THE NAVAGRAHA KIRTANAS OF DIKSHITAR

CONTRIBUTED BY
ALAMELU RAMAKRISHNAN

ILLUSTRATED BY
S.RAJAM

The Navagrahas are nine important dieties of the Hindu religious tradition. They are Surya,
Chandra, Angaraka, Budha, Guru, Sukra, Sani, Rahu and Ketu. They stand for nine planets, the
English equivalents of the first seven being, Sun, Moon, Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus and
Saturn. The last two, Rahu and Ketu are planet-like entities, unique to the Hindu tradition.
The nine Navagraha dieties are to be be found in a small, special, square enclosure in every
temple. No visit to a temple is complete without the devotee offering worship at this enclosure. And
a copper plate with the Navagrahas inscribed on them, as illustrated above, is often to be found in
the Puja room in Hindu households among the objects kept for worship. For, the Navagrahas are
believed to determine the course of our lives.
Ancient Indian seers had an extensive knowledge of Astronomy derived from observation,
analysis and profound insight. They observed also that planetary movements and human affairs
presented remarkable coincidences and concurrences within repetitive cyclic patterns that made
them predictable. Thus they codified their composite knowledge of Astronomy and Astrology into
a single science called Jyotisha. And this work became sufficiently significant to human affairs
that it was invested with the status of a Vedanga, a limb of the Vedas.
The Navagrahas have lived in lived in the minds of millions in India over the millenia. They
have been celebrated and worshipped in sloka and stotra, in sculpture and music. Muthuswamy
Dikshitar, one of the great Trinity of Carnatic music, dedicated nine of his delectable compositions
to the Navagrahas. These compositions are reproduced below the nine drawings to emphasise the
Indian view that name and form, colour and sound, are but manifestations of the Divine.
Links are given below to a brief rendering of each song by
Vijaya Ramkumar,
a Volunteer of Vidya Vrikshah.


navagraha http://www.vidyavrikshah.org/arts/grahakirtanas.html
1 of 10 5/18/2014 10:38 PM
SURYA - THE SUN
Raga: Saurashtram Tala: Dhruvam
rag:H s:ara t:al:H D:v:
CLICK HERE TO HEAR A BRIEF RENDERING OF THIS SONG

p:ll:ev:
s:y:m:t: n:m:<st:t:
s:ndrCay:aeD:p:t:
An:p:ll:ev:
kay:karN:at:m:k
j:g:t:)kaS:
es:hraSy:aeD:p:t:
Aay:ev:n:t: t:j:sPt:
Aar<gy:aed Pl:dkit:
c:rN:
s:ars:em:*: em:*: B:an:<
s:h+ekrN: kN:s:n:<
#rp:ap:hr kS:an:<
g:,g:hm:<edt:
sv:B:an:<
s:erj:n:eRt:
s:edn:m:N: s:<m:aed
g:h eS:K:am:N:
D:iracc:t: km:s:aex:N:
edvy:t:r s:pt:aareT:n:
B:art:iS: herhratm:n:
B:Vt: m:Vt:
ev:t:rN:atm:n:
Oh Lord of the Sun ! Consort of the beauteous Chaya !
Salutations to you !.



Oh Iluminator of this universe bound by cause and effect,
Lord of the Simha Tasi, Effulgent and adored by the noble
men, Bestower of gifts like health !




Oh Lord of the Sun! Friend of the lotus and splendour of
light of a thousand rays; and the father of Karna ! The fire
that destroys sin; self-luminous, saluted by scholars; anf
favourite of Guruguha; O Lord of the day; chief of the
planets like the moon; worshipped by the brave; the witness
of all activity; rider of the divine chariot drawn by seven
horses; soul of the Saurashtra Mantra, of golden
complexion; and Who is identical with Brahma, Vishnu and
Siva, Oh Bestower of devotion and salvation !.



