Navagraha Mantras

What a beej mantra is

Each of the nine grahas has a beej mantra, a seed mantra. Beej means seed: a short sound which, like a seed, is said to hold the whole tree of a planet's qualities inside it. The mantra is recited to remember those qualities, to turn the mind towards them, and to steady it.

The beej mantras of the planets share one pattern. Each begins with Om, then three seed syllables that belong to that planet, then Sah, and ends with the planet's name and Namah, a salutation. So the Sun's mantra, Om Hraam Hreem Hraum Sah Suryaya Namah, closes with Suryaya Namah, "salutations to Surya". The seed syllables themselves are not translated; they are meant to be heard and repeated rather than explained.

In the classical view mantras are the remedy given first. They cost nothing, need no priest, and suit everyone: young and old, people with a strong planet and people with a planet under strain. Where gemstones must be chosen carefully for a chart, a planet's mantra can be recited by anyone who feels drawn to it.

How mantras are traditionally recited

The basic unit is 108 repetitions, one round of a mala, a string of 108 beads with an extra bead, the meru, where the round begins and ends. The beads are moved with the thumb and middle finger, and at the meru the mala is turned back rather than crossed.

Tradition suggests beginning on the planet's own day, in the morning after bathing, sitting facing east or north on a clean mat. It helps to recite at the same time each day. The mantra can be said aloud, whispered, or repeated silently in the mind, and many teachers say the silent form is the deepest.

Beyond the daily round, tradition gives each planet a full count for a dedicated practice (anushthana), spread over many days. The numbers below are those most often cited; families and texts differ, and some multiply them in the present age. They are a guide for those who wish to take up a vow, not a requirement.

• One mala: 108 repetitions
• Begin on the planet's day, in the morning
• Face east or north, after bathing
• The same time each day where possible
• Calm attention matters more than speed

Sun: Om Hraam Hreem Hraum Sah Suryaya Namah

The beej mantra of the Sun is Om Hraam Hreem Hraum Sah Suryaya Namah. The Sun's day is Sunday, and the natural time to recite it is at sunrise, facing the east, which is the Sun's own direction. Many people offer water to the rising Sun (arghya) from a copper vessel before or after the mantra.

The full count most often cited for the Sun is 7,000 repetitions. In daily life one or more malas on a Sunday, or every morning, is the usual practice.

The Sun signifies the self, the father, authority and a clear sense of purpose. Its mantra is traditionally recited for confidence, a sense of duty, clarity about one's own path, and a respectful relationship with father and with people in authority. It is often recited when the Sun is under strain in a chart, showing as pride, a need for approval or friction with authority, so that its steadier side can come forward.

The deity linked with the Sun is Surya himself. Alongside the beej mantra, the Aditya Hridayam, the hymn that the sage Agastya taught to Rama before his battle in the Ramayana, is the best-known prayer to the Sun, and the Gayatri mantra is also offered to the light of the Sun in many homes.

• Day: Sunday; time: sunrise, facing east
• Traditional full count: 7,000
• Deity: Surya

Moon: Om Shraam Shreem Shraum Sah Chandraya Namah

The Moon's beej mantra is Om Shraam Shreem Shraum Sah Chandraya Namah. The Moon's day is Monday. Many people recite it on Monday mornings, and some also in the evening when the Moon is visible, especially in the bright half of the month.

The full count most often cited for the Moon is 11,000 repetitions. Many begin a Moon practice on a Monday of the bright fortnight (Shukla Paksha) and continue it for some weeks.

The Moon signifies the mind, the mother, emotions, comfort and the public. Its mantra is traditionally recited for a calm and steady mind, rest, emotional balance, and a caring bond with mother and family. When the Moon is under strain, showing as changing moods or difficulty letting go, its mantra is one of the gentlest practices tradition offers, and steady routine is said to support it.

The deity linked with the Moon is Shiva, who wears the crescent Moon in his hair. For that reason Om Namah Shivaya, the five-syllable mantra of Shiva, is often recited alongside the Moon's beej mantra, and Monday fasts for Shiva are a long custom in many families.

• Day: Monday; time: morning, or evening in the bright half
• Traditional full count: 11,000
• Deity: Shiva

Mars: Om Kraam Kreem Kraum Sah Bhaumaya Namah

The beej mantra of Mars is Om Kraam Kreem Kraum Sah Bhaumaya Namah. Bhauma means the son of Bhumi, the earth, one of the names of Mars. The day of Mars is Tuesday, and its direction is the south.

The full count most often cited for Mars is 10,000 repetitions. A Tuesday morning practice, one or more malas, is the common daily form.

