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Navagraha Purana
Tales of the Nine PlanetsNavagraha Purana chronicles in fascinating detail the birth, life and glory of the Nine Planets, the powerful astral deities who are the ultimate arbiters of man’s destiny. This compelling narrative paints a delightfully intimate portrait of the Navagrahas. Surya subdues his raging heat to please his beloved Samjna. Chandra lusts after his guru’s wife and is cursed to wane each month. Kuja emerges from a drop of perspiration on Shiva’s brow. Budha marries Ila, who is his wife for one month and a prince in the next. Brhaspati forgives his wife’s adultery and curses an amorous apsara to be born as a monkey. Usana becomes Sukra when he is swallowed by a furious Shiva. Sanaischara requests the Trimurti to ensure he inspire fear in all living beings. Rahu and Ketu wreak their vengeance on Surya and Chandra by swallowing them. In an irresistible medley of drama, romance, humour and devotion, Navagraha Purana entertains and informs as it asserts that no one is exempt from the implacable influence of the Nine Planets. V.S. Rao is a celebrated, multifaceted Telegu author, playwright, translator and scriptwriter. Mr. Rao has 84 titles to his credit, including short stories, novels, children’s books and plays. His writing spans an astounding variety of genres, from crime and detective fiction, to thrillers, drama, mythology, philosophy and lyrics for devotional albums. In his largely womencentric writing, Mr. Rao passionately highlights women’s issues. He is the recipient of numerous literary honors and awards.
528 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 20
164 people are currently reading
531 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
September 4, 2017
Fun, entertaining and informative at the same time!!!
Navagraha Purana took me back to my childhood days when my grandmother would put me to sleep with one of her many tales. V. S. Rao's extraordinary style of storytelling made the characters from grandmother's tales lifelike and more real than mythological. The lucid language and the easy flow kept me hooked till the last page of the book. I was a little disappointed at the relatively smaller chapters on the influences of the Navagrahas. Nonetheless, loved it to the core.
Navagraha Purana took me back to my childhood days when my grandmother would put me to sleep with one of her many tales. V. S. Rao's extraordinary style of storytelling made the characters from grandmother's tales lifelike and more real than mythological. The lucid language and the easy flow kept me hooked till the last page of the book. I was a little disappointed at the relatively smaller chapters on the influences of the Navagrahas. Nonetheless, loved it to the core.
August 27, 2020
A delightful read. The author has taken sometime disparate and sometime intertwined stories of the Navagrahas and skillfully woven a beautiful tapestry in a playful manner to keep the readers captivated.
March 1, 2021
Great read
It is very easily understood and flow of good. English reading it. Everyone should read it. Fine balance between detail and summary
It is very easily understood and flow of good. English reading it. Everyone should read it. Fine balance between detail and summary
August 20, 2019
Superb compilation of all navagraha related stories
Loved it. It has good writing style, and well researched content. Go for it if you want to learn about the navagrahas. I enjoyed learning the stories of Budha, RAHU and Ketu
Loved it. It has good writing style, and well researched content. Go for it if you want to learn about the navagrahas. I enjoyed learning the stories of Budha, RAHU and Ketu
July 9, 2019
Thoroughly enjoyable book. Though towards the end the author has added a chapter about glories of the planets which I felt was unnecessary.
August 3, 2019
A blessing upon humanity
Not just a book about the planets but also imbibed of immense education towards rightful moral practice and conduct. Thank you for this immense blessing.
Not just a book about the planets but also imbibed of immense education towards rightful moral practice and conduct. Thank you for this immense blessing.
March 14, 2024
Awesome Read, took me a while to finish but it was well worth it!
December 6, 2025
While reading ‘Navagraha Purana’ you expect a simple mythology guide about the nine celestial deities—Surya, Chandra, Mangala, Budha, Brihaspati, Shukra, Shani, Rahu, and Ketu—but what this book delivers is a nuanced, engaging, and deeply humanizing exploration of how the cosmic bodies became woven into India’s imagination, theology, and cultural consciousness.
