hindu funeral rites

The Role of Navagraha Shanti Puja in Hindu Funeral Rites

Last updated on January 29th, 2025

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It is a religion based on tradition, spirituality, and cosmic power. The concept of appeasing celestial forces featured among its many rituals so that peace and well-being were secured for its inhabitants both while they lived and in death. The worship of the nine celestial forces (Navagrahas) to which certain significant rituals, such as the Navagraha Shanti Puja, fall under this category.

In this article, let us find out the relevance of ceremonies like Navagraha Shanti Puja and the influence of this puja so that we would genuinely know how we can show our respect to the departed soul and give them peace.

Navagraha in Hinduism

The Navagrahas in Vedic Astrology are the nine celestial bodies, by the names Surya (Sun), Chandra (Moon), Mangal (Mars), Budha (Mercury), Brihaspati (Jupiter), Shukra (Venus), Shani (Saturn), Rahu, and Ketu. These planets and celestial bodies are thought to have a massive impact on a person’s life. The unique energies, traits, and karmic patterns and each graha determine not only our spiritual path and destiny but also our physical existence and mental health.  

According to Hindu tradition, our lives depend on the positions and movements of these celestial bodies. The same forces acting when an individual dies are believed to influence the soul’s afterlife journey. This belief is the basis of the Navagraha Shanti Puja performed at Hindu funeral rites.

The purpose of Shanti Puja in Hindu funeral rites  

The main purpose of funeral services in Bangalore is rooted in Hinduism to smooth the flow of the dead soul to the next place of existence. It is understood that the body is temporary, and the soul is eternal. The final rites are designed not only to show respect to the deceased but also to cleanse their karmic debts and free them from any negative planetary influences that might hinder their journey.  

The Navagraha Shanti Puja becomes an integral part of funerary practices because it aims to pacify the celestial forces that might obstruct this process. The navagrahas govern the karmic destiny of every soul, and their harmony is essential in ensuring spiritual liberation or moksha. 

Performing Navagraha Shanti Puja During Funerals 

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1. Preparations for the Puja  

Experienced priests or purohits who know the related Vedic practices and planetary thoughts do Navagraha shanti puja. The ritual is often done in the home of the deceased or a temple. Nine idols or representations of the navagrahas are set up in a particular manner. Each Graha is portrayed by the use of colored cloth, particular grains, and offerings befitting their astral accentuation.  

2. Invoking the Navagrahas

It starts with the invocation of the navagrahas. For each graha, the priest prays to them and asks that they bless the soul of the dead. These mantras vibrate and are believed to cleanse the negative karmas and appease planetary entities that may be exercising malefic traditionally on the soul.  

3. Homa and the Offerings.

During puja, different kinds of offerings like flowers, fruits, and grains are made for each graha. Of course, the most important part of this ritual is the homa (fire ritual), where we pour sacred ingredients into the fire while chanting Vedic mantras. It is a medium for conveying offerings and prayers to heavenly bodies.  

4. Symbolic Prayers for Moksha  

Once the priest has waded around the body three times, the family members pray for the departed soul’s moksha. They pacify the grahas with the hope that the planets will remove any planetary blocks that keep the soul anchored to the earthly plane.  

Why is Navagraha Shanti Puja important to the family?  

It is a puja for the departed soul but it has significance for the living too. Usually, when a loved one passes away there is a period of turmoil and grief that is left behind. This distress corroborates with the process when navagrahas, out of balance, make this distress stronger, at the same time creating obstacles for the family. 

Astrological Doshas to Family Prosperity  

Sometimes the death of a loved one is the reason for the activation of the astrological doshas in the family horoscope, in Vedic astrology. The result of these doshas can be financial loss, disturbance of harmony, or illness. The purpose of the Navagraha Shanti Puja is to mitigate such dosha impacts and provide for the well-being of families after loss.

Frequently Asked Questions About Navagraha Shanti Puja in Funerals 

Q: Do I have to do the Navagraha Shanti Puja while doing Hindu funeral rites?

Navagraha Shanti Puja is strongly recommended by many Vedic scholars to ease the soul’s journey and provide peace to the family. It is particularly important if the person’s horoscope or death time features significant planetary disturbances.

Q: Can this puja be done for any age group? 

You can do this for people of any age group after they pass on. Its purpose is universal: so that he can protect the soul in good living and smooth passage to the next realm.  

Navagraha Shanti Puja in Modern Perspective 

In today’s world, when science and spirituality overlap so often, families may wonder about the relevance of sacred events like the Navagraha Shanti Puja. But this is not any superstition; this is a custom that serves to extend peace, either physically or metaphysically. Everybody feels full of peace and mental rest after the puja despite their own belief in astrology or cosmic forces.  

Also, Hindu belief relies greatly on the cyclical nature of life and death and reverence for the Navagraha Shanti Puja is a way to respect that eternal wheel.

Conclusion

Hindu funeral rites have incorporated Navagraha Shanti Puja as a bridge between the earthly and cosmic realms, which is so crucial in these rites. These rites consist more of the culture and customs, than so much actual with the religion. 

In appeasing the celestial forces that lead our destinies, this ritual covers a peaceful journey for the departed soul and stability and progress for the grieving family. The Navagraha Shanti Puja has been rooted in centuries-old wisdom and is a testament to the Hindu belief in maintaining balance, harmony, and spiritual liberation.  

The Navagraha Shanti Puja certainly has deep meaning either in terms of its astrological implications or simply as a cultural tradition. Hinduism’s link with death is most strongly manifested in its central role in the rites surrounding the funeral. 

At Beleiv we provide compassionate and professional cremation services in Bangalore to help families in the fulfillment of the arrangements about the funerals with respect.

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About The Author

Madhu is an Entrepreneur, a Mentor, a Writer and an Aspiring Car Race Driver. He is Deeply passionate about leveraging Technology and Human Centred Design to make complex care and End of Life Planning easier. With the ultimate aim of Improving the quality of Life in the Twilight years. Madhu is highly educated and Alumni of IIM-Bangalore, Sikkim Manipal University and Bangalore University besides a Rich Industry Experience in the field of Product Management, Design, Supply chain, Finance, Commercial Management and Funeral Services.

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Madhu

An Entrepreneur, a Mentor, a Writer and an Aspiring Car Race Driver. He is Deeply passionate about leveraging Technology and Human Centred Design to make complex care and End of Life Planning easier. With the ultimate aim of Improving the quality of Life in the Twilight years. Madhu is highly educated and Alumni of IIM-Bangalore, Sikkim Manipal University and Bangalore University besides a Rich Industry Experience in the field of Product Management, Design, Supply chain, Finance, Commercial Management and Funeral Services.

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