SUN
The Sun
god has two arms, he is seated on the pedestal of lotus; both of 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 is just like the interior
part of a lotus flower and he is mounted on the chariot pulled by seven horses.
The Sun
god is also known as ‘Savita’, which means - one who creates, ‘SAVITA
SARVASYA PRASAVITA’ (Nirukta -10/31). According to the Rigveda the Sun god
situated at the centre of the solar system is an inspirer of all, pervader of
the internal parts and an embodiment of almighty god. According to the
‘Markandeya Puran’ Sun is the embodiment of Brahma, the world originates
from the Sun and is established in it. The Sun is the appearance of all the
matters and elements and is the eternal almighty. This very God ‘Bhaskar’
creates nurtures and annihilates the world respectively in the form of lord
Brahma, Lord Vishnu & Lord Shiva. Sun is the supreme deity amongst all the
nine-planets.
When
Brahma manifested himself by breaking the egg, then he pronounced ‘OM’. This
Omkar itself is the supreme soul and the very physique of Sun god. The four
Vedas emerged from all the four mouths of lord Brahma, which were glowing by
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
manifested during the times of creation, hence it was called ‘Aditya’.
Once the
demons, the titans and the monsters unitedly fought with the deities and
snatched their power and authority after defeating them. ‘Aditi’– the
mother of the deities did worship of sun god to get protection from this
calamity. Being pleased with her the sun god took incarnation as her son and
established the eternal path of the Veda after defeating the enemies of the
deities. He is called Aditya also for this reason.
The complexion of Sun god is red. 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 is
symbolise of the three four-months.
The sages (rishi) and all the celestial supernatural beings like ‘Gandharva’,
‘Apsara’, ‘Nag’ yaksha and the deities’ move along with him doing his
worship. The wheel, power, a loop and a hook are the weapons of sun god. His
great-phase (Mahadasha) last for six years. To get his blessings and for his
pacification, performance of ‘Arghya’ (pouring water facing the sun in the
morning should be done and also the text of Harivansh purana should be listened
to. 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
AKRISHNEN RAJASA VARTAMANO NIVESHAYANNAMRITAM MARTYAM CHA ||
HIRANYEN SAVITA RATHENA DEVO YATI BHUVANANI PASHYAN ||
The mantra mentioned in the Purana is as follows:
JAPAKUSUMASANKASHAM
KASHYAOEYAM MAHADYUTIM ||
TAMORIM SARVAPPAPAGHNAM PRANATOSMI DIWAKARAM ||
Cryptic mantras is as follows:
OM
HRAM KRIM HRAUM SAH SURAY NAMAH’ ||
General mantra is as follows :
OM
GHRINI SURYAY NAMAH ||
Any of the above given mantras can be chanted repeatedly with devotion. The
mantras should be chanted for 7000 times during the dawn period.
MOON
The Moon
god is of fair complexion. He is attired in white apparels. The colour of his
chariot is white and so are the colours of 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’ Moon-god is the son of Maharishi Atri and
Anasuya. He is considered to be all pervading. He possesses al the sixteen
phases (Kala). Lord Krishna was the descendant of moon god,combined with 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 moon god are chaste
and beautiful. While moving along with the constellations in their respective
orbits. The moon god nurtures the living beings and classifies various
festivals, combinations and the months.
On the full moon day and during the rising of moon, offerings of the delicacies
mined with honey in a copper-vessel is made to him then he gets satisfied. Being
pleased he frees a man from all the 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 Moon god is chariot. There are three wheels in his chariot. His
chariot is pulled by ten powerful horses. All the horses are divine,
incomparable and are 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 Moon god who took birth from ‘Tara’. The presiding
deity of Moon-god is goddess Uma. Moon-god is the lord of the zodiac sign Cancer
and his ‘great-phase’ (Mahadasha) last for ten years. He is also considered
to be the lord of the constellations. He holds the second position among all the
nine planets.
Unfavourability of the moon god causes various kinds of physical pains and
diseases like mental tensions and diseases of breath. He is pleased if one fasts
on Monday, or if one eulogizes and worship 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 Moon god can be done by the following mantra taken from the Puran.
