The Timeless Remedies of Brihat Parashara Hora Shastra

Astrology is not just about predictions. The sages were practical. They knew that life brings suffering, and they gave us remedies to soften the blows of karma. One of the richest sources for these remedies is the Brihat Parashara Hora Shastra (BPHS), the cornerstone text of Vedic astrology. While modern practitioners often emphasize chart-reading, Parashara quietly preserved a vast toolkit of spiritual and practical measures to restore balance when the planets trouble us.

In this blog, I’ll share a distilled version of those timeless remedies — grouped by planet and by planetary periods (mahādashas). This is not a substitute for working with a competent priest or guide, but it is an invitation to see astrology as a living science of healing.

The Core Toolbox of BPHS Remedies

If you read the remedial chapters of BPHS, certain practices repeat over and over. These are the foundations:

Mrityunjaya Mantra (Vedic): For threats to life, chronic illness, or premature death.
Durga Saptashati / Shat-Chandi (Puranic/Tantric): For severe curses, Ketu afflictions, and dangerous transitions.
Havan (fire offering) with sesame (til) (Vedic): A panacea for Saturn and many malefic influences.
Vishnu Sahasranama (Bhakti/Puranic): Especially for Mercury-related troubles.
Feeding Brahmins (Vedic tradition): With specific foods (milk rice, jaggery rice, sesame rice) depending on the planet.
Charity of animals and items (Vedic/Puranic): Cow with calf, goat, tawny cow or buffalo, gold, conch, iron vessels — each planet has its gifts.
Public works (Vedic): Planting trees, building wells, reservoirs — remedies that serve the community.
Naga Puja & Pinda rites (Puranic/ancestral rites): For ancestral curses and serpent afflictions.

These remedies are not random. They are designed to balance the very qualities of the graha (planet) causing the suffering.

Planet-Wise Remedies in BPHS

Sun (Sūrya): Install and worship a Sun idol, donate a cow and gold, feed Brahmins with sweet rice cooked in milk. (Vedic/Puranic)

Moon (Candra): Calming devotional practices, feeding Brahmins with white foods, recitation of soothing mantras. (Vedic/Bhakti)

Mars (Mangal): Perform protective havans, donate a bull, chant Mrityunjaya for wounds and danger. (Vedic)

Mercury (Budha): Recite the Vishnu Sahasranama, donate grains, support education. (Bhakti/Puranic)

Jupiter (Guru): Install Vishnu idols, feed and donate to Brahmins, perform yajñas. (Vedic/Puranic)

Venus (Shukra): Chant Mrityunjaya and Rudra Suktas, gift a tawny cow or buffalo, worship Goddess Lakshmi. (Vedic/Puranic)

Saturn (Shani): Havan with sesame, Shat-Chandi, feeding Brahmins, planting trees, building wells, donating iron items. (Vedic/Tantric)

Rahu: Perform Naga Puja, offer goats in charity, conduct havans, support the marginalized. (Puranic/Tantric)

Ketu: Donate a goat, chant Durga Saptashati, perform Mrityunjaya japa. (Puranic/Vedic)

Remedies by Mahādasha

Parashara also prescribes remedies for specific planetary periods. Here are highlights:

Saturn Mahādasha: Sesame havans, Mrityunjaya, Durga path, public charity. Build something that lasts. (Vedic/Tantric)
Ketu Antardasha in Saturn Mahādasha: Mrityunjaya, goat donation, Durga recitation. This combination is particularly harsh, so remedies must be strong. (Vedic/Puranic)
Venus Mahādasha: Mrityunjaya + Rudra japa, cow or buffalo donation, Lakshmi worship. (Vedic/Puranic)
Mercury Mahādasha: Vishnu Sahasranama recitation, charity of grains. (Bhakti/Puranic)
Sun Mahādasha: Cows and gold in charity, Sun idol installation, feeding Brahmins. (Vedic)
Moon Mahādasha: Devotional rites, calming worship, feeding Brahmins. (Vedic/Bhakti)
Mars Mahādasha: Protective havans, charity of bulls, martial donations. (Vedic)
Rahu Mahādasha: Naga Puja, goats in charity, strong yajñas. (Puranic/Tantric)
Jupiter Mahādasha: Vishnu worship, yajñas, donations to teachers. (Vedic/Puranic)

The Devi Angle — Feminine Energy Beyond Karma

As a Devi bhakt, I can personally share that the feminine energy of the Goddess is a refuge when Shani, Rahu, and Ketu test us. Kali is often said to be beyond karma itself — a force that dissolves karmic knots with sheer grace. In my toughest times, surrendering to Devi provided strength that logic or ritual alone could not.

