9 Planets (known as Grahas in Sanskrit) are like 9 different teachers in school, teaching us different subjects. Each one of them has their own style of teaching and a different message to deliver to us. If we are on the same page with the teacher, the lesson becomes enjoyable. So what can we do to be on the same page with the Grahas? We can meditate up on them, we can chant their mantras, we can wear specific color of clothing on the day ruled by those Grahas etc. Below you will find some of these upāyas (remedies) we can do to absorb the energies of Grahas.

Shri Vishnu Mantra

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General Recommendations

• Plant tulsi at the entrance of your house.
• Never pick Tulsi leaves on a Sunday or on Ekadashi. And never pick leaves after Sunset.
• Do not offer water to Tulsi on Sundays or on Ekadashi. On these days Lakshmi mata keeps nirjala vrata (fasting without water) for Vishnu ji.
• For ancestors, on Amavasya (New Moon): offer water to peepal tree, offer sugar or jaggery and flower to ants and light a ghee diya (lamp) in the northeastern corner of your house.

Morning Mantra for Lakshmi, Saraswati and Vishnu

• Listen here.
• MANTRA: Karāgre Vasate Lakshmih Kara Madhye Saraswati, Kara Mooley Tu Govindā Prabhāte Kara Darshanam / कराग्रे वसते लक्ष्मीः करमध्ये सरस्वती । करमूले तु गोविन्दः प्रभाते करदर्शनम् ॥
• Meaning of the above mantra: At the top of the palms dwells Ma Lakshmi, at the middle portion of the Palm dwells Ma Saraswati, and at the bottom of the palms dwells Sri Govinda; One should look at one’s palms in the morning and meditate on them and seek their blessings.

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Mantra acknowledging Wholeness (पूर्णमदः पूर्णमिदं)

• Listen here.
• MANTRA: Om PoorNamadah PoorNamidam PoorNāt PoorNamaduchyate | PoorNasya PoorNamādāya, PoorNamevā Vashishyate || Om Shantih Shantih Shantih / ॐ पूर्णमदः पूर्णमिदं पूर्णात्पूर्णमुदच्यते ।पूर्णस्य पूर्णमादाय पूर्णमेवावशिष्यते ॥ॐ शान्तिः शान्तिः शान्तिः ॥
• Meaning of this mantra: Om, That (External World) is Purna (Full with Divine Consciousness); This (Inner World) is also Purna; From Purna (Inner world) is manifested Purna (External world). Taking Purna away from Purna, still Purna remains. Om, Peace, Peace, Peace.

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Remedies for Sun or Surya ( सूर्य )

Sun governs our immunity, self, Atma (soul), govt, father, truth, punctuality.

• Surya Beej (seed) mantra: Om Hrām Hreem Hraum Sah Suryāya Namaha / ॐ ह्रां ह्रीं ह्रौं सः सूर्याय नमः ॥
• Gāyatri Mantra: Om Bhoor Bhuvaha Swaha Tat Savitur Varenyam Bhargo Devasya Dheemahi Dhiyo Yo Naha Prachodayāt / ॐ भूर्भुवः स्व: तत् सवितुर् वरेण्यं भर्गो देवस्य धीमहि धियो यो नः प्रचोदयात् ॥
• Do meditation on the rising Sun.
• Offer water to Sun everyday in a copper vessel.
• Do Sun Salutations especially on Sundays.
• Chant Āditya Hridayam. Listen here.
• Help your father, respect your father and spend time with him.

Remedies for Moon or Chandra ( चन्द्र )

Moon governs fluids, mother, emotions and how we feel and experience the world around us. It is the fastest moving planet.

• Chandra Beej (seed) mantra: Om Shrām Shreem Shraum Sah Chandrāya Namaha / ॐ श्रां श्रीं श्रौं सः चंद्राय नमः ॥
• Donate white food items such as milk, rice, rice pudding (kheer) on Mondays.
• Wear white on Mondays.
• Help your mother and respect her.

Remedies for Mars or Mangal ( मङ्गल )

Mars governs action, anger, energy in the moment, accidents, protection.

