NAVAGRAHAS

Navagrahas - Solar System

After the Trinity (Brahma, Vishnu, Siva) the Navagrahas (including Surya) have the maximum importance in Hindu Rituals. They are considered to play a major role in deciding the destiny of man. All the nine grahams (planets) viz Sun, Moon, Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus, Saturn, Rahu (Snake's head) and Ketu (Snake's tail) give us pleasure and serenity and remove obstacles from our way. The names of the seven bodies (Sun, Moon, Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus, Saturn) are still connected, in some languages, with the seven days of the week.

In astrology, great importance is placed on the positions of the various planets in the twelve constellations of the zodiac, the belt around the sky in which the movements of Sun, Moon and planets are confined. All astrology is totally based on the planetary movements and its effect on human beings.

The configuration of nine idols, called Navagraha, represents the nine principal heavenly bodies that influence man's life. They are considered different aspects of Paramaathma. Worshipping them is a way to attain His abode.

SlOKA/PRAYER
Aadhithyaaya Cha Somaaya Mangalaaya Bhudhaaya Cha
Guru Sukra Sanibhyascha Raahave, Kethave Namaha.
Salutations to the Sun God, the Moon, and to Mangala (Mars) and Budha (Mercury). Also to the divine preceptor Brahaspathi and to Sukra, the teacher of Ausuras, and to Sani, the planet Saturn. Salutations to Rahu and Kethu.


NAVAGRAHA AT SVT
In SSVT Navagraha's are installed in a separate place. The individual planets are given definite placement, within the nine-fold group; as also, definite orientations with reference to the cardinal directions. They also have precise sculptural features that distinguish them.

AUSPICIOUS DAYS AND FESTIVALS
Devotees worship the individual planetary deities on the particular day of the week associated with the planet, and also at special times when there is planetary shift or unique configurations. Proper worship of individual planets on the right occasions is believed to bestow good on the devotees, in specific areas of life.

SPECIAL OFFERINGS
Performing Navagraha Homam is very auspicious. Offerings like sesame seeds, rice or any of the "nine grains" that may be appropriate are also made. Lighting lamps with sesame oil or seeds on Saturdays is important to Sani. Thil rice and Paayasam are offered to Navagraha.

Each of them confer different benefits as given under.

Lord Surya

Kalava Munivar had foreseen his future and relised that he would suffer from leprosy. He prayed to the Navagrahas, who being pleased with his devotion absolved him of the disease. Brahma Deva on realising that the Navagrahas were granting boons, instead of aspecting a person as per his/her good and bad deeds, condemned them to suffer from leprosy and banished them to earth.

The Navagrahas realising their mistake, pleaded for mercy. Brahma adviced them to seek the blessings of Lord Sva and his consort Uma Devi residing at Thirumangalakudi, after bathing in the holy river, Cauvery. He adviced them to consume only curd rice laid on Velerukku leaf.

Lord Siva, pleased with their devotion absolved them of their sins and decried that there will be nine sannadhis for the navagrahas in the Suryanar temple (this is the only temple where all the navagrahas are present with separate sannadhis) and those who pray here will get relief from their problems.

Those who suffer the ill effects of Kalathara Dosham, Vivaha Paribandha Dosham, Puthra Dosham, Puthra Paribandha Dosham, Vidhya Paribandha Dosham, Udyoga Padhibandha Dosham, Surya dasai, Surya bukthi would benefit from worshipping at this temple. Father, Athma, physical strength, right eye, governmental largesse are the beneficial aspects of this planet.

The Suryanar temple is located 12kms from Kumbakonam enroute to Mayavaram. Surya's wives are Usha, Prathyusha. The presiding deities are Puranavaradheeswarar and his consort Mangalanayaki. Surya is the Lord of Simma Rasi and occupies the central place amongst the navagrahas. The adidevatha is Agni, prathyutha Devatha - Rudran. His colour is red and his vahana is a chariot drawn by seven horses. The grain associated with his is wheat; the flower - lotus, yerukku; fabric - red clothes; gem - ruby; food - wheat, rava, chakkara pongal.

