SUN
The
Sun god has two arms. He is seated on a lotus pedestal and both his hands are
embellished with lotus flowers. There is a beautiful golden crown on his head
and a garland of gems around his neck. His radiance resembles the inner folds of
the lotus flower and he is mounted on a chariot pulled by seven horses.
The
Sun god is also known as ‘Savita’, meaning - one who creates, ‘SAVITA
SARVASYA PRASAVITA’ (Nirukta -10/31). According to the Rigveda, the Sun God
situated at the center of the solar system is all inspiring and pervasive and is
an embodiment of Almighty God. According to the ‘Markandeya Puran’, the Sun
is the embodiment of Brahma. The world originates from the Sun and is
established within it. The Sun is the appearance of all elements and matter and
is the eternal Almighty. This God ‘Bhaskar’ creates, nurtures and
annihilates the world respectively, in the form of Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu
& Lord Shiva. The Sun is the supreme deity amongst all the nine-planets.
When
Brahma manifested himself by breaking an egg, he pronounced ‘OM’. This Omkar
is the supreme soul and the very physique of the Sun God. The four Vedas emerged
from all four mouths of Lord Brahma, which were glowing in their own radiance.
The powerful radiance emanating from the ‘Omkar’ covered the radiance of the
Vedas and ultimately all of them unified. This very Vedic appearance of
‘Omkar’ is the Sun God. This radiant sun was the first to be manifested
during creation; hence it was called ‘Aditya’.
Once
the demons, monsters and titans together fought with the deities and snatched
their power and authority after defeating them. ‘Aditi’– the mother of the
deities worshipped the Sun God to get protection from this calamity. The Sun God
was pleased with her and assumed the incarnation as her son, establishing the
eternal path of the Veda after defeating the deities’ enemies. He is therefore
called Aditya.
The Sun God is endowed with a red complexion. His vehicle is a chariot. There is
only one wheel in his chariot, which is called ‘Samvatsar’. The wheel of his
chariot has 12 spokes, which symbolise the twelve months. The wheel has six
circumferences, which symbolize the six seasons, and three ‘Naves’, which
symbolise the three four-month cycles.
The sages (rishis) and all the celestial supernatural beings like
‘Gandharva’, ‘Apsara’, ‘Nag’ yaksha and the deities’ move along
with the Sun God, doing his worship. The wheel, power, a loop and a hook are His
weapons. His great-phase (Mahadasha) lasts for six years. To get his blessings
and to pacify Him, ‘Arghya’ (pouring water facing the sun in the morning)
should be performed each day, along with listening to the text of the Harivansh
Purana. Ruby should be worn on the body and donation of wheat; cow along with a
calf, raw-sugar (gur), copper, gold and red-clothes should be made to the
Brahmins.
OM
AAKRISHNEN RAJASA VARTAMANO NIVESHAYANNAMRITAM MARTYAM CHA ||
HIRANYEN SAVITA RATHENA DEVO YAATI BHUVANANI PASHYAN ||
The mantra mentioned in the Purana is as follows:
JAPAKUSUMA
SANKASHAM KASHYAPEYAM MAHADYUTIM ||
TAMORIM SARVA PAPAGHNAM PRANATOSMI DIWAKARAM ||
Cryptic mantras is as follows:
OM
HRANG HRING HRAUNG SAH SURYAY NAMAH’ ||
General
mantra is as follows:
OM
GHRINI SURYAY NAMAH ||
Any of the above mantras can be chanted repeatedly with devotion. The mantras
should be chanted 7000 times at dawn.
MOON
The
Moon God is fair in complexion. He is attired in white. His chariot is white in color
and so are the horses pulling it. He is seated on the pedestal of lotus placed
in a beautiful chariot pulled by seven horses. He possesses a golden crown on
his head and a garland of pearls on his neck. He has a mace in one hand and the
other one is raised in the posture of showering blessings.
