Remedies for studies

Steady effort and routine are the best companions in study. Tradition links learning with the 4th and 5th houses, Mercury and Jupiter; below are options starting at ₹0.

The planets tradition looks at for this topic

  • lord of the 4th (early education) house Tradition
  • lord of the 5th (intellect) house Tradition
  • Mercury: a karaka of the 4th; learning and intellect
    Classical text · Phaladīpikā XV.17 (V. S. Sastri)
    Phaladīpikā XV.17 (V. S. Sastri)
  • Jupiter: karaka of the 5th; knowledge and teachers
    Classical text · Phaladīpikā XV.17 (V. S. Sastri)
    Phaladīpikā XV.17 (V. S. Sastri)

No gem for a child under 12 (gem_rule R6), and no fasting; only conduct, mantra/prayer and seva.

The planets linked in your chart

    That did not work just now. Please try again in a little while.

    Mercury

    Food (₹0 free)

    Eating or sharing a simple grain or fruit linked with the planet, on its weekday.

    Mercury

    Mercury's grain: green gram (moong)

    On Wednesday, include moong dal, moong chilla or sprouted moong in a meal.

    When: Wednesday

    Classical text · Phaladīpikā (V. S. Sastri) II.28
    Phaladīpikā (V. S. Sastri) II.28
    Do / don't

    Do

    • Keep quantities in line with your health and your doctor's advice
    Mercury

    Green vegetables and green fruit

    On Wednesday, add green foods such as spinach, bottle gourd, green peas or guava to your plate.

    When: Wednesday

    Tradition
    Do / don't

    Don't

    • Skip anything you are allergic to or your doctor has ruled out; for health, the doctor comes first

    Fasting (₹0 free)

    The planet's weekday fast or Ekadashi, within your health; ask a doctor if unwell, pregnant or on medicines.

    Mercury

    Wednesday fast

    On Wednesday, eat one simple meal (such as moong khichdi) or only fruit; remember Ganesha or Vishnu in the morning.

    When: Wednesday, starting on a Shukla-paksha Wednesday

    Tradition
    Do / don't

    Do

    • Choose how many Wednesdays suits you; tradition often mentions 7, 11 or 21

    Don't

    • If you are unwell, pregnant or on medication, skip the fast or ask your doctor first
    Mercury

    Ekadashi fast

    Tradition links Mercury with devotion to Vishnu; on Ekadashi, keep a fruit fast or eat once, without grains.

    When: Ekadashi of each fortnight

    Tradition
    Do / don't

    Don't

    • If you are unwell, pregnant or on medication, skip the fast or ask your doctor first

    Conduct (₹0 free)

    Everyday conduct tied to what the planet signifies: respect for elders, honesty, discipline.

    Mercury

    Heeding elders, listening to scripture, keeping the mind clean

    For planets adverse in transit, Praśna Mārga lists this conduct: obey elders, listen to the Vedas and Puranas, keep the mind pure. Read or listen to a good text for a little while each day.

    When: Daily

    Classical text · Praśna Mārga XXII.31 (Raman tr.)
    Praśna Mārga XXII.31 (Raman tr.)
    Mercury

    What Mercury signifies

    Phaladīpikā links Mercury with the learned man, the artisan, the clever accountant and the Vishnu devotee. So Mercury's remedies focus on study, writing and honest dealings (this form of conduct is tradition).

    When: —

    Classical text · Phaladīpikā II.18 (V. S. Sastri)
    Phaladīpikā II.18 (V. S. Sastri)
    Mercury

    Truthful speech and fair dealings

    Think before you speak, don't mock anyone, keep your accounts clean, keep promises on time, and speak kindly to sisters, aunts and young children.

    When: Daily

    Tradition
    Do / don't

    Do

    • Help a student with their studies a little

    Don't

    • Avoid lies, harsh words and muddled debts

    Colour / clothes / direction (₹0 free)

    Clothes or flowers in the planet's colour on its weekday, and the direction linked with it.

    Mercury

    Green

    For planets adverse in transit, Praśna Mārga prescribes clothes and flowers of the planet's colour; Mercury's is green. On Wednesday wear something green, even a handkerchief or a border, and keep green leaves or durva in worship.