Lord Chandra

Chandran is also hailed as Thingal and his abode is Thingalur. it is here that Chndran prayed to Lord Siva and got his blessings. As Chandran is held in the locks of Lord Siva, all devotees who worship Easwaran have also to worship this planet. The Devas and asuras were churning the paarkadal using Mandira Malai and the snake Vasuki. The asuras held the head portion of the snake and the devas, the tail portion. The poison emitted by Vasuki was consumed by Lord Siva to save the devas, but the toxicity of venom affected the Devas who swooned on its impact. Alongwith the nectar (amirtham), Chandran emerged and it was he who revived the Devas.

Apputhi Adigal was born in Thingalur. he was an ardent follower of Thirunavukkarasar, without ever laying his eyes on the great soul. He did a lot of welfare activity in his hometown in the name of Thirunavukkarasar. During his visit to this holytown Thirunavukkarasar heard about Apputhi Adigal and visited his abode and consented to partake in the meal offered in his honour. To serve food for Thirunavukkarasar, Apputhi Adigal sent his son to the garden to fetch a plantain leaf. When on this errand, a snake bit him and the lad passed away. Not wishing to disappoint his guest, Apputhi Adigal covered the corpse of his son and tried to serve his mentor. But realising the situation, Thirunavukkarasar carried the corpse to the temple of Lord siva in Thingalur and revived the boy singing and imploring the Lord with Thirupadigam.

Dosham to mother, mental retardation, skin and nerve problems, jaundice, fluid accumalation are the diseases caused becaus eof Chandra dosham. By praying to Lord Chandran, the above afflictions can be overcome. Wealth, mother's/wife's happiness, Govt's help, ownership of vehicle, marriage, offsprings, prosperity, foreign travel will be bestowed on his devotees. The sthalam of Chandran is Thingalur, which is located 36kms from Kumbakonam, enroute to Thiruvaiyaru. Chandran's wife is Rohini. The presiding deity are Kailasanathar and his consort Periyanayakiamman. Chandran is the Lord of Kadaga Rasi and he faces the South-East direction. The Adi Devatha is water; prathyathi Devatha is Gowri; his colour is white and his vahana is white horse. The grain associated with him is paddy, rice; the folwer - white arali; fabric - white cloth; gem - pearl; food - curd rice.

Lord Angaraka

Angaraka Bhagavan is worshipped in the town of Vaideeswaran Koil which is also called Thirupullirukku Velur. Sambathi, Jadayu, Lord Muruga, Suriyan are also reputed to have worshipped in this sthalam. Even diseases that could not get cured by Mani Manthira Aushathangal got cured at this place and the presiding deity came to be called Vaidyanathar. His consort who was the chief of women of both worlds is hailed as Thayal Nayagi. Selva Muthukumarasami of this temple is lovingly called Muthiah. Kumaragurubarasami wrote the book "Muthukumarasami Pillai Thamizh".

Once, when Lord Shiva was in deep meditation, perspiration from his third eye fell on earth. The male child that was born of this sweat drop was Angaragan (Chevvai). Angaragan married Sakthi Devi of Avanti town and had a son called Sumarasan. Problems from wife/children/brothers, enimity with friends, loss of wealth, quarrels, problems with Govt., lasting poverty, anger, bad friendship, Kalathira Dosham are because of Chevvai. By praying to him, a person can offset the problems arising out of his afflictions. Brothers and sisters, physical strength, victory, valour are the beneficial aspects of this planet.
The sthalam of Chevvai Bhagavan is Vaideeswaran koil, which is located 6kms from Sirgazhi en route to Mayavaram. His wives are Malini, Susilini. The presiding deity are Vaidyanathan and his consort Thaiyal Nayaki. Chevvai is the Lord of Mesha and Vrichika Rasi and he faces South direction. The Adi Devatha is Boomidevi; Prathyathi Devatha is Kshetra Balagan; his colour is red and his vahana is the ram. The grain associated with him is thuvarai; the flowers - shenbagam and red arali; fabric - red cloth; gem - coral; food- rice mixed with toor dhal powder.