It’s mythology, yes, but also cultural psychology, spiritual astronomy, and narrative philosophy.
The Navagraha Purana as a textual tradition is not as widely known or standardized as the major Mahapuranas.
Rao understands this and works not merely as a translator or compiler but as a narrative cartographer—mapping together stories scattered across various Purana sources, folk retellings, temple traditions, and astrological lore.
The result is a tapestry that feels both ancient and freshly illuminated.
Each planet-deity is treated not just as a celestial phenomenon but as a personality with distinct mythic journeys. Surya’s radiance isn’t just physical; it becomes symbolic of discipline, steadiness, and cosmic order.
Chandra’s waxing-waning beauty becomes a poetic metaphor for emotional tides. Shani—often unfairly villainized—is given layers of justice, discipline, and karmic clarity. Rahu and Ketu, those shadowy nodes, become fascinating embodiments of desire, ambition, transgression, disruption, and ultimately transformation.
Rao writes in a style that is clear, slightly lyrical, and deeply respectful of tradition without being stiff.
He’s not trying to modernize mythology with slang or pop metaphors; he simply lets the stories unfold, trusting the reader’s intelligence.
But he also adds gentle commentary at just the right moments—explaining symbolic meanings, ritual origins, or philosophical subtexts.
One of the strengths of this book is the contextual clarity: Rao connects the Navagraha narratives to temple architecture (like the famous Navagraha shrines), classical astrology, Vedic hymns, and Shakta-Shaiva-Vaishnava currents. You begin to see how these deities aren’t isolated but embedded in a living ecosystem of belief.
But beyond scholarship, Rao’s storytelling has heart. You feel empathy even for the fearsome or shadowy grahas.
You understand why devotees seek Shani’s blessing with both trembling and trust. You feel why Surya is invoked at dawn as a symbol of resilience. And why Chandra represents calmness, imagination, and healing.
Every story carries a glimmer of humanity wrapped inside cosmic metaphysics.
This book works beautifully for three types of readers: mythology lovers, astrology enthusiasts, and those curious about the cultural roots of the Navagraha traditions in India. It doesn’t overwhelm with technical details, nor does it trivialize the subject. Rao keeps the narrative accessible, layered, and emotionally resonant.
If you want to understand how the cosmos became personal in Indian tradition—how stars, shadows, and planets turned into moral and metaphysical companions—Navagraha Purana is a thoughtful, engaging, and quietly luminous guide.
Most recommended.
It’s mythology, yes, but also cultural psychology, spiritual astronomy, and narrative philosophy.
The Navagraha Purana as a textual tradition is not as widely known or standardized as the major Mahapuranas.
Rao understands this and works not merely as a translator or compiler but as a narrative cartographer—mapping together stories scattered across various Purana sources, folk retellings, temple traditions, and astrological lore.
The result is a tapestry that feels both ancient and freshly illuminated.
Each planet-deity is treated not just as a celestial phenomenon but as a personality with distinct mythic journeys. Surya’s radiance isn’t just physical; it becomes symbolic of discipline, steadiness, and cosmic order.
Chandra’s waxing-waning beauty becomes a poetic metaphor for emotional tides. Shani—often unfairly villainized—is given layers of justice, discipline, and karmic clarity. Rahu and Ketu, those shadowy nodes, become fascinating embodiments of desire, ambition, transgression, disruption, and ultimately transformation.
Rao writes in a style that is clear, slightly lyrical, and deeply respectful of tradition without being stiff.
He’s not trying to modernize mythology with slang or pop metaphors; he simply lets the stories unfold, trusting the reader’s intelligence.
But he also adds gentle commentary at just the right moments—explaining symbolic meanings, ritual origins, or philosophical subtexts.