DADHI
SHANKHATUSHARABHAM KSHIRODARNAVA SAMBHAVAM ||
AMAMI SHASHINAM SOMAM SHAMBHORMUKUTBHUSHANAM ||
Cryptic Mantra :
OM
SHRAM SHRIM SHRAUM 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 colour. In his hands are mace and Trident and rest of the two 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 coloured
apparels 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 incarnation as a boar
and had rescued the earth by killing Hiranyaksha. Mother earth became very
pleased after seeing lord Vishnu and had a desire to have him as her husband.
In his incarnation as a boar lord Vishnu’s radiance was as dazzling
illuminating and unbearable as crores of Suns. Lord Vishnu 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 aloofness. This way the birth
of Mars took place (Brahmavaivarta Puran 2/8/29 to 43).
There are different stories about the origin of Mars in different ‘Kalps’.
While doing worship the Mars is addressed as to be belonging from Bhardwaj’s
clan. This narration has come in the Ganeshpuran.
The greatness of the worship of planet Mars has been described in the Purans’.
Mars fulfills all the desires of a man after being 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
the debts. Mars is considered as an inauspicious planet.
Mars passes through all the twelve zodiacs in one and half year after crossing
each zodiac in three ‘pakshas’ (45 days) provided its motion is not
retrograded.
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, pacified the mars.
Fast should be observed on Tuesday 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:
DHARANIGARBHASAM
BHOOTAM VIDUTKANTISAMAPRABHAM ||
KUMARAM SHAKTIHASTAM TAM MANGALAM PRANAMAMYAHAM ||
Cryptic Mantra:
OM
KRAM KRIM KRAUM SAH BHAUMAYA NAMAH ||
General Mantra :
OM
AM ANGARKAYA NAMAH ||
Any one of the above given mantras can be chanted for a fixed number with faith
and devotion.
Total number of chanting of this mantra = 10,000 times Times at 8 ‘o’ clock
in the morning.
One can take help of a learned Brahmin in special circumstance.
GOD
MERCURY
Mercury
is attired in yellow apparels 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. He was given the name mercury by lord Brahma 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 the complexion of mercury is yellow like an
oleander flower. His chariot is of white colour and illuminated by light,
Horses, which are 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 won on the body.
Donations of ivory, green-clothes, Coral emerald, gold camphor, weapon, fruit
and ghee to the brahmins also satisfies the mercury.
The worship of mercury is done when it is situated in the northeast direction.
His symbol is an arrow and is of green complexion.
The Mantra mentioned in the Purana is as follows:
PIYANGUKALIKASHYAMAM
RUPENAPRATIMAM BUDHAM ||
SAUMYAM SAUMYAGUNOPETAM TAM BUDHAM PRANAMAMYAHAM ||
Cryptic Mantra :
OM
BRAM BRIM BAUM SAH BUDHAYA NAMAH ||
General Mantra :
OM
BOOM BUDHAYA NAMAH
Any of the above given mantras can be chanted repeatedly for fixed numbers.
Total numbers of chanting = 9000.
Time for chanting is two hours after the sunrise.
Help from a learned Brahmin can be taken in special circumstances.
JUPITER
The
preceptor of the Deities – Jupiter (Vrihaspati) has yellow complexion. He is
adorned with a golden crown on his head and a beautiful garland in his neck. He
is attired in yellow apparels and is seated on the pedestal of lotus flower. He
has four hands and holds a stick (dand), Rudraksha garland, receptacle in each
of his three hands and his fourth hand is raised in the posture of giving boons
and 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 to death
by obstructing the oblation (Yagya) performed by them. Jupiter by the help of
his profound knowledge helped the deities to get their due shares of the
oblation. Jupiter the preceptor of the deities protected them by using the
Rakshoghna mantra and driving away the demons.
In ‘Skandapuran’ there is a description how he became the preceptor of the
deities. Jupiter did a severe and tremendous penance in ‘Dwarka’ (prabhas
area) to please lord Shankar. Being pleased by his penance lord Shiva gave him a
boon to become the preceptor of the deities.