Lord Budha

Acchuthagapanar bathed in the three tanks, worshipped Thiruvengadar and he was blessed with a child. This child came to be known as Meikandar and became the chief of Chandanakuravars.
Pattinathuadigal
Thiruvengadar, the son of Sivanesan and Gnanambigai, with the blessings of a Siva Muni received Siva Ditchai and a Siva Linga and came to be called Pattinathu Adigal.

Indran
Indran to make remedies for his sin of having killed Virudhasuran, worshipped Lord Thiruvengadar & was absolved of his sins.

Iravadam
Sage Durvasar gifted a mala to Indran. Indran, in his vanity threw it on his white elephant Iravadam which stamped the mala under its feet. Durvasar cursed Indran to turn into a wild elephant. Indran realising his folly formed a tank (Thadagam) in Thiruvengadu and worshipped a Siva Linga. He was blessed by Lord Siva and absolved of his sins and reached Indralogam again.

Vedarasi
Vedarasi, a brahmin had placed his bundle of food in the hollow of a tree. A snake residing in the hollow, spewed poison on the food. Unaware of this, Vedarasi gave this food to a vedic priest, who died of the poison. This brahmin was absolved of his Brahmahathi Dosham by worshipping Lord Siva of Thiruvengadu.

Suwedakedu
Suwedakedu on realising that he was destined to die in his eighth year, reached Thiruvengadu and performed Siva pooja. As soon as he saw Yama, he held on to the Siva Linga tightly. Yama on seeing Thiruvengadar, ran away in fear and died. On the request of the Devas, the Lord brought Yama back to life. Those who visit Thiruvengadu will find relief from puthira dosham, poor studies, mental instability, nervous disorders. Knowledge, music, astrology, maths, sculpting, medicine, language skills are the beneficial aspects of Budan. The sthalam of Budan is Thiruvengadu, which is located 15kms from Sirgazhi enroute to Poompuhar. Budan's wife is Ilai. The presiding deities are Swedharanyeshwarar and his consort Ambal. Budan is the Lord of Mithunam and Kanni Rasi and he faces the North-East direction. The Adi Devatha is Vishnu and the Prathyathi Devatha Narayanan; his colour is light green; his vahana - the horse; the grain associated with him is full green moong dhal; the flower - white kanthal flower; fabric- green cloth; gem - maragadam; food - rice mixed with moong dhal powder.

Lord Guru

The Devas, when churning the paarkadal for nectar, were hindered by the poisonous fumes from the snake Vasuki and prayed to Lord Siva for deliverance. Lord Siva consumed the deadly poison (Ala Visham), thus giving rise to the name Alangudi to this sthalam and the Lord came to be called Aabathsagayar.

Lord Ganesha subdued Gajamuhasuran who gave the Devas a horrid time and he is thus worshipped in this sthalam as 'Kalangaamal kaatha Vinayagar'. Ambal undertook severe penance and married Lord Siva and hence this place is hailed as Thirumana Mangalam. This sthalam is the Parivara sthalam for Madhyarjuna Mahalinga Peruman. This is the fourth amongst the Panchavarunya Sthalas. Vishwamithrar, Thirumal, Brahma, Lakshmi, Garuda, Ashta Thikku Balagas, Ayyanar, Veera Badrar, Mukunda Chakravarthy, Suvasanan, Sundarar have worshipped at this sthala.

Lord Siva as a ferryman(boatman) was helping Sundaramurthy Swamigal cross the river (Vettaru) which was in spate, to reach this sthalam. The boat capsized hitting a rock, when halfway. Lord siva seated on his Rishaba Vahana helped him reach the sthala safely. Sundarar received his Gnanaupadesam after his darshanam of Dakshinamurthy at this sthala. Fame, wealth, siblings are the beneficial aspects of Guru. The sthlam of Guru Bhagavan is Alangudi, 17 kms from Kumbakonam enroute to Mannargudi. His wives are Tharai, Sangini. The presiding deities are Kasi Aaranyeswarar and his consort Elavarkuzhali. Guru is the Lord of Dhanusu and Meena Rasi and he faces North direction. The Adi Devatha is Brahma and the Prathyathi Devatha is Indran. His colour is yellow and his vahana is elephant. The grain assciated with him is kadalai; the flower - white mullai; fabric - yellow cloth; gem - pushparagam(white topaz); food - rice mixed with bengal gram dhal powder.