Mars signifies courage, energy, younger siblings, land and property and technical skill. Its mantra is traditionally recited for courage, initiative, steady energy, harmony with siblings and patience in matters of land and property. When Mars is under strain, showing as impatience, anger or rash decisions, the mantra is recited to cool that heat and turn its energy towards disciplined work.

People often ask about the mantra of Mars in connection with Manglik dosha, the placement of Mars in certain houses that is checked in kundli matching. Tradition treats it as a matter for the whole chart and for matching, and the mantra is recited as a calming practice, not as a way to change the chart.

The deity linked with Mars is Hanuman, the very picture of strength used in service. The Hanuman Chalisa, recited on Tuesdays in countless homes and temples, is the best-known prayer in the Mars tradition.

• Day: Tuesday; time: morning
• Traditional full count: 10,000
• Deity: Hanuman

Mercury: Om Braam Breem Braum Sah Budhaya Namah

Mercury's beej mantra is Om Braam Breem Braum Sah Budhaya Namah. The day of Mercury is Wednesday, and its direction is the north.

The full count most often cited for Mercury is 9,000 repetitions; some traditions give a smaller count. A Wednesday morning practice before study or work is the usual daily form.

Mercury signifies intellect, speech, writing, trade, accounts and learning. Its mantra is traditionally recited for a clear mind, good memory, steady study, careful speech and sound judgement in business. It is a common practice for students before examinations and for people whose work depends on words and numbers.

When Mercury is under strain, showing as restlessness of mind, overthinking or nervous speech, its mantra is recited to settle the mind on one thing at a time. Writing things down and finishing one task before the next are the practical companions tradition suggests.

The deity linked with Mercury is Vishnu, the preserver. The Vishnu Sahasranama, the thousand names of Vishnu, is the best-known stotra recited for Mercury, and many families recite it on Wednesdays.

• Day: Wednesday; time: morning
• Traditional full count: 9,000
• Deity: Vishnu

Jupiter: Om Graam Greem Graum Sah Gurave Namah

The beej mantra of Jupiter is Om Graam Greem Graum Sah Gurave Namah. Gurave is a form of Guru, the teacher, Jupiter's own title. Jupiter's day is Thursday, and its direction is the north-east, the direction many homes keep for prayer.

The full count most often cited for Jupiter is 19,000 repetitions, one of the larger counts. In daily life one or more malas on a Thursday morning is the common practice, and some people wear yellow on that day.

Jupiter, the great benefic, signifies wisdom, teachers, children, wealth earned in the right way, dharma and good counsel. Its mantra is traditionally recited for good judgement, learning, faith, the blessings of children and teachers, and a steady sense of right and wrong. In many families it is also recited when marriage is being considered, since classical texts read Jupiter as a significator of the husband in a woman's chart.

When Jupiter is under strain, showing as over-confidence, advice that is not asked for, or excess, its mantra is recited with humility, and keeping one's promises is said to be its best companion. The deity linked with Jupiter is Brihaspati, the guru of the devas, and respect for one's own teachers is itself counted as a Jupiter practice.

• Day: Thursday; time: morning
• Traditional full count: 19,000
• Deity: Brihaspati

Venus: Om Draam Dreem Draum Sah Shukraya Namah

Venus's beej mantra is Om Draam Dreem Draum Sah Shukraya Namah. The day of Venus is Friday, and its direction is the south-east.

The full count most often cited for Venus is 16,000 repetitions. A Friday morning practice, often in clean white clothes, is the usual daily form.

Venus signifies relationships and marriage, beauty, art, music, comforts and vehicles. Its mantra is traditionally recited for harmony in relationships and marriage, artistic talent and taste, and a gracious, contented life. Artists and musicians often recite it before practice.

When Venus is under strain, showing as over-indulgence or difficulty in relationships, its mantra is recited together with moderation and appreciation of what one already has. Venus is also the guru of the asuras, Shukracharya, a teacher of great learning, so tradition reads it as more than pleasure alone.

The deity linked with Venus is Lakshmi, the goddess of prosperity and grace. The Sri Suktam and the Lakshmi Ashtottara, her hundred and eight names, are the prayers most often recited on Fridays in the Venus tradition.

• Day: Friday; time: morning
• Traditional full count: 16,000
• Deity: Lakshmi

Saturn: Om Praam Preem Praum Sah Shanaye Namah

Saturn's beej mantra is Om Praam Preem Praum Sah Shanaye Namah. The day of Saturn is Saturday, and its direction is the west. Some traditions recite Saturn's mantra in the evening as well as the morning, at the time of sunset.