• Mars Beej (seed) mantra): Om Krām Kreem Kraum Sah Bhaumāya Namaha / ॐ क्रां क्रीं क्रौं सः भौमाय नमः ॥
• Om Mangalāya Namaha / ॐ मङ्गलाय नमः ॥
• Mantra for Lord Narasimha (Vishnu incarnation for Mars): Ugram Veeram Mahā Vishnum Jwalantam Sarvatomukham Nrisimham Bheeshanam Bhadram Mrityu Mrityum Namāmyaham / उग्रं वीरं महा विष्णुं ज्वलन्तम् सर्वतोमुखं नृसिंहं भीषणं भद्रं मृत्यु मृत्युं नमाम्यहं ॥ Listen here.
• Recite Hanumān Chālisā.
• Hanumān mantra: Om Hung Hanumate Rudrātmakāya Hum Phat / ॐ हँग हनुमते रुद्रात्मकाय हुम फट
• Donate red lentils on Tuesdays.
• Sleep on the floor. Do physical exercise.
• Wear red on Tuesdays.

Remedies for Mercury or Budha ( बुद्ध )

Mercury governs communication, business, sense of humor, diplomacy, skills.

• Writing is a very good remedy for afflicted Mercury.
• Mercury Beej (seed) mantra: Om Brām Breem Braum Sah Budhāya Namaha / ॐ ब्रां ब्रीं ब्रौं सः बुधाय नमः ॥
• Vishnu is the deity of Mercury. Chant Vishnu Lakshmi Mantra: Om Mahā Lakshmiyei Cha Vidmahe Vishnu Patni Cha Dheemahi Tanno Lakshmih Prachodayāt / ॐ महा लक्ष्मीयै च विद्महे विष्णु पत्नी च धीमहि तन्नो लक्ष्मिः प्रचोदयात् ॥
• Chant Vishnu Sahasranāma (1000 names of Lord Vishnu) on Wednesdays. Listen here.
• Wear Green on Wednesdays.
• Give donation of education or education-related materials on Wednesdays.

Remedies for Jupiter or Guru ( गुरु )

Jupiter governs space, expansion, children, joy, optimism, rituals, wisdom, Gurus, wealth.

• Read scriptures or esoteric subjects (Yoga, Ayurveda, Jyotish), do yagyas (homas).
• Guru Beej (seed) mantra: Om Grām Greem Graum Sah Gurave Namaha / ॐ ग्रां ग्रीं ग्रौं सः गुरूवे नमः ॥
• Wear yellow on Thursdays.
• Donate gur (jaggery), sweets, bananas, yellow lentils and turmeric on Thursdays.
• Pay respect and give offerings to Gurus on Thursdays.

Remedies for Venus or Shukra ( शुक्र )

Venus governs procreation, self (for women), gourmet food, luxury, enjoyment, art, music, dance, wealth, wife, Guru of asuras (demons).

• Shukra Beej (seed) mantra: Om Drām Dreem Draum Sah Shukrāya Namaha / ॐ द्रां द्रीं द्रौं सः शुक्राय नमः ॥
• Recite Shri Suktam on Fridays.
• Devi mantra: Om Aim Hreem Klim Chāmundāyei Vichhe / ॐ ऐं ह्रीं क्लीं चामुण्डायै विचै ॥
• Wear white on Fridays.
• Donate white things on Fridays.
• Worship MahaLakshmi with white lotus flowers especially on Fridays.
• Feed white cows.
• Shukra (Venus) represents females, try to keep all women in your life (mother, sister, wife, daughter etc) happy.

Remedies for Saturn or Shani ( शनि )

Saturn governs hard work, perseverance, slowness, cold, Vata energy, darkness.

