Monday, February 19, 2007

Navagraha Kritis

A simple article found on Navagraha Kritis reproduced below:

Muthuswami Diksithar, one of the great Trinity, has composed a set of nine
kritis called 'Navagraha Kritis'. They are also known as 'Vaara Kirtanas', named
after the seven days of the week. The songs on Rahu and Ketu are later additions
to this group. All these kritis contain a good deal of Vedic astrology, as well
as fine music, revealing Dikshithar's mastery over the science of
astrology.

The Navagraha kritis also represent the Suladi Sapta Talas, namely Dhruva,
Matya, Rupaka, Jhampa, Triputa, Ata and Eka. A notable feature of these
compositions is that the first seven kritis are set to these seven Talas, in
that very order. The sahitya of the kritis epitomises the jyothishas and the
Mantra shastras. The 'Graha' mudra is contained in the Pallavi of each kriti.

The nine kritis are (in the order of Kriti, Ragam, Talam, Planet, Day of
Week):
1. Sooryamoorthe –
Sourashtram - Chatusra Dhruvam - Soorya (Sun) - Sunday
2. Chandram
Bhajamaanasa – Asaveri - Chatusra Matyam Chandra (Moon) - Monday
3.
Angarakamasrayamyaham – Surutti – Rupakam – Angaraka (Mars) - Tuesday
4.
Budhamasrayami – Nattakkurinji - Misra Jhampa – Budha (Mercury) -
Wednesday
5. Brihaspathe – Atana - Tisra Triputa – Brihaspathi (Jupiter) -
Thursday
6. Sree Sukrabhagavantham - Paras - Khanda Ata
Talam – Sukra (Venus) - Friday
7.
Divakaratanujam - Yadukula Kambhoji – Eka – Sani (Saturn) -
Saturday
8. Smaramyaham – Ramapriya – Rupakam – Raahu - N/A
9. Mahaasuram
– Shanmukhapriya – Rupakam – Kethu - N/A

The last two are said to be later additions by Dikshithar's shishya,
Ponnayya Pillai.

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