“O Brihaspati (Jupiter), who shines brightly among men with wisdom beyond the worthy one’s excellence. O born of cosmic order, by your strength you shine. Bestow upon us that wonderful wealth (of knowledge and prosperity).” 6. Shukra (Venus) – शुक्र Sanskrit: ॐ अन्नात्परिस्रुतो रसो बृहस्पतिरन्नपतिः । तं त्वान्नपते नमसा विधेम शुक्र त्वा विधेम ॥
Om sūryācandramasau dhanyau grahapīḍākarau smṛtau | rāhuścaiva mahādaṃṣṭraḥ sarve te namratāṃ gatāḥ ||
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.).
“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 ॥ navagraha suktam with meaning
Om ketuṃ kṛṇvann aketave peśo maryā apeśase | sam uṣadbhir ajāyathāḥ ||
Om śanno devīr abhiṣṭaya āpo bhavantu pītaye | śaṃ yor abhi sravantu naḥ ||
Om bṛhaspati ati yad aryo arhād dyumad vibhāti kratumaj janeṣu | yad dīdayac chavasa ṛtaprajāta tad asmāsu draviṇaṃ dhehi citram || “O Brihaspati (Jupiter), who shines brightly among men
Om imaṃ devā asapatnaṃ sudhāṃ nakṣatrāṇām | āpyāyayanti candramāḥ ||
“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 ॥
Om tac cakṣur devahitaṃ purastācchukram uccarat | paśyema śaradaḥ śataṃ jīvema śaradaḥ śatam || And Rahu of great fangs – may all
Om udbudhyasvāgne prati jāgṛhi tvām iṣṭāpūrte saṃ sṛjethām ayañca | punastvādityā rudrā vasavaḥ sunirvapantu ||
“Agni (Mars) is the head of the sky, the lord of the earth’s summit. He energizes the seeds of the waters.” 4. Budha (Mercury) – बुध Sanskrit: ॐ उद्बुध्यस्वाग्ने प्रति जागृहि त्वामिष्टापूर्ते सं सृजेथामयञ्च । पुनस्त्वादित्या रुद्रा वसवः सुनिर्वपन्तु ॥
Om agnir mūrdhā divaḥ kakutpatiḥ pṛthivyā ayam | apāṃ retāṃsi jinvati ||