The full count most often cited for Saturn is 23,000 repetitions, the largest of the nine, fitting the slowest planet. Daily, one or more malas on Saturdays is the common practice.

Saturn, the great teacher, signifies discipline, hard work, service, patience and endurance. Its mantra is traditionally recited for patience, steady effort, a sense of justice and the strength to carry responsibility well. It is the practice most often taken up during Saturn's periods, Sade Sati, Ashtama Shani and Kantaka Shani, which are read as times of maturing through effort rather than times to fear.

When Saturn is under strain, showing as delay, heavy responsibility or loneliness, tradition pairs the mantra with honest work and service to those who have less, especially working people and the elderly. The deity linked with Saturn is Shani himself, and the Shani Stotra said to have been composed by King Dasharatha is recited on Saturdays in many homes. Many also recite the Hanuman Chalisa on Saturdays.

• Day: Saturday; time: morning, or at sunset
• Traditional full count: 23,000
• Deity: Shani

Rahu: Om Bhraam Bhreem Bhraum Sah Rahave Namah

Rahu's beej mantra is Om Bhraam Bhreem Bhraum Sah Rahave Namah. Rahu is a shadow planet and has no weekday of its own in the seven-day week; tradition recites its mantra on Saturday, and its direction is the south-west. Some traditions prefer the evening for Rahu.

The full count most often cited for Rahu is 18,000 repetitions, matching the 18 years of Rahu's dasha. Many people take up Rahu's mantra during that dasha or during Rahu's sub-periods.

Rahu, the Moon's north node, signifies ambition, foreign lands, technology, the unconventional and sudden rises. Its mantra is traditionally recited for clear ambition, original thinking and good progress on new or unusual paths, and to keep Rahu's restless desire on a steady track.

When Rahu is under strain, showing as craving, confusion or the pull of shortcuts, its mantra is recited together with clear values and steady effort. The deity linked with Rahu is Durga, the protecting goddess, and recitation of her names, or of the Durga Saptashati in families that keep it, is the prayer most often joined with Rahu's mantra.

• Day: Saturday; time: morning or evening
• Traditional full count: 18,000
• Deity: Durga

Ketu: Om Sraam Sreem Sraum Sah Ketave Namah

Ketu's beej mantra is Om Sraam Sreem Sraum Sah Ketave Namah. Like Rahu, Ketu has no weekday of its own; tradition recites its mantra on Tuesday, sharing the day with Mars, whose nature Ketu is said to resemble.

The full count most often cited for Ketu is 17,000 repetitions. Many people take up the practice during Ketu's 7-year dasha or its sub-periods.

Ketu, the Moon's south node, signifies detachment, intuition, spirituality, research and skills carried from the past. Its mantra is traditionally recited for focus, insight, the ability to let go, and progress in meditation, research or any inward study.

When Ketu is under strain, showing as indifference, isolation or a sense of not belonging, its mantra is recited together with simple service and focus on one thing at a time. The deity linked with Ketu is Ganesha, the remover of obstacles, who is honoured first in every Hindu ritual. The Ganapati Atharvashirsha, or simply Om Gam Ganapataye Namah, is the prayer most often joined with Ketu's mantra.

• Day: Tuesday; time: morning
• Traditional full count: 17,000
• Deity: Ganesha

The Navagraha mantra and stotras

Besides the individual beej mantras, tradition offers prayers to all nine planets together. The best known is the Navagraha Stotra attributed to the sage Vyasa, a set of nine verses, one for each planet, beginning with the Sun's verse, Japakusuma sankasham, which praises the Sun as bright as the red hibiscus. Reciting the nine verses once a day is a simple way to honour every planet without singling one out.

A short verse often recited at the start of the day names all of them: Brahma Murari Tripurantakari, Bhanu Shashi Bhumisuto Budhashcha, Gurushcha Shukrah Shani Rahu Ketavah, Kurvantu sarve mama suprabhatam. It asks Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva, and the Sun, Moon, Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus, Saturn, Rahu and Ketu, to make the morning good. Many people who do not know their chart in detail prefer these prayers to all nine.

Sincerity over number

Classical teachers agree on one point above all: regular, sincere recitation matters more than the number of rounds. One mala said with attention every day is valued above a large count rushed through. If a day is missed, one simply begins again.

No costly ritual is needed for a mantra to be meaningful. Large homas and paid ceremonies are a family's free choice, never a requirement, and no one should feel pressed into them. A quiet place, a clean mind and a few minutes each day are all that tradition asks.