9 Planetary Deities
The nine planets of Vedic astrology are living deities whose positions at the moment of birth shape the karma of every being. Their worship — at Navagraha temples and through weekly mantras — balances planetary influences and removes afflictions.
सूर्य
Surya is the Sun — the king of the Navagraha (nine planetary deities) and the source of all life on earth.
चन्द्र
Chandra is the Moon — the second of the Navagraha.
मङ्गल
Mangal is Mars — the warrior planet.
बुध
Budha is Mercury — the planet of intellect, communication, speech, trade, and analytical reasoning.
बृहस्पति
Brihaspati — also called Guru — is Jupiter, the guru of the devas (celestial preceptor) and the great benefic of Vedic astrology.
शुक्र
Shukra is Venus — the guru of the asuras and the planet of love, beauty, arts, luxury, vehicles, and marriage.
शनि
Shani is Saturn — the slow-moving planet of karma, justice, discipline, hard work, and life-lessons.
राहु
Rahu is the ascending lunar node — a shadow planet (chaya graha) with no physical body, represented in mythology as the severed head of the asura Swarbhanu who drank the amrit and was beheaded by Vishnu but gained immortality.
केतु
Ketu is the descending lunar node — the headless body of the asura Swarbhanu (Rahu's other half).