navagraha http://www.vidyavrikshah.org/arts/grahakirtanas.html
2 of 10 5/18/2014 10:38 PM
CHANDRA - THE MOON
Raga: Asaveri Tala: Matyam
rag:H As:av:er t:al:H m:(
CLICK HERE TO HEAR A BRIEF RENDERING OF THIS SONG

p:ll:ev:
c:nd B:j: m:an:s:
s:aD:dy: s:dS:
An:p:ll:ev:
Endaed l:<k p:al:eRt:
t:arS: End \:<RS:kl:aD:r
en:S:akr Endras:h<dr
s:D:akrm:en:S:
c:rN:
S:r m:aeL ev:B:\:N:
S:it:ekrN: c:t:B:j:
m:dn:C*: x:p:akr
v:XS: n:y:n: ev:raNm:n:
<j:n:n: ev:D:
km:dem:*: ev:eD:
g:,g:hv:V*: S:-
S:a g:i\p:et:S:ap:an:g:h
p:a*: S:rcc:ndkaD:v:L
)kaS: g:a*:
kN: ky:r har
m:kXaedD:r p:j:erp:
r<ehN:i e)y:krc:t:r


Oh mind! Let us sing in praise of the Moon, the very heart of the
pious.


Who is worshipped by Indra and other rulers of the worlds; the
spouse of Tara; who has sixteen Kalas (phases); the creator of night,
the brother of Indira, the producer of the Nectar; let us constantly
sing his praise.
He who is the ornament of the Lord Siva's crest; possessed of cool
rays; who has four arms and Cupid for his parasol; the creator of
night; the very eyes of Venkatesa; born of the mind of Virat,
known as Vidhu; friend of the water lily; with the face of Brahma
and Guruguha; with the figure of a hare; who receives both the
curses and blessings of Brhaspati; who has a white body shining like
the rays of the autumn moon; who wears a wristlet, armlet, garland
and a crown; who is hostile to the lotus; and who is the darling of
Rohini.



navagraha http://www.vidyavrikshah.org/arts/grahakirtanas.html
3 of 10 5/18/2014 10:38 PM
ANGARAKA - MARS
Raga : Surati Tala :Rupakam
rag:H s:reX t:al:H -p:km:
CLICK HERE TO HEAR A BRIEF RENDERING OF THIS SONG

p:ll:ev:
Aarkm:ay:amy:h
ev:n:t:aet:j:n:m:ndar
m:g:Lv:ar B:em:km:ar
v:ar v:ar
An:p:ll:ev:
S:ark m:\: v:k
raSy:aeD:p:et: rVt:a
rVt:amb:raedD:r
S:Vt:S:l:D:r
m:L kmb:g:L m:Wj:Lt:r
p:dy:g:L m:Lday:k
m:\:t:r m:kr<:

c:rN:
dan:v:s:rs:ev:t:
m:ndsm:t:ev:l:es:t:v:V*:
D:rN:i)d B:at:kark
rVt:n:*:
din:rx:k p:ej:t: v:n:aT:
x:*: edvy:aG:aed g:,g:h
kXax:an:g:h p:a*:
B:an:c:nd g:,em:*:
B:as:m:an: s:kL*: j:an:sT:
hst:ec:*:
c:t:B:j:m:et:ev:ec:*:

I take refuge in Angaraka, who is like the divine Mandara tree to
his humble devotees; who is the presiding deity of Tuesday, and
the son of earth.

Who is the Lord of the cherished Mesha and Vrischika (the signs
of the Zodiac, Aries &Scorpio); who has a reddish glow, wears a
red dress and bears a sword and a trident; the auspicious one,
with a beautiful neck, with lovely feet, the bestower of blessings ,
who rides on a goat, and whose highest apogee is the Makara Rasi
(Capricorn).


He who is worshipped by gods and demons alike; has a beaming
and smiling face; bestower of wealth of lands and brotherhood,
possessed of red eyes, protector of the afflicted, worshipped in the
temple of Vaidyanatha; favoured by the three groups of divine
teachers such as Divyaugha, Siddhauga and Manavaugha in the
Srichakra worship and Guruguha; who is the friend of Surya
(Sun), Chandra (Moon) and Brhaspati (Jupiter); who shines with
his good wife, his hands resting on his knees, possessed of four
arms,and extraordinary in many ways.



navagraha http://www.vidyavrikshah.org/arts/grahakirtanas.html
4 of 10 5/18/2014 10:38 PM
BUDHA - MERCURY

Raga : Natakuranji Tala : Misra Jhampa
rag:H n:aXkerWc: t:al:H em: J:p:
CLICK HERE TO HEAR A BRIEF RENDERING OF THIS SONG

p:ll:ev:
b:D:m:ay:aem: s:t:t:
s:rev:n:t:
c:ndt:aras:t:

An:p:ll:ev:
b:D:j:n:v:edt:
B:s:rm:<edt:
m:D:rkev:t:a)d
m:hn:iy:s:mp:d
c:rN:
km:s:m:et: g:,g:h
m:daket:
kj:v:erN:
m:eN:m:kXharky:r
kN:aed D:rN: km:n:iy: t:r
em:T:n:
kny:aeD:p: p:st:k kr
n:p:s:k
ekrj:n:m:eht: eklb:\:aed
reht:
S:rB:Vt:eht: s:dan:nds:eht:

Constantly do I seek shelter in Budha whom the celestials worship, who is the son
of Chandra and Tara.



Who is revered by the learned ones and brings joy to the Bhusuras; who is the
bestower of the sweet art of poetry, the one of splendrous wealth.

Who is bright saffron in colour, whose form gives delight to Guruguha; who is the
enemy of Kuja (Mars); who wears a gem-studded crown, necklace, armlets and
bracelets; who is the Lord of the Zodiac signs of Mithuna and Kanya (Gemini and
Virgo); who carries a book in his hand; who is of the neuter gender; who is
honoured by all who wait in him; who is devoid of all sins; benefits the devotees of
Siva, and is ever joyous.




navagraha http://www.vidyavrikshah.org/arts/grahakirtanas.html
5 of 10 5/18/2014 10:38 PM
GURU - JUPITER
Raga : Athana Tala : Triputa
rag:H AYaN:a t:al:H e*:p:X
CLICK HERE TO HEAR A BRIEF RENDERING OF THIS SONG

p:ll:ev:
b:hsp:t: t:arap:t: b:j:at:
n:m:<st:t:
An:p:ll:ev:
m:hab:l:ev:B:< g:i\p:t:
m:Wj:D:n:am:in:aeD:p:t:
m:hndap:aes:t:akt:
m:aD:v:aedev:n:t: D:im:t:
c:rN:
s:rac:ay:v:y: v:$D:r
S:B:l:x:N:j:g::y:g:r<
j:raedv:ej:t:a#<D:
kc:j:n:kaet:j:n:klp:t:r<
p:raer g:,g:h s:mm:<ed
p:*:kark din:b:nD:< p:raed c:tv:aer
v:aksv:-p:)kaS:k dy:aes:nD:<
en:ram:y:ay: n:iet:k*: en:rkS:ay:
ev:B:*: en:rWj:n:ay: B:v:n:B:
<V*:en:rS:ay: m:K:)da*:

Oh Brhaspati! Lord of Tara! the one born of Brahma, I salute you .

Oh Omnipresent one! Lord of great strength, Lord of speech; who rules
the Zodic signs of Dhanus and Meena (Capricorn and Pisces); whose form
is adored by Indra; who is acclaimed for his great intellect by Vishnu and
others.
Who is the great preceptor of the celestials, wielder of the thunder- bolt,
Vajrayudha; of form auspicious; the preceeptor of the three worlds; who is
free from old age and anger; the father of Kaca; who is a Kalpataru for
those who come to him for refuge; who are the delight of Lord Siva and
Guruguha; who grants progeny; the friend of the hapless; the
manifestation of the four levels of speech like Para and others; who is an
ocean of compassion; devoid of all illness, the author of the Smrti; who
cannot be restrained by anyone; who is the Lord of the universe, the
blemish-less one who delights the worlds, the one who bestows the fruits of
sacrifice.




navagraha http://www.vidyavrikshah.org/arts/grahakirtanas.html
6 of 10 5/18/2014 10:38 PM
SUKRA - VENUS
Raga : Pharaju Tala : Ata
rag:H Prj: t:al:H AX
CLICK HERE TO HEAR A BRIEF RENDERING OF THIS SONG

p:ll:ev:
i S:# B:g:v:nt:
ec:nt:y:aem: s:nt:t:
s:kl:t:tv:W:
An:p:ll:ev:
h S:#B:g:v:n: m:a
AaS: p:al:y: v:\:
t:l:aD:iS: dty:
eht:<p:dS:
kS:v: kXax:k n:*:
ekriXD:r D:v:Lg:a*:
c:rN:
ev:S:et: v:ts:r<R dS:a
ev:B:ag: Av:g: kev:
kL*:kark rev: en:j:r
g:,v:erN: n:-
v:aS: h<r daN:aed
v:g:<:m:av:s:r s:m:y:
v:#<cc: n:ic: sv:x:*:
v:rknd
m:l:e*:k<N:
e*:S:aS: \:y:S:
Orav:t:aS: p:aerj:at:aS:
g:<p:raS: raj:y:
<g:kark rajy:)d
g:,g:h m:dm:
Constantly do I meditate on Lord Sukra (Venus), who has complete
knowledge of all truth.



Oh Lord Sukra Bhagavan! protect me soon; You who are the Lord of
Rishaba and Tula, (the Zodiacal signs of Taurus and Libra); who gives
good counsel to the Asuras (demons); whose one eye was safeguarded
by the grace of Kesava; who wears a crown and whose body is white.

Whose revolution in the heavens takes twenty years to complete; and
who influences various constellations; who has eight Vargas-divisions;
who is a poet; the bestower of Kalatra, the spouse; who is hostile
towards Sun and Jupiter while in Navamsa, Hora, Drekkana, Vakra,
Ucca, Nica, Svakshetra, Varakendra,and in Mulatrikona; and who,
while in the different aspects (Amsas), Trimsamsa, Shastyamsa,
Airavatamsa, Parijatamsa,and Gopuramsa, bestows Raja Yoga -
royalty and kingdom and joy.


navagraha http://www.vidyavrikshah.org/arts/grahakirtanas.html
7 of 10 5/18/2014 10:38 PM
SANI - SATURN
Raga: Yadukula Kambhoji Tala: Ekam
rag:H y:dkl: kamb:<ed t:al:H Ok
CLICK HERE TO HEAR A BRIEF RENDERING OF THIS SONG

p:ll:ev:
edv:akrt:n:j: S:n:sv:r
D:irt:r s:nt:t: ec:nt:y:h
An:p:ll:ev:
B:v:amb:en:D:a
en:m:gn:j:n:an:a B:y:r
Aet:#rPl:d B:v:an:iS:kXax:
p:a*:B:t:
B:Vt:m:t:a Aet:S:y:S:B:
Pl:d
c:rN:
kal:aWj:n: kant:y:Vt:dh
kal:s:h<dr kakv:ah
n:il:aS:kp:\p:m:al:av:t:
n:il:rtn:B:\:N:al:kt:
m:ael:n:i ev:n:t: g:,g:h
m:edt: m:kr kmB:raeS:
n:aT: et:l:-
t:l:em:et:a dip:e)y:
dy:as:D:as:ag:r en:B:y:
kal:dNR p:erep:eRt: j:an:
kaem:t:aT: Pl:d kam:D:n:
kal:c:#B:d ec:t:rB:an: klp:t:
Cay:adv:i s:n:
Constantly do I meditate upon the slow-moving Sani, the son of Sun
(Surya), the one of great courage.

Who causes fear in people immersed plunged in the ocean of worldly
life; who is the harbinger of the bad effects in one's life; who grants
unique and auspicious rewards for devotees favoured by Paramasiva's
benevolent glances.

Who with a body of dark lustre, like collyrium, is the brother of
Yama, the god of death; who uses the crow as his vehicle; who wears
a blue dress, a garland of blue flowers, and ornaments embedded
with blue sapphires; who delights Guruguha; who is worshipped with
the Malini Mantra; who is the lord of the two Rasis Makara and
Kumbha (Capricorn and Aquarius); who has special liking for the
lamp lit with sesame oil (Tila Taila) and for rice cooked with sesame
seeds; who is an ocean of the nectar of compassion; who is fearless;
whose knee was disfigured by the staff of Kala, the god of death; who
is like Kamadhenu, granting all desires; who is the fire capable of
splitting the time-cycle of life; and who was conceived as the son of
the goddess Chaya.



navagraha http://www.vidyavrikshah.org/arts/grahakirtanas.html
8 of 10 5/18/2014 10:38 PM
RAHU
Raga: Rama manohari Tala: Adi
rag:H rm:am:n:<her t:al:H Aaed
CLICK HERE TO HEAR A BRIEF RENDERING OF THIS SONG

p:ll:ev:
sm:ramy:h s:darah
s:y:c:ndv:ixy:
ev:kt:dh
An:p:ll:ev:
s:ras:r r<g:hr
s:p:aedB:iet:hr
S:p:as:n: s:K:kr
S:l:ay:D: D:rkr

c:rN:
kraLv:dn: keYn:
ky:an:aN:
k,N:adap:a
c:t:B:j:
K:K:XaedD:rN: c:m:aed
n:il: v:s*:
g:<m:dkaB:rN:
S:en:S:#em:*: g:,g:h
s:nt:<\:krN:
Always do I meditate on Rahu, who remains within the watchful gaze of
the Sun and the Moon; who is possessed of a deformed body.

Who bears a character of both a celestial and a demon; who cures
diseases and removes the fear of snakes from the minds of devotees; who
is comfortably seated on the Surpasana and bears a trident in his hand.

Who has a frightful, fierce face and a harsh mind; who is pleased with
those who chant the Kayanarna hymn; who wears armour, and sports a
sword, and other weapons in his four hands; who wears blue silk and
wears ornaments studded with the Gomedaka (cat's eye); who is the
friend of Sani-Saturn and Sukra-Venus and who gives Guruguha
happiness..



navagraha http://www.vidyavrikshah.org/arts/grahakirtanas.html
9 of 10 5/18/2014 10:38 PM
KETU
rag:H c:am:r t:al:H -p:k
CLICK HERE TO HEAR A BRIEF RENDERING OF THIS SONG

p:ll:ev:
m:has:r kt:m:h
B:j:aem: Cay:ag:hv:r
An:p:ll:ev:
m:haev:ec:*:m:kXD:r
m:Lv:s*:aedD:r
n:rp:iYsT:t: s:K:
n:v:g:hy:t: s:K:
c:rN:
kt: kNv:n: m:n*:N:
#<D:en:eD: j:em:n:
kl:tT:aed B:x:N:
k<N:Dv:j:p:t:aekn:
g:,g:hc:am:rB:rN:
g:N:d<\:ej:t:aB:rN:
g:hN:aed kay:karN:
g:hap:s:vy:s:Wc:aerN:
I offer my obeisance to the mighty demon Ketu, the foremost of the
Chayagraha, or shadowy planets.

Who is adorned with an extraordinary crown and auspicious silk
garments; who is comfortably seated on a human being and is positioned
amidst the nine planets.


Who is extolled in the Ketum Krnvan hymn; who is born in the Jaimini
clan; who revels in anger; who enjoys offerings of horse gram
(Kuluttha); who has a triangular flag; and bears the fly wisk (Chamara)
belonging to Guruguha; who is an ornament for those who have
transcended the Guna Dosha, or the hold of good and bad; who brings
about the eclipse,
and orbits around all the planets in reverse movement.


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navagraha http://www.vidyavrikshah.org/arts/grahakirtanas.html
10 of 10 5/18/2014 10:38 PM