NavaGraha Shanti Upaya
The first category of these procedures includes Vedic Yagyas and Pujas for Graha Shanti and Nakshatra Shanti performed by qualified Vedic Pandits and as well other jyotish-related ceremonies that are powerful technologies for restoring balance and wholeness.
NavaGraha Shanti Puja and/or Homa:
This is a performance that appeals to all nine of the planets, with special emphasis on balancing the one or two planetary influences that may need special attention. These ceremonies are participatory: The sponsor is intimately involved in the Navagraha ceremony. This Yagya may last from two to four hours or more in length and may involve a Homa as well as a special Puja.
Slideshow of NavaGraha Mandalas
During Samuhik Japa all participants will recite the bija mantras for all the planets. Everyone will benefit from the balanced propitiation of all nine planets during this ceremony.
After Samuhik Japa, and at various other times during the weekend, you will have the option to do personal propitiations of specific planets under Pandit Sharma's guidance, at the mandala for the appropriate planet. You may choose which planets are important in your chart and Pandit Sharma will advise you about the appropriate number of recitations and offerings.
Personal Practices for Planetary Propitiation
The second category of procedures for directly propitiating a specific graha (or other jyotish influence) includes personal practices such as Daana (charitable acts), fasts, wearing gems and mantra japa.
There are hundreds (if not thousands!) of traditional recommendations for propitiating (or more accurately, balancing) the effect of one or more astrological influences. All have a value for those who perform them with clear intention and with an open heart. Once you have successfully “diagnosed” the problem by analyzing the jyotish chart and identifying which grahas are creating imbalance in your life, the next step is to select a method – an upaya – to restore balance.
The key is to select a path of action with which you feel comfortable. Remember: You are balancing your Self when you balance astrological influences, so the more Self-referral you can be, the more effective your chosen path will be. If the upaya activity you choose creates more fear and boundaries in your heart and mind, it is unlikely that it will be helpful in restoring wholeness. If you choose an activity that brings you satisfaction, one that “feels right” and results in more overall balance and wholeness, then this will be a rewarding practice. This is not to say that the path of upaya (or any other spiritual path) will always be uniformly easy and smooth. You may meet with obstacles as you engage in the upaya: If you choose to fast, you may get food cravings, for instance.
“Daana” or Charitable Acts can be performedon the day associated with the planet whose influence you want to balance. The act may be a donation of money, food or goods; sponsorship of a yagya; or a charitable activity you undertake or sponsor. Ideally the act itself should relate to the character of the planet. For instance, helping out at a nursing home on a Saturday is a powerful “personal yagya” that acts to propitiate Shani (Saturn) or Rahu. Preparing a meal for a student on a Wednesday is an appropriate charitable act to propitiate Budh (Mercury). Donating money to ones Guru on a Thursday is an appropriate charitable act to propitiate Guru (Jupiter). And so on. Fasting is another traditional method for propitiating the planets. There are many books that detail the “portfolio” of areas influenced by the various planets and the upayas that are considered appropriate, or you may consult with a qualified jyotishi or with Pandit Sharma.
There are also very specialized Yaygas for specific planetary conditions in a person's chart:
Mool Shanti Yagyas
These special Yagyas are performed to alleviate the negative effects of the natal moon’s position in Aswini, Ashlesha, Magha, Jyeshtha, Moola or Revati. Depending on the the natal chart, they may be combined with Yagyas to Ganesha, Durga, Vishnu or Siva, or with the Navagraha Shanti Yagya.
Kumbha Vivaha
This specialised ceremony for women is performed to neutalise certain Jyotish Yogas (such as Vaidhavya Yoga) that indicate widowhood or divorce.
Naagvali Puja
This specialized Puja is understood to nullify the effects of Kala Sarpa Yoga in the birth chart (“the yoga of the Serpent of Time” which occurs when all planets move towards Rahu or Ketu.)
Pujas for Benefic Influence on a New-Born Child
When a baby is born a Graha Shanti Yagya is also performed to help clear the path of any obstacles to the newborn’s evolution. In addition to the Graha Shanti ceremonies there are also specific Yagyas to ensure the good health of a new-born child whose birth chart has certain unfavorable combinations. These ceremonies include Mool Shanti and the Naagvali Puja to nullify KalaSarpa Yoga. These Yagyas may also be appropriate for adults with certain planetary combinations.
There are hundreds (if not thousands!) of traditional recommendations for propitiating (or more accurately, balancing) the effect of one or more astrological influences. All have a value for those who perform them with clear intention and with an open heart. Once you have successfully “diagnosed” the problem by analyzing the jyotish chart and identifying which grahas are creating imbalance in your life, the next step is to select a method – an upaya – to restore balance.
The key is to select a path of action with which you feel comfortable. Remember: You are balancing your Self when you balance astrological influences, so the more Self-referral you can be, the more effective your chosen path will be. If the upaya activity you choose creates more fear and boundaries in your heart and mind, it is unlikely that it will be helpful in restoring wholeness. If you choose an activity that brings you satisfaction, one that “feels right” and results in more overall balance and wholeness, then this will be a rewarding practice. This is not to say that the path of upaya (or any other spiritual path) will always be uniformly easy and smooth. You may meet with obstacles as you engage in the upaya: If you choose to fast, you may get food cravings, for instance.
“Daana” or Charitable Acts can be performedon the day associated with the planet whose influence you want to balance. The act may be a donation of money, food or goods; sponsorship of a yagya; or a charitable activity you undertake or sponsor. Ideally the act itself should relate to the character of the planet. For instance, helping out at a nursing home on a Saturday is a powerful “personal yagya” that acts to propitiate Shani (Saturn) or Rahu. Preparing a meal for a student on a Wednesday is an appropriate charitable act to propitiate Budh (Mercury). Donating money to ones Guru on a Thursday is an appropriate charitable act to propitiate Guru (Jupiter). And so on. Fasting is another traditional method for propitiating the planets. There are many books that detail the “portfolio” of areas influenced by the various planets and the upayas that are considered appropriate, or you may consult with a qualified jyotishi or with Pandit Sharma.
There are also very specialized Yaygas for specific planetary conditions in a person's chart:
Mool Shanti Yagyas
These special Yagyas are performed to alleviate the negative effects of the natal moon’s position in Aswini, Ashlesha, Magha, Jyeshtha, Moola or Revati. Depending on the the natal chart, they may be combined with Yagyas to Ganesha, Durga, Vishnu or Siva, or with the Navagraha Shanti Yagya.
Kumbha Vivaha
This specialised ceremony for women is performed to neutalise certain Jyotish Yogas (such as Vaidhavya Yoga) that indicate widowhood or divorce.
Naagvali Puja
This specialized Puja is understood to nullify the effects of Kala Sarpa Yoga in the birth chart (“the yoga of the Serpent of Time” which occurs when all planets move towards Rahu or Ketu.)
When a baby is born a Graha Shanti Yagya is also performed to help clear the path of any obstacles to the newborn’s evolution. In addition to the Graha Shanti ceremonies there are also specific Yagyas to ensure the good health of a new-born child whose birth chart has certain unfavorable combinations. These ceremonies include Mool Shanti and the Naagvali Puja to nullify KalaSarpa Yoga. These Yagyas may also be appropriate for adults with certain planetary combinations.
To schedule a personal NavaGraha Yagya or one of the specialized planetary yagyas, or if you have questions,or for information on appropriate timing and muhurtha selection, as well as details on procedures, ingredients or fees, contact Pandit Sharma at:
1-630-240 3368
e-mail: vedicyagya@hotmail.com
1-630-240 3368
e-mail: vedicyagya@hotmail.com