    When: Wednesday

    Classical text · Praśna Mārga XXII.27 (Raman tr.)
    Praśna Mārga XXII.27 (Raman tr.)
    Do / don't

    Do

    • A light green is fine; the point is remembrance, not fashion
    Mercury

    Direction: north

    Phaladīpikā gives north as Mercury's quarter. You may face north while studying or writing, and place Mercury on the north side in worship.

    When: While studying or in worship

    Classical text · Phaladīpikā II.15 (V. S. Sastri)
    Phaladīpikā II.15 (V. S. Sastri)

    Service (₹0 free)

    Feeding cows, dogs, birds or ants, serving elders and people in need; never harming any creature.

    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'

    Tree care (₹0 free)

    Watering or planting the tree linked with the planet (e.g. shami for Saturn, peepal for Jupiter).

    Mercury

    Apamarga (chirchita)

    BPHS names apamarga as Mercury's samidh (sacred fuel) in havan, so tradition treats it as Mercury's plant. Plant it in a pot or yard, or water it where it grows (planting and watering are tradition).

    When: Wednesday

    Classical text · BPHS (Santhanam) 84.21–22
    BPHS (Santhanam) 84.21–22
    Do / don't

    Do

    • Its burr-like seeds stick to clothes; plant it a little away from where children play
    Mercury

    Tulsi or any green plant

    Tradition links Mercury with Vishnu; grow tulsi or any green plant at home and tend it on Wednesday.

    When: Wednesday

    Tradition
    Do / don't

    Don't

    • Don't break branches or leaves without need

    Mantra / stotra / recitation (₹0 free)

    The planet's name-mantra, beej mantra or a stotra, a few calm minutes a day.

    Mercury

    Name mantra: ॐ बुधाय नमः

    After bathing in the morning, sit somewhere quiet and chant 'ॐ बुधाय नमः' 108 times (one mala).

    When: Wednesday morning, or daily

    Tradition
    Do / don't

    Do

    • Chanting is considered a help in focusing the mind; mind the feeling more than the count
    Mercury

    Beej mantra: ॐ ब्रां ब्रीं ब्रौं सः बुधाय नमः

    A beej mantra from the tantric tradition; chant it 108 times on Wednesday.

    When: Wednesday

    Tradition
    Mercury

    Reciting the Vishnu Sahasranama

    BPHS names Maha Vishnu as Mercury's presiding deity. Read or listen to the Vishnu Sahasranama on Wednesday (the choice of stotra is tradition).

    When: Wednesday

    Classical text · BPHS (Santhanam) 3.18
    BPHS (Santhanam) 3.18
    Do / don't

    Don't

    • If pronunciation is hard, listening is enough; don't worry about getting it wrong

    Lamp / temple visit / pilgrimage (₹0 free)

    Lighting a lamp on the planet's weekday or visiting a temple linked with it.

    Mercury

    A lamp in worship

    BPHS describes offering the planet flowers and cloth of its colour, sandal, a lamp and incense. On Wednesday evening, light a ghee lamp at your home shrine and place green durva.

    When: Wednesday evening

    Classical text · BPHS (Santhanam) 84.15–16
    BPHS (Santhanam) 84.15–16
    Mercury

    Visiting a Vishnu or Ganesha temple

    Phaladīpikā counts 'the place where Vishnu is kept' among Mercury's places. Visit a Vishnu temple on Wednesday; in North India, visiting a Ganesha temple on Wednesday is also tradition.

    When: Wednesday

    Classical text · Phaladīpikā II.15 (V. S. Sastri)
    Phaladīpikā II.15 (V. S. Sastri)
    Do / don't

    Don't

    • Don't make a temple visit a bargain for results; it is time for devotion

    Lal Kitab (₹0 free)

    Simple, harmless totke from Lal Kitab (a separate tradition); nothing that harms rivers, animals or property.

    Mercury

    Respect for sisters, daughters and aunts

    Lal Kitab links Mercury with sisters, daughters and aunts. Meet them with affection, and now and then give a small green gift (green bangles or a handkerchief).

    When: Wednesday

    Lal Kitab
    Lal Kitab (a separate tradition)
    Mercury

    Keeping teeth and mouth clean

    Lal Kitab links Mercury with the teeth; clean your teeth well every day (a habit, not a treatment; for any dental problem, see a dentist first).

    When: Daily

    Lal Kitab
    Lal Kitab (a separate tradition)
    Mercury

    Giving whole moong

    On Wednesday, give a little whole moong at a temple or to someone in need.

