From the book “Vedic Heritage Teaching Program” by Sunita and Sundar Ramaswamy
(Arsha Vidya Gurukulam, Saylorsburg, PA, 1993), volume 2.
Introduction
Invoking the Lord in the form of planetary deities is one of the unique forms of
worshipping God seen in the Vedic culture. The planetary deities are perceived as
playing a significant role in the life of an individual. Jyoti¬am, one of the Ved¹ngas, includes astronomy and astrology. Jyoti¬am connects the life events of a human being to the orderly patterns of the movements of the planets in the earth’s solar system.
In addition, astrology is a predictive science based upon the positions of the various planets (a horoscope) cast at the time of one’s birth. While the horoscope indicates the life pattern destined at birth, the law of karma enables an individual, within the confines of his birth, to exercise free will through actions and to change destined events. These actions include prayers known as santi.
Santis are specific prayers offered to God who is invoked in the form of various planetary deities called grahas. Jyoti¬am recognizes nine planets, nava grahas, that are associatedwith various life experiences. These planetary deities also preside over the twelve signs of the zodiac in the following order: Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius, and Pisces.
Navagraha Devat's
Surya devata - The Sun God
Because the sun's essential nature is light, it is called the ¹tmak¹raka or the presiding deity of the atma. The sun governs a person's confidence, authority, and status. The sun is also the presiding deity of the eyes and rules the sign Leo. The Vishnu Purana (2.8.15) states that the sun does not move; nor does it rise or set. Rising and setting imply appearance and disappearance.
Candra devata - The Moon God
The moon is the presiding deity of the mind and emotions. This devata is depicted with crescent moon/ holding lotus buds in his hands. He rules the sign of Cancer.
Kuja devata - The Mars God
The deity Kuja is also known as Mangala or Ang¹raka. In the Puranas he is also described as Karttikeya, the son of Lord ˜iva and Goddess Uma. He is depicted as wearing red clothes and carrying a spear. He governs the qualities of courage and bravery, and presides over siblings and health. He rules Aries and Scorpio.
Budha devata - The Mercury God
Budha is the deity who presides over intelligence. He governs a person's teaching
capacities. He is depicted as holding the Vedas in one hand and a sword, a mace, and a shield in his other hands. He rules Gemini and Virgo.
Guru devata - The Jupiter God
Guru is the presiding deity of religious inclinations and prosperity. He is also the
presiding deity of married life for women. He is described in the Puranas as BÅhaspati, the preceptor of the devatas. He is often depicted in a standing posture with four hands, in one of which he holds a weapon called the vajra-¹yudha. He rules Sagittarius and Pisces.
Sukra devata - The Venus God
sukra is the presiding deity of material comforts, arts, culture, and aesthetics. He is also the presiding deity of love and married life for men. In the Puranas he is depicted as being the preceptor of King Bali. Sukra is depicted as standing with his hands folded. He is the ruler of Taurus and Libra.
Sani devata - The Saturn God
Sani is the presiding deity of longevity, calamities, and difficulties in life, and, at the same time, of renunciation and spiritual wisdom. He presides over painful experiences and inner growth. In the Pur¹ªas, he is considered the son of the Sun God. He is depicted with a dark complexion, bearing a mace, and moving at a slow pace. He has a crow as his vehicle. His eyes are generally blindfolded because of the belief that his glance is very powerful and may bring misfortune. He rules Capricorn and Aquarius.
Rahu and Ketu devatas - The R¹hu God and the Ketu God
Rahu is the presiding deity of worldly desires and Ketu is the presiding deity of moksha, or freedom from limitations. Astronomically, they are not planets but the northern and southern nodal points of the moon. They are closely connected to each other astrologically. Mythologically, they are born of a rakasa (demon). The upper half of Rahu's body is similar to a man, while the lower half is like a snake. Conversely, the upper half of Ketu's body is similar to the head of a snake, while the lower half is like a man. They do not rule any signs but give the effects of the ruler of the signs where they are situated.
In many Indian temples, there is an altar dedicated to the nine planetary devatas. They are placed in the following manner, facing specific directions as pointed by the arrows:
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