Planets (Grahas)

The words “planet” and “ star” are used in a slightly different sense in astrology than  in  astronomy.  For  example,  Sun  (a  star)  and  Moon  (a satellite  of  earth)  are  called planets in astrology, along with Mars etc. Basically, a graha or a planet is a body that has considerable influence on the living beings on earth. 

Distant stars have negligible influence on us, but Sun, Moon and planets in the solar system have a great influence on our activities. So the word graha (or planet) is used to describe them. 
Seven  planets  are  considered  in  Indian  astrology.  They  are  –  

1. Sun,  
2. Moon,  
3. Mars, 
4. Mercury, 
5. Jupiter, 
6. Venus 
7.  Saturn. 
8. Rahu  “chaayaa grahas”(shadow planets)
9. Ketu  “chaayaa grahas”(shadow planets)

 In addition, two “chaayaa grahas” (shadow planets) are considered in Indian astrology –  Rahu and  Ketu. These are also called 

“the north node”

 and

 “the south node” respectively  (or the head and tail of dragon). 

Rahu and Ketu are not real planets; they are just some mathematical points. 
Apart  from  these  9  planets,  there  are  11  moving  mathematical  points known  as 
Upagrahas (sub-planets or satellites). 

We also have  lagna (ascendant), which is the point that rises on the eastern horizon as the earth rotates around itself. In addition, we have some mathematical points known as “special ascendants". 

Sex of Planets 

Sun, Mars and Jupiter are male. 

Moon and Venus are  female. 

Saturn and Mercury are female. 

This information can be used for predicting the sex of children based on one’s chart. 

For  example,  if  the  house  ruling  the  first  child  is influenced  by  Jupiter,  Mars  and 

Mercury, we may predict a son. 

If it is influenced  by Moon and Mercury, we may predict a daughter. 

Planets & Five Elements 

(1)  Agni tattva (fiery element) is ruled by Mars. Sun also has the same nature. 

(2)  Bhoo tattva (earthy element) is ruled by Mercury. 

(3)  Vaayu tattva (airy element) is ruled by Saturn. 

(4)  Aakaasa tattva (ethery element) is ruled by Jupiter. 

(5)  Jala tattva (watery element) is ruled by Venus. Moon also has the same nature. 

Planets & Varnas 

Jupiter and Venus are Brahmanas (learned). 

Sun and Mars are Kshatriyas (warriors). 

Moon and Mercury are Vaisyas (traders). 

Saturn is aSudra (worker). 

Learning and intelligence is the forte of the learned class. Bravery is the forte of the 

warrior  class.  Getting  along  with  others  well  is  the  forte  of  the  trader  class.  Hard 

work is the forte of the working class. In this manner, we should understand varnas 

to show one’s basic nature rather than the caste ofone’s family. 

It should be noted that Moon, who was earlier classified in the planetary cabinet as a 

king, is said here to be of Vaisya varna. 

Sun is a  king who is also a warrior. He is a brave  king,  who  asserts  himself.  

But  Moon  is  a  king who  gets  along  well  with everyone. 

Planets & Gunas 

Sun, Moon and Jupiter are saattwik planets.

Mercuryand Venus are raajasik planets. 

Mars and Saturn are taamasik planets. 

Planetary Abodes 

Sun  lives  in  a  temple.  

Moon  lives  in  a  watery  place.  

Mercury  lives  in  a  sports ground. 

Jupiter lives in a treasure house. 

Venus lives in the bedroom. 

Saturn lives in a filthy area. 

This description should give one an idea of the nature of planets. 

Seven Dhaatus 

Sapta  dhaatus  or  7  matters  make  up  human  body. 

 The  planetary  rulerships  are  as follows: 

Sun rules bones. 

Moon rules blood. 

Mars rules marrow. 

Mercury rules skin. 

Jupiter rules fat. 

Venus  rules semen (materials related to the reproductive system). 

Saturn rules muscles. 

If Sun is afflicted, it can show some problems related to bones. 

Weakness of Moon may give blood related problems. And so on. 

Planets & Time Periods 

Sun rules an ayana5. 

Moon rules a minute. 

Mars rules a week. 

Mercury rules a ritu6. 

Jupiter rules a month. 

Venus rules a fortnight. 

Saturn rules a year. 

These periods are very useful in prasna or horary astrology. 

Planets & Tastes 

Sun governs the pungent taste (e.g.onion, ginger, pepper). 

Moon governs the saline taste (e.g.sea salt, rock salt). 

Mars governs the bitter taste (e.g.karela/bitter melon,dandelion root, rhubarb root, neem leaves). 

Mercury governs a mixed taste. 

Jupiter governs  sweetness  (e.g.  sugar,  dates). 

Venus  governs  the  sour  taste  (e.g. lemon, tamarind). 

Saturn governs the astringent taste (e.g.plantain, pomegranate). 

Planetary Strengths 

Mercury  and  Jupiter  are  strong  in  the  eastern  direction  (lagna).  

Sun  and  Mars  are strong in the southern direction (meridian – 10th house). 

Moon and Venus are strong in the northern direction (nadir – 4th house). 

Saturn is strong in the west (7th house). 

These are the digbalas (strengths associated with direction) of planets. 

These show the direction taken by one in one’s life, as we will see later. 

Moon,  Mars  and  Saturn  are  strong  in  the  night  time. 

Sun,  Jupiter  and  Venus  are strong in the daytime. 

Mercury is always strong. 

Natural malefics are strong in Krishna paksha. 

Natural benefics are strong in Sukla paksha. 

Natural malefics are strong in Dakshina ayana7. 

Natural benefics are strong in Uttara ayana. 

Planets & Ritus 

Planetary rulerships over ritus (seasons) are as follows: 

Venus governs vasanta ritu (spring).  

Mars  governs  greeshma  ritu  (summer).  

Moon governs  varsha  ritu  (rainy season).  

Mercury  governs  hemanta  ritu  (season  of  dew).  

Jupiter  governs  seeta  ritu (winter). 

Saturn governs sisira ritu (fall). 

Dhatu, Moola and Jeeva 

(1)  Rahu, Mars, Saturn and Moon rule over dhaatus (metals and materials). 

(2)  Sun and Venus rule over moolas (roots and vegetables). 

(3)  Mercury, Jupiter and Ketu rule over jeevas (living beings). 

Some special points regarding the results given by planets: 

(1)  Sun  gives  the  results  of  being  in  moolatrikona  in  the  first  20º  of  Le  and  the 

results of being in own rasi in the remaining 10º. 

(2)  Moon  gives  the  results  of  being  in  exaltation  rasi  in  the  first  3º  of  Ta  and  the 

results of being in moolatrikona in the remaining 27º. 

(3)  Mars  gives  the  results  of  being  in  moolatrikona  in  the  first  12º  of  Le  and  the 

results of being in own rasi in the remaining 18º. 

(4)  Mercury  gives  the  results  of  being  in  exaltation  rasi  in  the  first  15º  of  Vi,  the 

results of being in moolatrikona in the next 5º andthe results of being in own rasi 

in the remaining 10º.

(5)  Jupiter gives the results of being in moolatrikona  in the first 10º of Sg and the 

results of being in own rasi in the remaining 20º. 

(6)  Venus gives the results of being in moolatrikona inthe first half of Li and the 

results of being in own rasi in the second half of Li. 

(7)  Saturn gives the results of being in moolatrikona in the first 20º of Aq and the 

results of being in own rasi in the remaining 10º. 

Planetary Relationships