    When: Wednesday

    Lal Kitab
    Lal Kitab (a separate tradition)
    Do / don't

    Don't

    • Don't put anything into a river or pond

    Charity (₹0–₹51)

    Giving a small item linked with the planet, within your means, to someone in need on its weekday.

    Mercury

    Charity named in the texts: gold

    Both BPHS (84.25) and Praśna Mārga name gold as Mercury's gift. This is information; don't go beyond your means.

    When: Wednesday

    Classical text · BPHS (Santhanam) 84.25
    BPHS (Santhanam) 84.25
    Mercury

    Today's small form: moong, green vegetables, notebooks and pens

    On Wednesday, give moong dal or green vegetables to someone in need, or notebooks and pens to a student.

    When: Wednesday

    Tradition
    Do / don't

    Do

    • Whatever you give should be clean and useful

    Don't

    • Don't borrow to give, or give for show
    Mercury

    Feeding someone grain cooked in milk

    BPHS lists grain (paddy) cooked in milk as Mercury's offering when feeding Brahmins. Today's form (tradition): feed kheer or milk-rice to someone in need.

    When: Wednesday

    Classical text · BPHS (Santhanam) 84.23–24
    BPHS (Santhanam) 84.23–24

    Herbal bath (₹0–₹99)

    A bath with water steeped in the planet's herbs; skip it if your skin reacts.

    Mercury

    Bathing with the planet's herbal water

    For planets adverse in transit, Praśna Mārga mentions pouring the planet's medicated water over the body.

    When: —

    Classical text · Praśna Mārga XXII.32 (Raman tr.)
    Praśna Mārga XXII.32 (Raman tr.)
    Mercury

    For Mercury: nutmeg, honey, unbroken rice

    Add a pinch of nutmeg powder, a few drops of honey and a little unbroken rice to a bucket of water and bathe. Lists differ between traditions.

    When: Wednesday morning

    Tradition
    Do / don't

    Do

    • Patch-test on your hand first; stop if your skin reacts

    Don't

    • With any skin condition or allergy, ask your doctor first; for health, the doctor comes first

    Root (jadi)

    A plant root linked with the planet, worn in cloth or an amulet; traditions name different roots.

    Mercury

    Vidhara root

    Tradition gives the vidhara root for Mercury: on Wednesday it is worn tied in green cloth or on a green thread on the arm.

    When: Wednesday, Shukla paksha

    Tradition
    Do / don't

    Do

    • Buy from a reliable source; how to check is in the genuineness guide

    Don't

    • Never eat the root or use it as medicine

    How to check it is genuine →

    Rudraksha

    The rudraksha of the planet's mukhi (e.g. 7-mukhi for Saturn), with a genuineness check.

    Mercury

    Four-mukhi rudraksha

    Tradition links the four-mukhi rudraksha with Mercury. Wear it on a red or green thread at the neck or wrist.

    When: Wednesday

    Tradition
    Do / don't

    Do

    • Buy one with an X-ray or lab report; the mukhi lines should run clearly top to bottom

    Don't

    • Avoid glued or carved fakes; don't trust very cheap offers or big claims

    How to check it is genuine →

    Yantra

    The planet's number yantra on copper or bhojpatra, for the prayer place; no claims of power.

    Mercury

    Budh yantra

    Place a Budh yantra on a copper plate or bhojpatra at your home shrine on Wednesday; remember it with durva and a lamp during worship.

    When: Wednesday

    Tradition
    Do / don't

    Do

    • Treat the yantra as a focus for worship; keep it clean and dry

    Don't

    • Don't pay extra for 'siddh' or 'miraculous' claims

    How to check it is genuine →

    Sankalp puja / japa / havan (by a pandit)

    A pandit performs the planet's japa or havan with a sankalp in your name; agree the cost beforehand.

    Mercury

    Mercury's Vedic mantra japa: 9,000

    BPHS gives 9,000 as the japa count for Mercury's Vedic mantra (opening: 'उद्बुध्यस्व…'). A pandit takes the sankalpa, worships the planet and then does the japa; it is often spread over several days or pandits.

