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.).
Reciting the Navagraha Suktam is believed to pacify malefic influences, strengthen benefic planets, and bring harmony to one’s life. It is often chanted during rituals, eclipses, or on specific weekdays corresponding to each planet. The Text: Sanskrit (Romanized) with Meaning Below is the standard Navagraha Suktam as found in the Taittiriya Aranyaka and other Vedic sources. Each mantra addresses one graha. 1. Surya (Sun) – आदित्य Sanskrit: ॐ तच्चक्षुर्देवहितं पुरस्ताच्छुक्रमुच्चरत् । पश्येम शरदः शतं जीवेम शरदः शतम् ॥
Om imaṃ devā asapatnaṃ sudhāṃ nakṣatrāṇām | āpyāyayanti candramāḥ || navagraha suktam with meaning
Om annāt parisruto raso bṛhaspatir annapatiḥ | taṃ tvān napate namasā vidhema śukra tvā vidhema ||
Om sūryācandramasau dhanyau grahapīḍākarau smṛtau | rāhuścaiva mahādaṃṣṭraḥ sarve te namratāṃ gatāḥ || Introduction The Navagraha Suktam is a powerful Vedic
Om tac cakṣur devahitaṃ purastācchukram uccarat | paśyema śaradaḥ śataṃ jīvema śaradaḥ śatam ||
“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 ॥ It is often chanted during rituals, eclipses, or
“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 ॥
“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 ॥
Om śanno devīr abhiṣṭaya āpo bhavantu pītaye | śaṃ yor abhi sravantu naḥ ||