Ch. 84. Remedial Measures from the Malevolence of Grahas

1. Maitreya said. O Venerable Sage! Please describe for the good of mankind the remedial measures for appeasement of the malevolent Grahas.

2. The Sage replied. I have already described the names and characteristic features and qualities of the Grahas. Joys and sorrows of all the creatures in the world are dependent on these Grahas. Therefore persons desirous of peace, wealth and prosperity, rainfall, good health and longevity should worship the Grahas (by prayers, recitation of Mantras, charity etc.).

3-5. For the purpose of worshipping them the idols of Sūrya, Candr, Mangal, Budh, Guru, Śukr, Śani, Rahu and Ketu should be made of copper, Sphatika (rock crystal), red sandal wood, gold (both Budh and Guru), silver, iron, glass and bell metal, respectively. Alternatively the sketches of all the above Grahas should be drawn in the colours, belonging to them, on a piece of cloth by sandal etc. and they should be placed in their own directions.

6. Contemplate of Sūrya well adorned with two arms, seated on a lotus, with a lotus flower in one hand, red-coloured, like lotus and aboard a chariot of seven horses.

7. Contemplate of Candr white-coloured, dressed in white robes, with two arms, carrying a mace in one hand and a Vara in the other, adorned with white-coloured ornaments and aboard a chariot of ten horses.

8. Contemplate of Mangal with a red necklace, dressed in red-coloured robes, with four arms, carrying Shakti, Shoola, Gada (mace) and Vara and mounted on a lamb.

9. Contemplate of Budh with a yellow-coloured garland, dressed in yellow robes, with four arms, carrying a sword, a shield, a mace and Vara, mounted on a lion.

10. Contemplate of Guru, as yellow complexion and Śukr of fair complexion, both with four arms, carrying a Danda, Akshasutra, Kamandal and Vara.

11. O Maitreya! Contemplate of Śani with the lustre, like that of Indraneela, with four arms, carrying Shoola, bow, arrow and Vara, mounted on a donkey.

12. Contemplate of Rahu with a hideous face, with four arms, carrying a sword, a shield, a Shoola and a Vara, blue-coloured and mounted on a lion.

13. There are many Ketus. All of them are of smoky colour, with two arms, carrying a mace and a Vara, with a hideous face and mounted on a donkey.

14. All the idols should be so made, that they are 108 fingers tall by one’s own fingers.

Notes. Such a measurement is taken from the middle finger.

15-16. Dedicate with devotion to the Grah concerned the flowers and garments of the colour, belonging to him, sandal, Deep, Guggul etc., his metal and the grains, dear to him and distribute all these things to Brahmins to appease the Grah.

17-20. The Mantras of all the Grahas and the prescribed number of their recitation are given below. The recitation of Mantras should be done after worshipping the Grahas, as indicated in verses 15-16. Grah Mantra prescribed number: Sūrya 7000, Candr 11000, Mangal 11000, Budh 9000, Guru 19000, Śukr 16000, Śani 23000, Rahu 18000, Ketu 17000.

21-22. Havan should be performed with Aak, Palash, Khair, Chirchiri, Pipal, Goolar, Shami wood pieces, Doob and Kush, for Sūrya, Candr, Mangal, Budh, Guru, Śukr, Śani, Rahu and Ketu, respectively, mixed with honey, Ghī, curd, or milk. The number of offerings to the sacred fire is 108, or 28.

23-24. To appease Sūrya and the other eight Grahas Brahmins should be fed with (cream) of rice cooked with jaggery, rice cooked in milk, Havishya, paddy cooked in milk, curd and rice, rice with Ghī, rice cooked with powder of sesame seeds, rice cooked with meat, rice cooked with cereals, respectively.

25. To appease Sūrya and other Grahas the things to be given in charity are cow with calf, conch, bullock, gold, robes, horse, black cow, weapons made of iron and goat, respectively.

26-27. The Grah, who is the cause of adverse effects to a person at any time, should be handled by worship and appeasing (of the benevolent ones), because Brahma has blessed the Grahas with the boon “Do to the persons, who worship you”. And the development and progress and downfall of the people and the creation and destruction of the universe are all under the administration and authority of the Grahas. Therefore they are most venerable.