One of the strengths of this book is the contextual clarity: Rao connects the Navagraha narratives to temple architecture (like the famous Navagraha shrines), classical astrology, Vedic hymns, and Shakta-Shaiva-Vaishnava currents. You begin to see how these deities aren’t isolated but embedded in a living ecosystem of belief.
But beyond scholarship, Rao’s storytelling has heart. You feel empathy even for the fearsome or shadowy grahas.
You understand why devotees seek Shani’s blessing with both trembling and trust. You feel why Surya is invoked at dawn as a symbol of resilience. And why Chandra represents calmness, imagination, and healing.
Every story carries a glimmer of humanity wrapped inside cosmic metaphysics.
This book works beautifully for three types of readers: mythology lovers, astrology enthusiasts, and those curious about the cultural roots of the Navagraha traditions in India. It doesn’t overwhelm with technical details, nor does it trivialize the subject. Rao keeps the narrative accessible, layered, and emotionally resonant.
If you want to understand how the cosmos became personal in Indian tradition—how stars, shadows, and planets turned into moral and metaphysical companions—Navagraha Purana is a thoughtful, engaging, and quietly luminous guide.
Most recommended.
February 29, 2024
Tales of the Nine Planets is a captivating book that explores the mythology and significance of the Navagrahas, the nine celestial bodies that govern our lives. The author skillfully weaves together stories of love, betrayal, curses, and blessings, revealing the personalities and powers of each planet. The book is not only informative, but also entertaining, as it blends humor, drama, and devotion in a delightful way. I enjoyed learning about the origin and history of the Navagrahas, as well as their impact on various aspects of human existence. The book is well-written, engaging, and enlightening. I highly recommend it to anyone who is interested in Hindu astrology, cosmology, or culture.
May 20, 2020
This book is undoubtedly a seminal work in Indian literary pantheon. It encompasses numerous mythological tales involving the nine planets of Indian astrology. Several other associated tales mentioned in various Puranas have also been incorporated into the fabric, to place the lives of the planets in proper perspective. Overall, it's a massive tome. But...
1. The tone of the book is utterly dramatic, full of pomp and vigour. Perhaps it made the book more 'literary'. But excessive emphasis put upon the importance of 'son'-s, without any mention of daughters— other than their 'good' natures being expressed through serving their male partners in and out of bed, left a very bad taste. Also, simple facts were described with so much of reverence and piety that the point— that these are STORIES— was utterly and irrevocably lost.
2. No attempt was made to connect these mythological tales with their astrological as well as astronomical implications. That would have been a real boon in establishing the accuracy of astronomical observations in ancient India.
So, good book, but more like a Rajamouli special. I would have preferred a Puttanna Kanagal work— personally.
1. The tone of the book is utterly dramatic, full of pomp and vigour. Perhaps it made the book more 'literary'. But excessive emphasis put upon the importance of 'son'-s, without any mention of daughters— other than their 'good' natures being expressed through serving their male partners in and out of bed, left a very bad taste. Also, simple facts were described with so much of reverence and piety that the point— that these are STORIES— was utterly and irrevocably lost.
2. No attempt was made to connect these mythological tales with their astrological as well as astronomical implications. That would have been a real boon in establishing the accuracy of astronomical observations in ancient India.
So, good book, but more like a Rajamouli special. I would have preferred a Puttanna Kanagal work— personally.
August 17, 2020
The book is a series of reproduction and marriages. It is an Ekta Kapoor soap with multiple Rajshri weddings and aashirwaads. The Big three can do no wrong. The navgraha are victims of female beauty and are gullible in most accounts.
Every conflict begins with a curse and ends with an amendment of the curse.
Every woman's dream is to be impregnated and severe penance is done every few chapters for procreation.
It is a verbal reality show with major "DID GOD DO THAT? NO WAY!" moments.
There is polygamy, LGBTQIA representation, social politics and a lot of miracle child birth.
The book will make one feel better for the sins they have committed and will make god only more human.
Every conflict begins with a curse and ends with an amendment of the curse.