Jupiter remains in each zodiac for a year if he has a retrograded motion then
this duration changes. (Shrimadbhagawat 5/22/15).
According to the Rigveda Jupiter is very pleasing to watch. He himself has
constructed his abode. He is worth worshipping for the whole world. If he
becomes pleased with his devotees he blesses them with prosperity and
intelligence. He helps his devotees to be on a virtuous paths and protect them
in every calamity. Jupiter is very affectionate towards people who seek his
refuge.
His vehicle is a chariot, which is made up of gold and appears very pleasant.
Eight horses pull his chariot, which have yellow complexions and which 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 till sixteen years. Fast should be observed on dark moon (Amavasya) and on
Thursday for his pacification. He is also pacified if yellow topaz is worn.
Making donations of yellow clothes, gold, turmeric, ghee, cereals of yellow
colour, topaz, horse, book, honey, salt, sugar, land and umbrella to the
brahmins pacifies the jupiter.
The following mantra is taken from the ‘Purana’ and chanting of this
mantra pacifies the Jupiter.
DEVANAM
CHA RISHINAM CHA GURUM KANCHANSANNIBHAM ||
BUDDHIBHOOTAM TRILOKESHAM TAM NAYAMI BRIHASPATIM ||
Cryptic Mantra:
OM
GRAM GRIM GRAUM SAH GURAVE NAMAH ||
General Mantra :
OM
BRIM BRIHASPATAYE NAMAH ||
Any of the above given three mantras can be used for the pacification of the
Jupiter.
Total numbers of repetition = 19000 times
Time = during the evening time.
VENUS
Venus
the preceptor of the demons is of white and fair complexion. He possesses a
beautiful crown on his head and wears a garland in his neck. He is seated on the
pedestal of white lotus. He has four hands. In each of his three hands. He holds
a ‘dand’ (stick), a rudraksha 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’ After doing a tremendous penance he had pleased lord Shiva and
received the ‘learning’ of ‘Mritasanjivani’ (bringing alive a dead
person). By the help of this learning he used to bring back to life the demons
that got killed in the battles with the deities. (Mahabharat, Adiparva 76/8)
According to the Matsyapuran, Shukracharya performed such a severe austerity and
penance for the benediction of the demons which was incomparable and which has
not been performed by anybody till date. Lord Shiva became pleased and blessed
him with a boon that he would defeat the deities in the battle and also that
nobody would be able to kill him. Lord Shiva also made him the secretary of all
the wealth as a result he became the lord of all the wealth of all the worlds.
According to the Mahabharat (AdiParva (78/39) Shukracharya was not only the lord
of wealth but he is also the master of the medicinal herbs, the mantras and all
kinds of taste. His capabilities are wonderful. He had donated all his wealth to
the demons and had accepted the life of a hermit.
By the inspiration of lord Brahma he became a planet and started to protect the
lives of all the living beings of all the three worlds. In his form of a planet
he attends the assembly of lord Brahma. He is very favourable planet for the
worlds because he pacifies such planets, which 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 of 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 the Venus, among the nine
planets.
Chanting of the following mantra, which has been taken from the Puran, pacifies
the Venus
HIMKUNDAMRINALABHAM
DAITYANAA PARAM GURUM ||
SARVASHASTRAPRAVAKTTARAM BHARGAVAM PRANAMAMYAHAM ||
Cryptic Mantra:
OM
DRAM DRIM DRAUM SAH SHUKRAYA NAMAH ||
General Mantra :
OM
SHOOM SHUKRAYA NAMAH ||
Any of the above given 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 blue coloured apparels. He is
seated on the back of the 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 Sun god and Chaya (Sanvarna). He is considered as a cruel
planet. The cruelty, which he possesses in his sight, is due to the curse he
received from his wife. The narration which has been mentioned in the Brahma
Puran goes as follows:
The deity Shani (Saturn) was a great devotee of lord Krishna right from his
childhood. He used to be immersed in the love for lord Krishna. After he grew
up, 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 when her menstruation periods were
over, with a desire of having a son, but her husband Shani (Saturn) was immersed
in the meditation of lord Krishna,he was unconscious of his surroundings. She
became tired of waiting and she became angry . She cursed him that from today
onwards whoever gets seen by him would be destroyed. After he came out of his
meditative trance ‘Shani’ (Saturn) tried to make up with her by cajoling
her. His wife too felt sorry for her mistake but she was powerless in
neutralizing the ill effects of her curse. From then onwards Shani has been
keeping his gaze downwards because he did not want to cause harm to anybody.
