Vedic astrology · glossary
Graha (Planet)
A 'planet' of Jyotiṣa: the Sun, Moon, Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus, Saturn and the nodes Rāhu and Ketu.
What it means
The nine grahas (navagraha) are the actors of a chart. Seven are visible bodies; Rāhu and Ketu are the Moon's ascending and descending nodes, always shown retrograde and 180° apart. Each graha has signs it rules, exalts and is debilitated in, and casts specific aspects (dṛṣṭi).
How it's computed
ephemeris.ts computes each visible graha's sidereal longitude and retrograde state; Rāhu is the mean lunar node (Meeus) and Ketu is exactly opposite. chart.ts then assigns sign, house, nakshatra and dignity.
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Frequently asked
- Are Rāhu and Ketu real planets?
- They are the Moon's nodes — the points where its orbit crosses the ecliptic — treated as shadow grahas, always retrograde and opposite each other.
- Why only nine planets?
- Classical Jyotiṣa uses the seven visible bodies plus the two lunar nodes. Uranus, Neptune and Pluto are not part of the traditional system.