Dikshitar's Navagraha Krithis and their scientific aspects-SuryaMurthe NaMoSthute(SUN)

SuryaMurthe NaMoSthute

Raaga:Sourashtra                                                Taala-Chaturashra 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:

sUryamUrte namOstu te sundaracchAyAdhipate-Salutations Oh Lord in the form of Surya, the Lord of the beautiful Chaya.

kAryakAraNAtmakajagatprAkasha simhArAshyadhipate –One who is the illuminator of all infinite causes and effects in the world, the Lord of Simha rasi.
AryavinutatejassphUrte ArogyAdiphaladakIrte -One whose effulgent lustre has been praised by those of highest esteem, the bestower of benefits such as good health.
sArasamitra -Friend to the day-lotus, a friend to all, sahasrakiraNa -the thousand-rayed, karNasUno -the father of Karna, krUrapApaharakRshAno-One who swallows the fire of dreadful sins, guruguhamoditasvabhAno -whose brilliance has delighted Guruguha, 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. One whose principle nature is embedded in the eight-syllabled hymn of praise, who is of golden hue, of the nature of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva, and who confers material benefits and spiritual emancipation

Science behind the Krithi

Sun(Surya) is the head of this universe, the reason for  life on earth. He is considered as Chayadipathe,the Lord of Chaya(shadow). Sunlight and shadow are like 2 faces of the same coin.
     

                                  

He is the kAryakAraNAtmakajagatprAkasha, which means Sun is the illuminator of infinite causes and effects in our world. The charged particles in solar wind, is said to get trapped within the earth’s magnetic field,which acts as a shield from harmful cosmic radiation. Sunlight is the cause of photosynthesis in plants. The very life-cycle and eco system would break down if there is any change in sun’s schedule!(Awareness in western countries about importance of sunlight began around the time of European industrial revolution around 19^th century).

SimhArAshyadhipate, means Sun is the king of Leo constellation. Sun passes through leo constellation during the period of summer solstice. Hence sun is associated with Leo as it's king. Summer solstice is a time when the earth’s semi-axis in either the northern or southern hemisphere is most inclined towards the sun . This theory has been proved even by the Greeks.

Arogyadi Phalada Keerthe, Sunlight performs one of the most basic metabolic activity in our body by maintaining a high body temperature which helps in regulating natural biorhythm cycle. Modern day science says Exposure to sunlight has multiple health benefits. Some benefits include cancer prevention, Cure for alzeimer’s disease, multiple sclerosis, psoriasis, jaundice in new-borns, ease mild depression, improves sleep quality etc., Without uncertainty sun is considered to be the medium for bestowal of health.

Saarasamitra(Friend to lotus): Botanical research says, the seedling of Lotus plant requires very high levels of sunlight to form a tuber. Lotus is one flower that shows a strong inclination towards sunlight.  It blooms only under bright sunlight.

Somadigraha Shikhamane: (Ruler of all planets and moon): Moonlight mainly consists of sunlight. The distance of moon from the sun defines the lunar light intensity. Moon almost acts as a mirror to sunlight at night. Hence moon is not considered to be a self-illuminating body.

Dheerarchitha Karma Saakshine: Sun is the only witness to all activities in this universe.

Divyathara Sapthaashwarathine: (Driver of 7 horses) :7 horses according to hindu mythology denote 7 chakras or 7 colours of the rainbow(This is a clear illustration of splitting of white light(Sunlight) into 7 colours(VIBGYOR)).7 chakras here are 7 points in the subtle human body which act as the meeting points of energy channels(naadii). Chakras in our body are  Sahasrara,Ajneya,Vishuddha,Anahata,Manipura,Swadishtana,Muladhara.

Sourashtrarna Manthrathmane: Sourashtra being the raga of this krithi is a Janya raga of 17^th Melakartha Suryakanthi raga.

All the above evidences clearly illustrates scientific analogy behind Carnatic music krithis.This krithi in depth gives us a bountiful amount of knowledge about this celestial object! Without qualm Carnatic music is science.