Sun
BPHS: the Sun's image in copper
BPHS gives copper for the Sun's image in worship; that is why copper is taken as the Sun's metal.
When: —
Classical text · BPHS (Santhanam) 84.3–5
BPHS (Santhanam) 84.3–5
Yantra
A planet's yantra, on copper or bhojpatra, is kept in the puja space. Guide §7b.7
The planet's number yantra on copper or bhojpatra, for the prayer place; no claims of power.
Sun
Sun
A copper Sun yantra
Keep a Sun yantra on copper or bhojpatra in your puja corner, facing east; use it as a focus during Sunday lamp and japa.
When: Sunday
Tradition
Do / don't
Do
- Keep it clean and dust-free.
Moon
Moon
BPHS: the Moon's image in sphatika
BPHS gives sphatika (rock crystal) for the Moon's image in worship.
When: —
Classical text · BPHS (Santhanam) 84.3–5
BPHS (Santhanam) 84.3–5
Moon
A Moon yantra
Keep a Moon yantra on silver, copper or bhojpatra in your puja corner; use it as a focus during Monday lamp and japa.
When: Monday
Tradition
Do / don't
Do
- Keep it clean and dust-free.
Mars
Mars
BPHS: Mars's image in red sandalwood
BPHS gives red sandalwood for Mars's image in worship.
When: —
Classical text · BPHS (Santhanam) 84.3–5
BPHS (Santhanam) 84.3–5
Mars
A copper Mars yantra
Keep a Mars yantra on copper or bhojpatra in your puja corner, on the south side; use it as a focus during Tuesday lamp and japa.
When: Tuesday
Tradition
Do / don't
Do
- Keep it clean and dust-free.
Mercury
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
Jupiter
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
Venus
Venus
Shukra yantra
Place a Shukra yantra on a copper plate or bhojpatra at your home shrine on Friday; remember it with white flowers and a lamp during worship.
When: Friday
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
Saturn
Saturn
Shani yantra
Keep a Shani yantra on copper or bhojpatra at your home shrine and bow to it with a lamp on Saturdays. It is an aid to focus and worship.
When: Saturday
Tradition
Do / don't
Don't
- Don't buy any yantra sold with claims of 'power' or promised results
Saturn
In the text: an image, or a picture on cloth
For worship, BPHS asks for an iron image of Saturn, or a picture drawn on cloth in his colour, placed in his direction.
When: During worship
Classical text · BPHS (Santhanam) 84.3–5
BPHS (Santhanam) 84.3–5
Rahu
Rahu
Rahu yantra
Keep a Rahu yantra on copper or bhojpatra at your home shrine and bow to it with a lamp on Saturdays. It is an aid to focus and worship.
When: Saturday
Tradition
Do / don't
Don't
- Don't buy any yantra sold with claims of 'power' or promised results
Rahu
In the text: an image, or a picture on cloth
For worship, BPHS asks for a glass image of Rahu, or a picture drawn on cloth in his colour, placed in his direction.
When: During worship
Classical text · BPHS (Santhanam) 84.3–5
BPHS (Santhanam) 84.3–5
Ketu
Ketu
Ketu yantra
Keep a Ketu yantra on copper or bhojpatra at your home shrine and bow to it with a lamp. It is an aid to focus and worship.
When: Tuesday or Saturday
Tradition
Do / don't
Don't
- Don't buy any yantra sold with claims of 'power' or promised results
Ketu
In the text: an image, or a picture on cloth
For worship, BPHS asks for a bell-metal image of Ketu, or a picture drawn on cloth in his colour, placed in his direction.
When: During worship
Classical text · BPHS (Santhanam) 84.3–5
BPHS (Santhanam) 84.3–5
How to check a yantra is well made
- Ask the material: copper, silver or bhojpatra. Brass or coated sheet is sometimes sold as copper; have the metal written on the bill.
- Thickness: a very thin sheet bends easily in the hand. Ask for the thickness or weight in writing.
- Clean engraving: numbers and lines should be clearly readable, not a blurred print or a sticker.
- The number square should be correct: every row, column and diagonal of a planet yantra should add to the same total. In the common tradition the totals are Sun 15, Moon 18, Mars 21, Mercury 24, Jupiter 27, Venus 30, Saturn 33, Rahu 36, Ketu 39 (traditions may differ; compare with an almanac or book).
- Real bhojpatra is birch bark with visible layers and grain; printed paper is not bhojpatra.
Pause and think if you see these
- A high price for 'siddh' or 'pran-pratishthit' without proof.
- Any claim of a guaranteed result.
If someone sells through fear, 'buy today' or hurry, stop. A genuine purchase can wait and comes with a bill.
Get a proper bill for every purchase: the seller's name, address, GST number (if any), a full description, weight, price and the return policy.
Accept claims like 'abhimantrit', 'siddh' or 'pran-pratishthit' only if the seller states in writing who did it, when and how, and can show a video or photo. Such a claim should not be a reason to pay more.
We do not sell this; the information is here to help you recognise a fair price.
Lab names are only examples. Choose the shop that suits you, and take the checks above with you.