Navagraha Puja

1. Pavitrikaranam

Om Apavitrah Pavitro Va Sarvavastham Gato'pi Va | Yah Smaret Pundarikaksham Sa Bahyabhyantarah Shuchih ||

Om Pundarikakshah Punatu | Om Pundarikakshah Punatu | Om Pundarikakshah Punatu ||

Pure or impure, in whatever state — whoever remembers the lotus-eyed Lord becomes pure within and without. May the lotus-eyed Lord purify us.

Take water in the left hand and, with the fingers of the right hand, sprinkle it over yourself, the seat and the puja items.

Samagri: Water vessel (lota) and achamani spoon, Ganga water

2. Achamanam

Om Keshavaya Namah | Om Narayanaya Namah | Om Madhavaya Namah ||

Om Hrishikeshaya Namah | Hastam Prakshalayami ||

Sipping water thrice with salutations to Keshava, Narayana and Madhava for inner purity; hands are washed with Hrishikesha's name.

Take a little water in the right palm (gokarna mudra) and sip it three times, once with each name; then say 'Hrishikeshaya Namah' and wash your hands.

Samagri: Water vessel (lota) and achamani spoon

3. Asana Shuddhi

Om Prithvi Tvaya Dhrita Loka Devi Tvam Vishnuna Dhrita | Tvam Cha Dharaya Mam Devi Pavitram Kuru Chasanam ||

Om Asanadevatayai Namah ||

O Mother Earth, you uphold the worlds and are upheld by Vishnu; uphold me too and sanctify my seat.

Sprinkle a little water on the ground under the seat and recite the mantra while touching the seat.

Samagri: Seat (kusha grass or wool), water vessel (lota) and achamani spoon

4. Deepa Prajvalanam

Shubham Karoti Kalyanamarogyam Dhanasampada | Shatrubuddhivinashaya Dipajyotirnamo'stu Te ||

Om Dipajyotishe Namah ||

Salutations to the lamp's flame, which brings auspiciousness, well-being, health and wealth, and destroys hostile thoughts.

Light the ghee lamp and place it to the deity's right (your left); an oil lamp goes to the deity's left. Bow to the lamp.

Samagri: Ghee lamp with cotton wick, matchbox

5. Sankalpa

Om Vishnurvishnurvishnuh | Shrimadbhagavato Mahapurushasya Vishnoragyaya Pravartamanasya Adya Shribrahmano Dvitiyaparardhe Shrishvetavarahakalpe Vaivasvatamanvantare Ashtavimshatitame Kaliyuge Kaliprathamacharane Jambudvipe Bharatakhande Bharatavarshe Aryavartaikadeshe (city/village) nagare (samvatsara) namasamvatsare (ayana) (ritu) (month) mase (paksha) pakshe (tithi) tithau (weekday) vasare (gotra) gotrotpannah/utpanna (your name) Namaham Navagrahapidapariharartham Navagrahapujanam Karishye ||

Say the words in ( ) — the Panchang and your gotra — yourself; ▶ Listen to sankalp asks you for them. Your name and city come from your profile.

I (name, gotra), at this time and place, resolve to perform this puja for the stated purpose.

Take water, akshat, flowers and dakshina in the right hand and read the sankalp (the app fills in your town, tithi, name and gotra); at the end, release the water onto the ground or into a copper plate.

Samagri: Water vessel (lota) and achamani spoon, akshat (unbroken rice), fresh flowers, dakshina (coin/money)

6. Ganesha Smaranam

Vakratunda Mahakaya Suryakoti Samaprabha | Nirvighnam Kuru Me Deva Sarvakaryeshu Sarvada ||

Om Gam Ganapataye Namah | Gandhakshatapushpani Samarpayami ||

O curved-trunked, mighty Lord, radiant as a million suns — make all my undertakings free of obstacles, always.

Before any puja, meditate on Ganesha, the remover of obstacles, and offer akshat and flowers. (In Ganesha Puja this step is part of the main worship.)

Samagri: Akshat (unbroken rice), fresh flowers, roli/kumkum

7. Kalasha Pujanam

Kalashasya Mukhe Vishnuh Kanthe Rudrah Samashritah | Mule Tatra Sthito Brahma Madhye Matriganah Smritah ||

Om Varunaya Namah | Kalasham Pujayami ||

Vishnu dwells at the kalash's mouth, Rudra at its neck, Brahma at its base and the Mother-goddesses in its middle — I worship this all-divine vessel.

