Thread by @jeysundhar_d

It’s that time of the year again! The 9 days of festivities, Navaratri is here! Celebrated in various parts of the country in various ways, the festival is special for several reasons. #Navratri #Navaratri2019 #Thread

From the familiar golu in TN to Navaratri fasting concluding with the grand celebrations of Dasami or Dusshera depending on which part of India you're in, the festival is filled with lore, legend and backstories found in Itihasas and Puranas.
#Navratri #Navaratri2019

Some of you may remember that last year during the 9 days of #Navratri, we spoke about 9 kritis of the Navavaranas dedicated to goddess Kamalaamba,composed by Muthuswami Dikshithar. Here’s the thread if you’d like to jog through it.

https://twitter.com/jeysundhar_d/status/1050333783986073600

#Navaratri2019

I condensed the thread into an article for @IndianExpress here indianexpress.com/article/opinio…
#Navaratri2019 #Navratri

@IndianExpress This year, as Navaratri begins on a Sunday, I think we should look at the Navagraha kriti collection of Muthuswami Dikshithar. Why? What’s the connection?

@IndianExpress Well, for one, the kritis are arranged in the order of the days of the week, with each day dedicated to one Graha of the horoscope. I know that makes for only 7 days of the week and 9 grahas (and 9 kritis). But we'll get to that in a bit. #Navaratri2019 #Navratri

@IndianExpress #Navaratri2019 begins today, a Sunday, and the 1st kriti in the collection is dedicated to Surya, the Sun God.

Tomorrow's Monday, "Somavara" and the 2nd Kriti is dedicated to Chandra (Soma), and so on. #Navratri

@IndianExpress Before we go to the 1st Kriti, a bit of backstory on why Dikshithar got around to writing the Navagraha kritis in the first place. #Navaratri2019 #Navratri

This is a stamp dedicated to Dikshithar issued in 1976 (the bicentennial of his birthday).

@IndianExpress Legend has it that Dikshithar's disciple Thambiappa Pillai suffered from a stomach ailment. A Shakti Upasaka trained in astrology, Dikshithar concluded that this was due to the malign influence of Brihaspati in his horoscope #Navaratri2019 #Navratri

@IndianExpress Dikshithar felt that instead of complex rituals, singing a kriti may be more appropriate for Thambiappa Pillai to propitiate Brihaspati. He composed Brihaspate Taarapate in Atana ragam and taught it to his student. #Navratri2019 #Navratri

@IndianExpress Thambiappa Pillai was cured of his ailment by regularly singing the song. Encouraged by this and probably because of his penchant for group kritis, Dikshithar composed the other kritis of the group. #Navaratri2019 #Navratri

@IndianExpress His other group kritis include the Kamalaamba Navavaranas that we saw last year, the 8 kritis on Nilotpalaamba, the Guruguha Vibhakti Kritis etc. #Navaratri2019 #Navratri

@IndianExpress Even if they are known as the Navagraha Kritis, it is commonly held that the last two Kritis (on Rahu and Ketu) were composed by Dikshithar’s disciples to complete the group.

@IndianExpress Which seems to hold some water, because the 1st 7 Kritis are composed sequentially in the Suladi Sapta talas, the 7 base Tala types (Check 1st 2 columns of chart below). The last two are both in Rupaka Tala, as is the 3rd Kriti. #Navaratri2019 #Navratri

@IndianExpress Let's not digress into what the Anga notations in the chart mean. That's a separate thread for another day. Now on to the 1st Kriti dedicated to Surya - Suryamurte Namostute! #Navratri #Navaratri2019

@IndianExpress Sorry about the delay! So, here we go!

As we have seen with the Navavaranas, with Dikshithar kritis, every aspect is important, the lyrics, the choice of Ragam, Talam etc.

@IndianExpress So, before we head on to Suryamurte Namostute, let's immerse ourselves in this image of Surya. The role of visual imagery going with the lyrical description of Dikshithar is priceless!

