Graha is a place that is seized/captured for the purpose of dwelling.
Consciousness dwells in nine places in the life of a living being, in particular us the human beings. These places are the nava-grahas.
1. The first dwelling of consciousness is the binding of 'life' with a physical body.
2. The second dwelling of consciousness is the conscious 'mind' in a being.
3. The third dwelling of consciousness is adaptation to obstacles by a being.
4. The fourth dwelling of consciousness is knowing or learning by a being.
5. The fifth dwelling of consciousness is impacting other beings by communication, reproduction etc
6. The sixth dwelling of consciousness is driving physical actions by a being (thoughts to action).
7. The seventh dwelling of consciousness is responding/reacting to external stimuli/forces by a being.
8. The eight dwelling of consciousness is the sub-conscious mind in a being
9. The nineth dwelling of consciousness is the unconscious mind in a being.
The nine dwellings as nava-grahas in our planetary system
The above nine dwellings of consciousness were mapped to the geo-centric view of solar system, as human beings tried to find patterns all around. Finding patterns in nature and applying it to our lives is one way of finding new things. The fundamental idea is, there's a design pattern in the evolution of Universe and its life forms, that is to be deciphered.
The geo-centric description is not a physical description of planetary system. It is more a symbolism mapping the planets to the dwellings of consciousness.
1. The first expression of consciousness is binding of life to physical forms. The binding of life to body in Earth is caused by Surya. Hence Surya holds the pAza. His son Yama breaks the pAza
2. The second expression of consciousness is the 'conscious' mind that co-ordinates thoughts and actions of all parts of the physcial form. The conscious mind that reflects the underlying consciousness is the Moon that reflects sun's light onto Earth and evolves the life forms.
3. The third expression of consciousness is adaptation (to obstacles). Mars (called bhauma, the son of bhumi, as Mars is exactly similar to Bhumi, but a lot smaller) got its molten core cooled off faster due to its smaller size, lost its EM field, lost its atmosphere (hence called angaraka, the burnt up one or charcoal) represents the obstacles Earth faces. Earth adapted to this breaking off and grew from there. Hence obstacle is represented by bhauma/Mars, the son of Earth.
4. The fourth expression of consciousness is ability to learn/know. To know things completely one has to have a detached, 30000 feet perspective, almost closer to that consciousness. Unless one detaches their 'self' from their mind (chandra), observes their mind as well as all other minds, like mercury that is close to Surya and capable of observing everything in solar system, almost like Sun, true knowing is not possible. This is the true awakening. Hence Mercury is called budha which means knowing it all.
5. The fifth expression of consciousness is impacting other beings by communication. Communication also means 'reproduction' of the information in others, so that they are impacted.
Jupiter by its huge mass attracts the inner planets such as Earth from moving too close to the Sun, as well as attracting most rocks moving around onto itself. Thus its huge gravitational field communicates and impacts Earth to protect Earth from danger. Earth gets the 'information' from Jupiter on the gravitational field and is drawn to Jupiter. Hence Jupiter is called the 'Guru' which means the heaviest (and hence impacting others).
Biological beings with consciousness have the ability to impact others through communication (in words, touch etc).
6. The sixth expression of consciousness is driving physical actions. A biological being is able to convert its internal thoughts to external physical actions that impacts its environment and others. Of these, those actions that are excessively done become evil actions. If they are moderate or low, they remain good.
Earth and Venus are of same size and mass. But Venus atmosphere is filled with 96% carbon-di-oxide that traps heat and makes in habitable. Venus represents the 'evilness' of excessiveness. When anything (thought, ideology, action) becomes majority without any question, that becomes evil. Comparatively Earth has a mix of nitrogen and oxygen, with less greenhouse effect and is more habitable.
Venus is Zu-kra because it highlights what good actions are. Good actions are those that are not excessive. Zukra is the guru of evil because it also highlights what evil is. Evil is excessiveness or tilting to one side too much.
7. The seventh expression of consciousness is the ability to respond to external stimuli/actions/forces.
Responding to external stimuli drives the karmic cycle. If there is no ability to respond, there is no karmic cycle possible.
Being perform actions driven by their conscious mind (Chandra in our solar system view), sub-conscious mind (Rahu) and un-conscious mind (Ketu). Action of one being becomes the external stimuli for another being. Since the beings have ability to respond to stimuli, they produce reactions, which propagate further as action-reaction karmic sequence. This propagation happens slowly over long periods.