Every woman's dream is to be impregnated and severe penance is done every few chapters for procreation.
It is a verbal reality show with major "DID GOD DO THAT? NO WAY!" moments.
There is polygamy, LGBTQIA representation, social politics and a lot of miracle child birth.
The book will make one feel better for the sins they have committed and will make god only more human.
August 24, 2023
Loved it thoroughly! The book touches upon so many stories which were never heard of.
May 15, 2024
Wel they don’t call it a purana for nothing.
Part fun part suffering, but now I know a lot
Part fun part suffering, but now I know a lot
February 19, 2021
The book is good if you know nothing much about the Navagrahs but at times the writings are irritating, with the stories being narrated by some Nirvikalpananda to his disciples. I had to google who he was. The stories are enlightening and the book was a good read, especially from the 2nd part onwards. But the second half of the book has spelling mistakes and it's horrible when it is to do with names, grammar, or shlokas.
The book has 3 main parts:
1. The Birth of the Navagrahas
2. The Life of the Navagrahas
3. The Glory of the Navagrahas
Every part has 9 chapters each dedicated to one graha. Before the 1st part begins, we are bombarded with Vishnu and the saga of Vishnu for no reason. This book on Navagrahas should have started with a generation treemap of the Navagrahas that would tell us who is whose son/ daughter in the very beginning. Then we could dive into the details of each 'graha'.
In the 1st part: Birth
The chapters Surya, Kuja, Brihaspathi, Shukra, has nothing concrete in them. The backstories are very 2-3 liners extended to waste pages. Mind you, this part (Part 1: The Birth of the Navagrahas) is only about the birth but how they came into being and WHY aren't the writer's strong traits. Why the names of all the Navagrahas are the way they are named isn't explained (few have been explained but not all). The book says Navagraha Purana and I don't know if that's how it has been explained in the original Purana.
The Chandra, Budha, Shani stories are explained well with good strong backstories with a lot of exaggerations of lovemaking and their respective lusts and greeds while Rahu and Ketu had me confused as the writer enlightens us in the name of Nirvikalpananda that Ketu's origin has multiple stories but he sticks to one only.
In the 2nd part: Life
There is more to the book in the second part. I was immersed in it from here on.
In the 3rd part: Glory, there are stories of famous characters that are affected by the Navagrahas. The stories weren't adequate.
The book was worthy of its name. I am disappointed to not know why the Navagrahas were the Navagrahas. Every time, the 'Trimurtis' appear around to tell the Navagrahas that they will be Navagrahas but why? Why not choose Vayu or Anasuya for that matter. There is no reasoning for their anointing as one of the Navagrahas even when Chandra, Rahu, Ketu are very evil in nature. Even MahaBali is better than them. What is with the Trimurti always needs to speak in three, one after the other. It feels like the author was trying to find a balance among his readers to make one feel that the Trimurtis are equal among themselves which the author doesn't believe, as seen at the beginning of the book where he goes gaga over Vishnu. The editing is bad. I am not satisfied with the book. Now I need to find another book on Navagrahas. But as this was my first book on the Navagrahas, I'll take it with a pinch of salt.
The book has 3 main parts:
1. The Birth of the Navagrahas
2. The Life of the Navagrahas
3. The Glory of the Navagrahas
Every part has 9 chapters each dedicated to one graha. Before the 1st part begins, we are bombarded with Vishnu and the saga of Vishnu for no reason. This book on Navagrahas should have started with a generation treemap of the Navagrahas that would tell us who is whose son/ daughter in the very beginning. Then we could dive into the details of each 'graha'.
In the 1st part: Birth
The chapters Surya, Kuja, Brihaspathi, Shukra, has nothing concrete in them. The backstories are very 2-3 liners extended to waste pages. Mind you, this part (Part 1: The Birth of the Navagrahas) is only about the birth but how they came into being and WHY aren't the writer's strong traits. Why the names of all the Navagrahas are the way they are named isn't explained (few have been explained but not all). The book says Navagraha Purana and I don't know if that's how it has been explained in the original Purana.
