The Navagraha — Nine Planets of Vedic Astrology

The Sun (Surya) is the king of the Navagraha — the source of life, light and individual identity (atman). It governs willpower, leadership, status and the relationship with one's father.

The Moon (Chandra) governs the mind (manas), emotions and intuition. As fast-moving and ever-changing, it shapes moods, memory, nurturing instincts and the bond with one's mother.

Mars (Mangal) is the commander of the planetary cabinet — the force of energy, courage and action. It rules drive, competition, property, and the protective, assertive side of the personality.

Mercury (Budha) is the prince of the planets — the intellect, speech and reasoning mind. It governs communication, trade, calculation, wit and the ability to learn and adapt quickly.

Jupiter (Guru / Brihaspati) is the great benefic — the teacher of the gods. It governs wisdom, ethics, fortune, expansion, children and the spiritual and higher-knowledge dimensions of life.

Venus (Shukra) is the teacher of the asuras and the planet of love, beauty and refinement. It governs marriage, romance, the arts, luxury, comforts and the capacity to enjoy life.

Saturn (Shani) is the great teacher and judge — the lord of karma, time and discipline. Slow and strict, it rewards patience, honesty and hard work, and delivers the consequences of past actions.

Rahu, the north lunar node, is a chhaya graha (shadow planet) with no physical body. It governs worldly desire, ambition, obsession, foreign lands, technology and the unconventional — amplifying whatever it touches.

Ketu, the south lunar node, is the second shadow planet — the tail to Rahu's head. It governs detachment, spirituality, intuition, past-life karma and the path toward moksha (liberation).