Navagraha

The nine grahas

Vedic astrology reads nine grahas: the seven visible bodies plus the two lunar nodes, Rahu and Ketu. Each carries a set of significations (karakatva), rules one or two signs, and moves at its own pace through the zodiac. The associations below follow classical jyotish (Brihat Parashara Hora Shastra).

Surya (Sun)

Deity: Surya

Soul, vitality, father, authority, government, health.

Surya is the karaka of the soul, the father and authority. A strong Sun gives confidence, leadership, good health and recognition from the state; a weak or afflicted Sun can show low self-worth, trouble with authority or the father, and bone/heart weakness. The Sun is exalted in Aries and debilitated in Libra.

Rules: LeoPace: ~1 month per sign

Gemstone: RubyDay: SundayExalted: AriesDebilitated: LibraBeej mantra: Om Hraam Hreem Hraum Sah Suryaya NamahRemedy: Offer water (Arghya) to the Sun at sunrise; donate wheat or jaggery on Sunday.

Chandra (Moon)

Deity: Chandra

Mind, emotions, mother, comfort, the public, fluids.

Chandra governs the mind, emotions and the mother. A strong, waxing Moon gives emotional stability, popularity and a caring nature; a weak or waning Moon can bring anxiety, mood swings and restlessness. The Moon is exalted in Taurus and debilitated in Scorpio.

Rules: CancerPace: ~2.25 days per sign

Gemstone: PearlDay: MondayExalted: TaurusDebilitated: ScorpioBeej mantra: Om Shraam Shreem Shraum Sah Chandraya NamahRemedy: Offer white rice or milk on Monday; keep a silver vessel.

Mangal (Mars)

Deity: Kartikeya / Bhauma

Energy, courage, siblings, land, discipline, conflict.

Mangal is the karaka of energy, courage, siblings and property. Well-placed Mars gives drive, discipline and technical skill; afflicted Mars can bring anger, accidents, and conflict, and is examined for Manglik dosha in marriage. Mars is exalted in Capricorn and debilitated in Cancer.

Rules: Aries, ScorpioPace: ~1.5 months per sign

Gemstone: Red CoralDay: TuesdayExalted: CapricornDebilitated: CancerBeej mantra: Om Kraam Kreem Kraum Sah Bhaumaya NamahRemedy: Recite Hanuman Chalisa; donate red lentils (masoor) on Tuesday.

Budh (Mercury)

Deity: Vishnu (as Budha)

Intellect, speech, commerce, learning, communication.

Budh rules intellect, speech, commerce and analysis. A strong Mercury gives sharp communication, business sense and wit; a weak Mercury can show indecision, speech issues or nervousness. Mercury is exalted in Virgo and debilitated in Pisces.

Rules: Gemini, VirgoPace: ~1 month per sign

Gemstone: EmeraldDay: WednesdayExalted: VirgoDebilitated: PiscesBeej mantra: Om Braam Breem Braum Sah Budhaya NamahRemedy: Donate green moong or feed green fodder to a cow on Wednesday.

Guru (Jupiter)

Deity: Brihaspati

Wisdom, dharma, wealth, children, teachers, fortune.

Guru is the great benefic — the karaka of wisdom, dharma, wealth and children. Strong Jupiter gives knowledge, optimism, good teachers and fortune; a weak Jupiter can show poor judgement, debt or lack of guidance. Jupiter is exalted in Cancer and debilitated in Capricorn.

Rules: Sagittarius, PiscesPace: ~1 year per sign

Gemstone: Yellow SapphireDay: ThursdayExalted: CancerDebilitated: CapricornBeej mantra: Om Graam Greem Graum Sah Gurave NamahRemedy: Donate turmeric, chana dal or yellow items on Thursday.

Shukra (Venus)

Deity: Shukracharya

Love, marriage, beauty, art, luxury, vehicles.

Shukra governs love, marriage, beauty, art and comforts. A strong Venus gives charm, a happy married life, artistic talent and luxury; an afflicted Venus can bring relationship trouble or over-indulgence. Venus is exalted in Pisces and debilitated in Virgo.

