Right at the outset, what needs to be clarified is, though the terms Graha and Planets are normally used interchangeably and are considered to be one and the same, they are in fact completely different. Planets are the celestial bodies in the solar system while Grahas represents the entity that has the power to – seize, or capture, or grab… In Vedic Astrology, the Grahas, therefore, go way beyond what the term Planet represents and describes the ability of celestial bodies to either influence or predict occurrences in an individual’s life or world events.
We all know that our Solar system comprises of 9 planets, which is the basis followed by Western Astrology as well. Similarly, even Vedic Astrology has 9 planets, they are not the same as the ones as per Astronomy that circle the Sun. In fact, to be precise they are not considered as Planets but Grahas. Let’s briefly discuss the differences between Western and Vedic systems:
- The solar system considers the Sun to be a Star and the Moon to be a Satellite and the 9 planets revolving around the Sun in elliptical orbits
- In Western Astrology, the 9 planets comprise of:
- Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune and Pluto
- In Vedic Astrology, there are 7 Full Stature Planets and 2 Shadow Planets, known as Grahas:
- These include the Sun and the Moon and are accompanied by Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn
- Rahu and Ketu, are the north and the south lunar nodes or poles of the Moon, respectively, and do not possess real physical existence
- They are shadow planets which do not traverse the paths travelled by Moon and other planets
- While rising, the point where Moon’s orbit intersects the ecliptic becomes Rahu
- In the reverse motion, the point where Moon’s orbit intersects the ecliptic becomes Ketu
- In spite of lacking real physical existence, Rahu and Ketu have great significance in the science of astrology and destiny
Summarized below are key details around the inherent nature and the characteristics of each of the Grahas:
| Planet | Number | Day | Gender | Element | Inherent Nature |
| Sun | 1 | Sunday | Male | Fire / Agni | Malefic |
| Moon | 2 | Monday | Female | Water / Jaal | Benefic (Waxing Moon of Sukla Paksh) |
| Malefic (Waning Moon of Krishna Paksh) |
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| Mars | 9 | Tuesday | Male | Fire / Agni | Malefic |
| Mercury | 5 | Wednesday | Neuter | Earth / Bhoo | Benefic |
| Jupiter | 3 | Thursday | Male | Ether / Aakaasa | Benefic |
| Venus | 6 | Friday | Female | Water / Jaal | Benefic |
| Saturn | 8 | Saturday | Neuter | Air / Vaayu | Malefic |
| Rahu | 4 | Saturday | Female | Air / Vaayu | Malefic |
| Ketu | 7 | Tuesday | Neuter | Fire / Agni | Malefic |
| Planet | Guna Type | Guna Meaning | Planetary Cabinet | Governs |
| Sun | Sattwik | Purity and truthfulness in one’s thoughts and action | King | Soul |
| Moon | Sattwik | Purity and truthfulness in one’s thoughts and action | Queen | Mind |
| Mars | Taamasik | Dark, mean and depraved spirit in thoughts and actions | Commander in Chief | Strength and Courage |
| Mercury | Raajasik | Passion, energy and impurity in thoughts and actions | Crown Prince | Speech |
| Jupiter | Sattwik | Purity and truthfulness in one’s thoughts and action | Chief Advisor / Guru | Knowledge and Happiness |
| Venus | Raajasik | Passion, energy and impurity in thoughts and actions | Minister | Passion and Desire |
| Saturn | Taamasik | Dark, mean and depraved spirit in thoughts and actions | Servant | Grief |
| Rahu | Taamasik | Dark, mean and depraved spirit in thoughts and actions | Army Soldiers | Worldly Illusions |
| Ketu | Taamasik | Dark, mean and depraved spirit in thoughts and actions | Army Soldiers | Moksha or Final Liberation |
| Planet | Key Characteristics |
| Sun | Sun is the karaka planet of soul. It has red or saffron orange colour. Its temperament is stable, assertive, domineering, self-centered. It has anger but it is momentary. Its place is in temples and represents the season of summer. The direction of Sun is East. The element of Sun is gold and its gem is Ruby or Red Garnet. |
| Moon | Moon is the karaka of mind, and its colour is pale white or cream. Its temperament is variable, empathetic, humane. It is a planet related to water and thus, its season is monsoon. Its direction is North-West. Lunar planet has moral properties. It controls the sense of taste. Silver is the element of Moon. White Pearl is the prescribed gemstone. |
| Mars | Mars is the karaka of strength and courage power, achievement and anger. Its colour is yellowish red. Its temperament is aggressive, spontaneous, purposeful. It represents first place, summer season, south direction, vengeance, bitter taste. Its element is bronze. The gems prescribed are Red Coral and Pink Coral. |
| Mercury | Mercury is the karaka of voice. Mercury represents green colour. Its temperament is moving, changing, multi-faceted. The season of Mercury is autumn. North is the direction of this planet. It is administrative in nature. The sense of smell is given to mercury. The element of mercury is Kansya. The gemstone is Green Emerald. |
| Jupiter | Jupiter is the karaka of education. A person can not get an education without its support. Its temperament is kind-hearted, fair, generous. Yellow or yellowish-orange is the colour of Jupiter. It represents autumn season and North-East direction. It represents the sense of speech. The compatible gemstone for Jupiter is Yellow Sapphire and Yellow Topaz. |
| Venus | Venus is the karaka of lust and its colour is pure white. Its temperament is sociable, benevolent, seductive. Bedroom is its place and South -East is its direction. It is a planet of administrative nature and represents sour taste. Silver is the element. While the primary gemstone is Diamond, White Zircon and Quartz are also recommended. |
| Saturn | Saturn planet gives a feeling of sadness and is the karaka of Grief. Blue/Black are the colours of Saturn. Its temperament is bleak, cold, dictatorial, surly and represents bad places. Winter is the season of Saturn and west is the direction. It is vengeful in nature. It is the karaka of sensory organs. Iron is the element of Saturn. The compatible gemstone is Blue Sapphire which must be worn with caution due to the fiery nature of this planet. |
| Rahu | The Dragon Head and is separate from the senses causing delusions and starves for the body. Its temperament is aggressive, eccentric, impulsive. Rahu drives temptation to indulge in worldly luxuries and pleasures through greed, cheating and excessive craving for fulfilment of materialistic desires. South West is the direction of this planet. Its colour is Dark Blue. Gomed (Hessonite Garnet) is the recommended gemstone for this planet. |
| Ketu | The Dragon Tail is akin to a robot or zombie, starving for completeness and enlightenment as it is disjointed from the head and brain. Its temperament is aggressive, eccentric, impulsive. Ketu shows us the path to liberation from worldly desires and attaining the higher purpose in life of spiritual enlightenment. South West is the direction of this planet. Its colour is Grey and the recommended gemstone is Cat’s Eye. |
We at Divinity World are happy to help you gain an even deeper understanding of the prominent planets in your chart and the influence they have in your life. Please reach out to Your Personal Guide for a Detailed Reading.