Śrī Navagraha Stotram — Complete Explanation.
The nine planetary deities: their Sanskrit verses, transliteration, meanings, symbolism and lessons for daily life.
The Navagraha Stotram is a traditional Sanskrit hymn praising the nine Grahas, or celestial influences, revered in Hindu tradition. The image attributes the hymn to Sri Vyasa.
In Hindu thought, the Navagrahas are associated with time, karma and the different experiences of human life. Worship of these deities is not merely a request for favourable circumstances. It can also be an opportunity to cultivate patience, courage, wisdom, humility and faith in the Divine.
The nine Grahas are Surya (Sun), Chandra (Moon), Mangala (Mars), Budha (Mercury), Brihaspati or Guru (Jupiter), Shukra (Venus), Shani (Saturn), Rahu and Ketu.
Let us understand each verse, one by one.
1. Śrī Sūrya — The Sun God
जापाकुसुमसङ्काशं काश्यपेयं महाद्युतिम् ।
तमोऽरिं सर्वपापघ्नं प्रणतोऽस्मि दिवाकरम् ॥
Jāpākusuma-saṅkāśaṃ kāśyapeyaṃ mahādyutim
Tamorim sarva-pāpaghnaṃ praṇato'smi divākaram.
Jāpākusuma-saṅkāśam — shining like the red hibiscus flower.
Kāśyapeyam — the son of Sage Kashyapa.
Mahādyutim — possessing immense brilliance.
Tamo'rim — the enemy of darkness.
Sarva-pāpaghnaṃ — the destroyer of all sin or wrongdoing.
Praṇato'smi — I bow down.
Divākaram — the maker of the day, the Sun.
“I bow to Lord Surya, who shines like a red hibiscus, the radiant son of Sage Kashyapa, the dispeller of darkness and the destroyer of sin.”
The Sun is the visible source of light, warmth and energy. His rising brings activity and awakens the world. Spiritually, he represents clarity, discipline, vitality and the light of knowledge.
Darkness in this verse can also be understood as ignorance, confusion and the failure to recognise what is right.
Reflection for daily life: Begin the day with gratitude for the light we receive. Just as the Sun rises without waiting for praise, let us perform our duties sincerely, whether or not others notice our efforts.
2. Śrī Chandra — The Moon God.
दधिशङ्खतुषाराभं क्षीरोदार्णवसम्भवम् ।
नमामि शशिनं सोमं शम्भोर्मुकुटभूषणम् ॥
Dadhi-śaṅkha-tuṣārābhaṃ kṣīrodārṇava-sambhavam
Namāmi śaśinaṃ somaṃ śambhor-mukuṭa-bhūṣaṇam.
Dadhi — curd.
Śaṅkha — conch shell.
Tuṣāra — snow or frost.
Ābham — shining like.
Kṣīrodārṇava-sambhavam — born from, or manifested through, the Ocean of Milk.
Namāmi — I bow to.
Śaśinam — the Moon, marked by the hare-like pattern traditionally seen on it.
Somam — Soma, another name of the Moon deity.
Śambhoḥ — of Lord Shiva.
Mukuṭa-bhūṣaṇam — the ornament of the crown.
“I bow to Lord Chandra, who shines like curd, a conch shell and snow, who is associated with the Ocean of Milk and who adorns the crown of Lord Shiva.”
Chandra is associated with the mind, feelings, tenderness and tranquillity. His waxing and waning remind us that change is part of life.
His presence in Lord Shiva's matted locks also gives us a beautiful image of the mind held in divine composure.
Reflection for daily life: Our emotions need not control every decision. Like the Moon reflected in calm water, the mind becomes clearer when we cultivate peace, kindness and restraint.
3. Śrī Maṅgala — The Planet Mars.
धरणीगर्भसम्भूतं विद्युत्कान्तिसमप्रभम् ।
कुमारं शक्तिहस्तं च मङ्गलं प्रणमाम्यहम् ॥
Dharaṇī-garbha-sambhūtaṃ vidyut-kānti-samaprabham
Kumāraṃ śakti-hastaṃ ca maṅgalaṃ praṇamāmyaham.
Dharaṇī — the Earth.
Garbha-sambhūtam — born from the womb of, or originating from.
Vidyut-kānti — the brilliance of lightning.
Samaprabham — possessing a comparable radiance.
Kumāram — the youthful warrior or prince.
Śakti-hastam — holding a spear or divine weapon called the śakti.
Ca — and.
Maṅgalam — Mangala, the planetary deity Mars.
Praṇamāmyaham — I bow down.
I bow to Mangala, associated with the Earth, radiant like lightning, youthful and holding the divine spear.”