The Chandra, Budha, Shani stories are explained well with good strong backstories with a lot of exaggerations of lovemaking and their respective lusts and greeds while Rahu and Ketu had me confused as the writer enlightens us in the name of Nirvikalpananda that Ketu's origin has multiple stories but he sticks to one only.
In the 2nd part: Life
There is more to the book in the second part. I was immersed in it from here on.
In the 3rd part: Glory, there are stories of famous characters that are affected by the Navagrahas. The stories weren't adequate.
The book was worthy of its name. I am disappointed to not know why the Navagrahas were the Navagrahas. Every time, the 'Trimurtis' appear around to tell the Navagrahas that they will be Navagrahas but why? Why not choose Vayu or Anasuya for that matter. There is no reasoning for their anointing as one of the Navagrahas even when Chandra, Rahu, Ketu are very evil in nature. Even MahaBali is better than them. What is with the Trimurti always needs to speak in three, one after the other. It feels like the author was trying to find a balance among his readers to make one feel that the Trimurtis are equal among themselves which the author doesn't believe, as seen at the beginning of the book where he goes gaga over Vishnu. The editing is bad. I am not satisfied with the book. Now I need to find another book on Navagrahas. But as this was my first book on the Navagrahas, I'll take it with a pinch of salt.
August 22, 2022
This book came highly recommended and being very inclined to all things Vedic astrology, I just had to read it. And what a book it was!
It’s all about getting to know our Grahas and their story….I’m sure this benefits everyone who intend to learn astrology.
It’s all about getting to know our Grahas and their story….I’m sure this benefits everyone who intend to learn astrology.
February 2, 2022
The book has been specifically written on the birth,life,and their influences on the humans. The birfucation in the book is good. I would recommend the book to be read atleast once
January 13, 2024
#bookreview
#SpiritualReads
#weekendreading
Have you ever wondered why
The Sun and Moon were ordained to get eclipsed a few times each year by Rahu and Ketu
Or why Narada Muni stayed a bachelor roaming across lokas spreading knowledge and information
(And ofcourse chanting Narayana ! Narayana! )
Or why and how Lord Ram was blessed with the Aditya Hrdayam stotra to appease Lord Surya…
What does it signify when astrologers say a planet is malefic and why?
An enigmatic, mysterious and super entertaining read on the circumstances and birth of the Navagrahas , starting all the way from Pralaya kal to emergence of Lord Brahma from the cosmic womb who went on to create all of existence - the 4 Kumaras, Prajapatis, 9 manasputras sages, Narad muni and Manu and how sages Kashyap, Atri, Angiras Bhrgu were further given the responsibility to father the Navagrahas with their roles in the causes and effects of the samudra manthan.
Beautifully and simply woven with excerpts from the Devi Bhagavatam, 18 Puranas, Ramayana, Mahabharata to bring together the story from the perspective of the Navagrahas, their accomplishments, their limitations and eventually how when pleased they bestow food, life, progeny, wealth, education, knowledge, glory by being the arbiters of thought, speech and deed
All in all a great read!
#SpiritualReads
#weekendreading
Have you ever wondered why
The Sun and Moon were ordained to get eclipsed a few times each year by Rahu and Ketu
Or why Narada Muni stayed a bachelor roaming across lokas spreading knowledge and information
(And ofcourse chanting Narayana ! Narayana! )
Or why and how Lord Ram was blessed with the Aditya Hrdayam stotra to appease Lord Surya…
What does it signify when astrologers say a planet is malefic and why?
An enigmatic, mysterious and super entertaining read on the circumstances and birth of the Navagrahas , starting all the way from Pralaya kal to emergence of Lord Brahma from the cosmic womb who went on to create all of existence - the 4 Kumaras, Prajapatis, 9 manasputras sages, Narad muni and Manu and how sages Kashyap, Atri, Angiras Bhrgu were further given the responsibility to father the Navagrahas with their roles in the causes and effects of the samudra manthan.