@IndianExpress Dikshithar begins the Kriti with a salutation to Surya - Namostute. He calls Him as the Lord of the beautiful Chhaaya.
Chhaaya is a word we associate with shadow. Most Pauranic accounts agree that the consort of Surya, Saranyu, leaves him for the forest. +

@IndianExpress In her place, Saranyu leaves behind her shadow, literally, "Chhaaya".
Here we have Saranyu and Chhaaya. See if you can tell the difference :)

The story of how Surya discovers this is not relevant to us. #Navaratri2019 #Navratri

@IndianExpress What is more interesting is that Dikshthar chooses to address Surya as "Chhayaadhipate" and not as the Lord of Saranyu.

Perhaps he felt that considered a lesser being, Chhaaya would find cause to sympathise with the devotee.

@IndianExpress He then calls Surya as the Illuminator of all cause and effect in the world. Remember the line from Troy, where Priam says "Apollo sees all"? Apollo is the Greek equivalent of Surya.

@IndianExpress Surya is called as the Lord of the Simha rasi, the Leo sign of the Zodiac. Here's a chart of the various Grahas and the corresponding rasis they are Adhipathis of.

@IndianExpress After saying that Surya's effulgence has been praised by the noble people, Dikshithar comes to the benefit of worshiping Surya.
"Aarogyaadi..." Surya bestows benefits starting from health.

Anyone here with a Vitamin D deficiency? :)

@IndianExpress Surya is called a friend to the Lotus, a flower/plant that can bloom/grow only with copious amounts of sunlight, and cannot handle cold weather.
Surya is also the thousand-rayed fire that swallows all sins.

@IndianExpress And here comes a well-known snippet from the Mahabharata, that Surya is the father of Karna.
This is followed by the signature verse found in several of Dikshithar's kritis, where he uses his chosen pen name, Guruguha, who is delighted by the brilliance of Surya.

@IndianExpress Surya is praised by the learned and is the auspicious day-jewel.

And here, Dikshithar brings in his knowledge of Jyotisha and calls Surya as the crest jewel of the Navagrahas "Grahashikhamane" he says.
See how central his presence is?

@IndianExpress The next verses are poetically interesting. Surya's chariot is pulled by 7 divine horses, and he is the Lord of the 8-lettered mantra.

This draws from the Saura sect where Surya is the main deity.

@IndianExpress But, remember how we discussed that nothing in a Dikshithar kriti is by accident?
The choice of ragam for this kriti is Saurashtram.

He splits the word Saurashtram, into Saura and Ashta, suffixes the latter with aarnamantratmane to get to the Saura Ashtakshara!

@IndianExpress So Saurashtram becomes Saura Ashtaarnamantratmane, the one embedded in the Saura Ashtakshara Mantra.

But there's more! With Dikshithar, there's always more!

@IndianExpress The ragam Saurashtram is janyam out of the 17th Melakarta ragam, which is... Suryakantam! *goosebumps*

In his system of ragams, Dikshitar calls Suryakantam as Chhaayavati, again showing his preference for Chhaaya over Saranyu!

@IndianExpress Continuing with the alliteration of "sau" from Saura, he calls Surya as the one of golden hue, Sauvarnasvarupaatmane, he says.
Surya is also the form of Brahma, Vishnu and Isha (Shiva) and therefore gives both material benefits and mukti! #Navaratri2019 #Navratri

@IndianExpress With that, we come to the end of the first of the Navagraha kritis. Here's an image of Surya with both his consorts from Suryanarkovil, of the Navagraha temples in Tamil Nadu.
May his blessings be with us all!
#Navaratri2019 #Navratri

@IndianExpress I know it's late into the night, but wanted to stick to the days of the week and grahas associated with them.

Tomorrow, Monday (Somavara), the day dedicated to the moon, we will look at the 2nd Kriti, dedicated to Soma, the moon. #ToBeContinued #Navaratri2019 #Navratri

@IndianExpress Continuing from yesterday, today being Monday, we shall look at the kriti dedicated to Chandra - Chandram Bhaje. #Navaratri2019

@IndianExpress The kriti begins with a command by Dikshithar to his own Mind, to worship Chandra.

As we had done with Surya, here's an image of Chandra. #Navaratri2019

@IndianExpress Dikshithar draws a comparison between Chandra and the hearts of Sadhus.
As Surya was the crest jewel of the Navagrahas, Chandra is the Lord of the stars, a reference to His marrying the 27 daughters (Star constellations) of Daksha. Here are the 27 Nakshatras.