According to the ‘Srimad Bhagawat’, the Moon-God is the son of Maharishi
Atri and Anasuya. He is considered to be all pervading. He possesses all the
sixteen phases (Kala). Lord Krishna was the descendant of the Moon God,
possessing all the sixteen phases like Him. He is the one from whom all the
deities’ ancestors, yaksha, human being, animals-birds and trees get life.
Lord Brahma made him the seed, medicine, water and the king of the Brahmins. He
was married to the twenty-seven constellations i.e. ‘Ashwini’,
‘Bharani’, ‘Krittika’, ‘Rohini’ etc. These constellations were the
daughters of ‘Daksha’. (Harivanshpuran)
According to the Vanparva of Mahabharata, all the wives of the Moon God are
chaste and beautiful. While moving along with the constellations in their
respective orbits, the Moon God nurtures all living beings and classifies
various festivals, combinations and months.
On a full moon day and during the rising moon, an offering of delicacies mined
with honey in a copper-vessel is made to Him, whereupon He is satisfied. Thus
pleased with the offering, he frees a man from all pains and sorrows. By
satisfying him one also satisfies the Sun God, ‘Vishvedeva’ (ancestors),
‘Marudgana’ (deities controlling natural forces) and the wind god (Vayu).
The vehicle of the Moon God is a chariot. There are three wheels in his chariot.
Ten powerful horses pull his chariot. All the horses are divine, incomparable
and are as quick as the mind. The eyes and ears of the horses are white.
According to the ‘Matasyapurana’, the horses are as white as a conch.
Mercury is the son of the Moon God and was born to ‘Tara’. The presiding
deity of the Moon-God is goddess Uma. The Moon-God is the Lord of the zodiac
sign Cancer and his ‘great-phase’ (Mahadasha) lasts for ten years. He is
also considered to be the Lord of the constellations. He holds the second
position among all the nine planets.
A lack of the Moon God’s favour causes various kinds of physical pains and
diseases like mental tensions and bad breathe. He is pleased if one fasts on
Monday, or if one eulogizes and worships Lord Shiva. He is also pleased if a
person wears pearls.
Donations of rice, grains, camphor, white-cloth, silver, conch, white sandal,
white flower, sugar, bullock, curd and pearls should be made to please him.
Worship of the Moon God can be done
by the following mantra taken from the Puran.
DADHI
SHANKHA TUSHARABHAM KSHIRODARNAVA SAMBHAVAM ||
NAMAMI SHASHINAM SOMAM SHAMBHOR MUKUTBHUSHANAM ||
Cryptic Mantra :
OM
SHRANG SHRING SHRAUNG SAH CHANDRAYA NAHAM ||
GENERAL MANTRA:
OM
SOM SOMAY NAMAH ||
Any of the above given three mantras can be chanted repeatedly for fixed numbers
with faith and devotion.
Chanting of this mantra should be done for 11,000 times during evening time.
MARS
The
deity Mars has four arms. He has a hairy body. The small hairs of the body are
red in color. In his hands is mace and Trident, and His hands are raised in the
postures of bestowing fearlessness and blessings. He has a golden crown on his
head and his vehicle is a lamb. He is attired in red colored apparel and had red
garlands in his neck.
In the ‘Kalpa’ of Varah’ when Hiranyaksha, the elder brother of
Hiranyakshipu had abducted the earth, Lord Vishnu had taken his incarnation as a
boar and rescued the earth by killing Hiranyaksha. Mother Earth was pleased to
see Lord Vishnu and desired Him as her husband.
In His incarnation as a boar, Lord Vishnu’s radiance was as dazzling,
illuminating and unbearable as millions of Suns. He transformed his appearance
into His enchanting form to fulfill the wish of the presiding deity of the earth
and lived with earth for one year in solitariness. Thus, Mars was born.
(Brahmavaivarta Puran 2/8/29 to 43).
There are different stories about the origin of Mars in different ‘Kalps’.