• Regular walk in nature or exercise is a good remedy for afflicted Saturn.
• Pranayam is a very good remedy to balance Air element of Saturn.
• Shani Beej (seed) mantra: Om Prām Preem Praum Sah Shanaishcharāya Namaha / ॐ प्रां प्रीं प्रौं सः शनैश्चराय नमः ॥
• Om Bhaga Bhavāya Vidmahe Mrityu Roopāya Dheemahi Tanno Shanih Prachodayāt / ॐ भग भवाय विद्महे मृत्यु रूपाय धीमहि तन्नो शनि: प्रचोदयात् ॥
• Shani Maha Mantra: Nilānjana Samābhāsam Raviputram Yamāgrajam, Chhāyā Mārtanda Sambhutam Tam Namāmi Shanaishcharam / नीलांजनसमाभासं रविपुत्रं यमाग्रजम्‌। छायामार्तण्ड सम्भूतं तं नमामि शनैश्चरम्‌। Listen here.
• Donate old metal things on Saturdays. Offer black lentils or sesame oil to Shani maharaj on Saturdays.
• Do not buy any metal objects or things (such as vehicle, appliances) on Saturdays.
• Do not buy shoes on Saturdays. Donate old black shoes on Saturdays. You can wear black shoes or slippers to Hanuman ji’s temple on Saturday and leave them there.
• Recite Hanumān Chālisā on Saturdays. It is said Shani mahārāj never harms true devotees of Hanumān.
• Help old people and poor people especially on Saturdays.

Remedies for Rāhu ( राहू )

RAHU (north node of the Moon) governs foreign culture, foreign people, foreign subjects, insatiable desires, Vata energy, unfounded fears, maya.

• Pranayam is a very good remedy to balance Air element of Rahu.
• Rāhu Beej (seed) mantra: Om Bhrām Bhreem Bhraum Sah Rāhave Namaha / ॐ भ्रां भ्रीं भ्रौं सः राहवे नमः ॥
• Durgā Mantra: Om Dum Durgāyei Namaha / ॐ दुं दुर्गायै नमः ॥
• Do Devi Mahātmayam or Durgā Saptashati or Chandi Pāth (700 shlokās in praise of Goddess Durgā usually recited during Nāvratri festival). Play here.
• Recite Durgā Kavach: listen here.
• Sarpa (serpent) mantra. Om Nāga Rājāya Namaha / ॐ नाग राजाय नम: !!
• Vāsuki Gāyatri Mantra. Om Sarpa Rājāya Vidmahe, Padma Hastāya Dheemahi, Tanno Vasuki Prachodayāt / ॐ सर्प राजाय विद्महे , पद्महस्ताय धीमहि, तन्नो वसुकी प्रचोदयात !! Listen here

Remedies for Ketu ( केतु )

KETU (south node of the Moon) governs ascetics, detachment, headless mistakes, Pitta energy, endings, deep spirituality.

• Deep meditation is perfect remedy for Ketu.
• Complete Surrender. Intuition. Faith.
• Ketu Beej (seed) mantra: Om Strām Streem Straum Sah Ketave Namaha / ॐ स्रां स्रीं स्रौं सः केतवे नमः ॥
• Do Ganesh pujā and Ganesh mantras.
• Ganesh Beej (seed) mantra: Om Shreem Hreem Kleem Glaum Gam Ganapataye Varavarad Sarvajanam Mѐ Vashamānaya Swāhā (ॐ श्रीं ह्रीं क्लीं ग्लौं गं गणपतये वरवरद सर्वजनं मे वशमानय स्वाहा). Play here.
• Ganesh Gāyatri mantra: Om Ek Dantāya Vidmahѐ Vakratundāya Dheemahi Tanno Dantih Prachodayāt / ॐ एकदन्ताय विद्महे वक्रतुण्डाय धीमहि तन्नो दन्तिः प्रचोदयात् ॥
• Feed Dogs.

Durga and Saraswati Mantra ( दुर्गा और सरस्वती मंत्र )

