Surya in Delhi Airport

Written by London Swaminathan

Post No. 15,536

Date uploaded in London – 26 March 2026

Contact – swami_48@yahoo.com

Pictures are taken from various sources for spreading knowledge.

this is a non- commercial blog. Thanks for your great pictures.

tamilandvedas.com, swamiindology.blogspot.com

xxxx  

(Tamil Version is given as Part 44)

Navagrahas – nine heavenly bodies

Strange Things about Navagraha Shrines

Navagraha Shrines are found mostly in Shiva temples; but there are exceptions. Madurai Koodal Azakar Perumal Temple , though a Vaishnava temple, has a Navagraha Shrine.

Famous Navagraha Shrines, at least nine in number are crowded in one area. That is Thanjavur district in Tamil Nadu. Some Vaishnava Navagraha Shrines are also known. They are in Tirunelveli District.

Gangai Konda Chozapuram temple has a unique Navagraha Statue. The sculptor has selected a square stone where Sun occupies centre place; on four sides all the other eight Grahas are carved.

Tirunaraiyur Shiva temple has a special shrine for Sani and his family.

Since Hindus knew well about the solar system, Sun is placed in the centre and all others face towards the sun. Sun’s wives are Chaya and Usha; again this is also based on science. Before sunrise, we see dawn, that is Usha; Rig Veda has beautiful poems on Dawn/Usha. Sun creates shadow behind. Shadow in Sanskrit is Chaya.

Sun’s black spots cause big disruptions on communication on earth. Bhartruhari described them Ketus and Kabandhas , that is demons, in his Brhat Samhita.

Navagrahas are not Nine Planets; they are nine heavenly bodies with gravity. Graha means gravity. English words Grip, Grab, Gravity etc are derived from this Sanskrit word. That is the reason Hindu scientists named hem Graha and included Sun, Moon, Rahu and Ketu which are not planets. They have gravity. Tamils copied it and called them Kol. This also has the same meaning.

Hindus gave supreme importance to Sun which is considered Arogya Karaka- one who gives Health and long life. Without sun light all living beings will die within a few hours or few days. Sun light provides us Vitamin D. Moon has big impact on oceans and tides, so do they have influence on human bodies and particularly Mind.

Rig Veda says suns is important for Eyes and Moon is important for Mind (It is in Purushasukta, Tenth Mandala of RV).

Hindus have also discovered the relationship between planets. Throughout Sanskrit Literature and Sangam Tamil literature Venus is linked with Rains. Thoughtout Sanskrit literature Moon is linked with plants. They used the same word SOMA for moon and Soma Rasa, the elixir of life.

In the Navagraha hymn they sing about the relationship between planets. Some are symbolic and others have literal meaning.

Konark, Odisah Sun Rath and Sun God below

Navagraha- Nine Gem Ring

Navagraha shrines inside Temples

All South Indian temples have separate shrines for the Navagrahas inside the big temple complex.

Round the sanctum/ garbhagriha of Siva temple, we find this Navagraha shrine. The sun stands in the centre and other planets are fixed round him, each in a specified direction.  This shows Hindus knew that all the plants are orbiting around sun. The planets are highly respected and scrupulously worshipped by the Hindus as they are believed to influence the destinies of human beings.

Hindus cast horoscopes when a child is born. That will show his future life. Brahmins do Sandhyavandana three times a day and the Navagraha tarpanam is done to satisfy all the nine planets. This will avoid evil influence of planets.

Hindus only worship stars and planets in the world. This explodes Aryan immigration theories. Sangam Tamil literature mentioned all the nine planets with reverence. They mentioned even the worship of Saptarishi / ursa major constellation. This shows Hindus from north to south have the same belief even 2000 years ago. This shows Greek influence has nothing to do with Hindu astrology and Hindu astronomy. Moon / crescent worship, Rohini star worship are also in Tamil and Sanskrit books. Link between the pearl and swati star is also in both the ancient scriptures.

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In the Amarakośa, Amarasiṃha lists numerous synonyms for the Sun (Sūrya), highlighting its attributes such as radiance, timekeeping, and its role as the source of light.

Here are the key sun names found in the Amarakosa:

Sūra (सूर): The Sun.

Aryamā (अर्यमा): One of the Adityas.

Dvādaśātmā (द्वादशात्मा): The one with twelve souls (months).

Divākara (दिवाकर): Maker of the day.

Bhāskara (भास्कर): Maker of light/radiance.

Ahaskara (अहस्कर): Creator of the day.

Bradhna (ब्रध्न): The pale/white one.

Prabhākara (प्रभाकर): Creator of light.

Vibhākara (विभाकर): Maker of light/shining.

Bhāsvān (भास्वान्): Radiant/luminous.

Vivasvān (विवस्वान्): The shining one.

Saptāśva (सप्ताश्व): Drawn by seven horses.

Haridaśva (हरिदश्व): Having green/yellow horses.

Uşnaraśmi (उष्णरश्मि): Hot-rayed.

Vikartana (विकर्तन): The cutter (associated with the cutting of the sun’s limbs).

Arka (अर्क): The reverend/radiant one.

Mārtanda (मार्तण्ड): Born from a dead egg (bird), the sun.

Mihira (मिहिर): Friend/cloud-disperser.

Aruṇa (अरुण): Dawn/ruddy.

Pūşā (पूषा): Nourisher.

Dyumaņi (द्युमणि): Jewel of the sky.

Taraņi (तरणि): Swift/remover of darkness.

Mitra (मित्र): Friend.

Citrabhānu (चित्रभानु): Having brilliant rays.

