Remedial Measures
Working with Planetary Energies
When the birth chart reveals challenging placements or difficult periods approach through dasha and transit, Jyotish offers upayas - remedial measures that can mitigate difficulty, strengthen weak planets, and create more harmony in life. These remedies work through various mechanisms, from the practical to the subtle.
The Philosophy of Remedies
Remedies do not eliminate karma but work with it:
Karma cannot be avoided: The consequences of past action will manifest. A remedy doesn’t cancel what is due.
Karma can be mitigated: Just as the severity of a disease can be reduced through proper treatment, the intensity of karmic results can be softened.
Grace can transform: Through devotion, mantra, and conscious action, the fixed patterns of karma can receive the transformative power of grace.
Consciousness can transcend: Ultimately, liberation comes not from fixing the chart but from recognizing the awareness that transcends it.
The best remedy is always the development of consciousness - but while on that path, traditional remedies offer genuine support.
Categories of Remedies
Mantra
The most powerful remedies involve mantra - sacred sounds that invoke and harmonize with planetary energies.
Graha Mantras: Each planet has specific mantras:
Sun: Om Suryaya Namaha or Om Ghrinih Suryaya Adityah Moon: Om Chandraya Namaha or Om Shram Shrim Shraum Sah Chandraya Namaha Mars: Om Mangalaya Namaha or Om Kram Krim Kraum Sah Bhaumaya Namaha Mercury: Om Budhaya Namaha or Om Bram Brim Braum Sah Budhaya Namaha Jupiter: Om Gurave Namaha or Om Gram Grim Graum Sah Brihaspataye Namaha Venus: Om Shukraya Namaha or Om Dram Drim Draum Sah Shukraya Namaha Saturn: Om Shanaye Namaha or Om Pram Prim Praum Sah Shanaischaraya Namaha Rahu: Om Rahave Namaha or Om Bhram Bhrim Bhraum Sah Rahave Namaha Ketu: Om Ketave Namaha or Om Stram Strim Straum Sah Ketave Namaha
Mantras are traditionally chanted 108 times (one mala), often on the day ruled by that planet.
Beeja (Seed) Mantras: Short, potent sounds that capture planetary essence. These are embedded in the longer mantras above.
Deity Mantras: Mantras to the deity associated with each planet (e.g., Hanuman for Mars, Vishnu for Mercury) can also strengthen planetary influence.
Gemstones
Each planet is associated with specific gems that can strengthen its positive influence:
| Planet | Primary Gem | Alternatives |
|---|---|---|
| Sun | Ruby | Garnet, red spinel |
| Moon | Pearl | Moonstone |
| Mars | Red coral | Carnelian |
| Mercury | Emerald | Green tourmaline, peridot |
| Jupiter | Yellow sapphire | Yellow topaz, citrine |
| Venus | Diamond | White sapphire, white topaz |
| Saturn | Blue sapphire | Amethyst, lapis |
| Rahu | Hessonite (gomed) | - |
| Ketu | Cat’s eye (lehsunia) | - |
Important considerations:
- Gems strengthen the planet - they should only be worn for well-placed planets you want to amplify
- Wearing gems for poorly-placed planets can increase negative effects
- Quality and size matter - insufficient gems may not produce effects
- Traditional prescription recommends setting, finger, and timing
- Gems should be tested before permanent commitment
Charity (Dana)
Giving to those in need, particularly items associated with a planet, creates merit and softens karmic debt:
| Planet | Charitable Items |
|---|---|
| Sun | Wheat, jaggery, copper, red cloth, donation to father figures |
| Moon | Rice, milk, white cloth, silver, donation to mothers/elderly women |
| Mars | Red lentils, copper, red cloth, donation to brothers/siblings |
| Mercury | Green cloth, green vegetables, donation to students/children |
| Jupiter | Yellow cloth, turmeric, gold, donation to teachers/priests |
| Venus | White cloth, sugar, donation to women, support for arts |
| Saturn | Black cloth, sesame, iron, donation to the poor/laborers |
| Rahu | Blue/black cloth, sesame, donation to outcastes |
| Ketu | Mixed colors, blankets, donation to spiritual renunciates |
Charity works best when given with genuine compassion, not as a transaction.
Fasting (Vrata)
Observing fasts on the day ruled by a planet reduces its malefic influence:
- Sunday (Sun): Sun-related difficulties
- Monday (Moon): Mental peace, mother-related issues
- Tuesday (Mars): Anger, accidents, conflict
- Wednesday (Mercury): Communication, learning
- Thursday (Jupiter): Wisdom, children, teachers
- Friday (Venus): Relationships, luxury
- Saturday (Saturn): Major karmic challenges
Fasting can range from complete abstinence to eating only certain foods (fruits, milk, specific grains).
Worship and Puja
Formal worship of planetary deities or associated gods can invoke their grace:
Temple visits: Visiting temples dedicated to planetary deities, especially on their ruling days
Navagraha puja: Worship of all nine planetary deities together
Graha shanti: Specific rituals for planetary pacification, often performed by priests
Homa/Havan: Fire ceremonies offering oblations to planetary energies
Color Therapy
Colors associated with planets can be used therapeutically:
- Sun: Red, orange, gold
- Moon: White, cream, silver
- Mars: Red, scarlet
- Mercury: Green
- Jupiter: Yellow, gold
- Venus: White, pink, pastels
- Saturn: Blue, black, dark colors
- Rahu: Dark blue, smoky
- Ketu: Red and orange, also dull colors
Wearing these colors, especially on the planet’s day, can create subtle harmonization.
Behavioral Remedies
Actions aligned with planetary energies create positive karma:
- Sun: Develop discipline, rise early, honor father and authority
- Moon: Serve mother, cultivate emotional balance, care for others
- Mars: Channel energy constructively, protect the weak, build courage
- Mercury: Speak truthfully, study, help students
- Jupiter: Teach, practice dharma, support spiritual teachers
- Venus: Create beauty, maintain relationships, develop refinement
- Saturn: Work hard, serve the underprivileged, develop patience
- Rahu: Overcome addictions, face fears, seek genuine understanding
- Ketu: Develop discrimination, practice meditation, seek liberation
Ayurvedic Support
Herbs and lifestyle adjustments can balance planetary doshas:
- Vata-increasing planets (Saturn, Rahu): Vata-pacifying herbs and routine
- Pitta-increasing planets (Sun, Mars, Ketu): Pitta-cooling herbs and practices
- Kapha-increasing planets (Moon, Venus, Jupiter): Kapha-reducing practices
Choosing Remedies
Not all remedies are needed for every chart:
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Identify the problem: What planetary factor is causing difficulty?
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Assess the planet’s role: Is the planet naturally benefic or malefic? What houses does it rule for your ascendant?
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Choose appropriate remedies: For malefic planets, pacifying remedies (charity, mantra, fasting) are safer than strengthening remedies (gems).
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Consider practical factors: What remedies can you actually do consistently? A mantra chanted daily is more powerful than an elaborate puja done once.
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Work with guidance: Serious remedies, especially gemstones, benefit from qualified advice.
The Deepest Remedy
All external remedies support the internal work of consciousness development:
Self-knowledge: Understanding why karma arises dissolves much of its power Acceptance: Receiving difficulty as teaching rather than punishment Devotion: Surrendering to the divine within and beyond the planets Meditation: Developing the awareness that transcends all conditioned patterns
The planets are not external forces imposing fate but reflections of our own accumulated karma. As consciousness develops, identification shifts from the conditioned patterns to the unconditioned awareness.
This is the ultimate remedy - not managing karma but awakening beyond it.