Beautifully and simply woven with excerpts from the Devi Bhagavatam, 18 Puranas, Ramayana, Mahabharata to bring together the story from the perspective of the Navagrahas, their accomplishments, their limitations and eventually how when pleased they bestow food, life, progeny, wealth, education, knowledge, glory by being the arbiters of thought, speech and deed
All in all a great read!
November 12, 2022
A riveting read
The book is really easy to read such that each chapter is divided into small sections. The writing style keeps the interest and curiosity alive wondering about what would come next.
This book ties up so many stories that we have been listening to since our childhood and links them all together in a seamless way.
the book is full of enlightening moments or those Aha! moments when you suddenly realise the connection between stories and characters from various scriptures.
The book does a great justice in bringing out the significance of navgrah impact on all living beings.
I ended up creating a family tree from the beginning if life and understand the relationships of various characters from our scriptures.
A suggested read for anyonyone interested in Hinduism or a different perspective on evolution.
The book is really easy to read such that each chapter is divided into small sections. The writing style keeps the interest and curiosity alive wondering about what would come next.
This book ties up so many stories that we have been listening to since our childhood and links them all together in a seamless way.
the book is full of enlightening moments or those Aha! moments when you suddenly realise the connection between stories and characters from various scriptures.
The book does a great justice in bringing out the significance of navgrah impact on all living beings.
I ended up creating a family tree from the beginning if life and understand the relationships of various characters from our scriptures.
A suggested read for anyonyone interested in Hinduism or a different perspective on evolution.
March 27, 2023
Navagraha purana by V.S. Rao. Is about the Navagrahas how they where born and lived.
I can't comment on the whole book cos I dropped.
In part one author explain how the earth was created and the creation of Navagrahas how they where born and brought up. To be honest it's informative u definitely get something out of it when read this book.
I read part 1 of the book there are 3 parts. I was not happy with the way of narration. Sorry to say this it's not my cup of coffee. So i don't want to continue.
I can't comment on the whole book cos I dropped.
In part one author explain how the earth was created and the creation of Navagrahas how they where born and brought up. To be honest it's informative u definitely get something out of it when read this book.
I read part 1 of the book there are 3 parts. I was not happy with the way of narration. Sorry to say this it's not my cup of coffee. So i don't want to continue.
August 24, 2024
The best book to internalise the relationship of different graha when using astrology. The entire analysis of Dr Ajay Bhambhi or anyone else who is extremely well read becomes second nature to you.
The book does not help make accurate predictions (no body can predict the future) but it does highlight the nature of a person which I found to be true as per my own limited research. Highly recommended to all who want to delve into idiosyncracies of planet behaviour. And their origins (it's origin of indian super heroes like none other)
I read the Hindi version
The book does not help make accurate predictions (no body can predict the future) but it does highlight the nature of a person which I found to be true as per my own limited research. Highly recommended to all who want to delve into idiosyncracies of planet behaviour. And their origins (it's origin of indian super heroes like none other)
I read the Hindi version
February 13, 2025
'Navagraha Purana' is a good introductory read for someone who's learning about the the Navagrahas for the first time. However, I had a couple of concerns. The portrayal of women at times felt overly sexualized, which seemed unnecessary given the subject matter and the book’s potential appeal to younger readers. Additionally, some mythological events are introduced early on without much context, which might be confusing for readers unfamiliar with them. A dedicated annexure explaining these events would have been a valuable addition.
January 1, 2023
Unique Book for Navagraha Charitra
A unique book that will answer many questions of self. It will help us to understand the relationship between planets and human beings
A unique book that will answer many questions of self. It will help us to understand the relationship between planets and human beings
January 21, 2024
Great book to start into astrology.
May 21, 2024
Enjoyed reading this though some of some parts were long winded. Nevertheless it was entertaining and it was like a bedtime story told to kids.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews