UNDERSTANDING THE GRAHAS/PLANETS

The Sanskrit word “Graha” means “THAT WHICH GRASPS.” The Grahas, commonly referred as planets grasp our consciousness, and the astrological condition of a particular Graha/Planet represents our state of consciousness in the areas of life “held” by that Graha/Planet. 

There is a huge difference in a planet and a Graha. Technically all planets revolve around Sun and Rahu and Ketu are not even planets in the solar system. Starting from Sun, Moon, Mars and until Ketu all should be referred as GRAHAS for the reasons given above, that the graha represents a state of consciousness in the sectors of our life. But for the sake of our understanding we often use the word planet along with Graha. 

          The nine Grahas (planets) are called Surya (the Sun), Chandra (the Moon), Mangal (Mars), Budha (Mercury), Guru (Jupiter), Shukra (Venus), Shani (Saturn), Rahu (Dragons-Head), and Ketu (Dragons-Tail). Readers are requested to use the Sanskrit names for these Grahas/Planets given here because in their names itself lies the tatva or the hidden meaning which will enable you to decode them at the time of predictions. The Sanskrit names/sounds are said to correspond more accurately to the actual properties of the Grahas. For example, when you consistently use the term "Shukra" your brain will be able to get to the true significance better than when you use "Venus".     

          Most of the scripts or texts in Jyotish use the word "planets" instead of Grahas. As explained above, since the Sun, the Moon, Rahu, and Ketu are technically not planets, it is more correct to call them Grahas. The Grahas are divided into two groups, according to their general auspicious or inauspicious effects. The Sanskrit terms used to label these two groups are Benefic (Saumya) and Malefic (Krura).

MALEFIC GROUP: Surya (the Sun), Shani (Saturn), Mangal (Mars), waning Chandra (the Moon when its approaching Sun), Rahu, and Ketu

BENEFIC GROUP: The waxing Chandra (the Moon when it has crossed Sun), Budha (Mercury), Guru (Jupiter) and Shukra (Venus)

Here readers must note that when Mercury is in the same sign as another malefic, it is considered to be a malefic also. Most Grahas/Planets are fixed in nature. Only Chandra (Moon) and Budha (Mercury) can be affected by their specific placement in the chart.

          Each planet Except the Sun, Moon, Rahu & Ketu rule over two (2) Rashis/Signs. Each planet have their own exaltation and debilitation signs. In my personal experience and practice, I have noted that the sign of exaltation and debilitation are more or less like positive and negative points and need to be treated very carefully. It has been observed that debilitated planets sometimes don’t behave negative and exalted planets are unable to shower positive results. These two will be taken up separately in the next article with examples.

Let us now study the detailed report of planets along with their significations what they shower on an individual. All the nine planets are the reincarnations of Lord Vishnu.

1. SUN

Sign Rulership: Leo

Exaltation Sign: Aries

Debilitation Sign: Libra

Incarnation: Lord Rama

Color: Blood Red

Sex: Male

Caste: Kshatriyas

Direction: South

Season: Greesham (Summer)

Signification: Temple, Bones, Head Of The Dept., Medicine, City, Man, Religion, Vedic, Teaching, Hand, Promotion, Ceremonies, Govt Honors, Development, Name And Fame, Etc.

2. MOON

Sign Rulership: Cancer

Exaltation Sign: Taurus

Debilitation Sign: Scorpio

Incarnation: Lord Krishna

Color: Tawny (Light Brown)

Sex: Female

Caste: Commercial

Direction: North

Season: Varsha (Monsoon)

Signification: Mother, Woman, Milk, Fickle Minded, Mood, Change, Travel, Hotels, Restaurants, Eatables, Foreign Land, Psychology, Soft, Wells, Accusations, Elder Sister, Etc.

3. MARS

Sign Rulership: Aries & Scorpio

Exaltation Sign: Capricorn

Debilitation Sign: Cancer

Incarnation: Lord Narsimha

Color: Blood Red

Element: Fire

Sex: Male

Caste: Kshatriyas

Direction: South

Season: Greesham (Summer)

Signification: Brothers, Boild, Blood, Government, Accidents, Cars, Typing, Hand Skills, Desires, Mantras, Vedas, Machinery, House, Land, Construction, Building, Breaks In Education, Husband (In Female Horoscope)

4. MERCURY

Sign Rulership: Gemini & Virgo

Exaltation Sign: Virgo

Debilitation Sign: Pisces

Incarnation: Lord Buddha

Color: Earthy Grassy (Greenish)

Sex: Eunuch (Neutral)

Caste: Commercial

Direction: East

Season: Sharad (Autumn)

Signification: Education, Intelligence, Trade And Business, Law, Judicial, Double, Twin, Grass, Good Happenings, New Born, Etc.

5. VENUS

Sign Rulership: Taurus & Libra

Exaltation Sign: Pisces

Debilitation Sign: Virgo

Incarnation: Lord Parshuram

Color: Variegated

Sex: Female

Caste: Brahmin

Direction: North

Season: Basant (Spring)

Signification: Eyes, Good Natured, Riches, Costly, Gold And Jewellery, ATM’s, Hospitals, Clinics, Female Child, Wife, Mistress, Sweet Drinks, Juices, Finances, Development, Knowledge, Etc.

6. JUPITER

Sign Rulership: Sagittarius & Pisces

Exaltation Sign: Cancer

Debilitation Sign: Capricorn

Incarnation: Lord Vamana

Color: Tawny and Golden

Sex: Male

Caste: Brahmin

Direction: East

Season: Hemant (Winter)

Signification: Life Force, Body, Living Style, Guru, Teacher, Religion, Banking, Teacher, Spiritual Sciences, Judicial Services, Etc.

7. SATURN

Sign Rulership: Capricorn & Aquarius

Exaltation Sign: Libra

Debilitation Sign: Aries

Incarnation: Lord Koorma

Color: Dark Blue and Black

Sex: Eunuch (Neutral)

Caste: Shudra

Direction: West

Season: Shishir (Cold Winter)

Signification: Action, Karma, Delay, Hurdles, Death, Bad Periods, Village Headman, Spirits, Livelihood, Etc.

8. RAHU

Significations: Dryness, Gas, Empty, Smoky, Trouble, Accidents, Death, Start Of The Family Circle, Part Of The City, Spirits, Fear, Photographer, Grandfather, Etc.

9. KETU

Significations: Tail, End Of The Family Circle, Dead End, Spiritual Place, Bad Periods, Surgery, Electrification, Doctors, Preachers, Teachers, Astrology, Vedic, Chemistry, Photographer, Etc. 

Hope this article helped you understand the Grahas and what they signify. In the next post we will be discussing the planets relation with each other and how it plays an important role while deciding exaltation and debilitation.

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