July The Twenty-Sixth

Navagraha Stotram
1. Sung in Chorus:
Namah Sooryaya Chandraya
Mangalaya Budhayacha
Guru Shukra Shani Bruhas Cha
Raahave Ketave Namaha
Salutations to the navagrahaas, the Sun, Moon, Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus, Saturn, Rahu, and Ketu.
2. Ravi
Japaa Kusuma Sankasham
Kaashya Peyam Maha Dyutim
Tamo Arim Sarva Paapagh Nam
Pranatosmi Divaa Karam
I pray to the Sun, the day-maker, destroyer of all sins, the enemy of darkness, of great brilliance, the descendent of Kaashyapa, the one who shines like the japaa flower.
3. Chandra
Dadhi Shankha Tusha Raabham
Kshiiro Dhaarnava Sambhavam
Namaami Shashinam Somam
Shambor Mukuta Bhushanam
I pray to the Moon, who shines coolly like curds or a white shell, who arose from the ocean of milk, who has a hare on him, Soma, who is the ornament of Shiva’s hair.
4. Kuja
Dharani Garbha Sambhuutam
Vidyut Kanti Samaprabham
Kumaram Shakti Hastam Cha
Mangalam Prana Maa Myaham
I pray to Mars, born of Earth, who shines with the same brilliance as lightning, the young man who carries a spear.
5. Budha
Priyangu Kalikaa Shyamam
Rupenaa Pratimam Budham
Sowmyam Sowmya Guno Petam
Tam Budham Prana Maa Myaham
I pray to Mercury, dark like the bud of millet, of unequalled beauty, gentle and agreeable.
6. Guru
Devanaam Cha Rishii Namcha
Gurum Kanchana Sannibham
Buddhi Bhuutam Trilo Kesham
Tam Namami Bruha Spatim
I pray to Jupiter, the teacher of gods and rishis, intellect incarnate, lord of the three worlds.
7. Shukra
Hima Kunda Mruna Labham
Daityanam Paramam Gurum
Sarva Shastra Pravak Taram
Bhar Gavam Prana Maa Myaham
I pray to Venus, the utimate preceptor of demons, promulgator of all learning, he who shines like the fiber of snow-white jasmine.
8. Shani
Neelaan Jana Sama Bhasam
Ravi Putram Yama Grajam
Chhaya Martanda Sambhutam
Tam Namaami Shanaish Charam
I pray to Saturn, the slow moving, born of Shade and Sun, the elder brother of Yama, the offspring of Sun, he who has the appearance of black collyrium.
9. Rahu
Ardha Kaayam Mahaa Viiryan
Chandraa Ditya Vimar Dhanam
Sinhi Kaa Garbha Sambhutam
Tam Rahum Prana Maa Myaham
I pray to Rahu, having half a body, of great bravery, the eclipser of the Moon and the Sun, born of Simhikaa.
10. Ketu
Palasha Pushpa Sankaasham
Taarakaa Graha Mastakam
Rowdram Rowdraat Makam Ghoram
Tam Ketum Prana Maa Myaham
I pray to Ketu, who has the appearance of Palaasha flower, the head of stars and planets, fierce and terrifying.
11. Sung in Chorus
Iti Vyaasa Mukhodgiitam Yah Pateth Susa Maahitah
Divaa Vaa Yadi Vaa Raatrau Vighna Shaantir Bhavishhyati
Those who read the song sung by Vyaasa, will be joyous, sovereign and powerful, and will succeed in appeasing obstacles, occurring by day or by night.
12. Sung in Chorus
Iti Shrii Vyaasa Virachitam Navagraha Stotram Sampoornam
Thus ends the song of praise of the nine planets composed by Shri Vyaasa muni.

Lotus flower photo by Bahman Farzad.