Navagraha


Navagraha are nine heavenly bodies that influence human life on Earth in Hinduism and Hindu astrology. The term is derived from nava and graha.

Planets, celestial bodies and lunar nodes

The Navagraha are:
  1. Surya: the Sun
  2. Chandra: the Moon
  3. Mangala: Mars
  4. Budha: Mercury
  5. Bṛhaspati: Jupiter
  6. Shukra: Venus
  7. Shani: Saturn
  8. Rahu: Shadow body associated with the ascending lunar node
  9. Ketu: Shadow body associated with the descending lunar node

    Carnatic Music

, a Carnatic music composer from southern India composed the Navagraha Kritis in praise of the nine planets. Each song is a prayer to one of the nine planets. The sahitya of the songs reflect a profound knowledge of the mantra and jyotisha sastras.