@IndianExpress Referring to the 16 phases of the Moon, Dikshithar addresses him by a lesser known name "Indu" and calls him as the creator of the Night, again a less common word "Nisha" is used for "night".

@IndianExpress Now comes an interesting part in the Kriti.
Dikshithar calls Chandra as brother of Indhiraa (Lakshmi), a reference to the story of churning the Milk Ocean for Amrit, when both Moon and Lakshmi emerged from the ocean and so, are siblings. Ref picture.

@IndianExpress Chandra adorns Shiva's crest, the one with the cool rays (contrast with the thousand rays of the Surya from yesterday). He has four hands, and is the parasol of Madana.

After all, who better to give cover to Madana (Manmatha), but the Lord of the Night. :)

@IndianExpress Now comes another interesting snippet, where Dikshithar calls Chandra as the eye of Venkatesa (the Lord of Tirupati).While most Gods have Surya and Chandra as eyes, Tirupati is reputed to be a sthala for those wishing to propitiate Chandra.

@IndianExpress Dikshithar follows it up saying Chandra is born from the mind of the Virat Purusha, a reference to "Chandramaa Manaso Jaata" from the Purusha Sukta of the Rig Veda.

@IndianExpress Interestingly while Surya is called Saarasamitram, or the friend of the Lotus that blooms during the day, Chandra is Kumudha mitram, friend of Kumudha, the "night lotus" that blooms during the night.

@IndianExpress He also refers to Chandra as the face of Guruguha, which even while referring to the author, in this place refers to Skanda (also called Guruguha), whose face resembles the moon in its resplendence.

@IndianExpress Then comes a snippet that reminds me of the Sivananda Lahari of Sankara. Dikshithar refers to mark of hare on the Moon and calls him Shashanka, something Sankara calls Pasutam. +

@IndianExpress In the Sivananda Lahari, Sankara appeals to Siva, saying that the Moon has various faults.

It goes dark, has animal aspects and has a twisted orbit.

If Siva deemed the moon worthy of adorning His hair, why not accept Sankara at his feet?

@IndianExpress Dikshithar continues to draw from Pauranika stories and mentions that Chandra was cursed and blessed by Brihaspati, and describes the ornaments Chandra wears.

@IndianExpress Dikshithar concludes by calling Chandra as the enemy of the day-Lotus (remember how it needs sunlight to bloom?). He contrasts the "enemy" part by saying that Chandra is the lover of Rohini. +

@IndianExpress Now, even while Chandra marries all 27 Nakshatras, he has a special attachment towards Rohini. Ref chart and see how Rohini is closely associated with Chandra.

That this special love towards Rohini leads to Chandra being cursed by his Father-in-law Daksha is another story.

@IndianExpress Thus, we come to the end of today's kriti "Chandram Bhaja",. The kriti is composed in Asaveri ragam with Matya talam, the 2nd Talam.

We will talk about the 3rd Kriti, dedicated to Angaraka tomorrow, Tuesday. #Navaratri2019

@IndianExpress So, today's the 3rd day of #Navaratri2019, Tuesday (Mangalavara).

Let's look at the 3rd kriti of the Navagraha Kritis, dedicated to Angaraka/Mangala, Angarakam Ashrayamyaham.

@IndianExpress Here's a representation of Angaraka. As we know, he's represented in red colour (Mars).

@IndianExpress Diskhithar opens the kriti by seeking shelter/refuge under Angaraka, as He is the Mandara tree, one of the 5 devatarus (divine trees). It is considered to be Erythrina Variegata.
Why Mandara tree? Ref pic

@IndianExpress As we saw, the red colour of Angaraka will repeatedly find mention in the kriti. Starting from the comparison to Mandara tree, whose flowers are coral red.

@IndianExpress Angaraka is called the Lord of the Mangalavaara, Tuesday, as well as the son of Earth. How's that?

The reference is to the Pauranika story of Varahavatara, where Angaraka is born while Vishnu as Varaha, rescues Bhumi from the ocean.

@IndianExpress Here's a stunning Pallava sculpture from Mahabalipuram of Varaha rescuing Bhumi.

It is then that our Graha of the day, Angaraka is born.

@IndianExpress Like Surya was the Lord of the Simha Rasi, Angaraka is the Lord of Mesha and Vrishchika rasis.

The red color finds its place again, with Dikshithar calling Him as red-limbed and wearing a red dress.

@IndianExpress The description continues with a mention of the weapons that Angaraka wields- Shula and Shakti.

In other descriptions, he wields a Trishula, Gada (mace) and Lotus.

@IndianExpress Angaraka by his very name (Mangala), is auspicious and brings auspiciousness. He has an elegant conch-like neck, and lotus-like feet.

He rides the ram (Mesha) and occupies an exalted position in Capricorn (On the horoscope).

@IndianExpress With such powers, it is no surprise that Angaraka is worshipped by both Danavas and Suras (Devas).

He has a smiling face and bestows on the worshipper, land and the support of brothers.

@IndianExpress The colour red finds another mention, with Angaraka called "red-eyed".

With such vigilant eyes, Angaraka is Dinarakshaka, the protector of the weak.

@IndianExpress And here, the Navagraha sthalas in Tamil Nadu find a mention. Dikshithar says that Angaraka is worshipped in the Vaidyanatha Kshetram.

Vaideeswarankovil in TN,where Siva is beseeched by devotees, to propitiate Angaraka.

@IndianExpress In mentioning his signature Guruguha, Diskthithar once again refers to Skanda (the deity associated with Angaraka).

He says that Angaraka is the beneficiary of the blessings of Guruguha and other Gods.

@IndianExpress Now come Angaraka's association with the other Grahas. He is the friend of Surya, Chandra and Brihaspati!

He has a resplendent consort (Similarly called Mangalaa).

@IndianExpress Dikshithar wraps up the kriti with a last look at Angaraka. The extraordinary Angaraka has 4 arms and is seated with his hands on his knees. Ref pic.

The kriti is composed in Surati Ragam and Roopaka Talam.

@IndianExpress As we saw earlier, Roopaka Talam will return for the last 2 kritis. But that's for later.

Tomorrow being Wednesday (Budhavaara), we will look at the 4th kriti, dedicated to Budha.

@IndianExpress My apologies that we could not look at the Navagraha Kriti on Budha on Wednesday. To compensate, we’ll try to do both Budha and Brihaspati today (Thursday).

@IndianExpress Before we go ahead with the kriti on Budha, Budham Aasrayami, here’s a picture of Budha. He is green (in some texts, yellow) in colour and rides a lion(Yali in some cases).

@IndianExpress Yaali is a mythical creature with the head and body of a lion and tusks and trunk of an elephant. In some cases, it has a horse’s body with a lion’s head and wings.

@IndianExpress As with the kriti on Angaraka, Dikshithar opens it by seeking eternal refuge with Budha.

He says that Budha is the son of Chandra and Tara and is worshipped by the Devas (Suravinutam).

@IndianExpress Now, we have already seen Chandra. Who is Tara? If you go back to the 2nd kriti (Chandram Bhaja), it says Chandra was cursed and blessed by Brihaspati. Why did this happen?

https://twitter.com/jeysundhar_d/status/1178729186212466695

@IndianExpress Chandra begets a child through Brihaspati’s wife Tara. While she’s pregnant with the child, Brihaspati enquires to know who the father of the child is.

Tara eventually admits that the child is Chandra’s.

@IndianExpress An angry Brihaspati curses that the child would be born neuter gender. We’ll get to that in a bit.

Continuing with the kriti now.

@IndianExpress Dikshithar says that Budha is revered by the learned and brings joy to the Brahmins. Budha is the Griha of thinking, talent for fine arts et al.

He bestows the art of poetry and great wealth to those who worship Him.

@IndianExpress Budha is as radiant as saffron and his form gives great delight to Guruguha. He is referred to as the enemy of Angaraka, which I believe has to do with their relative positioning in the horoscope.

@IndianExpress Now Dikshithar elaborates on Budha's appearance. What a decorated appearance it turns out to be!
Budha wears a gem studded crown, necklace, armlets and bracelets, and holds a book in hand (check out scroll in upper right hand and the part about him bestowing poetry and arts?)

@IndianExpress Dikshithar calls Budha as one of neuter gender. This is a curse from Brihaspati.

Budha eventually marries Ila, a deity who is born Sudyumna (male) and then transforms into a female (Ila).

@IndianExpress Here's a sculpture from Surendrapuri in Telangana, of Budha and Ila.

Interestingly, their child is Pururavas, who being the grandson of Chandra, founds the Chandravanshi dynasty.

@IndianExpress Even more interestingly, Sudyumna/Ila is born to Vaivasvata Manu, who is also the father of Ikshvaku.
Thus the Suryavanshis and Chandravanshis are born from Vaivasvata Manu.

@IndianExpress Getting back to the kriti, Dikshithar describes Budha as devoid of sins and the Lord of Mithuna and Kanya rasis(As Surya is of Simha).

@IndianExpress While Budha is usually associated with Vishnu, here Dikshithar says that Budha bestows his grace on the devotees of Shiva.

@IndianExpress Dikshithar concludes by saying Budha is always joyous, sadananda sahitam!

The kriti is in Nattakurinji ragam and the 4th Tala - Jhampe.

@IndianExpress As promised, we will look at the kriti dedicated to Brihaspati today, in a few hours.

It is "Brihaspati Taarapate".

@IndianExpress Before we move to Brihaspati, I forgot to mention something about Budha.
Remember the part where Dikshithar says Budha bestows his grace to the devotees of Siva?
Budha worshipped Siva at the Swetaranyeswarar Temple in Tiruvenkaadu.

@IndianExpress Here we have Brihaspati.
He is golden yellow.

True to his position as the Suraguru, the preceptor of the Devas, he carries a Japamala in his upper right hand and a staff in his upper left.

@IndianExpress Dikshithar conveys salutations to Brihaspati and immediately addresses him as Tarapate, the Lord of Tara.
As preceptor, he is a Brahmana and is addressed as Geeshpati, the learned one.

@IndianExpress He is called Mahabalavibho, the Lord of great strength. He is also the Lord of Dhanur and Meena rasis.

His knowledge is praised and respected not just by Indra and the Devas, but also by Madhava (Vishnu).

@IndianExpress He is Suraacharya, the teacher of the Devas. Interestingly, Dikshithar also calls him Vajraadhara, the wielder of Vajra (the thunderbolt usually associated with Indra).

He is Shubalakshana, the one with auspicious attributes.

@IndianExpress Dikshithar says Brihaspati is not just Guru to the Devas, but also Guru to all 3 worlds. Despite this, he is also not susceptible to anger or aging.

I wonder if the two are connected. Can you slow down ageing simply with equanimity? We should ask the ageless Brihaspati.

@IndianExpress And here comes a story... Brihaspati is the father of Kacha.

Why is Kacha important?

Because Brihaspati sent his son to Shukracharya, the preceptor of the Asuras to learn the Mrita Sanjeevani Mantra.

@IndianExpress Kacha plays his cards well. He knows that there would be obstacles from the Asuras who will not want the secret of Mrita Sanjeevani to reach the Devas.

So, what does he do?

@IndianExpress Kacha gets into the good books of Devayani, the daughter of Shukracharya.
Here's an Amar Chitra Katha cover on the story of Kacha and Devayani.

@IndianExpress Despite this, the Asuras make several attempts, including some successful ones to kill Kacha.

But every time he is killed, upon Devayani's request, Shukracharya revives him using the...you guessed it, Mrita Sanjeevani Mantra.

@IndianExpress But since Kacha himself is dead while the Mantra is chanted and is revived only at the end of it, he does not learn it.

Until one day, when the Asuras in their attempt to stop him, end up enabling him to learn it.
How?

@IndianExpress As the story goes, the Asuras kill Kacha, mix his ashes in a drink and ensure that Shukracharya drinks it.

When he realises that he has drank Kacha, Shukra gets into a dilemma.

@IndianExpress He can very well use the Mrita Sanjeevani and revive Kacha, but that would mean Kacha would emerge out of Shukra thus killing Shukra.

But Devayani is insistent. She is inconsolable, having fallen in love with Kacha.

@IndianExpress Not left with much choice, Shukracharya decides to teach the Mantra to Kacha who is inside Shukra's stomach.

After Kacha learns, Shukra revives him. In turn, Kacha uses the newly learnt Mantra to revive Shukra.

@IndianExpress Kacha is alive, so Devayani is happy. Having learnt the Mantra, Kacha's objective is achieved. Just revived to life, Shukra too is happy.

At this point, you'd think this story has a fairytale ending. But ,no.

@IndianExpress Successful at his endeavor, Kacha wants to return to Devaloka. Devayani wants him to marry her.

Kacha conveys that as Guru is to be seen as a father, she being his Guru's daughter is like a sister to him.
Uh-oh.

@IndianExpress Enraged, Devayani curses that Kacha will forget the Mrita Sanjeevani Mantra and will not be able to use it.

Kacha counter-curses Devayani that she will never get a husband of strong character.

@IndianExpress Both curses play out.

Kacha's learning goes in vain when it's most needed.

Devayani marries the king Yayati, who takes Sharmistha too as his wife. Yayati's sons establish dynasties that play vital roles in the Mahabharata.

@IndianExpress Coming back to our thread on the kriti on Brihaspati.

Brihaspati is also called Kalpataru, the wish-fulfilling tree.
He is a delight to Guruguha and Siva.
Interstingly, Dikshithar calls Siva as Puraari, the destroyer of Puras, the three cities.

@IndianExpress Puraari, an epithet that is not too common in the attributes of Siva.

Dikshithar calls Brihaspati as the bestower of children, Deenabandhu (friend of the weak) and Dayasindhu (ocean of compassion).

@IndianExpress Another interesting epithet that Dikshithar uses, for Brihaspati is Paradi Chatvari Vaksvaroopa prakashaka.

This is a reference to the 4 (Chatvari) phases of speech.

@IndianExpress What are these 4 phases?
1. the inner voice where the thought first occurs - Para Vak
2. forming of the thought through energy in the stomach - Prathama
3. transforming the thought into sound in the throat - Madhyama
4. Actual utterance of speech - Vaikhari

@IndianExpress Dikshithar says Brihaspati is responsible for proper manifestation of a thought from Para Vak to Vaikhari.

As he is ageless, he is also devoid of illness. He is a Nitikarta, the author of Smriti, a reference to the influential Brihaspati Smriti.

@IndianExpress Brihaspati, being the preceptor of the Devas, is independent and is the Vishwa bharta - the sustainer of the Universe.

If this seems exaggerated, remember that this is the 1st of Navagraha Kritis that Dikshithar wrote, in order to cure his disciple of a stomach ailment.

@IndianExpress So, it is natural that the praise is a little overwhelming. After all, Brihaspati has to be propitiated for Dikshithar's disciple to return to health, right?

@IndianExpress Calling him untarnished and bestower of vigor, Dikshithar concludes by saluting Brihaspati who delights in sustaining the worlds.

The last verses are poetically sound, with coupling of one "Nir-"(without fear/tarnishment) attribute and a positive epithet.

@IndianExpress This kriti is composed in the Atana ragam and Tishra Triputa Talam.

May Lord Brihaspati protect us all! We will look at the kriti Sri Shukra Bhagawantam tomorrow.

@IndianExpress I hope we are all in #TGIF mode. Because today, we'll look at Sri Shukra Bhagawantam, the Dikshithar kriti on Shukracharya, the preceptors of the Asuras.

But first, who is Shukracharya?

@IndianExpress Shukra is the son of the sage Bhrigu, one of the Saptarishis, and so an ancestor of Jamadagni and Parasurama. Endowed with all knowledge, he becomes the preceptor of the Asuras.

He is represented in a manner similar to Brihaspati, the preceptor of the Devas.

@IndianExpress Dikshithar says he meditates upon Shukra, the one who knows all truth.

All truth? Remember the kriti from yesterday, where we saw how Brihaspati sent his own son Kacha to Shukra for learning?

@IndianExpress When Kacha emerged out of Shukracharya's stomach, he revived the latter using the newly learnt Mrita Sanjeevani Mantra and addressed him as the treasury of unsurpassed knowledge, and the giver of endless learning.

@IndianExpress Interestingly, Shukra is the only Graha that Dikshithar addresses as Bhagawan! Some have said that it is because he was born in the same clan as Parasurama, and some have said it is because Shukra is the only Graha with ashtalakshana, the 8 attributes.

@IndianExpress Shukra is the Lord of the Tula and Vrishabha rasis, and the preceptor to the Daityas (the sons of Diti, aka Asuras)

He wears a crown and has a body that is dazzling white (Remember that Venus/Shukra is the brightest planet in the night sky).

@IndianExpress Dikshithar addresses Shukra as the one-eyed who was blessed by Kesava.

Remember the Vamana story of how Shukra is blinded to ensure Mahabali completes his promise? That is the reference drawn here.

@IndianExpress Thus, Shukra is Kesavakataakshaikanetram.

To the devotee, he bestows his grace for a period of 20 years. This period where a planet presides over a horoscope, called Dasha, is divided into smaller periods called Bhukti. For Shukra, the dasha period is 20 years.

@IndianExpress Shukra is called a poet and one who bestows a consort.

Dikshithar elaborates on the planetary positions in which Shukra bestows Rajayoga, kingdom, wealth etc.

@IndianExpress He refers to the odd movement of the planet (Venus spins from east to west, unlike the earth which spins from west to east).

Shukra is the enemy of Surya and Brihaspati (as we have seen, this is about the respective positions in the horoscope).

@IndianExpress Thus we come to the end of the kriti, with Dikshithar saying that he brings happiness to Guruguha as well.

The kriti is composed in the ragam Paraju, a choice that has been attributed to Shukra being an ancestor of Parasurama.

@IndianExpress The tala used is Khanda Ata.

Tomorrow, Saturday, we will look at the kriti dedicated to Shani.

May Shukra bestow his blessings on us all.

@IndianExpress Continuing with the Navagraha kritis, today we'll look at Divaakara Tanujam - dedicated to Shani, composed in the ragam Yadukula Khamboji and Talam Chatusra Ekam.

@IndianExpress This is Shani, with his distinct attributes. As you can see he holds a Trishula, like Shiva.
His mount is a crow.

@IndianExpress Now to the kriti.
Dikshithar says he always meditates upon Shani, who is the son of Surya, courageous and slow-moving.

Son of Surya? Remember Chhaya, the consort of Surya who we discussed earlier in the thread?

https://twitter.com/jeysundhar_d/status/1178353726341271553

@IndianExpress Shani is the son of Surya and Chhaaya.

Slow-moving?
We'll have to understand that during Dikshithar's time, the farthest known planet was Saturn. Uranus had been observed,but was not considered a planet in the solar system.

@IndianExpress It is logical to presume that the discovery of Uranus (1781) was not known to Dikshithar (1775-1835) at the time of composition of the kritis.

Saturn was the farthest planet known and with a revolution period of almost 30 years, is being called "slow-moving".

@IndianExpress Shani also takes 2.5 years to move from one rasi to another, another reason for being called slow-moving.

Shani causes fear in those dwelling the worldly life and is the harbinger of calamitous events.

@IndianExpress However, despite this portent, Dikshithar says that Shani brings great benefits to those devoted to Lord Shiva. See why I mentioned that he holds a Trishula like Shiva?

@IndianExpress Diskhithar goes on to describe Shani. His body is dark and lustrous like collyrium, wears a blue dress and is decorated with blue flowers and ornaments studded with blue stones.

@IndianExpress He is the brother of Yama, another son of Surya.

Notice the similarities in the representation below.

@IndianExpress Mentioning that Shani's mount is the Crow, Dikshithar says that He was worshipped by Malini, a name for Draupadi, who worshipped Shani during their period of exile

The signature phrase Guruguha is mentioned by saying that Guruguha is delighted by Shani's grace.

@IndianExpress Now comes the part about worshipping Shani. Remember that the primary purpose of the kritis was to provide a way for lay followers to propitiate the Navagrahas.

@IndianExpress Shani likes lamps lit with sesame oil and rice cooked with sesame seeds. To those who worship him thus, he is an ocean of compassion and bestows fearlessness.

@IndianExpress To them, he becomes the Kamadenu that grants all that is wished for. He is the fire that is capable of splitting the time-wheel (he can delay the inevitable/death).

@IndianExpress Dikshithar concludes by saying that Shani is the son of Chhaaya.

With this, we come to the conclusion of the Kriti on Shani.

@IndianExpress As I had mentioned earlier, it is commonly held that the 7 kritis we have discussed so far, are the ones that Dikshithar composed.
The next 2 kritis that we shall discuss tomorrow, were supposedly composed by his disciples to complete the set.