While performing worship, Mars is addressed as belonging to the Bhardwaj clan.
This narration is found in the Ganesh Puran.
The invaluable benefit of worshipping the planet Mars has been described in the
Purans. Mars fulfills all the desires of a man once he has been pleased. The
method of worship has been described in the Bhaumayantra on copper sheet and
worshiping the golden idol of Mars. Chanting the name of ‘Mars’ gives
liberation from all debts. Mars is considered an inauspicious planet.
Mars passes through all the twelve zodiacs in one and a half year after crossing
each zodiac in three ‘pakshas’ (45 days), provided its motion is not in
retrograde.
Mars is pacified by the worship of Shiva. Wearing a coral also pacifies Mars.
Making donations of copper, gold, wheat, red clothes, jaggery (gur), red sandal,
red flowers, saffron, musk, red-ox, lentil and land also pacifies Mars. A fast
should be observed on Tuesdays and the Hanuman Chalisa should be read.
The great phase of Mars lasts for seven years. Mars is the lord of two zodiacs,
i.e., Aries and Scorpio.
The Mantra given in the Purana is as follows:
DHARANI
GARBHA SAMBHOOTAM VIDDUTKANTI SAMAPRABHAM ||
KUMARAM SHAKTI HASTAM TAM MANGALAM PRANAMAMYAHAM ||
Cryptic Mantra:
OM
KRANG KREENG KRAUNG SAH BHAUMAYA NAMAH ||
General Mantra:
OM
AM ANGARKAYA NAMAH ||
Any one of the above mantras can be chanted for a fixed number of times with
faith and devotion.
The total number of chanting of this mantra = 10,000 times at 8 a.m. in the
morning.
One can take help of a learned Brahmin in special circumstance.
GOD
MERCURY
Mercury
is attired in yellow and wears a garland of yellow flowers. The radiance and
glow of his body is like that of an oleander flower. He has a sword, a shield a
mace in each of his three hands respectively and his fourth hand is raised in
the posture of giving blessings. He has a golden crown on his head and a
beautiful garland in his neck. His vehicle is a lion.
According to the ‘Atharavaveda’ Mercury’s father is the moon and his
mother is Tara. Lord Brahma gave him the name mercury because of his
intelligence. According to Shrimad Bhagawat, he is proficient in all the
scriptures and is as radiant as the moon.
According to Matsyapuran (24/1-2) Lord Brahma made him lord of earth and a
planet.
According to a mountain, which comes in the Mahabharata, Manu impressed by his
learning’s and intelligence married his daughter Ila with him. As a result of
this marriage ‘Pururva’ was born and the descent of moon expanded.
According to the Shrimadbhagawat (5/22-13) mercury is situated about 2,00,000
yojans (2400 000 km above venus). Mercury is considered to be an auspicious
planet but if by chance it transgresses, chance of natural calamities like
draught storm and floods occur.
According to the Matsyapuran, Mercury’s complexion is yellow like an oleander
flower. His chariot is white in color and illuminated by light. Horses as fast
as the wind pull the chariot. The names of the horses are Shweta, Pisanga,
Saranga, Neel, Peeta, Vilohita, Krishna, Hairta, Prisha and Prishni.
The governing deity of the planet Mercury is Lord Vishnu. Mercury is the Lord of
the zodiac Gemini and Virgo. The great phase of mercury lasts for 17 years.
For the pacification of this planet, fasts should be observed on every Amavasya
(moonless night) and emerald should be worn on the body.
Donations of ivory, green-clothes, coral emerald, gold camphor, weapon, fruit
and ghee to the Brahmins also satisfies Mercury.
Mercury is worshipped when it is
situated in a northeasterly direction. His symbol is an arrow and possesses a
green complexion.
