Navagraha Stotra
Navagraha Stotras are believed to pacify the planets and protect the reciter from the evil effects of the planets. In Sanskrit, "Nava" means Nine and "Graha" means planet. Navagraha Stotras are therefore stotras for the nine planets. In Vedic Astrology, Moon, Rahu and Ketu are considered planets.
For the nine planets
aadityaaya somaaya maNgalaaya budhaaya cha |
guru shukra shanibhyashcha raahaveketave namaH ||
Salutations to the navagrahaas, the Sun, Moon, Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus, Saturn, Rahu, and Ketu.
Ravi (Sun) - 6 times
japaakusuma sankaashaM kaashyapeyaM mahaaDhyuthima |
thamorima sarvapaapaghanaM praNamaami dhivaakarama ||
I pray to the Sun, the day-maker, destroyer of all sins, the enemy of darkness, of great brilliance, the descendent of Kaashyapa, the one who shines like the japaa flower.
Chandra (Moon) - 10 times
dhaDhishankha thushaaraabhaM kSheerodhaarnava saMbhavama |
namaami shashinaM somaM shambhormukuta bhooShanama ||
I pray to the Moon who shines coolly like curds or a white shell, who arose from the ocean of milk, who has a hare on him, Soma, who is the ornament of Shiva's hair.
Mangal (Mars) - 7 times
DharaNee garbha saMbhoothama vidhyuthkaanthi samaprabhama |
kumaaraM shakthihasthaM thaM mangalaM praNamaaMyahama ||
I pray to Mars, born of Earth, who shines with the same brilliance as lightning, the young man who carries a spear.
Budha (Mercury) - 17 times
priyaangu kalikaashyaamaM rupeNa prathimaM buDhama |
sauMyaM sauMyaguNopethaM thvaM buDhaM praNamaaMyahama ||
I pray to Mercury, dark like the bud of millet, of unequalled beauty, gentle and agreeable.
Guru (Jupiter) - 16 times
dhevaanaaMcha RishiNaaMcha gurukaanchana sannibhama |
buDhdhir bhoothaM thrilokeshaM thvaM namaami bRihaspathima ||
I pray to Jupiter, the teacher of gods and rishis, intellect incarnate, lord of the three worlds.
Shukra (Venus) - 20 times
himakundha mRiNaalaabhaM dhaithyaanaaM paramaM guruma |
sarvashaasthra pravakthaaraM bhaargavaM praNamaaMyahama ||
I pray to Venus, the utimate preceptor of demons, promulgator of all learning, he who shines like the fiber of snow-white jasmine.
Shani (Saturn) - 19 times
neelaanjana samaabhaasaM raviputhraM yamaagrajama
Chaayaa maarthaaNda saMbhoothaM tvaM namaami shanaishcharam
I pray to Saturn, the slow moving, born of Shade and Sun, the elder brother of Yama, the offspring of Sun, he who has the appearance of black collyrium.
Rahu (Dragon's Head) - 18 times
arDhakaayaM mahaaveerama chandhraadhithya vimarDhanama |
simhikaa garbha saMbhoothaM thvaM raahuM praNamaaMyaham ||
I pray to Rahu, having half a body, of great bravery, the eclipser of the Moon and the Sun, born of Simhikaa.
Ketu (Dragon's Tail) - 7 times
phalaasha pushpsankaashaM thaarakaagraha masthakama |
raudhraM raudhraathmakaM ghoraM tvam kethuM praNamaaMyaham||
I pray to Ketu, who has the appearance of Palaasha flower, the head of stars and planets, fierce and terrifying.