    When: Begun on a Wednesday

    Classical text · BPHS (Santhanam) 84.17–20
    BPHS (Santhanam) 84.17–20

    How to check it is genuine →

    Mercury

    Havan with apamarga samidh

    BPHS prescribes apamarga sticks for Mercury's havan, with honey, ghee, curd or milk, in 108 or 28 offerings.

    When: After the japa

    Classical text · BPHS (Santhanam) 84.21–22
    BPHS (Santhanam) 84.21–22

    How to check it is genuine →

    Mercury

    Sankalpa puja by a pandit: what happens, what it costs

    Sankalpa, Ganesha puja, Mercury puja (green cloth and flowers), mantra japa and a small havan. Usually ₹251–₹2,100 (from a short puja to one with havan); the full 9,000 japa can cost more, so ask in writing first.

    When: Wednesday

    Tradition
    Do / don't

    Don't

    • Stay away from pujas sold through fear or promises of quick results

    How to check it is genuine →

    Uparatna / gemstone

    Only for the chart's functional benefic planets; the lower-cost uparatna first, then a certified ratna. No gem is necessary.

    Always show the uparatna (lower cost) before the ratna. No gem is 'necessary'; ₹0 options always on top.

    No gem for children under 12. No gem offer during pregnancy, illness or grief (W12 rule).

    Check in my chart

    Mercury

    Uparatna: peridot or green tourmaline

    The lower-cost option first. Worn in gold or bronze, on the little finger, on a Wednesday (uparatna, metal, finger and day: tradition).

    When: Wednesday, Shukla paksha

    Tradition
    Do / don't

    Do

    • Only when this planet is a functional benefic for your chart (gem rule)
    • Consider a gem only when the birth time is known; tradition suggests keeping it with you for 3–7 days first, and removing it if anything feels wrong

    How to check it is genuine →

    Mercury

    Ratna: emerald (panna)

    Praśna Mārga names 'garuda' (emerald) as Mercury's gem, in the context of adverse transits; wearing the gem of a chart's benefic planet is today's tradition. Gold or bronze, little finger, Wednesday (metal, finger and day: tradition).

    When: Wednesday, Shukla paksha

    Classical text · Praśna Mārga XXII.29 (Raman tr.)
    Praśna Mārga XXII.29 (Raman tr.)
    Do / don't

    Do

    • Only when this planet is a functional benefic for your chart (gem rule)
    • Under our rule Mercury is eligible for these lagnas: Vrishabha, Mithuna, Kanya, Tula, Makara, Kumbha
    • If you buy, ask for a lab certificate with its number; how to check is in our genuineness guide

    Don't

    • No gem for children under 12; don't take up a gem during pregnancy, illness or grief
    • No gem is 'necessary'; the ₹0 options come first, and wearing one is your choice

    How to check it is genuine →

    Jupiter

    Food (₹0 free)

    Eating or sharing a simple grain or fruit linked with the planet, on its weekday.

    Jupiter

    Jupiter's grain: Bengal gram (chana)

    On Thursday, include chana dal, besan kadhi or besan chilla in a meal.

    When: Thursday

    Classical text · Phaladīpikā (V. S. Sastri) II.28
    Phaladīpikā (V. S. Sastri) II.28
    Do / don't

    Do

    • Keep quantities in line with your health and your doctor's advice
    Jupiter

    Yellow foods: turmeric, banana, yellow fruit

    On Thursday, add yellow foods such as turmeric, banana, papaya or mango.

    When: Thursday

    Tradition
    Do / don't

    Don't

    • If your doctor has limited sweet fruit, skip it; for health, the doctor comes first

    Fasting (₹0 free)

    The planet's weekday fast or Ekadashi, within your health; ask a doctor if unwell, pregnant or on medicines.

    Jupiter

    Thursday fast

    On Thursday, eat one simple yellow meal (such as chana dal or besan); remember Vishnu in the morning, and you may read or hear the Thursday vrat katha.

    When: Thursday, starting on a Shukla-paksha Thursday

    Tradition
    Do / don't

    Do

    • Choose how many Thursdays suits you; tradition often mentions 16

    Don't

    • If you are unwell, pregnant or on medication, skip the fast or ask your doctor first
    Jupiter

    Ekadashi fast

    Tradition links Jupiter with devotion to Vishnu; on Ekadashi, keep a fruit fast or eat once, without grains.

