At the center of our solar system, the sun ties earth and the other 9 planets through attraction and magnetic forces moving them around itself. The motion of these 9 planets are such that the velocity of planets has an inverse relationship with the distance between the planets and the sun. We know that although the Sun is the central force causing planets to move, the planets don’t orbit in perfect circles. The planets move around the sun in an elliptical path. More detailed explanations about the geometrical positions, axis taken by other planets around the sun, their distances, etc. can be found in the Soorya Siddhanta.
In Hindu Astrology we consider 9 planets to make up the solar system, these are called Navagrahas. The Navagraha consists of the Ravi (Sun), Chandra (Moon), Mangala (Mars), Budha (Mercury), Guru (Jupiter), Shukra (Venus), Shani (Saturn), Rahu, and Ketu. In this system, Ravi and Chandra are luminaries, the others are planets and celestial bodies. Rahu and Ketu are the ascending and descending nodes of Chandra respectively. These are shadowy planets and do not have material bodies. Brihat Parashara Hora Shastra beautifully explains planetary cabinet as below. “Ravi and Chandra are of royal status, Mangala is the army chief, Budha is the prince apparent, Guru and Shukra are the ministerial planets, Shani is a servant and Rahu and Ketu form the planetary army.”
According to Hindu Jyotisha, other than Rahu and Ketu the rest of the planets rule the Bhachakra (12 Rashis) also known as the zodiac belt. They are as below:
Ravi (Sun) ─ Simha (Leo)
Chandra (Moon) ─ Karka (Cancer)
Mangala (Mars) ─ Mesha (Aries) Vruschika (Scorpio)
Budha (Mercury) ─ Mithuna (Gemini) Kanya (Virgo)
Guru (Jupiter) ─ Dhanu (Sagittarius) Meena (Pisces)
Shukra (Venus) ─ Vrushabha (Taurus) Tula (Libra)
Shani (Saturn) ─ Makara (Capricorn) Kumbha (Aquarius)
All of these planets are given Uchcha (exaltation) and Neecha (debilitation) places based on their characteristics.
According to Hindu Puranas Lord Vishnu had decided to make the seven planets immortal and gave them sacred nectar called Amruta. A demon called Svarabhanu (who had a dragon like appearance) wanted to become immortal, so he disguised himself as a planet and drank the nectar. Once Lord Vishnu realized he had been fooled by Svarabhanu he took the sword and chopped the demon in half. The head of the dragon became Rahu, and the tail of the dragon became Ketu. They could not be killed as they had drunk the nectar. When Rahu and Ketu realized their mistake, they asked for forgiveness from Lord Vishnu and eventually were given planetary forgiveness. Therefore, Rahu and Ketu are very powerful forces that operate in one’s life. These planets are also the main cause for each eclipse (Grahana) which occurs every year.
Jataka Phala Saara 