9 Planets in Vedic Astrology: Full Detailed Guide with Tables
- Samvidha
- Jul 20
- 4 min read

Why the Nine Planets Matter in Vedic Astrology
Planets, as studied in Vedic Astrology, are not just celestial bodies floating around in space, but consciousnesses which affects our daily life: thoughts, people, finances, relationships, home, family, health, everything.
These 9 planets in Vedic Astrology are called Navagrahas in Sanskrit wherein Nava means Nine and Graha means Planet. They affect every part of our being in every sector. Just like Moon affects water bodies, we are also 70% water. It affects us as well.
Vedic astrology uses planets to:
Analyse the current life
Analyse the upcoming time in life
Explain why certain things happen and how to deal with them
Explain timing of life events
Observing patterns in life
Help you make better choices
So so much more!
The more you study them, the clearer your path becomes.
Meet the Nine Planets of Vedic Astrology
Sun (Surya)
Moon (Chandra)
Mars (Mangal)
Mercury (Budh)
Jupiter (Brihaspati)
Venus (Shukra)
Saturn (Shani)
Rahu (North Node of the Moon)
Ketu (South Node of the Moon)
What Each Planet Represents
Here's what each planet stands for in your chart:
Sun: Soul, ego, leadership, vitality
Moon: Mind, emotions, mother, intuition
Mars: Action, energy, conflict, courage
Mercury: Speech, intellect, flexibility
Venus: Love, pleasure, creativity, beauty
Jupiter: Dharma, expansion, wisdom, children
Saturn: Responsibility, limits, structure, longevity
Rahu: Innovation, material cravings, technology
Ketu: Detachment, moksha, mysticism
Together, they shape the full spectrum of your identity and destiny.
The 14 Core Attributes of Each Planet
Here's a compact table comparing all nine planets across 14 key traits (you can find out about them in detail in our eBook: )
Attribute | Sun | Moon | Mars | Mercury | Venus | Jupiter | Saturn | Rahu | Ketu |
Nature | Malefic | Benefic | Malefic | Neutral | Benefic | Benefic | Malefic | Shadow | Shadow |
Guna | Rājasic | Sāttvic | Tāmasic | Rājasic | Rājasic | Sāttvic | Tāmasic | Tāmasic | Sāttvic-like |
Element | Fire | Water | Fire | Earth | Water | Ether | Air | Shadow Air | Shadow Fire |
Gender | Masculine | Feminine | Masculine | Neutral | Feminine | Masculine | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral |
Direction | East | NW | South | North | SE | NE | West | SW | South |
Gemstone | Ruby | Pearl | Coral | Emerald | Diamond | Yellow Sapphire | Blue Sapphire | Hessonite | Cat's-eye |
Metal | Gold | Silver | Copper | Bronze | Silver | Gold | Iron | Lead/Mix | Mixed |
Exaltation | Aries | Taurus | Capricorn | Virgo | Pisces | Cancer | Libra | Taurus (disputed) | Scorpio (disputed) |
Debilitation | Libra | Scorpio | Cancer | Pisces | Virgo | Capricorn | Aries | Scorpio | Taurus |
Moolatrikona | Leo | Taurus | Aries | Virgo | Libra | Sagittarius | Aquarius | Varies | N/A |
Dasha | 6 yrs | 10 yrs | 7 yrs | 17 yrs | 20 yrs | 16 yrs | 19 yrs | 18 yrs | 7 yrs |
Varna | Kṣatriya | Vaiśya | Kṣatriya | Vaiśya | Brāhmaṇa | Brāhmaṇa | Śūdra | Mixed | Mixed |
Keywords | Ego, soul | Emotions | Drive | Logic | Love | Dharma | Discipline | Obsession | Detachment |
Friends | Moon, Mars | Sun, Mercury | Sun, Jupiter | Sun, Venus | Mercury, Saturn | Sun, Moon | Mercury, Venus | Mercury, Venus | Mercury, Venus |
This table helps with understanding which planet represents what, their relationship with each other and a beginner's guide on how to understand it more.
Interpreting Planet Combinations in Your Chart
Planets don't act alone. They interact. If you see Mars and Mercury close together, you get sharp speech, maybe arguments. If Jupiter and Moon align, you might have a calm mind and a love for learning.
Focus on:
Which houses planets sit in
Who they're sitting with
The sign's nature
The strength (dignity) of each planet
The 9 Planets in Vedic Astrology in Daily Life: Real-World Reflections
Planet | Positive Traits | Common Careers |
Sun | Leadership, authority | Government, Politics |
Moon | Emotional intelligence | Healthcare, Art |
Mars | Energy, courage | Military, Sports |
Mercury | Intelligence, wit | Business, Communication |
Jupiter | Wisdom, ethics | Teaching, Finance |
Venus | Beauty, love | Design, Entertainment |
Saturn | Discipline, hard work | Labor, Engineering |
Rahu | Strategy, ambition | Tech, Research |
Ketu | Intuition, precision | Spirituality, Analytics |
Navagraha Ruling Deities
Planet | Deity |
Sun | Shri Ram |
Moon | Parvati, Krishna |
Mars | Narasimha, Hanuman |
Mercury | Vishnu, Tripura Sundari |
Jupiter | Dakshinamurthy, Vamana |
Venus | Lakshmi, Parshuram |
Saturn | Shani Dev, Kali |
Rahu | Durga, Chinnamasta |
Ketu | Ganesha, Dhumavati |
FAQs About Planets in Vedic Astrology
1. Are all malefic planets bad?
No. Malefics like Saturn and Mars teach discipline and courage. Without them, growth stalls.
2. What's the most powerful planet in a chart?
It depends. The strongest planet by dignity and placement often has the most visible impact.
3. Can Rahu and Ketu be beneficial?
Yes. When placed well, they spark innovation (Rahu) or spiritual wisdom (Ketu).
4. Why do planets get exalted or debilitated?
Each sign either supports or blocks a planet's energy. Exaltation brings ease. Debilitation brings lessons.
5. How long do Dasha periods last?
They vary. Mercury runs for 17 years. Saturn lasts 19. Each period highlights that planet's theme in your life.
6. Where should I start learning about my chart?
Start with your Lagna (ascendant) and check the Sun, Moon, and ruling planet. Then explore each house.
Final Thoughts: Aligning with Planetary Wisdom
You now know what the nine planets stand for-and how they shape your choices, strengths, and setbacks. This isn't about predicting your future. It's about owning your journey.
Want to go deeper?
Read our full articles on each planet
Explore the "12 Houses in Vedic Astrology"
Download our "9 Planets" and "12 Houses" guide to study at your pace
Your chart has all the answers. Keep exploring.