Offer roli, akshat and flowers on the water-filled kalash (with mango leaves and coconut). For the full kalash sthapana see Sheet 11.

Samagri: Kalash (copper/brass/clay), 5 mango leaves, coconut with husk, mauli/kalava thread, Ganga water

8. Navagraha Mandala

Installing the nine planets in their places.

Draw nine squares (3×3) on the chowki — the Sun in the centre; in each square place a cloth of that planet's colour and its grain.

Samagri: Chowki with red/yellow cloth, 9 coloured cloth pieces for the Navagraha, navadhanya (nine grains)

9. Dhyanam

Brahma Muraristripurantakari Bhanuh Shashi Bhumisuto Budhashcha | Gurushcha Shukrah Shanirahuketavah Sarve Grahah Shantikara Bhavantu ||

Om Navagrahebhyo Namah | Dhyayami ||

Meditation on the form of the deity.

Join your hands, close your eyes and recite the dhyana shloka while picturing the deity's form in your mind.

10. Navagraha Avahana & Puja

Om Hram Hrim Hraum Sah Suryaya Namah | Om Shram Shrim Shraum Sah Chandramase Namah | Om Kram Krim Kraum Sah Bhaumaya Namah | Om Bram Brim Braum Sah Budhaya Namah | Om Gram Grim Graum Sah Gurave Namah | Om Dram Drim Draum Sah Shukraya Namah | Om Pram Prim Praum Sah Shanaye Namah | Om Bhram Bhrim Bhraum Sah Rahave Namah | Om Sram Srim Sraum Sah Ketave Namah ||

The nine planets from the Sun to Ketu are invoked and worshipped with their customary beej mantras.

Recite each planet's beej/name mantra while offering akshat and flowers in its square. Sun–wheat–red | Moon–rice–white | Mars–toor dal–red | Mercury–moong–green | Jupiter–chickpea–yellow | Venus–white beans/cowpea–white | Saturn–black sesame–black | Rahu–urad–blue | Ketu–horse gram–smoky grey

Samagri: Akshat (unbroken rice), fresh flowers

11. Avahanam

Om Navagrahebhyo Namah | Avahayami Sthapayami ||

Invitation to the deity to be present for the worship.

With the avahana mudra (palms joined, thumbs folded in), invite the deity to the place of worship; release akshat.

Samagri: Akshat (unbroken rice)

12. Gandha

Om Navagrahebhyo Namah | Gandham Samarpayami ||

Divine, fragrant, delightful sandal paste for anointing — O best of gods, accept it.

With the ring finger, apply a tilak of sandalwood/roli to the deity.

Samagri: Sandalwood, roli/kumkum

13. Pushpani

Om Navagrahebhyo Namah | Pushpani Pushpamalam Cha Samarpayami ||

Fragrant garlands and flowers such as malati I have brought — O Lord, accept them.

Offer fresh flowers and a garland to the deity (for the deity's favourite flowers see Sheet 13).

Samagri: Fresh flowers, flower garland

14. Vishesha Dravya Arpanam

Om Navagrahebhyo Namah | Navadhanyani Vastrani Pushpani Cha Samarpayami ||

Offering of the deity's favourite leaf/item.

In each square of the Navagraha mandala offer a cloth of the planet's colour, its grain and flowers (details: special step NG-S2).

Samagri: Navadhanya (nine grains), 9 coloured cloth pieces for the Navagraha

15. Dhupa

Vanaspatirasodbhuto Gandhadhyo Gandha Uttamah | Aghreyah Sarvadevanam Dhupo'yam Pratigrihyatam ||

Om Navagrahebhyo Namah | Dhupam Aghrapayami ||

This incense of fine fragrance, made from plant resins and fit for all the gods, please accept.

Light dhoop/incense and, ringing the bell with the left hand, wave the incense before the deity with the right hand.

Samagri: Dhoop/incense sticks, bell, matchbox

16. Deepa

Om Navagrahebhyo Namah | Dipam Darshayami | Hastaprakshalanam ||

A lamp of ghee and wick, lit with fire, that dispels the darkness of the three worlds — please accept.

Show the ghee lamp to the deity, then wash your hands.

Samagri: Ghee lamp with cotton wick

17. Naivedyam

Sharkarakhandakhadyani Dadhikshiraghritani Cha | Aharam Bhakshyabhojyam Cha Naivedyam Pratigrihyatam || Om Pranaya Svaha | Om Apanaya Svaha | Om Vyanaya Svaha | Om Udanaya Svaha | Om Samanaya Svaha ||

Om Navagrahebhyo Namah | Naivedyam Nivedayami ||

Accept this food offering of sugar, sweets, curd, milk, ghee and dishes. It is offered to the five vital breaths.

