Remedies
Simple Vedic Remedies for Each of the 9 Planets
Vedic remedies — called upay in Hindi — are simple, supportive practices meant to strengthen a weak planet or soften a difficult one. The good news is that the most trusted remedies for the nine planets (the navagraha) cost little or nothing: a colour to wear, a food to share, a mantra to repeat, a small act of charity. This guide gives you a practical, honest list for each planet.
What planetary remedies are — and are not
In Vedic astrology, each of the nine planets carries a particular energy. When a planet sits weak or poorly placed in your chart, that area of life can feel like it is working against you. Remedies are gentle practices intended to tune your attention and habits toward that planet's better qualities.
Let us be clear and honest about what they are. These are supportive, reflective practices rooted in tradition — not proven science, not magic, and never a cure for medical, legal, or money problems. A remedy works best alongside your own effort, good decisions, and, where needed, professional help. Think of it as a steadying ritual, not a switch that changes fate.
Most remedies fall into a few simple categories, and you will see them repeat below:
- Charity (daan): giving a planet-linked item to someone who needs it.
- Colour and food: wearing a colour or eating/avoiding certain foods.
- Mantra: a short Sanskrit chant repeated with attention.
- Day and habit: honouring the planet's weekday with a small practice.
Remedies for each of the nine planets
Here is a quick-reference table, followed by a little more on each planet.
| Planet | Governs | Weekday | Colour | Simple remedy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sun (Surya) | Confidence, father, health | Sunday | Red, orange | Offer water to the rising sun |
| Moon (Chandra) | Mind, mother, emotions | Monday | White | Keep water by the bedside; respect your mother |
| Mars (Mangal) | Energy, courage, siblings | Tuesday | Red | Donate jaggery or masoor dal; help siblings |
| Mercury (Budh) | Speech, study, business | Wednesday | Green | Feed green fodder to a cow; chant steadily |
| Jupiter (Guru) | Wisdom, teachers, luck | Thursday | Yellow | Share chana dal or turmeric; respect teachers |
| Venus (Shukra) | Love, comfort, art | Friday | White, pastel | Keep surroundings clean; donate white sweets |
| Saturn (Shani) | Discipline, work, karma | Saturday | Black, blue | Serve the poor and labourers; donate black items |
| Rahu | Ambition, confusion | — | Smoky grey | Donate mustard oil; avoid shortcuts |
| Ketu | Detachment, spirituality | — | Multicolour, grey | Feed stray dogs; keep a simple spiritual habit |
Sun (Surya) — confidence and vitality
The Sun stands for self-worth, leadership, and your relationship with your father. A gentle daily remedy is offering water to the rising sun (surya arghya) from a copper vessel, and quietly repeating the Sun's mantra. Showing genuine respect to your father or father-figures is itself considered a Sun remedy.
Moon (Chandra) — a steady mind
The Moon rules emotions, peace of mind, and your mother. Remedies lean toward calm: keeping water at your bedside overnight and offering it to a plant in the morning, wearing white on Mondays, and above all treating your mother with care. A restless mind is the Moon's weak signal.
Mars (Mangal) — courage without anger
Mars gives drive, stamina, and courage, but an unruly Mars shows up as anger and accidents. Donating jaggery (gur) or red lentils (masoor dal) on Tuesdays, supporting your siblings, and practising patience are classic remedies. Physical exercise is a healthy way to spend Mars energy well.
Mercury (Budh) — clear speech and learning
Mercury governs communication, study, and trade. Feeding green fodder to a cow, keeping your word carefully, and steady chanting are traditional. Mercury loves learning, so taking up a genuine course of study is itself a remedy.
Jupiter (Guru) — wisdom and good fortune
Jupiter, the great benefic, rules wisdom, teachers, and expansion. Sharing yellow items — chana dal, turmeric, bananas — on Thursdays, wearing yellow, and deeply respecting your teachers and elders are gentle, well-loved remedies.
Venus (Shukra) — comfort and harmony
Venus rules love, beauty, comfort, and art. Keeping your home and body clean and pleasant, donating white sweets or white cloth on Fridays, and treating relationships with fairness all honour Venus.
Saturn (Shani) — discipline and service
Saturn, the strict teacher, rewards honest, patient work and punishes shortcuts. Its most trusted remedies are acts of service: helping the poor, the elderly, and labourers; donating black items like sesame (til), iron, or black cloth on Saturdays; and simply doing your duty without complaint.
Rahu and Ketu — the shadow planets
Rahu and Ketu are not physical planets but mathematical points, and their remedies are more about conduct. For Rahu (ambition, obsession, confusion), donate mustard oil, avoid dishonest shortcuts, and keep your mind clear. For Ketu (detachment, spirituality), feed stray dogs, keep a simple spiritual routine, and practise letting go of what you cannot control.
How to choose the right remedy
Here is the catch, and it matters: you should not do a remedy for every planet. Strengthening a planet that is already causing you trouble in your chart can backfire. The honest sequence is:
- Find which planet actually needs support. This comes from reading your chart, not from guessing by mood.
- Pick one or two remedies for that planet and keep them consistent for a few weeks.
- Notice gently whether your habits and outlook shift — the real work of a remedy is often the discipline it builds.
A full Janam Kundli reading shows which planets are strong, weak, or troublesome for you, so you can choose remedies that fit your chart rather than a generic list. If you are drawn to gemstones as a remedy, our guide to gemstones in Vedic astrology by planet explains which ratna links to which planet — and why the same chart check comes first. You can also look up your birth star and ruling planet with the free tools.
A note on mantras
Many planetary remedies include a short Sanskrit mantra, repeated on the planet's weekday. If you would like a proper, respectful guide to these — including how many times to chant and how to begin — see our dedicated article on mantras for the 9 planets.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to do remedies for all nine planets?
No — in fact you should not. Remedies are meant for the specific planet that is weak or troubling in your chart. Doing everything at once can strengthen a planet that is already giving you difficulty. Start from a chart reading, then choose one or two.
How long should I keep up a remedy?
Most traditions suggest staying consistent for at least a few weeks, often tied to the planet's weekday. Consistency matters more than intensity. If a remedy asks for a 40-day or longer commitment, treat that as a gentle discipline, not a countdown to a guaranteed result.
Are planetary remedies a substitute for real help?
Never. They are supportive, reflective practices. For health see a doctor, for money see a qualified adviser, for legal trouble see a lawyer. A remedy sits alongside real effort and real help — it does not replace them.
Can charity and kindness really be a remedy?
In the Vedic tradition, yes — acts of charity (daan) and service are among the most respected remedies, especially for Saturn. Whatever your beliefs, the habit of regular giving is a quietly good thing to build.
Curious which planet actually needs your attention? A Janam Kundli reading maps your strong and weak planets, so your remedies fit your real chart — not a one-size list. Start free with our tools to find your birth details first.