Navagraha Pidahara Stotram
Relief from Planetary Woes
A nine-verse hymn asking each of the nine planets of Hindu astrology to remove the hardship caused by an unfavorable placement.
Verses
The hymn that removes afflictions caused by the nine planets.
Verse 1
The Sun, the first among the planets and the protector of the worlds, may He remove the affliction that has arisen from my unfavorable planetary positions.
Verse 2
The Moon, the lord of Rohini, whose form, body, and food are all nectar, may He remove the affliction that has arisen from my unfavorable planetary positions.
Verse 3
Mars, the son of Earth, of great splendor, who always causes fear in the worlds and who brings and withholds rain, may He remove the affliction that has arisen from my unfavorable planetary positions.
Verse 4
Mercury, the son of the Moon, of great brilliance, who appears as a portent in the worlds, who is dear to the Sun and wise, may He remove the affliction that has arisen from my unfavorable planetary positions.
Verse 5
Jupiter, the minister of the gods, the wide-eyed one, ever devoted to the welfare of the worlds and surrounded by many disciples, may He remove the affliction that has arisen from my unfavorable planetary positions.
Verse 6
Venus, the minister of the demons, their preceptor, the giver of life, of great intellect, and the lord of the stars and planets, may He remove the affliction that has arisen from my unfavorable planetary positions.
Verse 7
Saturn, the son of the Sun, with a long body, wide-eyed, dear to Shiva, slow in motion, and of a cheerful disposition, may He remove the affliction that has arisen from my unfavorable planetary positions.
Verse 8
Rahu, with a great head, a great mouth, long fangs, great strength, bodiless, and with upward hair, may He remove the affliction that has arisen from my unfavorable planetary positions.
Verse 9
Ketu, with many forms and colors, by hundreds and thousands, appearing as a portent in the worlds, may He remove the affliction that has arisen from my unfavorable planetary positions.
Verse 10
Thus ends the hymn that removes afflictions caused by the nine planets.
Verse 11
Worship Guidelines & Chanting Benefits (Phalashruti)
Sunday (Raviwar)
Sunrise (Pratahkal) & Brahma Muhurta
Arghya (water in copper vessel), Red flowers (Hibiscus), Sandalwood & Akshat
- Vitality, radiant health (Arogya), and eye strength
- Removal of planetary afflictions (Surya Dosha) and career obstacles
Background
This hymn, the Navagraha Pīḍāhara Stotram (the 'Hymn to Remove Afflictions from the Nine Planets'), is part of the wider Hindu astrological and devotional tradition. The Sanskrit Documents text lists its author as traditional (unknown) and cautions that the stotra is not readily found in the printed Brahmanda Purana volume, so it may belong to later appendices (khila) of that Purana. It has nine verses (verses 1-9), one for each graha from the Sun (Ravi) through Ketu (Śikhī), and each asks the planet to remove distress caused by its unfavorable placement (viṣama-sthāna) in one's horoscope. It is traditionally recited for relief from such malefic influences (pīḍā), on days associated with each planet, or as a daily practice for protection and well-being.
Did You Know?
Nine Planets, One Prayer
This stotram addresses all nine celestial bodies of Hindu astrology (Navagraha) in sequence: Sun, Moon, Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus, Saturn, Rahu (the ascending lunar node), and Ketu (the descending lunar node). Each verse asks that specific planet to remove afflictions (pīḍā) arising from its unfavorable position (viṣamasthāna) in a person's birth chart.
Epithets Reveal Character
Each planet is invoked with distinctive epithets that hint at its mythology and astrological role. For example, the Moon is called 'Rohiṇīśa' (lord of the star Rohini) and 'Sudhāmūrti' (embodiment of nectar), while Saturn is 'Manda-cāra' (slow-moving) and 'Śivapriya' (dear to Shiva). These names help a devotee connect with the planet's specific energy.
Shadow Planets Included
The last two verses address Rāhu and Ketu, which are not physical planets but mathematical points where the Moon's orbit crosses the ecliptic. They are described with fearsome imagery—'Mahāśira' (great head), 'Dīrghadaṃṣṭra' (long fangs)—and are considered powerful malefics in Vedic astrology. Verse 8 calls Rāhu 'Tamas' and verse 9 calls Ketu 'Śikhī'; the Sanskrit Documents editor notes that some printed books reverse the two.
Purpose: Mitigating Astrological Afflictions
The stotram is traditionally chanted to reduce the negative effects of planets in an unfavorable placement ('viṣamasthāna') in one's horoscope. Each verse prays for the planet to 'haratu me pīḍām' (remove my suffering), making it a practical tool for astrological remedy rather than mere praise.
Structure and Simplicity
The stotram follows a uniform pattern: each verse names the planet, lists two to four of its key attributes, and ends with the same refrain asking it to remove affliction. This repetitive structure makes it easy to memorize and chant, and its brevity (only nine verses) allows for daily recitation as a simple yet powerful ritual.
Surya
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