Markandeya Recounts Grahas Afflicting Men
Having described the grahas that afflict children, Markandeya turns to the seven types of grahas that seize men beyond sixteen years of age — each born from a different kind of encounter with gods, ancestors, siddhas, rakshasas, gandharvas, yakshas, or pishachas. But there is a protection that holds against them all.
Markandeya said: "I have thus recounted for you the great grahas (seizers, afflicting spirits) of the Kumaras. They are inauspicious up to sixteen years of age. After that, they turn auspicious. The listed group of mothers and the male grahas are always known by everyone as Skanda grahas, residing in the body. They are pacified through oblations, bathing, incense, collyrium, sacrifices and gifts, especially rites for Skanda. When thus worshipped and offered homage properly, all of them bestow welfare, long lives and energy on men.
"O Indra among kings! After worshipping Maheshvara, I will now recount the grahas that afflict men beyond the sixteenth year.
"The man who sees gods, whether asleep or awake, swiftly turns mad and the learned know this as devagraha (the god-seizer).
"The man who sees his ancestors, whether seated or asleep, swiftly turns mad and this is known as pitrigraha (the ancestor-seizer).
"He who disrespects the siddhas (perfected beings) angers them and is cursed by them, swiftly turning mad, and this is known as siddhagraha.
"He who inhales fragrances and tastes different flavours, swiftly turns mad and this is known as rakshasagraha.
"A man on earth who is touched by celestial gandharvas, swiftly turns mad and this is known as gandharvagraha.
"Over a period of time, a man who is entered by yakshas, swiftly turns mad and this is known as yakshagraha.
"A man who is always ascended by pishachas, swiftly turns mad and this is known as pishachagraha.
"A man whose mind is deluded and turbulent because of these evils, swiftly turns mad, and must be cured in accordance with the sacred texts. Men swiftly turn mad because of perplexity, fear and terrible sights, and must be cured through rites.
"There are three types of grahas — some are frolicsome, others are gluttons, and others are lustful. They afflict men until the attainment of seventy years of age. After that, fever is the equivalent of a graha for men.
"Grahas always avoid those who have not dispersed their senses and those who are controlled, pure and always attentive, and also those who believe in god and are devoted. This is the description of grahas that afflict men. Grahas do not touch men who are devoted to the god Maheshvara." Aranyaka Parva, Chapter 516