Sun
Serving father and elders
Help your father or elder men at home with small things: medicine times, errands, simply sitting and talking.
When: Daily, especially Sunday
Tradition
Do / don't
Do
- Touch their feet and take their blessing.
Service: to cows, birds, elders and those in need
A roti for a cow, grain for birds, service to elders and workers: tradition names a form of service for each planet.
Feeding cows, dogs, birds or ants, serving elders and people in need; never harming any creature.
Sun
Sun
Roti and jaggery for a cow
On Sunday feed a cow a roti and a small piece of jaggery, or help a gaushala with fodder.
When: Sunday
Folk practice
Do / don't
Don't
- Never give animals plastic or spoiled food.
Moon
Moon
Serving mother and elder women
Spend time with your mother, grandmother or a lonely elderly woman nearby, and help with small tasks.
When: Daily, especially Monday
Tradition
Moon
Water for the thirsty
In summer keep a bowl of water outside for birds, or help at a public water stall.
When: Daily
Folk practice
Do / don't
Do
- Change the water daily.
Mars
Mars
Helping your siblings
Lend your siblings a hand with something; if there is a rift, take the first step.
When: Especially Tuesday
Tradition
Mars
Donating blood
If you are healthy, donate blood at a recognised blood bank; modern tradition links this with Mars (blood).
When: As the blood bank's rules allow
Folk practice
Do / don't
Don't
- Don't donate if you don't meet the blood bank's age, weight and health criteria; the doctor's advice comes first.
Mercury
Mercury
Green fodder for a cow
On Wednesday, feed green grass or green fodder to a cow, or at a nearby gaushala.
When: Wednesday
Tradition
Do / don't
Don't
- Never give animals stale, salty or plastic-wrapped food
Mercury
Grain and water for birds
Keep soaked moong or bird grain and a bowl of clean water on the roof or balcony.
When: Wednesday or daily
Folk practice
Do / don't
Do
- Change the water daily and keep the bowl clean
Don't
- Don't cage birds or buy them to 'set free'
Jupiter
Jupiter
Serving elders and teachers
On Thursday, do a small task for an elder at home, a teacher or a holy person; sit with them and listen.
When: Thursday
Tradition
Jupiter
Soaked chana dal and jaggery for a cow
On Thursday, feed a cow or at a gaushala a little soaked chana dal with a piece of jaggery.
When: Thursday
Folk practice
Do / don't
Don't
- Give only a little; never give animals stale, salty or plastic-wrapped food
Venus
Venus
Roti or fodder for a cow
On Friday, feed a roti or green fodder to a cow, or at a gaushala.
When: Friday
Tradition
Do / don't
Don't
- Never give animals stale, salty or plastic-wrapped food
Venus
Flour and sugar for ants
Leave a little flour mixed with sugar under a tree, away from the house.
When: Friday
Folk practice
Saturn
Saturn
Serving elders and working people
Spend time at an old-age home, check on a lonely elderly neighbour, or give a labourer water and food. Service done by hand is linked with Saturn in tradition.
When: Saturday, or whenever possible
Tradition
Do / don't
Do
- Quietly, without show
Saturn
A roti for a crow or a black dog
Put out a roti (lightly brushed with mustard oil if you like) for crows on the roof, or give it to a dog.
When: Saturday
Folk practice
Do / don't
Don't
- Don't disturb or tie up any animal; don't give stale or spoiled food
Rahu
Rahu
Helping strangers in need
Showing a traveller the way, giving a migrant worker water and food, or helping a newcomer learn the ropes. Tradition links Rahu with strangers.
When: Whenever there's a chance
Tradition
Rahu
Grain for birds
Put out a little millet or barley and a bowl of water on the roof or balcony.
When: Every morning, or Saturday
Folk practice
Do / don't
Don't
- Don't catch or cage birds; change the water daily
Ketu
Ketu
Service at a temple, ashram or satsang
Cleaning at a temple, serving at a bhandara, or helping at an ashram. Quiet service is linked with Ketu in tradition.
When: Whenever possible
Tradition
Do / don't
Do
- Without seeking name or show
Ketu
Food for dogs
Give a street dog a roti or clean water.
When: Daily, or Tuesday / Saturday
Folk practice
Do / don't
Don't
- Don't disturb the animal; don't give stale or spicy food