@IndianExpress The upcoming kritis are dedicated to Rahu and Ketu. We shall look at these two Chaaya grahas tomorrow.

May Shani bless us all!

@IndianExpress Apologies for the delay caused by the dilemma of whether or not we should discuss the kritis dedicated to Rahu and Ketu as part of the thread.

Both composed in the Rupaka Tala.

@IndianExpress As I had mentioned earlier, there are strong arguments that the kritis on Rahu and Ketu were composed by Dikshithar's disciples to complete the set of Navagraha kritis.

But then, should we treat them sub-par because of that? I think not. So, here we go.

@IndianExpress Before we go to the kritis, a bit of backstory on Rahu and Ketu.
If you remember the Samudra Manthan episode, where the Kshira Saagara or Milk Ocean was churned. +

@IndianExpress + for Amrit, jointly by the Devas and the Asuras, with Mount Meru as the churn-staff, Vasuki as the rope. Vishnu, as the Kurma, supported Meru from below.

We will not get into the whole story of the poison from Vasuki etc.

@IndianExpress Finally, along with several divine things, Amrit emerged. Immediately, the Devas and Asuras started fighting over it.

Vishnu appeared in the form of Mohini, and asked the Devas and Asuras to assemble on separate sides.

@IndianExpress While the Asuras were entranced by her beauty, Mohini gave each Deva a spoon of Amrit while deceiving the Asuras of it.

But as always there's a #NotAll scenario. Svarbhanu, a sharp-eyed Asura, realised what Mohini was up to.

@IndianExpress See how it unfolded!

@IndianExpress Svarbhanu, disguised himself as a Deva and sat between Surya and Chandra.
It was too late when they spotted him. Svarbhanu had already swallowed a drop of Amrit.

@IndianExpress But hey, why fear when Vishnu's here?
Mohini, as soon as she learnt of this, threw her discus that cleaved Svarbhanu's head clean off his body.

However, like we said, it was too late. He had become immortal.

@IndianExpress So, Svarbhanu's head grew a snake's body and became Rahu.

His body grew a reptilian head and became Ketu. At times, Ketu is depicted as a headless torso as well.

@IndianExpress Because Surya and Chandra spotted him, Svarbhanu takes his "revenge" by swallowing them from time to time.

How does this correspond to astronomy?

@IndianExpress Rahu and Ketu, separated by 180 degrees, including in the birth chart, are located at the points where the paths of the sun and moon intersect. This causes eclipses, which is seen as Rahu and Ketu swallowing the Sun.

@IndianExpress So now to the kritis dedicated to Rahu and Ketu.

Even if we assume that these were composed by his disciples, since the kritis have the Guruguha signature, I'll attribute them to Dikshithar.

@IndianExpress The kritis are composed in Ramapriya and Shanmukhapriya respectively.

Smaramy Aham - Dikshithar opens by saying that he always has Rahu in his mind.

@IndianExpress Rahu is the one who seizes Surya and Chandra and has "Vikruta Deham", a deformed body.
How deformed? See for yourselves.

@IndianExpress Rahu is Suraasuram - both Sura and Asura. Asura by birth and Sura by having consumed Amrit and becoming a Navagraha.

He removes all ills and drives away dangers posed by poisonous serpents, being half-serpent himself.

@IndianExpress Dikshithar says Rahu bestows comfort to those who worship him. He also holds a spear as his weapon.

Rahu's face is described as Karaala Vadanam, an adjective that can mean both dreadful and formidable. The next adjective used is Katinam (harsh).

@IndianExpress However, he directs his compassionate glance (what we call in Tamil as கடைக்கண் பார்வை) towards those who worship him.
Rahu is endowed with 4 hands and carries a sword and a shield.

@IndianExpress He is dressed in blue cloth and cloth made of leather. He is adorned by Gomedaka stone (Hessonite)
In astrology, he is friendly to both Shani and Shukra.

Dikshithar concludes by saying that he is the cause of delight for Guruguha.

@IndianExpress Before we move on to the kriti dedicated to Ketu, here's another aspect to Rahu and Ketu, from
@BhagwaanUvacha

https://twitter.com/BhagwaanUvacha/status/1181591490079973380