Place the plate of bhog before the deity and circle it with water (for Vishnu, Krishna and Rama, place a tulsi leaf on it), then recite the pancha-pranahuti mantra.

Samagri: Naivedya (sweets/bhog), water vessel (lota) and achamani spoon

18. Safety Check

Perform the havan only in a safe, clean setting.

Before the hawan: choose a ventilated place, keep a bucket of water/sand nearby, keep children and pets away, do not wear synthetic clothes, do not blow on the fire with your mouth (use a hand fan), and make offerings only at the word 'svaha'.

Samagri: Water vessel (lota) and achamani spoon

19. Vedi Pujanam

Om Vedyai Namah | Gandhakshatapushpani Samarpayami ||

Salutation and worship of the fire altar.

Purify the hawan kund with Ganga water, draw a swastika in it with roli and place kusha grass around it; offer akshat and flowers on the kund.

Samagri: Hawan kund (brick/metal), Ganga water, roli/kumkum, kusha grass, akshat (unbroken rice)

20. Agni Sthapanam

Om Agnim Dutam Puro Dadhe Havyavahamupa Bruve | Devan A Sadayadiha ||

Om Agnaye Namah | Agnim Sthapayami ||

I place Agni in front — the messenger who carries offerings — may he seat the gods here.

Light the fire with camphor, place it in the kund and add dry mango samidha on top; build up the fire with a hand fan.

Samagri: Mango samidha (dry wood), camphor, matchbox

21. Samidhadhanam

Om Samidhagnim Duvasyata Ghritairbodhayatatithim | Asmin Havya Juhotana Svaha | Idamagnaye Na Mama || Om Susamiddhaya Shochishe Ghritam Tivram Juhotana | Agnaye Jatavedase Svaha | Idamagnaye Na Mama || Om Tam Tva Samidbhirangiro Ghritena Vardhayamasi | Brihachchhocha Yavishthya Svaha | Idamagnaye Na Mama ||

Serve Agni, our guest, with fuel; wake him with ghee and pour the offerings into him. Offer strong ghee to the well-kindled, shining Agni Jatavedas. O Agni Angiras, we make you grow with fuel and ghee; blaze high, ever-young one.

Keep three mango samidhas (about 8 finger-widths long) dipped in ghee. At each 'svaha' of the mantras, place one samidha in the burning fire.

Samagri: Mango samidha (dry sticks), pure ghee and sruva (offering spoon)

22. Paryukshanam

Om Aditenumanyasva || Om Anumatenumanyasva || Om Sarasvatyanumanyasva || Om Deva Savitah Prasuva Yajnam Prasuva Yajnapatim Bhagaya | Divyo Gandharvah Ketapuh Ketam Nah Punatu Vachaspatirvajam Nah Svadatu ||

O Aditi, Anumati and Sarasvati, give your consent. O God Savitar, impel the rite and its patron to good fortune; may the divine purifier of thought cleanse our thought, and the Lord of Speech sweeten our food.

Take water with the achamani spoon and sprinkle it around the kund: with the first mantra on the south side from west to east, with the second on the west side from south to north, with the third on the north side from west to east, and with the fourth mantra one full round of the kund, starting from the east.

Samagri: Water vessel (lota) and achamani spoon

23. Agni Pujanam

Om Agnaye Namah | Gandhakshatapushpani Samarpayami ||

Offering scent, rice and flowers to Agni.

Offer sandalwood, akshat and flowers to the kindled fire and bow.

Samagri: Sandalwood, akshat (unbroken rice), fresh flowers

24. Aghara-Ajyabhaga Ahuti

Om Prajapataye Svaha | Idam Prajapataye Na Mama || Om Indraya Svaha | Idam Indraya Na Mama || Om Agnaye Svaha | Idam Agnaye Na Mama || Om Somaya Svaha | Idam Somaya Na Mama ||

Oblations to Prajapati, Indra, Agni and Soma — this is theirs, not mine.

Offer four oblations of ghee with the sruva — one at each 'svaha'; saying 'idam ... na mama', drip the ghee left in the sruva into a separate vessel.

Samagri: Pure ghee and sruva (offering ladle)

25. Vyahriti Homa

Om Bhuh Svaha | Idam Agnaye Na Mama || Om Bhuvah Svaha | Idam Vayave Na Mama || Om Svah Svaha | Idam Suryaya Na Mama || Om Bhurbhuvah Svah Svaha | Idam Prajapataye Na Mama ||

Oblations to Agni of earth, Vayu of the mid-region and Surya of heaven — theirs, not mine. The fourth goes to Prajapati, lord of all three worlds.

Offer ghee with the three mahavyahritis, then a fourth offering (all three vyahritis together) to Prajapati.

Samagri: Pure ghee and sruva (offering ladle)

26. Gayatri Ahuti

Om Bhurbhuvah Svah | Tatsaviturvarenyam Bhargo Devasya Dhimahi | Dhiyo Yo Nah Prachodayat Svaha | Idam Savitre Na Mama ||

We meditate on the adorable radiance of God Savitar; may he inspire our minds. This offering is Savitar's, not mine.

Offer ghee or havan samagri at least 3 times with the Gayatri mantra (11, 24 or 108 times in the full hawan).

Samagri: Pure ghee and sruva (offering spoon), havan samagri (shakalya)

27. Ganapati Ahuti

Om Gam Ganapataye Svaha | Idam Ganapataye Na Mama ||

Oblation to Ganapati — his, not mine.

Offer 21 oblations (11 in Short mode) of hawan samagri and ghee to Ganesha.

Samagri: Hawan samagri (shakalya), pure ghee and sruva (offering ladle)

28. Vedic Navagraha Ahuti

(Surya) Om Akrishnena Rajasa Vartamano Niveshayannamritam Martyam Cha | Hiranyayena Savita Ratheno Devo Yati Bhuvanani Pashyan Svaha || (Chandra) Om Imam Deva Asapatnam Suvadhvam Mahate Kshatraya Mahate Jyaishthyaya Mahate Janarajyayendrasyendriyaya | Imamamushya Putramamushyai Putramasyai Visha Esha Vomi Raja Somosmakam Brahmananam Raja Svaha || (Mangal) Om Agnirmurdha Divah Kakutpatih Prithivya Ayam | Apam Retamsi Jinvati Svaha || (Budh) Om Udbudhyasvagne Prati Jagrihi Tvamishtapurte Sam Srijethamayam Cha | Asmintsadhasthe Adhyuttarasmin Vishve Deva Yajamanashcha Sidata Svaha || (Guru) Om Brihaspate Ati Yadaryo Arhad Dyumadvibhati Kratumajjaneshu | Yaddidayachchhavasa Ritaprajata Tadasmasu Dravinam Dhehi Chitram Svaha || (Shukra) Om Annatparisruto Rasam Brahmana Vyapibatkshatram Payah Somam Prajapatih | Ritena Satyamindriyam Vipanam Shukramandhasa Indrasyendriyamidam Payomritam Madhu Svaha || (Shani) Om Sham No Devirabhishtaya Apo Bhavantu Pitaye | Sham Yorabhi Sravantu Nah Svaha || (Rahu) Om Kaya Nashchitra A Bhuvaduti Sadavridhah Sakha | Kaya Shachishthaya Vrita Svaha || (Ketu) Om Ketum Krinvannaketave Pesho Marya Apeshase | Samushadbhirajayathah Svaha ||

Surya: on his golden chariot Savitar comes, beholding all worlds. Chandra: may the gods raise this patron to great rule and pre-eminence; Soma is our king. Mangal: Agni is the head of heaven and lord of the earth, quickening the waters. Budh: wake, O Agni, and fulfil the patron's rites and gifts. Guru: O Brihaspati, grant us the bright wealth that shines among men. Shukra: Prajapati drank the essence of food; this milk is nectar and honey. Shani: may the divine waters be gracious to us for help and drink. Rahu: with what aid will the ever-growing friend come to us? Ketu: giving light to the unknowing and form to the formless, you were born with the dawns.

Recite each planet's Vedic mantra and at 'svaha' offer that planet's samidha (order: Sun — aak, Moon — palash, Mars — khair, Mercury — apamarg, Jupiter — peepal, Venus — gular, Saturn — shami, Rahu — durva, Ketu — kusha).

Samagri: Navagraha samidhas (aak, palash, khair, apamarg, peepal, gular, shami, durva, kusha), pure ghee and sruva (offering spoon)

29. Pradhana Homa

Om Suryaya Svaha | Om Somaya Svaha | Om Bhaumaya Svaha | Om Budhaya Svaha | Om Brihaspataye Svaha | Om Shukraya Svaha | Om Shanaishcharaya Svaha | Om Rahave Svaha | Om Ketave Svaha ||

Oblations to the main deity — theirs, not mine.

Offer hawan samagri and ghee with the main deity's hawan mantra — Short 11, Medium 28, Full 108.

Samagri: Hawan samagri (shakalya), pure ghee and sruva (offering ladle)

30. Svishtakrit Ahuti

Om Agnaye Svishtakrite Svaha | Idam Agnaye Svishtakrite Na Mama ||

Oblation to Agni who makes the sacrifice well-performed.

To make up for any shortfall in the hawan, offer one oblation of sweets/kheer and ghee.

Samagri: Pure ghee and sruva (offering ladle), naivedya (sweets/bhog)

31. Purnahuti

Om Purnamadah Purnamidam Purnatpurnamudachyate | Purnasya Purnamadaya Purnamevavashishyate || Om Sarvam Vai Purnam Svaha ||

That is whole, this is whole; from the whole the whole arises; taking the whole from the whole, the whole remains. May all be complete.

Fill a dry coconut with ghee, betel nut, betel leaf, clove, cardamom and mauli and, standing with the family, offer the final oblation.

Samagri: Dry coconut (for purnahuti), pure ghee and sruva (offering ladle), betel nut, betel leaves, cloves and cardamom, mauli/kalava thread

32. Shanti Path

Om Dyauh Shantirantariksham Shantih Prithivi Shantirapah Shantiroshadhayah Shantih | Vanaspatayah Shantirvishvedevah Shantirbrahma Shantih Sarvam Shantih Shantireva Shantih Sa Ma Shantiredhi || Om Shantih Shantih Shantih ||

Om Tryayusham Jamadagneh Kashyapasya Tryayusham | Yaddeveshu Tryayusham Tanno Astu Tryayusham ||

Peace in the sky, mid-air, earth, waters, herbs, plants, all gods, Brahman and all that is; may that peace come to me. Bhasma: may the threefold life-span of Jamadagni, Kashyapa and the gods be ours too.

Stand and recite the Shanti Path; apply a tilak of the cooled hawan ash on the forehead. Recite the Tryayusha mantra while applying the ash to the forehead, throat, right shoulder and heart.

Samagri: Sacred ash (bhasma/vibhuti)

33. Aarti / Nirajanam

Om Navagrahebhyo Namah | Arartikyam Samarpayami ||

With lighted camphor I perform the aarti — look upon me and be the giver of boons.

Wave the aarti plate of camphor or ghee 4 times at the deity's feet, 2 times at the navel, once at the face and 7 times over the whole form; sing the aarti while ringing the bell.

Samagri: Aarti plate, camphor, bell

34. Pradakshina

Yani Kani Cha Papani Janmantarakritani Cha | Tani Sarvani Nashyantu Pradakshinapade Pade ||

Om Navagrahebhyo Namah | Pradakshinam Samarpayami ||

Whatever sins were committed in past lives, may they be destroyed with every step of this circumambulation.

Turn clockwise in your place (or walk around the murti) in pradakshina — count: as you are able.

35. Kshama Prarthana

Anena Pujanena Navagrahah Priyantam, Na Mama ||

I know not how to invoke, bid farewell, or worship properly — forgive me. Though lacking in mantra, rite and devotion, may my worship be complete. May the deity be pleased; the fruit is theirs, not mine.

With joined hands ask forgiveness for any mistakes in the puja; finally, releasing water, offer the fruit of the puja to the deity.

Samagri: Water vessel (lota) and achamani spoon

36. Prasada

Receiving the sanctified offering.

Take the charanamrit/prasad yourself and share it with the family.

Samagri: Naivedya (sweets/bhog)

37. Graha Daan

Charity completes the pacification of the planets.

After the puja, donate the planets' grains and cloths to the needy or to a Brahmin.

Samagri: Navadhanya (nine grains), 9 coloured cloth pieces for the Navagraha

38. Visarjanam

Yantu Devaganah Sarve Pujamadaya Mamakim | Ishtakamasamriddhyartham Punaragamanaya Cha ||

May all the gods accept my worship and depart — to fulfil my wishes and to return again.

Releasing akshat, respectfully bid farewell to the invoked deities. (An installed murti is not immersed — only the invoked presence is sent off.)

Samagri: Akshat (unbroken rice)