Ketu Beej Mantra: Meaning and How to Chant

Meaning of the Ketu beej mantra

• ॐ (Om) is the primordial sound with which most Vedic mantras begin.
• स्रां स्रीं स्रौं (Sraam Sreem Sraum) are beej (seed) syllables. They are not translated word for word; tradition treats them as the sound-form of Ketu's energy, and सः (sah) seals the invocation.
• केतवे नमः (Ketave Namah) means "salutations to Ketu".

Why the Ketu mantra is chanted

Ketu is the second shadow planet, linked with detachment, intuition, spirituality and sudden, unexplained events. The Ketu beej mantra is traditionally chanted for spiritual focus and inner calm, to overcome confusion and hidden fears, and to ease Ketu's difficult periods.

Ketu verse from the Navagraha Stotra

This verse to Ketu comes from the Navagraha Stotra attributed to the sage Vyasa. Many people recite it before or after the beej mantra.

How the Ketu mantra is traditionally chanted

• Day: begin on a Tuesday, the day of Ketu.
• Count: the commonly cited total is 17,000 repetitions, about 158 rounds of a 108-bead mala, usually spread over many days.
• Daily practice: many people simply chant one round of 108 every day, or every Tuesday.
• Chant after bathing, in a clean and quiet place, with your attention on the sound.

Tuesday is a common day for Ketu, though some traditions prefer Saturday or Thursday. Many also worship Lord Ganesha for Ketu, and grey or multi-coloured clothes are traditional.

Ketu mantra and your Mulank

In numerology Ketu rules the number 7: Mulank 7, for people born on 7, 16 and 25 of any month, and Bhagyank 7. People with these numbers often chant the Ketu mantra to strengthen the planet's good qualities.

Also traditionally recited for Ketu: Ganesh Chalisa and Navagraha Stotram.

See also

• Mulank 7
• Bhagyank 7
• Ganesh Chalisa
• Navagraha Stotram

Mantras and chalisas are a matter of faith and tradition, and practices differ between families and teachers. Nothing here replaces medical, legal or financial advice.