Rules: Taurus, LibraPace: ~23 days per sign

Gemstone: DiamondDay: FridayExalted: PiscesDebilitated: VirgoBeej mantra: Om Draam Dreem Draum Sah Shukraya NamahRemedy: Donate white sweets, curd or white clothes on Friday.

Shani (Saturn)

Deity: Shani Dev

Discipline, karma, longevity, labour, delay, endurance.

Shani is the karaka of discipline, karma, longevity and labour. Well-placed Saturn rewards patience with lasting success, responsibility and endurance; afflicted Saturn brings delay, hardship and the lessons of Sade Sati. Saturn is exalted in Libra and debilitated in Aries.

Rules: Capricorn, AquariusPace: ~2.5 years per sign

Gemstone: Blue SapphireDay: SaturdayExalted: LibraDebilitated: AriesBeej mantra: Om Praam Preem Praum Sah Shanaischaraya NamahRemedy: Donate black sesame, mustard oil or iron on Saturday; serve the needy.

Rahu (North Node)

Deity: Rahu

Desire, ambition, foreign matters, illusion, sudden gains.

Rahu, the north lunar node, signifies worldly desire, ambition, foreign lands and sudden, unconventional gains. Strong Rahu can give rapid rise and mastery of modern fields; afflicted Rahu brings confusion, obsession and deception. Rahu is always retrograde and amplifies whatever house and sign it occupies.

Rules: Co-ruler of Aquarius (tradition)Pace: ~1.5 years per sign (retrograde)

Gemstone: Hessonite (Gomed)Day: —Exalted: Taurus (tradition varies)Debilitated: Scorpio (tradition varies)Beej mantra: Om Bhraam Bhreem Bhraum Sah Rahave NamahRemedy: Donate mustard, blankets or coconut; recite the Rahu beej mantra.

Ketu (South Node)

Deity: Ketu

Detachment, moksha, past karma, spirituality, sudden loss.

Ketu, the south lunar node, signifies detachment, spirituality, past-life karma and moksha. Strong Ketu gives intuition, research ability and spiritual depth; afflicted Ketu can bring sudden loss, isolation or confusion. Ketu is always retrograde and acts like a headless, liberating force.

Rules: Co-ruler of Scorpio (tradition)Pace: ~1.5 years per sign (retrograde)

Gemstone: Cat's Eye (Lehsunia)Day: —Exalted: Scorpio (tradition varies)Debilitated: Taurus (tradition varies)Beej mantra: Om Sraam Sreem Sraum Sah Ketave NamahRemedy: Donate a multi-coloured blanket or sesame; feed dogs.

Where they are now →See them in your chart →

Which graha rules your chart?

Ask our AI astrologer — free — which grahas are strong or weak in your birth chart, and simple remedies.

Ask the AI astrologer — free →

Frequently asked questions

What are the nine grahas (Navagraha)?

The nine grahas are the Sun (Surya), Moon (Chandra), Mars (Mangal), Mercury (Budh), Jupiter (Guru/Brihaspati), Venus (Shukra), Saturn (Shani), Rahu and Ketu.

Are Rahu and Ketu real planets?

No. Rahu and Ketu are not physical bodies but the two points where the Moon’s path crosses the Sun’s path (the lunar nodes). They are called shadow planets and are always retrograde.

Which sign does each graha rule?

Sun rules Leo, Moon Cancer, Mars Aries & Scorpio, Mercury Gemini & Virgo, Jupiter Sagittarius & Pisces, Venus Taurus & Libra, Saturn Capricorn & Aquarius. Rahu and Ketu are traditionally co-rulers of Aquarius and Scorpio.

Which graha is fastest and which is slowest?

The Moon is fastest (about 2.25 days per sign) and Saturn is slowest (about 2.5 years per sign).

Which Navagraha is the most powerful?

Traditionally the Sun (soul and authority) and Jupiter (the great benefic — wisdom and fortune) are considered most influential, while Saturn is the greatest karmic force. But real strength depends on a graha’s sign, house and dasha in your chart — no single planet is always supreme.