Navagraha kRtis of muttusvAmI dIkSitar

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navagraha kRtis of muttusvAmI dIkSitar

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Dikshitar's Navagraha (Nine Planets) kritis are among his most

famous sets. They contain a good deal of Vedic astrology, as well as

fine music. There is one kriti for each of the classical nine

planets.

 

The following lyrics and translations are taken from the LP

recording of Prof. S. Ramanathan. I have tried to correct some

typographical errors from that source (which is also very hard to

read), and hope I have not introduced too many of my own. Please let

me know of any errors.

The transliteration scheme is that used in the notes to that

recording, written by Robert Gottlieb. It is a truncated version of

that which I have used on the list of compositions.

 

The Nine Planets

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sUrya (Sun): sUryamUrtE namOstutE - *saurASTram/caturashra DhruvaM

candra (Moon): candraM bhaja mAnasa - *asAvEri/caturashra maTyaM

aHNgAraka (Mars): aHNgArakaM AshrayAmi ahaM - *surati/rUpakam

budha (Mercury): budham AshrayAmi - *nATTakuraHnji/mishra jhaMpa

bRhaspati (Jupiter): bRhaspatE tArApate - *aThAna/Tishra TripuTa

shukra (Venus): shrI shukrabhagavantaM - pharaj/khaNDa aTa

shani (Saturn): divAkaratanujaM shanaishcaraM -

*yadukulakAmbhOji/caturashra EkaM

rAhu: smarAmyahaM sadA rAhuM - ramAmanOhari/rUpakam

ketu: mahAsuraM kEtumahaM - cAmaraM/rUpakam

Note that the final two kritis (on the inauspicious "planets" Rahu

and Ketu) are now considered to be later compositions by Dikshitar's

followers, added to round out the traditional nine.

To caturdasha rAgamAlikA

To Carnatic page M. McComb

mccomb

 

 

sUrya

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rAga: saurASTram / tAla: cAturashra dhruva

sUryamUrte namOstu te sundaracchAyAdhipate

kAryakAraNAtmakajagatprAkasha simhArAshyadhipate

AryavinutatejassphUrte ArogyAdiphaladakIrte

sArasamitra mitra bhAno sahasrakiraNa karNasUno krUrapApaharakRshAno

guruguhamoditasvabhAno sUrijaneDita sudinamaNe somAdigrahashikhAmaNe

dhIrAcita karmasAkSiNe divyatarasaptAshvarathine

saurAStArNamantrAtmane sauvarNasvarUpAtmane bhAratIshahariharAtmane

bhuktimuktivitaraNAtmane

 

Translation

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Salutations Oh Lord in the form of Surya, the Lord of the beautiful

Chaya[1].

 

Oh illuminator of all infinite causes and effects in the world, the

Lord of Simha rasi[2]. One whose effulgent lustre has been praised

by those of highest esteem, the bestower of benefits such as good

health.

 

Friend to the day-lotus, a friend to all, the most resplendent one,

the thousand-rayed, the father of Karna[3], the fire swallowing

dreadful sins[4], whose brilliance has delighted Guruguha[5], one

who is praised by the learned, the auspicious day-jewel, crest-jewel

to Chandra and other planets, worshipped by the energetic, the

witness to all actions, one who has the chariot drawn by the seven

divine horses[6]. One whose principle nature is embedded in the

eight-syllabled hymn of praise[7], who is of golden hue, of the

nature of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva[8], and who confers material

benefits and spiritual emancipation.

 

Notes

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(lit. 'shadow'), a substitute form of Samjna, wife of Surya, who

assumed this disguise to escape the heat of her husband

Constellation Leo

 

Hero of the Mahabharata who having sided with the Kauravas against

the Pandavas was killed by Arjuna at the battle of Kuruksetra

The power of the Vedas radiates forth in the form of Surya, this

power illuminates all darkness and destroys the sins of the worlds.

A name for Subramanya (Skanda), son of Shiva who became the teacher

of the Gods [also Dikshitar's "pen name"]

 

This theme appears in numerous passages of the Vedas. The Sun-

temples of India are constructed along this theme, the most famous

being the Konarak temple in Orissa. The symbolism of the seven

horses has been explained in different ways; relating to the seven

days of the week, to the seven sacred metres of verse [see RV X130.4-

5], and to the seven colors of the solar spectrum. The seven horses

at Konarak are named after these colors: Rakta (red), Rocika

(orange), Pita (yellow), Nila (blue), Indra-nila (deep blue), Mocika

(violet) and Shukla (white).

