The Planets: Their Myths and Meanings

Graha is a Sanskrit word that means to grab, grasp, hold, apprehend. The nine grahas (planets) are the incarnating forces that bind the living beings to their karmas. These nine are namely Sun, Moon, Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus, Saturn, Rahu and Ketu. The grahas hold the elements, namely, earth, water, fire, air and ether in the three realms of existence; physical, astral, causal to manifest the differentiated world.

Everything that exists, everything that is perceived through the senses, is ruled by the grahas. Naming everything that a particular planet rules is an exhaustive task so giving a few examples and interpreting the general characteristics of each planet will give one a general and informative idea.

The priceless jewels of knowledge are graciously given by Sage Parasara in the Brihat Parasara Hora Sastra

The Sun          The Moon          Mercury          Venus          Mars          Jupiter          Saturn          The Moon’s Nodes:  Rahu and Ketu