In the geo-centric view of our Solar System, the planet Saturn has the slowest orbit. Hence it is equated to the slow karmic cycle. It is called 'mandhan' which means slow.
8. The eight expression of consciousness is the sub-conscious mind that underlies our conscious mind. The sub-conscious mind expresses itself often and can be seen at times. It's like the head of snake with a long body, which is seen often.
The sub-conscious mind drives our actions many times. This is called the 'Rahu', depicted as the head of a snake.
Since our conscious mind is 'Chandra', eclipsing of 'Chandra' by the sub-conscious mind is called Rahu.
9. The nineth expression of consciousness is the unconscious mind that underlies the sub-conscious mind. The unconscious mind is like the body of a snake. It is long, hidden and is not known outside, though it influences our mind.
This unconscious mind is called Ketu. It stores past experiences, repressed memories etc. It also contributes to the eclipsing of our mind, the chandra. Since it's influence is the influence of our past memories, perceptions and actions, it is sometimes similar to Saturn, the ability to respond to other's actions.
They key difference between Ketu and Saturn is, Saturn is the ability to respond to external stimuli (from other's actions) while Ketu is the internal stimuli from our own past actions.
The dhwaja symbolism
Dhwaja means a flag or symbol. It denotes an identity that one wants to preserve or showcase.
For eg. the Cholas, who were from the forests (Mullai nilam) chose tiger as their symbol as their clans originated as tribals from the forests of the plains. The Pandyas who were from the coastal regions (Neithal nilam) chose fish as their symbol as their clans originated as fishermen in the coastal areas. The Cheras who where from the hilly regions (Kurinji nilam) chose Bow as their symbols as their clans originated as tribals from hilly regions.
Asva means horse. It represents a 'journey' from one place to another. Surya represents the journey of life in a biological being. Shukra represents the journey of thoughts to actions in a biological being. Ketu represents the journey of a biological being from its past to present. Hence Surya, Shukra, Ketu have Ashva as their identity.
Padma represents our conscious mind. Chandra represents our conscious mind. Hence Chandra has padma as its identity.
Veera/Courage represents our ability to overcome obstacles. Bhauma represents the obstacles and Courage needed to overcome the obstacles. Hence Bhauma has Veera, the courage to overcome obstacles as the identity.
Gaja means Elephant. It represents learning. Budha represents learning. Hence Budha has Gaja as the identity.
Vrsabha means Bull. It represents the 'massive' ability to impact others in various ways. Hence Guru (means massive) has Vrsabha as the identity.
khAga means crow. Crow represents responding to external stimuli. They respond to caws of other crows and group together, like the action-reactions of living forms crowd/group creating the karmic cycle of actions. Hence Manthan has khAga as its identity.
Naga represents a snake. Rahu is the sub-conscious mind like the head of a snake that flares up now and then. Hence Rahu as the snake as its identity.
Though Ketu, the un-conscious mind is the long, deep body of a snake, Asva is its identity because the unconscious mind has all our journey from past to present.
The hasta symbolism
Hasta means hand. It is the instrument used by the 'graha' to do its function.
Binding of life with a physical body is the first expression of consciousness. Surya represents that in our planetary system. Hence Surya is endowed with the instrument pAza, the rope that binds.
The conscious mind is the second expression of consciousness. Chandra represents it in our solar system. Chandra uses its entire body to reflect like the conscious mind fully reflects the consciousness. Hence the instrument is the entire body and called 'Hema roopa' (the golden body).
Obstacles and Adaptation to obstacles with courage is the second expression of consciousness. Bhauma represents that in our planetary system. Hence Bhauma is endowed with the instrument 'Vigna', the obstacle.
The fourth dwelling of consciousness is knowing or learning by a being. Peace/happiness is the 'instrument' of learning/knowing. Hence Budha is endowed with the instrument Sukha, the peace or happiness.
The fifth dwelling of consciousness is reproduction of information or communication, teaching etc. Compassion is the instrument of impacting others through communication or reproduction of information. Hence Guru is endowed with the instrument Ghrni, which means compassion or altruism.
