Nine-Colour Food Donations to Balance Navagraha

Introduction

In Vedic astrology, nine main planetary influences affect our lives. These are called the Navagraha. The nine are:

1. Sun (Surya)
   
2. Moon (Chandra)
   
3. Mars (Mangala)
   
4. Mercury (Budha)
   
5. Jupiter (Guru)
   
6. Venus (Shukra)
   
7. Saturn (Shani)
   
8. Rahu (North Node)
   
9. Ketu (South Node)
   

Astrologers believe that these nine planets influence our health, career, relationships, wealth, and overall destiny. When a planet is strong in a horoscope, it brings positive results. When it is weak or badly placed, it can cause problems.

One traditional way to balance the energy of a planet is to offer charity in the form of food and other items related to that planet. This is known as Navagraha Dana, or the Nine-Colour Food Donation. Each planet has a special colour, food, and material associated with it. Offering these items on the planet’s special day is said to reduce its negative influence and strengthen its positive effects.

Want to know more about Graha Remedies

The Nine Planets, Colours, and Food Donations

Planet	Day	Colour	Food Donation	Additional Items
Sun (Surya)	Sunday	Red or Orange	Wheat, jaggery, red lentils	Red cloth, copper vessel
Moon (Chandra)	Monday	White	Rice, milk, sugar	White cloth, silver vessel
Mars (Mangala)	Tuesday	Red	Red lentils (masoor dal), pomegranate	Red flowers, red cloth
Mercury (Budha)	Wednesday	Green	Green gram (moong dal), leafy greens	Green cloth, betel leaves
Jupiter (Guru)	Thursday	Yellow	Chana dal (yellow gram), turmeric, bananas	Yellow cloth, gold or silver coin
Saturn (Shani)	Saturday	Black or Dark Blue	Black sesame seeds, urad dal, mustard oil	Black cloth, iron utensil
Venus (Shukra)	Friday	White	Rice, curd, sugar, white sweets	White cloth, perfume
Rahu (North Node)	Saturday	Blue or Grey	Black gram, mustard seeds, coconut	Blue or grey cloth, blankets
Ketu (South Node)	Tuesday or Thursday	Brown or Multi-colour	Horse gram (kulthi), sesame, blankets	Striped or multi-coloured cloth

How to Perform the Food Donation

1. Identify the planet you need to balance
   
   • You can consult an astrologer or check your own horoscope to see which planet is weak or giving trouble.
     
2. Select the correct day and colour.
   
   • Each planet rules a specific weekday and colour. Wear that colour during the donation.
     
3. Prepare the food item.s
   
   • Use fresh, high-quality food. If cooked, it should be vegetarian and without onion or garlic.
     
4. Purify and arrange the items.
   
   • Place the items on a clean cloth in the colour of the planet.
     
   • If you wish, chant the planet’s Beej Mantra 108 times to energize the donation.
     Example: For Sun, chant “Om Hraam Hreem Hraum Sah Suryaya Namah”.
     
5. Donate to the right person or place.
   
   • Traditionally, items are given to Brahmins, poor people, monks, or temple kitchens.
     
   • The important thing is that the donation reaches someone who will use it well.
     
6. Offer prayers for blessings.
   
   • Before finishing, offer a small amount of water in a copper or silver vessel, ask for forgiveness for any past mistakes, and seek blessings from the planet.
     

Do’s and Don’ts

Do’s:

• Donate in the morning or during an auspicious time.
  
• Be calm and positive while giving.
  
• Wash your hands and feet before starting.
  
• Use new or clean containers for the items.
  
• Offer with your right hand as a sign of respect.
  

Don’ts:

• Do not give spoiled, stale, or broken items.
  
• Avoid donating used or second-hand goods for planetary remedies.
  
• Do not expect rewards or show off for your donation.
  
• Avoid giving to people who may misuse the items.
  
• Do not perform the donation in an unclean place or with a disturbed mind.
  

Benefits of Nine-Colour Food Donations

Spiritual Benefits

• Reduces the negative effects of weak or malefic planets.
  
• Strengthens the positive effects of strong planets.
  
• Increases spiritual merit (punya) through acts of charity.
  
• Brings peace of mind and emotional stability.
  

Material Benefits

• Can improve career opportunities and reputation.
  
• May bring better health and energy.
  
• It can help in resolving relationship problems.
  
• Can improve financial stability.
  

Social and Psychological Benefits

• Encourages compassion and generosity.
  
• Builds good habits of giving without expectation.
  
• Strengthens community bonds.
  
• Gives a sense of satisfaction and inner peace.
  

The Logic and Science Behind the Practice

While this tradition comes from Vedic astrology, it also has logical and practical aspects:

• Symbolism and Energy:
  Each planet is linked with certain colours and grains. Giving these away symbolically releases the negative hold of the planet and increases its positive influence.
  
• Charity and Karma:
  Giving food to the needy is a noble act in all cultures. It is believed to clear past karmic debts and invite blessings.
  
• Psychological Impact:
  Acts of giving with a pure heart can change a person’s mindset, reduce stress, and promote a feeling of contentment.
  
• Nutritional and Social Benefit:
  The items donated are often staple foods like grains and pulses. This helps people in need get essential nutrition.
  
• Colour Therapy Aspect:
  Colours have an effect on mood and energy. Wearing or using the colour of a planet can subtly influence our energy field.
  

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: Can I make donations for all planets at once?
Yes, but it is usually better to focus on one or two planets at a time, especially if they are causing trouble in your horoscope.

Q2: Can I donate to animals instead of people?
Yes. Feeding animals is considered very auspicious. For example, you can give wheat to cows for Sun, green gram to parrots for Mercury, and black sesame to birds for Saturn.

Q3: Can I do the donation at night?
It is better to do it in the morning or during the day. Daylight hours are considered more effective for this remedy.

Q4: What if I miss the planet’s day?
You can do the donation on the next available weekday of that planet.

Q5: Is chanting the mantra compulsory?
It is not compulsory, but chanting increases the effectiveness of the remedy by adding a spiritual vibration to the act.

Conclusion

Nine-colour food donation is a simple and meaningful way to balance planetary influences. Whether you believe strongly in astrology or not, the act of giving food and useful items to others creates a positive impact in your life and in the lives of those you help. The most important thing is to give with sincerity, humility, and a pure heart.

By following the correct day, colour, and item for each planet, you align yourself with positive cosmic energies and also spread kindness in the world. Over time, this practice can bring spiritual peace, mental clarity, and material improvements.