• Om Jayanti Mangalā Kāli, Bhadrakāli Kapālini, Durgā Kshamā Shivā Dhātri, Swāhā Swadhā Namostute / ॐ जयन्ती मंगला काली भद्रकाली कपालिनी , दुर्गा क्षमा शिव धात्री , स्वाहा स्वधा नमोस्तुते ॥ Listen here.
• Om Aing Mahāsaraswatyei Namah | ॐ ऐं महासरस्वत्यै नमः |
• Saraswati Namastubhyām Varade Kāmaroopini | Vidyārambham Karishyāmi Siddhir Bhavatume Sadā || सरस्वति नमस्तुभ्यं वरदे कामरूपिणि । विद्यारम्भं करिष्यामि सिद्धिर्भवतु मे सदा ॥
• Om Aim Hrim Kleem Mahā Saraswati Devyei Namaha| ॐ ऐं ह्रीं क्लीं महासरस्वती देव्यै नमः |
• Yā Kundendu Tushārahāra Dhavalā Yā Shubhra Vastrāvritā, Yā Veenā VaradanDa ManDitakarā Yā Shveta Padmāsanā | Yā Brahmachyuta Shankara Prabhritibihi Devyeih Sadā Vanditā, Sā Mām Pāttu Sarasvati Bhagavatee Nihshesha Jānyāpahā || या कुन्देन्दुतुषारहारधवला या शुभ्रवस्त्रावृता, या वीणावरदण्डमण्डितकरा या श्वेतपद्मासना । या ब्रह्माच्युत शंकरप्रभृतिभिर्देवैः सदा वन्दिता, सा मां पातु सरस्वती भगवती निःशेषजाड्यापहा॥

Pitri Mantra / पितृ मंत्र (mantras for ancestors)

• Om Kula Devatāyei Namaha / ॐ कुलदेवतायै नम:
• Om Kula Devyei Namaha / ॐ कुलदैव्यै नम:
• Om Nāg Devtāyei Namaha / ॐ नागदेवतायै नम:
• Om Pitri Devtāyei Namaha / ॐ पितृ दैवतायै नम:
• Pitru Gayatri Mantra: Om Pitru GaNāya Vidmahe, Jagata DhāriNi Dheemahi, Tanno Pitro Prachodayāt / ॐ पित्रु ग़णाय विद्महे जगत धारिणी धीमाहि, तन्नो पितरो प्रचोदयात
• Listen to Ancestral mantras below.

Nām Rāmāyana

• Nām Rāmāyana is a short version of Rāmāyana. Download Here.
• Rām Rām Rāmeti Rame Rāme Manorame, Sahasranāma Tat Tulyam Rāma Nām Varānane / राम राम रामेति रमे रामे मनोरमे । सहस्रनाम तत्तुल्यं रामनाम वरानने ॥

Mantras & Yagyas

How to Perform a Simple VEDIC YAGYA :  Watch Video

Things needed to perform a simple Vedic Yagya: Hawan Kunda (copper pyramid), stand or base, dried cow dung (from a sattvic source), hawan samagri (mixture of herbs that are offered in the fire with mantra), Ghee (clarified butter), Camphor (kapoor), dry coconut (known as khopra) and match box.

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Mantra Pronunciation

Recordings of Mantras from mantra-pronunciation classes: Gayatri Mantra. Mahamrityunjaya Mantra.

What is a Mantra? The word mantra comes from man + tra which means “protection of mind.” Mantra is something which protects our mind.

The Physics of Mantra: Mantrās are sound vibrations of a certain frequency. Therefore, only the correct pronunciation will bring the maximum of the desired effect. And since it is almost impossible to figure out the exact pronunciation by reading an English transliteration, through these sessions you will learn to pronounce any mantrā perfectly by reading it straight in Devanāgari (Sanskrit) alphabet.

Effectiveness of a mantra depends on the level of spiritual development of the person. If you are enlightened, you do not need a mantra. Every single syllable coming out of your mouth becomes a mantra. But at the same time, however imperfect we are, chanting mantra itself, helps raise our consciousness. So, the more we recite, the more we increase the effectiveness and potency and power of our mantras.

Gayatri Mantra

Gayatri is the Adi-Shakti – the primordial Goddess. Gayatri is the deity of Surya (Sun). Gayatri mantra is the highest mantra. Think of the rising Sun while chanting this mantra. The mantra starts with invocation of the 3 lokas (planes of existence): BHU loka (Earth plane), BHUVAH loka (solar system), SWAHA loka (swarg loka or Heaven). Swami Vivekananda gave this meaning of Gayatri Mantra: “We meditate on the glory of that Being who has produced this universe; may He enlighten our minds.”

This video helps you learn correct pronunciation of Gayatri mantra: