Navagraha Krithis

The Navagrahas are nine important dieties of the Hindu religious tradition. They are Surya, Chandra, Angaraka, Budha, Guru, Sukra, Sani, Rahu and Ketu. They stand for nine planets, the English equivalents of the first seven being, Sun, Moon, Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus and Saturn. The last two, Rahu and Ketu are planet-like entities, unique to the Hindu tradition.

The Navagraha Krithis are a set of 9 songs composed by Muthuswami Dikshitar, a great composer of Carnatic Music. These krithis are amongst the most esteemed krithis in carnatic music . In addition, they are great pieces of sanskrit literature that encapsulate almost all of vEdic astrology.

Each song is a prayer to one of the nine Navagrahas ("planets" of Hindu Mythology).


List of Navagraha Krithis :
The Song titles, their raagas and tAlas are listed below :

#1. Suryamurthe Namosthuthe (on Sun or Surya) - Saurashtra Raga, Chaturasra Druva Tala
#2. Chandram Bhaja Manasa (on Moon or Chandra) - Asaveri Raga, Chaturasra Matya Tala
#3. Angarakam Ashrayamyaham (on Mars or Angaraka) - Suruti Raga, Rupaka Tala
#4. Budham Ashrayami (on Mercury or Budha) - Nattakurunji Raga, Misra Jhampa Tala
#5. Brihaspathe Tarapathe (on Jupiter or Brihaspathi) - Atana Raga, Tisra Triputa Tala
#6. Sri Sukra Bhagavantham (on Venus or Shukra) - Paraju/Paras Raga, Khanda Ata Tala
#7. Divakaratanujam Shanaishcharam (on Saturn or Shani) - Yadukulakamboji Raga, Chatusra Eka Tala
#8 .Smaramyaham Sadarahum (on Rahu) - Ramapriya Raga, Rupaka Tala
#9. Mahasuram Ketumaham (on Ketu) - Shanmukhapriya Raga, Rupaka Tala
The last two (on Rahu and Ketu) were most likely composed by followers of Dikshitar, to complete the set of nine even though the signature used in the song is that of Dikshitar (guruguha).

AUDIO OF NAVAGRAHA KRITHIS :

Here are various links to hear and enjoy the Navagraha Krithis on 9 planets composed by Muthuswamy Dikshitar.

Audio of Navagraha krithis by Dikshitar - Link 1

Audio of Dikshitar's Navagraha Keerthanais - Link 2

Audio of Navagraha krithis - Link 3