Mangala represents energy, courage, determination and the capacity to act. The spear symbolises focused strength.
Yet strength without judgement can become anger, aggression or impatience. The verse invites us to recognise power as something to be directed wisely.
Reflection for daily life: Courage is not the ability to win every argument. It is the strength to stand for what is right, protect those who need help and control our own anger.
4. Śrī Budha — The Planet Mercury
प्रियङ्गुकलिकाश्यामं रूपेणाप्रतिमं बुधम् ।
सौम्यं सौम्यगुणोपेतं तं बुधं प्रणमाम्यहम् ॥
Priyaṅgu-kalikā-śyāmaṃ rūpeṇāpratimaṃ budham
Saumyaṃ saumya-guṇopetaṃ taṃ budhaṃ praṇamāmyaham.
Priyaṅgu — a traditional plant, often identified with a fragrant millet-like plant.
Kalikā — a flower bud.
Śyāmam — dark or greenish in colour.
Rūpeṇa — in appearance.
Apratimam — incomparable.
Budham — Budha, the planetary deity Mercury, associated with intelligence.
Saumyam — gentle, gracious or pleasing.
Saumya-guṇopetam — endowed with gentle and agreeable qualities.
Tam — that deity.
Praṇamāmyaham — I bow down.
“I bow to Budha, incomparable in appearance, dark like a Priyaṅgu flower bud and endowed with gentle and pleasing qualities.”
Budha is traditionally associated with intelligence, communication, learning, reasoning and discernment.
The verse praises not merely intelligence but intelligence accompanied by gentleness. A sharp mind becomes truly valuable when it is used with sensitivity.
5. Śrī Bṛhaspati — Guru, the Teacher of the Devas
देवानां च ऋषीणां च गुरुं काञ्चनसन्निभम् ।
बुद्धिभूतं त्रिलोकेशं तं नमामि बृहस्पतिम् ॥
Devānāṃ ca ṛṣīṇāṃ ca guruṃ kāñcana-sannibham
Buddhi-bhūtaṃ trilokeśaṃ taṃ namāmi Bṛhaspatim.
Devānām — of the gods.
Ca — and.
Ṛṣīṇām — of the sages.
Guruṃ — the teacher or spiritual preceptor.
Kāñcana-sannibham — resembling gold in brilliance.
Buddhi-bhūtam — embodying intelligence or wisdom.
Trilokeśam — the lord or master of the three worlds.
Tam — that deity.
Namāmi — I bow to.
Bṛhaspatim — Brihaspati, the Guru of the Devas.
“I bow to Brihaspati, the golden-radiant teacher of the gods and sages, who embodies wisdom and is revered as a master of the three worlds.”
Brihaspati represents knowledge, spiritual guidance, wisdom and the ability to distinguish lasting values from temporary attractions.
The verse places the Guru in a position of honour even among the gods. It reminds us that learning is not complete merely because we have gathered information; we need wisdom to use it well.
Reflection for daily life: We should remain grateful to those who guide us—parents, teachers, elders and spiritual preceptors. The ability to accept good advice is itself a mark of wisdom.
6. Śrī Śukra — The Teacher of the Asuras.
हिमकुन्दमृणालाभं दैत्यानां परमं गुरुम् ।
सर्वशास्त्रप्रवक्तारं भार्गवं प्रणमाम्यहम् ॥
Hima-kunda-mṛṇālābhaṃ daityānāṃ paramaṃ gurum
Sarva-śāstra-pravaktāraṃ bhārgavaṃ praṇamāmyaham.
Hima — snow.
Kunda — the white jasmine flower.
Mṛṇāla — the pale stalk of a lotus.
Ābham — shining like.
Daityānām — of the Daityas, a class of beings born of Diti.
Paramam gurum — the supreme teacher.
Sarva-śāstra-pravaktāram — the expounder or teacher of all the Śāstras.
Bhārgavam — the descendant of Sage Bhrigu, referring to Shukra.
Praṇamāmyaham — I bow down.
I bow to Shukra, descendant of Bhrigu, who shines like snow, white jasmine and a lotus stalk, the revered teacher of the Daityas and an expounder of the Śāstras.”
Shukra is associated with beauty, relationships, refinement, enjoyment and material prosperity. In the mythological tradition, he serves as the preceptor of the Asuras, just as Brihaspati serves as the preceptor of the Devas.
This distinction teaches us that knowledge and guidance exist in different spheres of life. The moral value of our choices depends on how we use what we know.
Reflection for daily life: Beauty and comfort are not wrong in themselves. The challenge is to enjoy life's blessings without becoming enslaved by them. True refinement includes generosity, restraint and consideration for others.
7. Śrī Śanaiścara — Lord Shani.
नीलाञ्जनसमाभासं रविपुत्रं यमाग्रजम् ।
छायामार्तण्डसम्भूतं तं नमामि शनैश्चरम् ॥
Nīlāñjana-samābhāsaṃ ravi-putraṃ yamāgrajam
Chāyā-Mārtaṇḍa-sambhūtaṃ taṃ namāmi śanaiścaram.
Nīlāñjana — blue-black collyrium, traditionally used around the eyes.
Samābhāsam — shining or appearing like.
Ravi-putram — the son of Surya, the Sun.
Yamāgrajam — the elder brother of Yama, the deity associated with death and justice.
Chāyā — the divine mother Chhaya, meaning shadow.
Mārtaṇḍa — the Sun God.
Sambhūtam — born of or originating from.
Tam — that deity.
Namāmi — I bow to.
Śanaiścaram — Shani, traditionally understood as the slow-moving celestial deity.
“I bow to Shani, who shines like dark collyrium, the son of Surya and Chhaya, and the elder brother of Yama.”
Shani occupies a special place in Hindu devotional thought. He is associated with discipline, responsibility, endurance, justice and the consequences of our actions.
His slow movement through the heavens provides a traditional symbol of experiences that unfold gradually and require patience. Shani is not simply a symbol of misfortune; devotees also approach him as a dispenser of justice and a teacher of humility.
Reflection for daily life: Difficult periods can teach us what easy periods sometimes cannot. Instead of becoming bitter when circumstances are unfavourable, we can examine our conduct, fulfil our responsibilities and develop patience.
We need not live in fear of Shani. A life of integrity, compassion and sincere effort is more constructive than constant anxiety about planetary influences.
8. Śrī Rāhu — The Shadow Graha.
अर्धकायं महावीर्यं चन्द्रादित्यविमर्दनम् ।
सिंहिकागर्भसम्भूतं तं राहुं प्रणमाम्यहम् ॥
Ardha-kāyaṃ mahā-vīryaṃ candrāditya-vimardanam
Siṃhikā-garbha-sambhūtaṃ taṃ rāhuṃ praṇamāmyaham.
Ardha-kāyam — having half a body.
Mahā-vīryam — possessing immense power.
Candrāditya-vimardanam — the one who assails or overcomes the Moon and the Sun.
Siṃhikā-garbha-sambhūtam — born from the womb of Simhika.
Tam — that deity.
Rāhum — Rahu, one of the two shadow Grahas.
Praṇamāmyaham — I bow down.
I bow to Rahu, the powerful, half-bodied celestial being born of Simhika, who is associated with the eclipsing of the Sun and Moon.”
In Hindu mythology, Rahu is associated with the story of the churning of the Ocean of Milk. A being who secretly partook of the nectar of immortality was discovered by Surya and Chandra. Lord Vishnu severed his head with the Sudarshana Chakra. Because the nectar had already touched him, his head survived as Rahu, while the body became Ketu.
Rahu is associated in Jyotisha with intense desire, ambition, unconventional paths and sudden changes. Astronomically, Rahu corresponds to the ascending lunar node, one of the points where eclipses can occur.
The verse reminds us of the extraordinary power represented by Rahu and his mythological relationship with the Sun and Moon.
Reflection for daily life: Ambition can help us accomplish remarkable things, but desire without discernment can cloud our judgement. When confusion arises, pause before acting. Seek clarity rather than allowing fear, fascination or impatience to make decisions for us.
9. Śrī Ketu — The Shadow Graha.
पलाशपुष्पसङ्काशं तारकाग्रहमस्तकम् ।
रौद्रं रौद्रात्मकं घोरं तं केतुं प्रणमाम्यहम् ॥
Palāśa-puṣpa-saṅkāśaṃ tārakā-graha-mastakam
Raudraṃ raudrātmakaṃ ghoraṃ taṃ ketuṃ praṇamāmyaham.
Palāśa-puṣpa — the flower of the Palāśa tree, known for its vivid reddish-orange colour.
Saṅkāśam — resembling or shining like.
Tārakā-graha — stars and celestial bodies.
Mastakam — the head or foremost part.
Raudram — fierce or formidable.
Raudrātmakam — having a fierce or powerful nature.
Ghoram — awe-inspiring or formidable.
Tam — that deity.
Ketum — Ketu, the other shadow Graha.
Praṇamāmyaham — I bow down.
“I bow to Ketu, who shines like the Palāśa flower, is associated with the celestial bodies, and possesses a formidable and powerful nature.”