    When: Ekadashi of each fortnight

    Tradition
    Do / don't

    Don't

    • If you are unwell, pregnant or on medication, skip the fast or ask your doctor first

    Conduct (₹0 free)

    Everyday conduct tied to what the planet signifies: respect for elders, honesty, discipline.

    Jupiter

    Heeding elders, listening to scripture, keeping the mind clean

    For planets adverse in transit, Praśna Mārga lists this conduct: obey elders, listen to the Vedas and Puranas, keep the mind pure. Read or listen to a good text for a little while each day.

    When: Daily

    Classical text · Praśna Mārga XXII.31 (Raman tr.)
    Praśna Mārga XXII.31 (Raman tr.)
    Jupiter

    What Jupiter signifies

    Among the house karakas, Phaladīpikā names Jupiter for the 5th (children) and 9th (dharma, fortune). So Jupiter's remedies focus on respect for children, teachers and dharma (this form of conduct is tradition).

    When: —

    Classical text · Phaladīpikā XV.17 (V. S. Sastri)
    Phaladīpikā XV.17 (V. S. Sastri)
    Jupiter

    Respect for teachers and mentors

    Remember your teachers, mentors and elders; meet or call them now and then; teach children patiently; when you advise someone, do it honestly.

    When: Daily, especially Thursday

    Tradition
    Do / don't

    Do

    • Pass on what you have learnt

    Don't

    • Don't mock or insult teachers, gurus or scripture

    Colour / clothes / direction (₹0 free)

    Clothes or flowers in the planet's colour on its weekday, and the direction linked with it.

    Jupiter

    Yellow

    For planets adverse in transit, Praśna Mārga prescribes clothes and flowers of the planet's colour; Jupiter's is yellow. On Thursday wear something yellow, even a handkerchief, and keep yellow flowers in worship.

    When: Thursday

    Classical text · Praśna Mārga XXII.27 (Raman tr.)
    Praśna Mārga XXII.27 (Raman tr.)
    Do / don't

    Do

    • A light yellow or saffron is fine
    Jupiter

    Direction: north-east

    Phaladīpikā gives the north-east as Jupiter's quarter. You may face north-east in worship or study, and keep the north-east corner of the home clean.

    When: In worship or study

    Classical text · Phaladīpikā II.16 (V. S. Sastri)
    Phaladīpikā II.16 (V. S. Sastri)

    Service (₹0 free)

    Feeding cows, dogs, birds or ants, serving elders and people in need; never harming any creature.

    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

    Tree care (₹0 free)

    Watering or planting the tree linked with the planet (e.g. shami for Saturn, peepal for Jupiter).

    Jupiter

    Peepal

    BPHS names peepal as Jupiter's samidh in havan, and Phaladīpikā also counts the aśvattha (peepal) among Jupiter's places. On Thursday, water a peepal's roots or plant one in an open space (watering and planting are tradition).

    When: Thursday morning

    Classical text · BPHS (Santhanam) 84.21–22
    BPHS (Santhanam) 84.21–22
    Do / don't

    Do

    • Peepal grows into a large tree; plant it in open ground, away from walls and foundations, with permission
    Jupiter

    Banana plant

    Folk practice links the banana plant with Jupiter; on Thursday, water it, with a pinch of turmeric in the water.

    When: Thursday

    Folk practice
    Do / don't

    Don't

    • Don't break branches or leaves without need

    Mantra / stotra / recitation (₹0 free)

    The planet's name-mantra, beej mantra or a stotra, a few calm minutes a day.

    Jupiter

    Name mantra: ॐ बृहस्पतये नमः

    After bathing in the morning, sit somewhere quiet and chant 'ॐ बृहस्पतये नमः' 108 times (one mala).

    When: Thursday morning, or daily

    Tradition
    Do / don't

    Do

    • Chanting is considered a help in focusing the mind; mind the feeling more than the count
    Jupiter

    Beej mantra: ॐ ग्रां ग्रीं ग्रौं सः गुरवे नमः

    A beej mantra from the tantric tradition; chant it 108 times on Thursday.

    When: Thursday

    Tradition
    Jupiter

    Reciting the Vishnu Sahasranama

    Read or listen to the Vishnu Sahasranama on Thursday.

    When: Thursday

    Tradition
    Do / don't

    Don't

    • If pronunciation is hard, listening is enough

    Lamp / temple visit / pilgrimage (₹0 free)

    Lighting a lamp on the planet's weekday or visiting a temple linked with it.