Simple Devi Mantras

Here are some short, accessible mantras anyone can start with:

Durga Mantra (Tantric/Puranic): “Om Aim Hreem Kleem Chamundaye Vichche.”
Ya Devi verse (Puranic): “Ya Devi Sarvabhuteshu Shakti Rupena Samsthita, Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namah.”
Gayatri Mantra (Rig Veda 3.62.10 — Vedic): “Om Bhur Bhuvaḥ Swaḥ, Tat Savitur Vareṇyaṃ, Bhargo Devasya Dhīmahi, Dhiyo Yo Naḥ Prachodayāt.”

Two Directly Vedic Chants

Rig Veda 10.125.3 (Vāk Sūkta / Devī Sūkta): “Aham rāṣṭrī saṅgamanī vasūnām, cikituṣī prathamā yajñiyānām.” (“I am the Queen, the gatherer of treasures, the knower, the foremost of those worthy of worship.”)
Bṛhadāraṇyaka Upaniṣad 1.3.28 (Shukla Yajur Veda): “Asato mā sadgamaya, tamaso mā jyotirgamaya, mṛtyor mā amṛtaṃ gamaya.” (“From the unreal lead me to the real, from darkness lead me to light, from death lead me to immortality.”)

Practical Note

If one cannot read the full Durga Saptashati or perform Shat Chandi, reciting its Mool Mantra (Puranic):
“Sarva Mangala Mangalye Shive Sarvartha Sadhike, Sharanye Tryambake Gauri, Narayani Namostute.”

One can also supplement with “Ya Devi Sarvabhuteshu” verses three times before and after — alternating “Shakti Rupena Samsthita” and “Matre Rupena Samsthita.”

And for daily devotion, chanting or even listening to Ayigiri Nandini (Puranic) uplifts the mind and heart. Even reciting just the first stanza — “Ayigiri Nandini Nandita Medini Vishva Vinodini Nandinute” — is powerful.

Hanuman Chalisa — A Bonus Remedy Beyond Texts

Though BPHS does not explicitly mention the Hanuman Chalisa (Bhakti, composed by Tulsidas), countless practitioners testify to its power. Hanuman embodies courage, faith, and strength — qualities that neutralize malefic influences, especially of Saturn and Rahu. Many believe that regular recitation of the Hanuman Chalisa removes fear, protects from negative entities, and strengthens one’s resolve in times of trial. Modern commentary often connects its power to its rhythmic repetition of divine names, which calm the nervous system and anchor the mind.

Why Remedies Work

In the Vedic worldview, planets are not just celestial bodies. They are expressions of cosmic intelligence. When they become afflicted in our chart, they mirror karmic imbalances. Remedies — whether mantra, charity, or seva — are acts of harmony. They create resonance with divine forces and open channels for grace. They do not erase karma, but they ease the burden and invite a better unfolding.

Closing Thoughts

Astrology is a mirror, but remedies are the medicine. When the grahas afflict, we are not helpless. Adding the grace of Devi and the strength of Hanuman creates a complete spiritual armor. If you are navigating a difficult dasha or affliction, consider not just the prediction but the remedy — it may be the bridge between suffering and peace. Remember, even the worst diseases can be managed with medicine; karma cannot be negated but can be managed. A great video on this is by PVR Narsimha Rao on YouTube.

The sages gave us rituals, mantras, charities, and service as tools to engage with destiny consciously.

References
BPHS
https://barbarapijan.com
Moreover my Pet books are BPHS, Brighu Sutram ,Laghu Parashara and Hindu Astrology by shil ponde (in limited capacity tho) and few magazines in this field.

Disclaimer: Always consult a qualified priest or guide before performing major rituals. This blog is a study and reflection on classical sources, not a procedural manual.

Also I have made a detailed PDF on same kindly contact me if you want more . :).For Logged In users only on my webpage.

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“Asato mā sadgamaya, tamaso mā jyotirgamaya, mṛtyor mā amṛtaṃ gamaya.” (“From the unreal lead me to the real, from darkness lead me to light, from death lead me to immortality.”)
Bṛhadāraṇyaka Upaniṣad 1.3.28 (Shukla Yajur Veda)