The Mantra mentioned in the Purana is as follows:
PRIYANGU
KALIKA SHYAMAM RUPENA PRATIMAM BUDHAM ||
SAUMYAM SAUMYA GUNOPETAM TAM BUDHAM PRANAMAMYAHAM ||
Cryptic Mantra:
OM
BRANG BREENG BRAUNG SAH BUDHAYA NAMAH ||
General Mantra:
OM
BOM BUDHAYA NAMAH
Any of the above mantras can be chanted repeatedly at a fixed number.
Total numbers of chanting = 9000.
Time for chanting is two hours after sunrise.
Assistance from a learned Brahmin can be taken in special circumstances.
JUPITER
The
preceptor of the Deities – Jupiter (Vrihaspati)--has a yellow complexion. He
is adorned with a golden crown on his head and a beautiful garland in his neck.
He is attired in yellow apparel and is seated on the pedestal of a lotus flower.
He has four hands and holds a stick (dand), Rudraksh garland, and receptacle in
each of his three hands, his fourth hands raised in the posture of bestowing
blessings.
According to the Mahabharat (Adiparva), Jupiter is the son of great sage Angira
and the priest of the deities. The demons wanted to starve the deities unto
death by obstructing the oblation (Yagya) performed by them. Jupiter, with the
help of his profound knowledge, helped the deities to get their due shares of
the oblation. He also protected them by using the Rakshoghna mantra and driving
away the demons.
In the ‘Skandapuran’, there is a detailed description of how Jupiter became
the preceptor of the deities. Jupiter undertook severe penance in ‘Dwarka’
(prabhas area) to please Lord Shankar. Pleased by his penance, Lord Shiva
granted Him the boon of becoming the preceptor of the deities.
Jupiter remains in each zodiac for a year. If He has a retrograde motion, this
duration changes. (Shrimadbhagawat 5/22/15).
According to the Rigveda, Jupiter is very pleasant to observe. He has
constructed his own abode. The entire world would benefit from worshipping Him.
Once pleased with his devotees, he blesses them with prosperity and
intelligence. He helps his devotees to be on virtuous paths and protects them in
every calamity. Jupiter is very affectionate toward people seeking his refuge.
His vehicle is a chariot made of gold and appears very beautiful. Eight horses
with yellow complexions pull his chariot and they are as fast as the wind. His
weapon is a stick made of gold.
Jupiter has two wives - Shubha and Tara. Seven daughters were born to Shubha –
Bhanumati, Raka, Archismati, Mahishrvati, Siniwali and Havishmati.
Seven sons and a daughter were born to Tara. Jupiter also had a third wife whose
name was Mamta and who gave birth to ‘Bhardwaja’ and ‘Kacha’. The
presiding deity of Jupiter is ‘Indra’.
Jupiter is the lord of the zodiac Sagittarius and Pisces. His ‘great phase
lasts for sixteen years. A fast should be observed on a dark moon night
(Amavasya) and on Thursday, for His pacification. Wearing yellow topaz also
pacifies Him. Donating yellow clothes, gold, turmeric, ghee, cereals of yellow color,
topaz, horse, book, honey, salt, sugar, land and umbrella to the Brahmins
pacifies Jupiter.
The following mantra is taken from the ‘Purana’ and chanting of this mantra
pacifies Jupiter.
DEVANAM
CHA RISHINAM CHA GURUM KANCHAN SANNIBHAM ||
BUDDHI BHOOTAM TRILOKESHAM TAM NAMAMI BRIHASPATIM ||
Cryptic Mantra:
OM
GRANG GRING GRAUNG SAH GURAVE NAMAH ||
General Mantra:
OM
BREENG BRIHASPATAYE NAMAH ||
Any of the above three mantras can be used to pacify Jupiter.
Total numbers of repetition = 19000 times
Time = in the evenings.
VENUS
Venus,
the preceptor of the demons, is white and of fair complexion. He wears a
beautiful crown on His head and wears a garland in His neck. He is seated on the
pedestal of a white lotus. He has four hands. In his three hands, he holds a
‘dand’ (stick), a Rudraksh garland & a receptacle. His fourth hand is
raised in the posture of giving boons and blessings.