    Jupiter

    A ghee lamp

    BPHS describes offering the planet flowers and cloth of its colour, sandal, a lamp and incense. On Thursday, light a ghee lamp at your home shrine or beside a banana plant (the ghee lamp is tradition).

    When: Thursday evening

    Classical text · BPHS (Santhanam) 84.15–16
    BPHS (Santhanam) 84.15–16
    Jupiter

    Visiting a Vishnu or Navagraha temple

    On Thursday, visit a Vishnu temple or a Navagraha temple for Brihaspati's darshan, and offer yellow flowers.

    When: Thursday

    Tradition
    Do / don't

    Don't

    • Don't make a temple visit a bargain for results; it is time for devotion

    Lal Kitab (₹0 free)

    Simple, harmless totke from Lal Kitab (a separate tradition); nothing that harms rivers, animals or property.

    Jupiter

    A saffron or turmeric tilak on the forehead

    After bathing, put a small tilak of saffron or turmeric on the forehead.

    When: Daily or Thursday

    Lal Kitab
    Lal Kitab (a separate tradition)
    Do / don't

    Don't

    • Skip it if your skin reacts
    Jupiter

    Respect for father, teachers and holy people

    Lal Kitab links Jupiter with the father, grandfather and teachers; respect them and seek their blessing on Thursday.

    When: Thursday

    Lal Kitab
    Lal Kitab (a separate tradition)
    Jupiter

    Chana dal or turmeric at a temple

    On Thursday, give a little chana dal or turmeric at a temple.

    When: Thursday

    Lal Kitab
    Lal Kitab (a separate tradition)
    Do / don't

    Don't

    • Don't put anything into a river or pond

    Charity (₹0–₹51)

    Giving a small item linked with the planet, within your means, to someone in need on its weekday.

    Jupiter

    Charity named in the texts: robes (yellow silk)

    BPHS (84.25) names robes as Jupiter's gift, and Praśna Mārga names yellow silk. This is information; don't go beyond your means.

    When: Thursday

    Classical text · BPHS (Santhanam) 84.25
    BPHS (Santhanam) 84.25
    Jupiter

    Today's small form: chana dal, turmeric, yellow cloth, books

    On Thursday, give chana dal and turmeric to someone in need or at a temple, or a book to a child.

    When: Thursday

    Tradition
    Do / don't

    Don't

    • Don't borrow to give, or give for show
    Jupiter

    Feeding someone curd rice

    BPHS lists curd and rice as Jupiter's offering when feeding Brahmins. Today's form (tradition): feed curd rice to someone in need.

    When: Thursday

    Classical text · BPHS (Santhanam) 84.23–24
    BPHS (Santhanam) 84.23–24

    Herbal bath (₹0–₹99)

    A bath with water steeped in the planet's herbs; skip it if your skin reacts.

    Jupiter

    Bathing with the planet's herbal water

    For planets adverse in transit, Praśna Mārga mentions pouring the planet's medicated water over the body.

    When: —

    Classical text · Praśna Mārga XXII.32 (Raman tr.)
    Praśna Mārga XXII.32 (Raman tr.)
    Jupiter

    For Jupiter: turmeric, liquorice root, yellow mustard

    Add a pinch of turmeric, a little liquorice root and a few yellow mustard seeds to a bucket of water and bathe. Lists differ between traditions.

    When: Thursday morning

    Tradition
    Do / don't

    Do

    • Patch-test on your hand first; stop if your skin reacts

    Don't

    • With any skin condition or allergy, ask your doctor first; for health, the doctor comes first

    Root (jadi)

    A plant root linked with the planet, worn in cloth or an amulet; traditions name different roots.

    Jupiter

    Banana root or a turmeric knot

    Tradition gives the banana root (or a whole turmeric knot) for Jupiter: on Thursday it is worn tied in yellow cloth or on a yellow thread on the arm.

    When: Thursday, Shukla paksha

    Tradition
    Do / don't

    Do

    • A turmeric knot is easy to find at home and is the lowest-cost form

    Don't

    • Never eat the root or use it as medicine

    How to check it is genuine →

    Rudraksha

    The rudraksha of the planet's mukhi (e.g. 7-mukhi for Saturn), with a genuineness check.

