Dikshitar's Navagraha Krithis and their scientific aspects- BudhamAshrayaami(MERCURY)

BudhamAshrayaami

Raaga: Naatakuranji                                   M/Jhampa Taala

budham AshrayAmi satatam suravinutam candra tArA sutam

budhajanar-veditam bhUsurair mOditam madhura kavitApradam mahanIya sampadam

kumkuma samadyutim guruguha mudAkrtim kuja vairiNam maNi mukuTa hAra keyUra

kankaNAdi dhraNam kamanIya tara mithuna kanyAdhipam pustaka karam napumsakam

kinkara janamahitam kalpiSAdi rahitam shankara bhakta hitam sadAnanda sahitam

Translation:

budham AshrayAmi satatam suravinutam candra tArA sutam – I seek shelter under Budha, who is worshipped by Lords and is the son of Chandra and Tara.

budhajanar-veditam bhUsurair mOditam madhura kavitApradam mahanIya sampadam- One who is revered by learned ones, who brings joy to Brahmins, who bestows poetry.

kumkuma samadyutim guruguha mudAkrtim kuja vairiNam maNi mukuTa hAra keyUra- One who reflects Saffron light, who delights Guruguha, Enemy to Angaaraka(Mars) and who wears a bejewelled crown and necklace,armlets and bracelets.

kankaNAdi dhraNam kamanIya tara mithuna kanyAdhipam- One who rules Mithuna(Gemini) and Kanya(Virgo) constellations,

pustaka karam napumsakam- One who holds a book and is of neuter gender,

kalpiSAdi rahitam shankara bhakta hitam sadAnanda sahitam- One who is devoid of sins, who benefits devotees of Shiva, who is always joyous!

Scientific significance of this Krithi:

Chandra-Tara Sutam: Son of Moon and Tara

Moon and Mercury are astronomically similar.

They are atmosphere-less,heavily-cratered bodies.

Both are small in size, inturn making them have lesser gravity.

Both undergo wide range of temperature changes.

Maximum on mercury may go upto 427 deg C and on Moon upto 127 deg C, Min temp can go upto -170 deg C.

 This krithi elaborates upon the physical features of planet mercury, and it's similarities with other Grahas have been neatly personified.