Ketu (South Node)

Bathe in the evening. Add kusha grass to the bathing water for purification. Wear clean grey, brown, or muted-coloured clothes. Ketu favours renunciation and simplicity.

Sit facing south. Hold water with kusha grass in the right palm. State your name, gotra, and intention to pacify Ketu for spiritual growth and karmic relief.

Place a vessel filled with water on a bed of seven mixed grains. Add kusha grass and sesame. Wrap kusha grass around the vessel neck. Cover with grey cloth.

Invoke Ketu by lighting the ghee lamp and offering kusha grass and mixed-coloured flowers. Recite "Om Ketave Namah" three times.

Chant the Ketu Beej Mantra 17,000 times (or 108 times minimum). Use a cat's eye (lahsuniya) or rudraksha mala. Meditate on a smoky, tail-like flame dissolving into light.

If possible, perform a small homa with kusha grass and ghee. Offer seven grains and sesame into the fire while chanting the Ketu Gayatri. Ketu is purified through fire.

Donate a blanket and seven mixed grains to the needy. Feed dogs (Ketu's associated animal). Support spiritual institutions, monasteries, or renunciates.

Pray to Ketu and Lord Ganesha (Ketu's presiding deity) for spiritual liberation, removal of obstacles, and past-life karmic resolution. Perform namaskar.