Venus or ‘Shukracharya’ is the priest of the demons. He continuously showers
his blessing on his disciples (demons). He is the supreme teacher of the
‘yoga’ Following rigrous penance, he pleased Lord Shiva and received the
‘learning’ of ‘Mritasanjivani’ (bringing alive a dead person). With this
learning, he brought back to life those demons that got killed in the battles
with the deities. (Mahabharat, Adiparva 76/8)
According to the Matsyapuran, Shukracharya performed severe austerities and
penance for the benediction of the demons, which have since then not been
performed by anyone. Lord Shiva was pleased and blessed him with a boon that he
would defeat the deities in battle and that he would not be killed. Lord Shiva
also made him the custodian of all the wealth. As a result, he became the Lord
of all the wealth of the world.
According to the Mahabharata (AdiParva (78/39), Shukracharya was not only the
Lord of all wealth but also the master of medicinal herbs, mantras and all kinds
of taste. He possessed vast capabilities. He donated all his wealth to the
demons and accepted the life of a hermit.
By Lord Brahma’s blessings, he became the planet Venus and began protecting
the lives of all living beings in the three worlds. As a planet he attends the
assembly of Lord Brahma. He is very favorable planet for the world since he
pacifies those planets that obstruct rain.
His presiding deity is ‘Indrani’. According to the Matsyapuran (94/5), the
complexion of Shukracharya (Venus) is fair. Chariot is his vehicle, which is
pulled by eight horses, which are like fire. Flags keep fluttering on top of the
chariot. He has a dand (stick or mace) as his weapon.
Venus is the lord of the zodiac Taurus and Libra and his great phase lasts for
twenty years.
For the pacification of Venus, the worship of cow should be done and a diamond
should be worn. Venus is also pacified if donations of silver, gold, rice, ghee,
white clothes, white-sandalwood, curd, sugar, cow and land are made to the
Brahmins.
The white pentagon situated in the east symbolizes Venus among the nine planets.
Chanting of the following mantra, which has been taken from the Puran, pacifies
Venus
HIMAKUNDA
MRINALABHAM DAITYANAAM PARAMAM GURUM ||
SARVA SHASTRA PRAVAKTTARAM BHARGAVAM PRANAMAMYAHAM ||
Cryptic
Mantra:
OM
DRANG DREENG DRAUNG SAH SHUKRAYA NAMAH ||
General Mantra:
OM
SHOM SHUKRAYA NAMAH ||
Any of the above mantras can be used for the pacification of Venus.
Total number of chanting = 16000 times
Time for chanting = During Sunrise.
SATURN
The
complexion and radiance of Saturn is as brilliant as a blue diamond. He has a
golden crown on his head and wears a garland and is attired in blue. He is
seated on the back of a vulture. He possesses a bow, an arrow and a trident in
each of his three hands respectively, and his fourth hand is raised in the
posture of giving boons and blessings.
Saturn is the son of the Sun God and Chhaya (Sanvarna). He is considered a cruel
planet. The cruelty reflected by him is owed to a curse he received from his
wife. The narration has been mentioned in the Brahma Puran as follows:
From his childhood, the deity Shani (Saturn) was a great devotee of Lord
Krishna. He was always immersed in his devotion and love for Lord Krishna.
Later, his father married him with the daughter of ‘Chitraratha’. His wife
was a chaste woman, full of radiance.
One night she went to him after having a bath having completed her menstrual
cycle, with a desire of having a son. But her husband Shani (Saturn) was
immersed in meditating over Lord Krishna and was oblivious to his surroundings.