Lord Sukhra

The presiding deity Agneeswarar is the embodiment of Sukran. Sukrachariar was the Guru of asuras. He had got the blessings from Lord Siva after severe penances. In the Vamana Avataram of Lord Vishnu, Vamana sought three foot steps of land from Mahabali, an asura king. Realising Vamana to be no mere mortal, Sukrachariyar assumed the form of a bee and tried to block the flow of water from the kamandalam. Vamana picking up a pavithram blinds Sukracharya in one eye while trying to unclog the hole in the kamandalam.

Sukracharyar has the prowess to bring the dead to living by virtue of his knowledge of Amirtha Sanjeevini Mantra. Using this mantra, in the asura war against the devas, he revived the slain asuras. This helped the asura army swell. The devas prayed to Lord Siva for help, who swallowed up Sukracharya in a fit of rage. After residing in Lord Siva's stomach in a siddha state, he emerged from Lord Siva's stomach.

Sukra endows those who pray to him with wealth, pleasure, wife, prosperity, vehicles. He is the next most beneficial planet after Guru. If in a person's horoscope, Sukra is well placed, then the person will enjoy pleasure, beautiful wife, wealth, house, vehicle, good food, fame, love, affection, marraige, siblings, governmental help, chance to govern the country/state and hold influential status.

If in a bad position, the ward will experience a family devoid of love and ties, bad life, enimity amongst family and friends, Kalathira dosham. By praying to Sukra these problems could be mitigated. Wife, arts, sculpture, love, vehicles are the beneficial aspects of Sukra.

Lord Sani

Sani Bhagavan waiting to aspect Nala, noticed that he had not washed the back portion of his feet, while preparing for his prayers. Deciding this was the opportune time, he aspected Nala. Because of this, Nala lost his composure and lost his kingdom to Pudkaran in a game of dice and sent his children to their uncle's house. Nala departed to the forest with his wife Damayanti. Saneeswaran created trouble even there and made Nala desert his wife in the forest. The snake Karkotagan bit Nala, making him lose his stature (was made to look ugly). He took on the job of a charioteer with king Irudhupannan. Damayanti, in the meantime reached the kingdom of her father, and arranged a Swayamvara to locate Nala. Damyanti identified Nala, the charioteer as her husband. Thanks to a boon from Karkodagan, Nala regained his old form. In spite of being back with his wife, Nala feeling very disturbed, sought the solace of sage Bharadwaja and on his advice reached Thirunallar. He bathed in the Brahma Thirtham of the temple, and when he entered the sanctum sanctorum of the temple, Saneeswaran departed from him.

Saneeswaran resides in each Rasi for a period of 2 1/2 years. When Saneeswaran resides in the 12th, 1st and 2nd house, it is 7 1/2 Naatu Sani ; when in the 4th house, it is Arthashtama Sani; when in the 8th house, it is Ashtama Sani. During these periods, he troubles the native.

Problems from Govt., peers, wife, children, slowdown in business, loss of property, leprosy are caused by transit of Sani.
In a person's life, 7 1/2 Naatu Sani aspects thrice, the first called Mangu Sani, the second called Pongu Sani and the third called Marana Sani.

Saneeswaran is reputed to be both, a giver and destroyer. A person who prays to Saneeswaran will be blessed with not only riddance from the problems and worries faced, but a life that one desires.
The sthalam of Sani Bhagavan is Thirunallaru, which is located 3kms from Karaikal, enroute to Peralam. His wives are Neela Devi and Manga Devi. The presiding deities are Dharbaranyeswarar (Swaymbumurti) and his consort Bogamartha Poon Mulayal. He is the Lord of Maharam and Kumba Rasis and faces the West direction. The Adi Devatha is Yaman and the Prathyathi Devatha is Prajapathi. His colour is black; his vahana the crow; the grain associated with him is gingelley; the flower - vanni and black kuvalai; fabric - black cloth; gem - neelam (blue saphire); food - rice mixed with gingelley powder.