According to the astrology if the Saturn pierces and passes through the
constellation of Rohini then it is considered to be very inauspicious and causes
draughts for twelve years making even the survival of the living beings
impossible. This combination was about to come during the time of Dasharatha. He
was cautioned by his astrologers against its consequences. To protect his
subject from ‘Shanis’ wrath Dasharatha went up in the constellation-zone.
First of all he made salutations to the deity ‘Shani’ but when he refused he
fought with him, using his most destructive weapon.
‘Shani’ became pleased by his sense of duty and asked him to demand any
boon. Dasharatha requested him not to cross the Rohini-constellation’ till the
sun and constellation exists. Shani agreed to his request.
Lord Brahma is the presiding deity of the 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 the Saturn.
NILANJANASAMABHASAM
RAVIPUTRAM YAMAGRAJAM ||
CHHAYAMARTANDASAMBHOOTAM TAM NAMAMI SHANAISHCHARAM ||
Cryptic Mantra:
OM
PRAM PRIM PRAUM SAH SHANAISHCHARAYA NAMAH ||
General mantra:
OM
SHAM SHANAISHCHARAYA NAMAH ||
Any of the above given three mantras can be chanted for the pacification of
Saturn.
Total numbers of chantings = 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 colour. He holds a sword, a
shield, 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 Mahabharat (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, then it becomes so dark that the people became unable even 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 day out of his enemity towards them. This event is
called an eclipse or Rahu Parag.
According to the Matsyapuran the chariot of Rahu appears in the form of
darkness. His chariot is pulled by eight horses, which are black in color.
The presiding deity of Rahu is ‘Kaal’. It is symbolised by a black flag in
north west direction among all the nine planets.
The great phase of Dragon’s head lasts for 18 years. Barring few situations it
is generally considered to be an inauspicious planet. According to the astrology
if ‘Rahu’ is situated unfavorably in the horoscope then it causes many types
of physical illness. It also causes obstacles in accomplishment of works and
accidents.
Chanting of the Mrityunjay mantra and wearing a turquoise pacifies the
dragon’s head.
Making donations of mica, iron, sesame, blue clothes, receptacles made of
copper, horse-beans, oil onyx, blanket, horse and a sword, to the brahmins too
pacifies the dragon’s head.
The following mantra taken from the purana pacifies the dragon’s head.
ARDHAKAYAM
MAHAVIRYAM CHANDRADITYAVIMARDANAM ||
SINHIKAGARBHASAMBHOOTAM TAM RAHUM PRANAMAMYAHAM ||
Cryptic Mantra :
OM
BHRAM BRHIM BHRAUM SAH RAHAVE NAMAH ||
General Mantra :
OM
RAM RAHAVE NAMAH ||
Any of the above given mantra when chanted by a person having inauspicious
influences of Rahu gets benefitted.
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 Sombre 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 colour 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- Lazule (gem), oil, black sesame, blanket, weapon, musk and flower of blue
colour. 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
PALASHAPUSHPASANKASHAM
TARAKAGRAHAMASTAKAM ||
RAUDRAM RAUDRATMAKAM GHORAM TAM KETUM PRANAMAMYAHAM ||
Cryptic Mantra :
OM
SRAM SRIM SRAUM SAH KETAVE NAMAH ||
General Mantra :
OM
KEM KETAVE NAMAH ||
Total number of chantings = 17000 times
Time for chanting = Night
Kusha grass should be used for Havan and a brahmin help should be sought in
special circumstances.