The expression tārakā-graha-mastakam is compact and can be interpreted somewhat differently across translations; it evokes Ketu's place among the celestial influences.
In the mythology of the nectar of immortality, Ketu represents the body separated from Rahu's head. In Jyotisha, Ketu is often associated with detachment, inward searching, renunciation and spiritual insight.
The fierce descriptions do not mean that the devotee must be afraid. Sanskrit devotional hymns often use powerful imagery to acknowledge a deity's formidable nature.
Reflection for daily life: Not everything we possess needs to become something we cling to. Sometimes growth begins when we release an old resentment, a harmful habit or an attachment that no longer serves us. Detachment does not mean neglecting our duties; it means performing them without becoming imprisoned by possessiveness.
10. Phalaśruti — The Benefits of Reciting the Stotram.
The tenth verse is the concluding verse, traditionally called the phalaśruti—the statement of the benefits associated with reciting a hymn.
इति श्रीव्यासमुखोद्गीतं यः पठेत् सुसमाहितः ।
दिवा वा यदि वा रात्रौ विघ्नशान्तिर्भविष्यति ॥
Iti Śrī-Vyāsa-mukhodgītaṃ yaḥ paṭhet susamāhitaḥ
Divā vā yadi vā rātrau vighna-śāntir bhaviṣyati.
Iti — thus; in this manner.
Śrī-Vyāsa — the revered sage Vyasa.
Mukha-udgītam — uttered or sung forth from the mouth.
Yaḥ — whoever.
Paṭhet — recites or reads.
Susamāhitaḥ — with a calm, collected and attentive mind.
Divā — during the day.
Vā — or.
Yadi vā — whether.
Rātrau — at night.
Vighna-śāntiḥ — the pacification of obstacles or disturbances.
Bhaviṣyati — will occur.
Whoever recites this hymn, traditionally attributed to Sri Vyasa, with a calm and concentrated mind, whether by day or by night, will find the pacification of obstacles.”
The hymn is traditionally attributed to Vyasa, although the precise historical origin of this particular text cannot be established from the attribution alone.
What does this teach us?
Notice the important expression susamāhitaḥ — with a collected mind.
The emphasis is not simply on repeating words. It is on reciting with attention, understanding and devotion.
Prayer can help us face difficulties without losing hope. It can remind us to act wisely, accept what cannot immediately be changed, and continue doing what is right.
The promise of vighna-śānti is a traditional devotional assurance, not a guarantee that life will be free from every difficulty. Obstacles may still arise, but prayer can strengthen our composure and our ability to respond.
Reflection for daily life: When a problem troubles us, we can pray for the wisdom to understand it, the courage to face it and the patience to take the next right step.
The nine Grahas at a glance
1 Surya
Light, vitality and clarity
Sunday
2 Chandra
Peace, mind and emotional balance
Monday
3 Mangala
Courage, energy and determination
Tuesday
4 Budha
Intelligence, learning and communication
Wednesday
5 Brihaspati (Guru)
Wisdom, guidance and knowledge
Thursday
6 Shukra
Beauty, relationships and enjoyment
Friday
7 Shani
Discipline, patience and responsibility
Saturday
8 Rahu
Ambition, desire and unconventional change
Shadow Graha
9 Ketu
Detachment and spiritual introspection
Shadow Graha
The qualities in this table are traditional symbolic associations in Jyotisha, not scientific measures of personality or destiny.
How may we approach the Navagraha Stotram in daily life?
You do not need to approach this hymn with fear of the planets. You can approach it with reverence, understanding and trust in the Divine.
Recite with attention. Even a short prayer is meaningful when the mind is present.
Understand the words. The images of light, wisdom, courage and patience offer their own lessons.
Combine prayer with right action. Pray for health, but also care for the body; pray for wisdom, but also listen and learn; pray for harmony, but also treat others kindly.
Remember the Supreme Lord. For a Sri Vaishnava devotee, worship of the Grahas need not displace surrender to Sriman Narayana. The celestial order itself may be contemplated within His creation and sovereignty.
The Navagraha Stotram begins with the radiance of the Sun and concludes by reminding us to recite with a composed mind. Between these two points, we encounter the Moon's tranquillity, Mars's courage, Mercury's intelligence, Jupiter's wisdom, Venus's refinement, Saturn's discipline, Rahu's formidable power and Ketu's detachment.
Taken together, these verses invite us to reflect on the many forces and experiences that shape our lives.
We may not control every circumstance, but we can cultivate the wisdom, faith and character with which we meet it.
That is a beautiful way to bring the Navagraha Stotram into everyday life: not merely as a prayer for relief from difficulties, but as a reminder to live with greater clarity, courage, humility and devotion.