She became tired of waiting and became angry. She cursed him and stated that
from that day whoever he laid his eyes on would be destroyed. After he came out
of his meditative trance, ‘Shani’ (Saturn) tried to make up with her by
cajoling her. His wife also felt sorry for her mistake but she was powerless in
neutralizing the ill effects of her curse. Since then Shani has been keeping his
gaze downward, not wanting to cause harm to anyone.
Astrologically speaking, if Saturn pierces and passes through the constellation
of Rohini it is considered to be very inauspicious, and causing drought for
twelve years, and making the survival of living beings impossible. This
combination could have occurred during Dasharatha’s time. He was cautioned by
his astrologers against its consequences. To protect his subjects from
‘Shani’s’ wrath, Dasharatha went up in the constellation-zone. First, he
made salutations to the deity ‘Shani’. But when the latter refused, he
fought with him using the most destructive of weapons.
‘Shani’ was pleased by Dasharatha’s sense of duty and asked him to demand
any boon. Dasharatha asked him not to cross the Rohini-constellation’ until
the time that the sun and constellation exist. Shani agreed to his request.
Lord Brahma is the presiding deity of Saturn. His complexion is dark, his
vehicle is a vulture and his chariot is made up of iron. Saturn remains in each
of the twelve zodiacs for thirty months.
Chanting of the following mantra, which has been taken from the ‘Purana’,
pacifies Saturn.
NILANJANA
SAMA BHASAM RAVIPUTRAM YAMA GRAJAM ||
CHHAAYA MARTANDA SAMBHOOTAM TAM NAMAMI SHANAISHCHARAM ||
Cryptic
Mantra:
OM
PRANG PRING PRAUNG SAH SHANAISHCHARAYA NAMAH ||
General mantra:
OM
SHANG SHANAISHCHARAYA NAMAH ||
Any of the above three mantras can be chanted for the pacification of Saturn.
Total numbers of chanting = 23,000 times
Time for chanting the mantra = Evening.
THE
DRAGON’S HEAD (RAHU)
The
face of Dragon’s head is very ferocious and terrifying. He has a crown on his
head, a garland in his neck and wears apparels of black color. He holds a sword,
a shield, and a trident in each of his three hands respectively and his fourth
hand is raised in the posture of giving boons and blessings. He is seated on a
lion, which is his vehicle.
‘Rahu’s’ mother is ‘Sinhika’ who was the wife of ‘Viprachitti’ and
was the daughter of Hiranyakashipu. Rahu is also known as ‘Sainhikeya’,
which is based on his mother’s name. Rahu had one hundred brothers, but he was
the most capable and powerful among all of them. (Shrimadbhagawat 6/6/36).
During the time of churning of the sea, when lord Vishnu in his appearance of an
enchanting woman (Mohini) was giving ambrosia to the deities for drinking, Rahu
sat among the deities in disguise. Rahu also was able to drink the ambrosia but
the moon and the sun made the secret open about with real identity. Lord Vishnu
killed him with his Sudarshan Chakra’ by severing his head. The drinking of
ambrosia had made him immortal and lord Brahma transformed him into a planet.
(Srimadbhagawat 8/9/26)
According to the Mahabharata (Bheeshma Parva 12/40), the shape of the dragon’s
head is circular. He too sits in the assembly of Lord Brahma along with the rest
of the planets.
According to the Matsyapuran (28/61), the shadow of the earth is circular and
Rahu rotates around this very shadow.
He is the presiding deity of this shadow (Chhaya). According to the Rigveda
(5/40/5), when Rahu – the son of Asuya or Sinhika, covers the sun and the moon
with his darkness, it becomes so dark that people are unable to identify their
places.
Even after being transformed into a planet, Rahu attacks the moon on full moon
day and the sun on dark moon days, because of his enmity towards them. This
event is called an eclipse or Rahu Parag.
According to the Matsyapuran, Rahu’s chariot appears in the form of darkness.
His chariot is pulled by eight horses, black in color.
The presiding deity for Rahu is ‘Kaal’. It is symbolized by a black flag in
a northwesterly direction from all the nine planets.