The sixth dwelling of consciousness is driving actions physically. This is like a bow that drives arrows. Hence Sukhra is endowed with instrument dhanur, which means the bow
The seventh dwelling of consciousness is responding to external forces/stimuli. This is like a sword that is swung as a response to external threats. Hence Manthan (shani) is endowed with instrument khadga, which means the sword
The eighth dwelling of consciousness is sub-conscious mind. The instrument of sub-conscious mind, is the conscious mind through which it expresses itself at times. Hence Rahu is endowed with the instrument Padma, which indicates the conscious mind.
The nineth dwelling of consciousness is un-conscious mind. Though it is the long hidden body of a snake it represents the memories and emotions of our journey from past to present. It's like a long spear that pierces from far away. Hence Ketu is endowed with the instrument 'Shula', which means the spear.
Jyotish and the planets
The nava-grahas the nine planets are symbolisms of the nine dwellings of consciousness. They are the result of search for design pattern by human beings.
But the jyotish sastra arose from the idea that this mapping between physical planets and the dwellings of consciousness is more than a design pattern and can foretell events in the life of a person. The planetary alignment at the time of birth of a person can be used to foretell how the design pattern will move forward. hence the prediction is possible.
Surya represents the creation of life bonding. Chandra resents the Conscious mind. Bhauma represents obstacles and adaptation. Budha represents knowing and learning. Guru represents being compassionate. Shukra represents what's auspicious action and what's not. Sani represents the response to stimuli or the slow karmic cycle. Rahu represents sub-conscious mind. Ketu represents deeper unconscious mind.
The fundamental idea is that a person's life evolves similar or aligned to the planetary journey that happens in the life of the person. But the physical planets are just representations of the nava-grahas and not per se nava-grahas. The true nava-grahas are the expressions of our consciousness, which we need to invoke in us.
Nava-graha gayatri
Gayatri is a metre much like a thiru-kural or haiku. A short form that conveys deep meanings.
The nava-graha gayatri conveys the invocation of these nava-grahas in us. The gayatri does not propitiate a physical planet. Rather it invokes the characteristics of that consciousness in us.
Here are the sanskrit and tamil versions of the same
ashwadhwajAya vidmahe pAshahastAya dheemahi tanno sUryah prachodayAt
புரவிப் பண்பானை அறியவே பாசக் கையானை எண்ணிட அவ்வெம் சூரியன் எழுகவே
padmadhwajAya vidhmahe hemarUpAya dheemahi tanno somah prachodayAt
பதும பண்பானை அறியவே பொன்னார் வடிவோனை எண்ணிட அவ்வெம் சோமன் எழுகவே
veeradhwajAya vidhmahe vighnahastAya dheemahi tanno bhaumah prachodayAt
வீரப் பண்பானை அறியவே தடைக் கையானை எண்ணிட அவ்வெம் பௌமன் எழுகவே
vruShabhadhwajAya vidhmahe ghruNihastAya dheemahi tanno guruh prachodayAt
காளைப் பண்பானை அறியவே கருணைக் கையானை எண்ணிட அவ்வெம் குரு எழுகவே
ashwadhwajAya vidmahe dhanurhastAya dheemahi tanno shukrah prachodayAt
புரவிப் பண்பானை அறியவே வில் கையானை எண்ணிட அவ்வெம் சுக்கிரன் எழுகவே
kAgadhwajAya vidmahe khaDgahastAya dheemahi tanno mandah prachodayAt
காகப் பண்பானை அறியவே வாள் கையானை எண்ணிட அவ்வெம் மந்தன் எழுகவே
nAgadhwajAya vidmahe padmahastAya dheemahi tanno rAhuh prachodayAt
நாகப் பண்பானை அறியவே பதுமக் கையானை எண்ணிட அவ்வெம் ராகு எழுகவே
ashwadhwajAya vidmahe shoolahastAya dheemahi tanno ketuh prachodayAt
புரவிப் பண்பானை அறியவே சூலக் கையானை எண்ணிட அவ்வெம் கேது எழுகவே
References
https://joyfulslokas.blogspot.com/2016/11/navagraha-gayatri.html
The first house of consciousness is the 'Self' expressed as binding of 'life' to physical bodies. This binding is called 'pAza'.
This is similar to Surya (Sun) giving 'life' to planets of Solar system, through its pAza, the binding with various planets.
The sign (dhwaja) of this House is Ashva, the journey between life & non-life. What it provides (Hand) is pAza. the primordial binding that gives and takes away life.
We invoke the 'Self' (bonding of life with physical form) by meditating on the 'bonding' given by Surya, the Sun.
s.
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