage, you claim to know the future of everyone. Do you know about your own future?" Kalava Munivar asked, "Who are you?" The ascetic replied, "I am the God of Time (Kala Deva)," and disappeared.

Kalava Munivar then used his divine vision to see his own future and was shocked to learn that he was destined to be afflicted by leprosy as a result of his past karma. Realizing that the Navagrahas are the dispensers of karmic results, he began intense penance to appease them. Pleased with his devotion, the Navagrahas appeared before him and granted him a boon, curing him of the impending disease.

The Curse of Brahma on the Navagrahas

When Lord Brahma learned of this, he became furious. He summoned the Navagrahas and said:

"O Navagrahas! Even though you are deities, you do not have the independent authority to act alone. You must dispense good and bad results to beings only as per the will of Lord Shiva and with the assistance of Kala Deva. By protecting Kalava Munivar against his destiny, you have overstepped your bounds. Therefore, you shall be afflicted by leprosy yourselves as a consequence."

Navagrahas Seek Redemption at Thirumangalakkudi

The terrified Navagrahas sought refuge at the feet of Brahma, seeking relief from the curse. The compassionate Brahma advised them:

"Go to Arkkavayam (an ancient name for Thirumangalakkudi) and worship the Lord there (Pranavardeswarar) and the Goddess (Mangala Nayaki). From the month of Karthigai (October-November) onwards, on twelve consecutive Sundays, observe a fast and perform penance. On Mondays, bathe in the sacred tank and consume just one morsel of curd mixed with the leaves of the Erukku (Crown Flower) plant. On other days, you may eat normal food."

The Navagrahas followed Brahma's instructions and went to Arkkavayam to worship. However, the leprosy afflicted them anyway. At that time, Sage Agastya arrived and explained that the Erukku leaf, when consumed, has medicinal properties that can cure leprosy. He advised them to install a Vinayaka (Ganesha) temple to the north of the temple and worship Him. For 78 days, the Navagrahas performed strict penance, consuming only a tiny bit of Erukku leaf and curd. On the 79th day, Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati appeared before them and blessed them:

"Your penance has been successful. The leprosy has been cured. Build a temple in the northern part of this place. You shall worship here, and whoever comes to you for worship shall have their planetary afflictions (doshas) relieved. This place shall be known as a primary remedial center for the Navagrahas."

Kalava Munivar Builds the Temple

Upon learning of this, Sage Kalava Munivar rushed to the Navagrahas and begged for their forgiveness. The Navagrahas forgave him and advised him to worship the Vinayaka they had installed earlier. This Vinayaka, who cured the curse, is known as "Kola Theertha Vinayagar" (the Vinayaka who cured the disease).

Following the divine plan, Kalava Munivar built a temple with separate shrines for the nine planetary deities, naming the place Thirumangalakkudi. The temple complex where the Navagrahas reside is called the Suryanar Kovil (the Sun God Temple).

The Story of Mangala Nayaki

Once, a minister was constructing a temple without the king's permission. When the king found out, he was furious and ordered the minister to be executed. The minister's wife rushed to the Goddess (Mangala Nayaki) and pleaded for her husband's life. The Goddess revived him. As she restored the minister's marital bond (Mangalyam), she came to be known as Mangala Nayaki, and Lord Shiva, who restored the minister's life, is known as Pranavardeswarar.

Pancha Mangala Kshetra

Thirumangalakkudi is also known as a Pancha Mangala Kshetra (place of five auspicious aspects) because of the presence of:

Mangala Vimana (the temple tower over the sanctum)
Mangala Vinayaka
Mangala Nayaki
Mangala Theertham
Mangala Kovil (the temple itself)

This is the first place to visit in a Navagraha pilgrimage. Worshipping here and then at Suryanar Kovil helps alleviate diseases and planetary afflictions. It is believed that consuming a mixture of Erukku leaf and curd on eleven consecutive Sundays starting from the month of Karthigai can cure all ailments.

General Remedy for All Planetary Doshas

To reduce the adverse effects of any planet, one should wake up early, bathe before 6 AM, and chant the following mantra 108 times while facing the Sun.

This should be started on a Sunday or on an Amavasya (New Moon day).

Mantra

When chanting for oneself:

"Om Namo Bhagavathe Bhaskaraya Mama Sarva Grahanam Peeda Nashanam Kuru Kuru Swaha"

When chanting for someone else:

"Om Namo Bhagavathe Bhaskaraya [Name of the person or their family] Sarva Grahanam Peeda Nashanam Kuru Kuru Swaha"

Chanting this mantra with a Yantra (a mystical diagram) is believed to give faster results.