The great phase of the Dragon’s head lasts for 18 years. Except in a few
situations, it is generally considered an inauspicious planet. According to
astrology, if ‘Rahu’ is situated unfavorably in a horoscope, it causes many
types of physical illnesses as well as accidents. It also causes obstacles in
accomplishing work.
Chanting of the Mrityunjay mantra and wearing the turquoise stone pacifies the
Dragon’s head.
Donations of mica, iron, sesame, blue clothes, receptacles made of copper, horse
beans, oil onyx, blanket, horse and a sword to the Brahmins also pacifies the
Dragon’s head.
The following mantra taken from the Purana pacifies the Dragon’s head.
ARDHAKAYAM
MAHAVIRYAM CHANDRADITYA VIMARDANAM ||
SINGHIKA GARBHA SAMBHOOTAM TAM RAHUM PRANAMAMYAHAM ||
Cryptic Mantra:
OM
BHRANG BHRIMNG BHRAUNG SAH RAHAVE NAMAH ||
General Mantra:
OM
RAM RAHAVE NAMAH ||
Any of the above mantras when chanted by a person under Rahu’s negative
influence can prove to be very beneficial.
Total number of chanting = 18000 times.
The time for chanting = during night.
THE
DRAGON’S TAIL (KETU)
The
Dragon’s tail or Ketu has two arms. He possesses a crown on his head and is
attired in black-clothes. The complexion of his body is smoke-like and he has a
deformed face. In each of his two hands he holds a mace and the other hand is
raised in the posture of giving boons and blessings. He is seated on a vulture,
which is also his vehicle.
‘Ketu’ is the headless trunk of the demon ‘Rahu’. After the killing of
Rahu, when lord Vishnu severed his head by his Sudarshan chakra. The head
portion was called Rahu and his trunk was called Ketu. Both Rahu and Ketu became
planets. According to the matsyapuran there are numerous Ketus out of which
‘Dhoomketu’ is the main.
According to the Indian astrology dragon’s tail is a shadow planet. It has a
tremendous impact on human lives and also the whole creation. It’s area of
influence is considered to be in the north-west direction. According to some
scholars Ketu is Somber and mild as compared to Rahu and is beneficial for a
man. In some special circumstances it helps a man to achieve the zenith of fame.
The shape of Ketu is considered to be of the shape of a fluttering flag. Its
length is only six angul (six inches).
Although both Rahu and Ketu originated from the same body but after being
transformed into the planets and considering it as their rebirth, new names of
lineages were given to them. Rahu was considered to be of ‘Paithinas’ clan
or lineage and Ketu was considered to be of ‘Jainini’ lineage. The
complexion of Ketu is like a color of the smoke. In some places there are
mentions of pigeon as his vehicle.
The great phase of Dragon’s tail lasts for seven years. Rahu’s presiding
dety is chitraketu. If there is a Ketu situated in an inauspicious house of a
man’s horoscope then it causes inauspicious and misfortunes. The man gets
inflicted with disease like leprosy itches and ringworm.
Making donations of the following things pacifies the Ketu
Lapis- Lazuli (gem), oil, black sesame, blanket, weapon, musk and flower of blue
color. Wearing of a cat’s eye and chanting of ‘Mrityunjaya Japa also
pacifies the Ketu.
The following mantra taken from the Purana pacifies the Ketu
PALASHA
PUSHPA SANKASHAM TARAKA GRAHAMASTAKAM ||
RAUDRAM RAUDRAT MAKAM GHORAM TAM KETUM PRANAMAMYAHAM ||
Cryptic Mantra:
OM
SRANG SRING SRAUNG SAH KETAVE NAMAH ||
General Mantra:
OM
KENG KETAVE NAMAH ||
Total number of chantings = 17000 times
Time for chanting = Night
Kusha grass should be used for Havan and a Brahmin’s help should be sought in
special circumstances.