    Jupiter

    Five-mukhi rudraksha

    Tradition links the five-mukhi rudraksha with Jupiter. Wear it on a yellow or red thread at the neck or wrist. It is the most common rudraksha, so the price should be modest.

    When: Thursday

    Tradition
    Do / don't

    Do

    • Buy one with an X-ray or lab report; the mukhi lines should run clearly top to bottom

    Don't

    • Don't overpay for a five-mukhi; avoid glued or carved fakes

    How to check it is genuine →

    Yantra

    The planet's number yantra on copper or bhojpatra, for the prayer place; no claims of power.

    Jupiter

    Brihaspati (Guru) yantra

    Place a Guru yantra on a copper plate or bhojpatra at your home shrine on Thursday; remember it with yellow flowers and a lamp during worship.

    When: Thursday

    Tradition
    Do / don't

    Do

    • Treat the yantra as a focus for worship; keep it clean and dry

    Don't

    • Don't pay extra for 'siddh' or 'miraculous' claims

    How to check it is genuine →

    Sankalp puja / japa / havan (by a pandit)

    A pandit performs the planet's japa or havan with a sankalp in your name; agree the cost beforehand.

    Jupiter

    Jupiter's Vedic mantra japa: 19,000

    BPHS gives 19,000 as the japa count for Jupiter's Vedic mantra (opening: 'बृहस्पते अति यदर्यो…'). A pandit takes the sankalpa, worships the planet and then does the japa; it is often spread over several days or pandits.

    When: Begun on a Thursday

    Classical text · BPHS (Santhanam) 84.17–20
    BPHS (Santhanam) 84.17–20

    How to check it is genuine →

    Jupiter

    Havan with peepal samidh

    BPHS prescribes peepal sticks for Jupiter's havan, with honey, ghee, curd or milk, in 108 or 28 offerings.

    When: After the japa

    Classical text · BPHS (Santhanam) 84.21–22
    BPHS (Santhanam) 84.21–22

    How to check it is genuine →

    Jupiter

    Sankalpa puja by a pandit: what happens, what it costs

    Sankalpa, Ganesha puja, Brihaspati puja (yellow cloth and flowers, chana dal), mantra japa and a small havan. Usually ₹251–₹2,100 (from a short puja to one with havan); the full 19,000 japa can cost more, so ask in writing first.

    When: Thursday

    Tradition
    Do / don't

    Don't

    • Stay away from pujas sold through fear or promises of quick results

    How to check it is genuine →

    Uparatna / gemstone

    Only for the chart's functional benefic planets; the lower-cost uparatna first, then a certified ratna. No gem is necessary.

    Always show the uparatna (lower cost) before the ratna. No gem is 'necessary'; ₹0 options always on top.

    No gem for children under 12. No gem offer during pregnancy, illness or grief (W12 rule).

    Check in my chart

    Jupiter

    Uparatna: citrine or yellow topaz

    The lower-cost option first. Worn in gold, on the index finger, on a Thursday (uparatna, metal, finger and day: tradition).

    When: Thursday, Shukla paksha

    Tradition
    Do / don't

    Do

    • Only when this planet is a functional benefic for your chart (gem rule)
    • Consider a gem only when the birth time is known; tradition suggests keeping it with you for 3–7 days first, and removing it if anything feels wrong

    How to check it is genuine →

    Jupiter

    Ratna: yellow sapphire (pukhraj)

    Praśna Mārga names 'pushyaraga' (yellow sapphire) as Jupiter's gem, in the context of adverse transits; wearing the gem of a chart's benefic planet is today's tradition. Gold, index finger, Thursday (metal, finger and day: tradition).

    When: Thursday, Shukla paksha

    Classical text · Praśna Mārga XXII.29 (Raman tr.)
    Praśna Mārga XXII.29 (Raman tr.)
    Do / don't

    Do

    • Only when this planet is a functional benefic for your chart (gem rule)
    • Under our rule Jupiter is eligible for these lagnas: Mesha, Karka, Simha, Vrishchika, Dhanu, Meena
    • If you buy, ask for a lab certificate with its number; how to check is in our genuineness guide

    Don't

    • No gem for children under 12; don't take up a gem during pregnancy, illness or grief
    • No gem is 'necessary'; the ₹0 options come first, and wearing one is your choice

    How to check it is genuine →