In continuation of our series on hasta mudras today we talk of the hand gestures that are used to denote the planets. Navagraha Hasta is a combination of two words, Nav meaning nine and Graha meaning planet. As per ancient Hindu texts there are nine planets, Surya, Chandra, Mangal, Budh, Guru, Shurkra, Shani, Rahu and Ketu. The hasta mudras for each of these nine planets are as follows:

1. Suryahastaha:

   Shlokam: Ansopkanthe hastaabhyaamapadmakapitthakaha
   Dhrito yadi karo hyosh divaakarkaraha smritaha

   SuryaHasta (Sun): Right hand held in Alapadma and left hand held in Kapittha, on either side of the throat respectively gives Surya Hasta.

2. Chandrahastaha:

   Shlokam: Alapadmo Vaamahaste dakshine cha pataakikaa
   Nishaakarkaraha prokto bharataagamdarshibhiha

   Chandra Hasta (Moon): Left hand held in Alapadma and right hand in Pataka gives Chandra Hasta.

3. Kujahastaha:

   Shlokam: Vaame kare tu soochi Syaamushtihastastu dakshine
   Dhritashchennaatyashaastragyai rangaarakakaraha smritaha

   Kuja Hasta (Mars–Mangal/Sevvai/Angaraka): Left hand held in Suchi and right hand in Mushti gives Kuja Hasta.

4. Budhhastaha:

   Shlokam: Tiryagvaame cha mushtiha syaadakshine cha pataakikaa
   Budhgrahakaraha prokto bharataagamvedibhiha

   BudhaHasta (Mercury): Left hand held in Mushti horizontally and right in Pataka gives Budha Hasta.

5. Guruhastaha:

   Shlokam: Hadtaabhyaam Shikharam Dhritvaa Yagyasootrasya darshanam
   Rishibramhanahastoyam guroshchaapi prakeertitaha

   Guru Hasta (Jupiter): Holding the left hand as inverted sikara on the left shoulder , the right hand in Shikara is brought from the left shoulder, down across the chest to the waist, on the right side. This gives Guru Hasta.

6. Shukrahastaha:

   Shlokam: Vaamochchabhaage mushtiha syaadadhastaaddakshune tatha
   Shukragrahakaraha prokto bharataagamvedibhiha

   Sukra Hasta (Venus- Chitra): Left hand in Mushti is held over the raised left leg. Right Hand in Mushti is held below the waist level. This gives Sukra Hasta.

7. Shanihasataha:

   Shlokam: Vaame kare tu shikharastrishulo dakshine kare
   Shanaishcharkaraha prokto bharataaagamkovidaiha

   Sani Hasta (Saturn): The left hand in Shikara and the right hand in Trisula gives Sani Hasta.

8. Raahuhastaha:

   Shlokam: Sarpashirsho vaamakare suchi syaadakshine kare
   Raahugrahakaraha prokto naatyavidyaadhipairjanaiha

   Rahu Hasta: The left hand in Sarpasirsa and the right hand in Suchi gives Rahu Hasta.

9. Ketuhastaha:

   Shlokam: Vaame kare tu soochi syaadakshine tu pataakikaa
   Ketugrahakaraha prokto bharataagamdarshibhiha

   Ketu Hasta: The left hand held in suchi and the right hand in Pataka gives Ketu Hasta.

Navgraha hasta are important to understand, learn and memorise as astrology was closely linked with Hindu mythology and hence often used in performances, even to the present day.