These nine celestial bodies in the cosmos influence every aspect of our lives and is responsible for all the ‘good or bad’ times we face in life. What happens in the planets as a macrocosm is mirrored with in us as microcosm (or it could be seen the other way around!). These planetary energies are reflected in our energy centers or chakras. The ancients have developed specific Sanskrit sound modules and mantras to align the planetary energies with in our energy centres so one can be in harmony with the nine planets. Rahu and Ketu are called the 'chaya grahas' meaning shadow planets. They are the lunar nodes that cause the eclipse. There is also an ancient story in which Rahu is represented as a huge serpent that swallows the moon during eclipse. Most temples in India have a separate section for the nine planetary Gods. I can recall circling the navagraha nine times when I was a kid without knowing what I was doing! The holy man in the temple once told me that the last circle should be in the anti-clock direction which is for the Sani god. In southern India, there is a festival dedicated to Surya, the sun god which is also called as the sugarcane festival. 

​

The below chart gives the connection between the planets and the chakras.

​

Chandra (Soma), Moon

Crown Chakra - Top of the Head

​

Surya (Ravi), Sun

Third Eye Chakra – Forehead

Shani, Saturn

Throat Chakra – Throat

Shukra, Venus

Heart Chakra – Heart

Guru (Brihaspati), Jupiter

Solar Plexus Chakra – Navel

Budha, Mercury

Sacral Chakra - Abdomen

Mangal, Mars

Root Chakra - Ovaries/Prostate

Rahu, Lunar ascending node

Ketu,  Lunar descending node

Mantras for the 9 Planets

Surya mantra (Sun)

OM Japaa Kusumasankasham Kasyapeyam Maha Dhyuthim

Tamognam Sarvapaapghnam Pranatosmi Divakaram

Aum hraan hreen hron seh Suryaya Namah

​

I salute Sun, who is red like a Hibiscus, the descendant of Kaashyapa, Foe of darkness and has splendid radiance and the one who dispels all sins

​

Chandra mantra (Moon)

OM Dadhi Shankha tushaa-raabham Khseero Darnava Sambhavam

Namaami Shashinam Somam Shambhor Mukuta Bhooshanam

Aum Shran Shrin Shron seh Chandraye Namah

The one who has the hue of curd and icebergs, who rose from Ksheasagar and who adorns the head of Shiva. I prostrate to the Moon, the ruling deity of the soma juice

Mangal mantra (Mars)

OM Dharanee garbha sambhootam ,Vidyut Kaanti Sama-prabham

Kumaram Shakti Hastam Cha Mangalaam Pranamamyamaham

Aum Kran Krin Kron seh Bhaumaaye Namah 

I pray to Mars, born of Earth, His effulgence is like that of lightning. He is called Kumara and who holds in his hand weapon called Shakti

Budha mantra (Mercury)

OM Priyangukalika Shyaamam , Roopenaa Pratimam Budham

Soumyam Soumya Guno Petham Tam Budham Pranamamyamham

Aum Bran Brin Bron seh Budhaye Namah

I pray to Mercury, who has a dark blue complexion and whose beauty is unmatched. Mercury possesses gentle and charming characteristics.

Guru mantra (Jupiter)

OM Deva-naam cha Rishi Naam cha Gurum kaanchana sannibham,

Buddhi Bhootam Trilokesham Tam Namaami Brihaspatim

Aum Gran Grin Gron seh Guruve Namah

I pray to Jupiter, the preceptor of saints, gods, and rishis, intellect incarnate, lord of the three worlds

Shukra mantra (Venus)

OM HimaKundha Mrina-laabham Daitya-naam Paramam Gurum

Sarva Shastra Pravaktaaram Bhargavam Pranamaamyamham

Aum Dran Drin Dron Seh Shukraye Namah

I pray to Venus, the son of Bhagu. Venus is the spiritual master of asuras, promulgator of all learning, he who shines like the fiber of snow-white jasmine

Shani mantra (Saturn)

OM Neelanjanasamaabhasam Ravi Putram Yamaagrajam

Chaaya Marthanda Sambhootam Tam Namaami Shanaiswaram

Aum Pram Prim Pron seh Shanicharaye Namah 

Lord Shani is the one who is dark blue in complexion, who is the son of Lord Surya and his wife Chaya, who is the elder brother of Yama. The slow moving, I prostrate that Shaneeswara

Rahu mantra

OM Ardha Kaayam Mahaa Veeryam Chandra- Aditya Vimardanam

Simhika Garbha Sambhootam Tam Rahum Pranamaamyaham

Aum Bhran Bhrin Bhron seh Rahve Namah 

I pray to Lord Rahu, the son of Simhika, having half a body, of exceptional strength and is the eclipser of the Moon and the Sun

Ketu mantra

OM Palaasha Pushpa Sankaasham Tarakaa Graha Mastakam

Roudram Roudraatma-kam Ghoram Tam Ketum Pranamaamya-ham

Aum Sran Srin Sron seh Ketve Namah 

I pray to Lord Ketu, who has the appearance of Palaasha flower, the head of planets and stars. Lord Ketu is fearsome and violent

Prayer for all the nine planets

OM Nama Suryaya Somaya Mangalaya Budhaya Cha,

Guru Shukra Sanibhyascha, Rahava Kethave Nama

I pray to all 9 planets – Sun, Moon, Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus, Saturn, Rahu and Ketu   

​