 

ref. to the 'gayatri' hymn addressed to the Vedic solar god

Savitr: "May we attain that excellent glory of Savitr the god, so we

may stimulate our prayers." [RV III.62.10] This is the most sacred

of Hindu hymns and is recited daily by all Brahmins.

 

Surya is considered to be a manifestation of Vishnu, from whom all

Gods were created. On rising he appears in the form of Brahma

(creator), at mid-day as Vishnu (preserver) and on setting as Rudra

(dissolution). This theme has its roots in the Vedic myth of Vishnu

taking three steps over the universe: "I will declare the mighty

deeds of Vishnu, of him who measured out the earthly regions. Who

propped the highest place of congregation, thrice setting down his

footstep, widely striding." [RV I.154.1, also VII.99]

 

 

candra

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rAga: asaverI / tAla: cAturashra maThya

candraM bhaja mAnasa sAdhuhRdayasadRsham

indrAdilokapAleDitataresham induM SoDashakalAdharam NishAkaram

indirAsahodaraM sudhAkaramanisham

shaNkaramaulivibhUSaNaM shIakiraNaM caturbhujaM madanacchatraM

kSapAkaraM venkaTesanayanaM virANmanojananaM vidhum kumudamitraM

vidhiguruguhavaktraM shashaHNkaM gISpatishApAnugrahapAtraM

sharaccandrikAdhavaLaprakAshagAtraM

kaHNkaNakeyUrahAramukuTadhidharaM paHNkajaripuM

rohiNIpriyakaracaturam

 

Translation

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Mind, worship Chandra (pure and pleasing) who is like the hearts of

all good men.

 

(Worship Him) Always, the Lord of the stars[1] praised by the

guardian deities of Indra[2] and others, who moistens the Earth, the

one with sixteen digits[3], and rich in nectar[4].

 

(Worship Him) The ornament on Lord Shiva's crest, the cool-rayed,

the four-armed, the parasol of Madana[5], the night-maker, the eye

of Lord Venkatesa[6], mentally created by Virat[7], the inflictor of

suffering[8], the friend of the night-lotus, and the face of Lord

Subramanya who became the teacher of the creator. (Worship Him) Who

bears the mark of the hare[9], who was first cursed and later

favored by Brhaspati, with his white body shining bright in autumn,

the wearer of armlets, bracelets, necklace and crown, enemy of the

day-lotus and a courteous lover of Rohini[10].

 

Notes

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Lord of the 27 naksatras, the stars which oversee the 27 lunar

mansions of the zodiac. These are considered to be the wives of

Chandra.

 

The Vedic God of thunderbolt and battle, the King of the Gods who

vanquishes demons of drought and darkness

The 16 lunar phases (kala)

 

The Vedic God Soma, the Moon, is the repository of the rich soma

nectar which is the ambrosial drink of the Gods. As this nectar is

derived from the Moon it moistens the Earth. The process of

producing soma is closely identified with the Moon. "As the Moon-God

pours down his ambrosial rain through the sieve of heaven he is

addressed and worshipped as pavamana (self-purifying), represented

by the soma juice as it undergoes purification by flowing through

the wool which is used as a filter or strainer." [RV IX.1] Most of

the hymns of this Book are addressed to soma the nectar, or Soma, or

Indu the Moon.

 

The parasol symbolizes Chandra's role as a follower and attendant to

Madana ('infatuator'), the God of Love, also called Manmatha

('churner of the mind'), Kama ('desire') or Smara ('love').

The form of Shiva having three eyes, the Sun, Moon and Fire, the

three sources of light which illuminate the worlds. The eye of Fire

is the strongest. This looks inward on the forehead but when

directed outwards it can destroy all that appears before it.

The secondary creator virat-purusa, created by Brahman as primeval

man. "The Moon was engendered from his mind, and from his eye the

Sun had birth, Indra and Agni from his mouth were born, and Vayu

(air) from his breath. Forth from his navel came mid-air; the sky

was fashioned from his head; from Earth his feet and from his ear

the regions. Thus they formed the worlds." [RV X.90.13-14]

Chandra fell in love with Tara, the beautiful wife of Brhaspati, and

abducted her. There was a prolonged war between Chandra and

Brhaspati in which the Gods became involved. This ultimately

resulted in the defeat of Chandra and his separation from Tara. Thus

Chandra has come to be identified with the despair and suffering of

separated lovers.

 

The surface markings on the Moon reveal in outline form the figure

of a hare. For this reason Chandra is sometimes referred to as

Shasha (hare).

 

The star Aldebaran, constellation Taurus; of the 27 naksatras Rohini

is the favorite of Chandra

 

http://www.medieval.org/music/world/carnatic/lyrics/navagraha.html