Lord Rahu

The king of the nagas, Rahu prayed to Lord Siva and hence this place got the name Thirunageswaram. Here Rahu Bhagavan has manifested with both his consorts. At this sthala, the colour of milk changes from white to blue during Abhishekam. On 16.2.86, a snake had shed off its outer skin on Rahu Bhagavan, which is preserved and worshipped to date.

The abode of Uppiliappan, which is also hailed as 'South Tirupathi', is situated very close to this temple. Of the 127 temples located to the South of river Cauvery, this temple is amongst the most prominent.

Suryan, Vinayagar, Gautamar, Nalan, Parasarar, Pandavas, Vasishtar, Indran, Brahma, Bageerathan, Chandrasenan, Adiseshan, Kakkan Karkodagan, Sounagar, Nargunan have prayed and benefited at this sthala.

King Sambumali who had incurred the wrath of sage Kaalangiri, attained moksha after bathing in the temple tank and praying to the Lord and Ambal of this temple.

When amirtham emerged after churning of the Paarkadal by the devas and the asuras, Lord Vishnu in the guise of Mohini was distributing the amirtham only to the devas. Realising this, Rahu (an asura) with the help of Sukrachariyar, took the form of a deva and consumed the nectar. Suryan and Chandran who noticed this, complained to Lord Narayana. In anger, Lord Narayana hit Rahu on the head with the spoon in his hand. The head was cut off and fell on the ground. But because he had consumed amirtham, his head and body continued to live. The body of the snake got attached to the head. Rahu takes his revenge on Suryan and Chandran, whenever he gets a chance by devouring them. This is commonly called as eclipse. Rahu prayed to Lord Vishnu (Narayana) and got the position of a Sayagraham.

Rahu is the source of plenty. Kalathra dosham, puthira dosham, communicable diseases, mental disorders, leprosy, fall in grace are caused by Rahu dosham. Praying to Rahu at this sthala helps rid a person from these factors and also saves the person from all poisonous life forms. Trips to holy places, Gnanmarkam are his beneficial aspects.
The sthalam of Rahu is Thirunageswaram, which is located 6 kms from Kumbakonam, enroute to Karaikal. The presiding deities are Naaganaadar and Girigujaambigai. He faces the South-West direction. The Adi Devatha is Durga and the Prathyathi Devatha is the snake. His colour is black, his vahana is blue lion; the grain associated with him is orid; the flower-mandarai; fabric-black cloth; gem- Komedagam; food-rice mixed with orid dhal powder.

Lord Kethu

This place is also called Vanagiri. Kethu prayed to Naaganaadhaswami and was blessed and rid of his sins by Lord Siva. It is rare to find Kethu with his head. At this sthala, he can be seen worshipping Naaganaadhaswami with his folded hands held high. Rahu after taking nectar was torn by Lord Narayana. The head portion joined with a snake body and became Rahu Bhagavan. The body portion that was thrown away fell in Pothigai mountain region. This was found and preserved by a Brahmin. The body grew, because of having nectar and the head of a snake got attached to the body to become Kethu. Kethu Bhagavan has the head of a snake and the body of an asura.

Persons afflicted by Kethu dosham are stricken with fears of dacoity, bad habits, loss of property, loss of face, putra dosham. By praying to Kethu Bhagavan, one can be rid of the doshams. Motcham, sight, property, land, gold, vehicle, fame, wife, children, happiness, unexpected property gains are the beneficial aspects of Kethu Bhagavan.

Knowledge, business, leprosy, poisonous bites are the aspects of this planet. The sthalam of Kethu is Keezhperumpallam, which is located 6 kms from Thiruvengaadu, enroute to Poompuhar. His wife is Chitralekha. The presiding deities are Naaganaadaswamy and his consort Ambal. He faces the North-West direction. The Adi Devatha is Chitraguptan and the Prathyathi Devatha is Brahma; his colour is red and his vahana is the eagle; the grain associated with him is khollu; the flower - red alli (lily); fabric - multi coloured cloth; gem - Vaidooriyam (cat's eye); food - rice mixed with khollu powder.