Navagrahas – Suryan – Part I

The word “Nava” in Sanskrit means the number 9, and certainly there is some spritual magic attached to this number. We come across Navarathri, Navanidhi, Navagrahs, Navaratnams, Navarasam, Nava dhanyam..etc etc

This post is essentially about Navagrahas – who are the most powerful influencers in our lives, next to the Trinity! Some cosmic connections and with the blessings of the Cosmic dancer, Lord Shiva gave us an opportunity to offer worship at all the Navagraha Sthalams in one day – in and around Chennai.

Navarathri refers to the 9 nights and day worship to Devi

Navanidhi refers to treasures of Kuberan which are padma (lotus), mahapadma (great lotus), sankha (conch shell), makara (marine animal or fish), kachchhapa (tortoise), mukunda (kettle drum), nanda (joy), nila (a dark color or blue), and kharva (dwarf).

Navaratnams refer to the nine gemstones related to the nine planets as per vedic astrology. It is supposed to ward off negative energies and strengthens the positive influence of planets to the wearer.

Navarasam refers to the nine emotional states of humans, which is depicted in music and dance

And finally, Navagrahams are the nine planets of the constellation, which are considered to be the nine planetary deities namely – Suryan, Chandran, Angarakan (Chevvai), Budhan, Guru (Brihaspathi), Sukhran, Sanishwaran, Raghu and Kethu. The first seven are divine deities and Raghu and Kethu are supposed to be shadow planets.

Suryan



The great Lord is also called as Aditya, son of Sage Kashyapar and Adhiti. He is the solar chief and takes the central place among Navagrahas. Suryan’s athidevatha is Agni, and prathyutha Devatha - Rudran. He claims the first pooja in siva puja and yaga puja.

His colour is red and his vahana is a chariot drawn by seven horses named as uchchaishrawa. The grain associated with his is wheat; the flower - lotus, yerukku; fabric - red clothes; gem - ruby; food - wheat, rava, chakkara pongal.

He has two wives – Sanjana and Chaya Devi. His sons are Manu, Shani and Yama and daughter is Yamuna. In Ramayana, Surya is mentioned as Sugriva’s father and in Mahabaratha, as Karnan’s father.

The planetary position of the Sun governs a person's confidence, authority, and status. The sun is also the presiding deity of the eyes and rules the sign Leo.

Surya Namaskaram is the yogic salutation offered to Surya - which is all around exercise physically and mentally. Surya, the supreme light is said to be an Ashta murti of Lord Shiva. Vayu Puranam states that the sun does not move; nor does it rise or set. Rising and setting imply appearance and disappearance.

The famous temples of the Sun god are the Konark and the Surya narayanar temple near Kumbakonam. In Suryanar Kovil, Surya takes the central sannidhi and all other navagrahams are in the outer praharam with separate sannidhis.

Three powerful hymns are associated with Sun God – The powerful Gayathri mantram, Ādityahṛdayam, both in sanskrit and KOLaru Pathigam in Tamizh.

The Gayatri Mantram is addressed to God as the divine life-giver, symbolized by Savitr (the sun), and is recited at sunrise and sunset. Reciting this mantra bestows wisdom and enlightenment, through the vehicle of the Sun (Savitr), who represents the source and inspiration of the universe. Imparting this manta to young male is in important part of the Upanayanam (thread ceremony).The Gayatri Mantra is a 24-syllable hymn from the Rig Veda , and is a confluence of 24 Beej Aksharas which has an hypnotizing effect on the chanter's consciousness. The language of the mantra is a moresymbolic and metaphysical one.

Aditya Hrdayam is a hymn associated with Aditya or the Sun God and was recited by the sage Agastya to Rama on the battlefield before fighting with Ravana. This historic hymn worships the Sun god for strenght to defeat the shatrus or enemies.

Thiru Gnana Sambanda Swami's "Kolaru Pathigam" invokes Lord Siva's help for protection from planetary wrath. Reciting this pathigam is not just for removing the ill effects of planets and stars, it is used as a reassuarance against all forms of evils, harms,dangers, obstacoles. 'KOL' means planets and also evil. 'aRu' means 'that which cuts, shreds, separates'.

This slokam has 11 verses or stanzas and for Adiyars of the Supreme Lord Siva, all the various forms of evils will certainly turn good and do good. (Nalla Nalla Avai Nalla Nalla Adiyar Avarku migave) - this line is reiterated again and again in every one of the verses of the KOLaRu Padhigam.