Virocana (विरोचन): Illuminator.

Viśvāvasu (विश्वावसु): One of the Gandharvas, also used for the sun.

Grahapati (ग्रहपति): Lord of the planets.

Tvişāmpati (त्विषांपति): Lord of light.

Aharpati (अहर्पति): Lord of the day.

Bhānu (भानु): Ray/sun.

Hamsa (हंस): The swan/sun.

Sahasrāmśu (सहस्रांशु): Thousand-rayed.

Savitā (सविता): The Arouser/creator.

Tapana (तपन): The Heater.

Ravi (रवि): Praised by all.

Padmākşā (पद्माक्ष): Lotus-eyed.

Tejasāmrāśi (तेजसाम्राशि): Mass of glory.

Chāyānātha (छायानाथ): Lord of shadow.

Tamistahā (तमिस्रहा): Remover of darkness.

Karmasākşi (कर्मसाक्षी): Witness to actions.

Jagaccakşus (जगच्चक्षुस्): Eye of the world.

Lokabandhu (लोकबन्धु): Friend of the world.

Trayitanu (त्रयितनु): The three-bodied (associated with Vedas).

Pradyotana (प्रद्योतन): Shining/illuminating.

Dinamani (दिनमणि): Jewel of the day.

Khadyota (खद्योत): The sky-light.

Lokabāndhava (लोकबान्धव): Relative of the world.

Ina (इन): Strong/lord.

BhaŖga (भर्ग): Refulgent/shining.

Dhāmanidhi (धामनिधि): Repository of light.

Amśumāli (अंशुमाली): Garlanded with rays.

Abjinípati (अब्जिनीपति): Lord of lotus beds.

These names are described and commented upon in the Amara-koṣa-udghāṭana of Kṣīrasvāmin, which provides explanations for the origin and aspects of these sun-related terms. (from Wisdom Library)

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Navagraha in Asmoleon Museum, Oxford

Navagras in British Museum, London

Oxford Museum

Nine Planets in Hindu Astronomy

Hindus called heavenly bodies Grahas. So Nava Grahas/ Nine Planets include Sun, Moon, Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus, Saturn, Rahu and Ketu. Strictly speaking, sun is a star and moon is earth’s satellite and Rahu and Ketu are north and south lunar nodes. Four of the “nine planets” are not planets. They calculated correctly the time of the eclipses in spite of these naming.

Thesauruses like Amarakosa in Sanskrit and Diwakaram and Pingalandhai in Tamil give several names for the planets. What do we know from these names or epithets for the planets? Navagraha stotras also describe the planets, their colours and their virtues. Now and then we read some “scholarly” articles about Hindus copying Greeks or the Babylonians. Is there any truth in it?

Following are taken from our Hymns or Thesarus:

Statement 1

Mars is the son of Earth (Bhumi putra, Mahisuta)

Statement 2

Mercury is the son of Moon (Induja, Somaja)

Statement 3

Saturn is the son of Sun (Chaya putra)

Statement 4

Venus causes rains (Rain planet in Tamil)

Statement 5

Moon influences Mind; moon is born out of the mind of God

Statement 6

Sun is linked to Eyes; sun is born out of the eyes of God

Statement 7

60,000 Valakilya Rishis, seers of thumb size, travel with the sun.

Statement 8

Guru/Jupiter is the Teacher (guru) of the Devas; Venus is the Teacher of Demons. Both are Brahmins.

Statement 9

Colours of the Planets: Saturn is black, Jupiter is Golden, Mercury is Green, Mars is red and Venus is white.

Statement 10

Saturn is lame or a slow coach; Jupiter measures the years.

What is the meaning?

The above statements are rough translations of the words found in thesaurus or the hymns. What do they mean? Are they scientific?

The short answer is most of them are yet to be proved by science. Let me give some explanations

About Statements 1, 2, 3

When you say that a particular planet is the son of another heavenly body (Graha) it may mean collision between the two heavenly bodies produced X planet. So we call the X planet is the son of so and so. In short it is an astronomical event happened long ago. In astronomical terms billions of years ago.

Another meaning is one looks like another. For instance Mars looks like earth and so we call it the son of the Earth.

The third meaning is that earthly creatures are going to settle in Mars in future. So we call Mars is the son of earth.

The fourth meaning is a hidden meaning which we don’t know now. May be future scientific discoveries may prove us right. If we take soil samples from both the planets and compare it, clearer picture will emerge.

For instance there are several theories about the origin of moon. Nothing is proved beyond doubt. Some say it is a big chunk thrown out of earth because of a collision and it can be easily fit into Pacific Ocean. Some others say it was caught by earth and made a slave (satellite) of earth. These theories can be made as beautiful Puranic stories (Mythology).

About Statement 4

Venus- Rain connection may be superficial or more than that. It is in Sanskrit books as well as Sangam Tamil books. The amount of rains or the drought is forecast by the position or movement of Venus in the sky according to Tamil commentators. Science hasn’t proved it yet.

About Statements 5,6

Rig Veda says that the sun and moon are born from the eyes and mind of the Supreme God. We know for sure the connection between the moon and the mind. Lot of articles have come out in science journals linking the lunatics and the full moon. Hindus believe that doing Surya Namaskar every day in the morning will brighten one’s eyes. Science has to prove it.

“Chandrama Manaso Jata: Chakshor Suryo Ajayata” (Purushasukta in the Tenth Mandala of Rig Veda).

About Statements 8,9, 10

The colours are partly right. When we look at Mars in the sky it is blood red in the night sky.

When we say Saturn is “lame” we know that is the planet that takes longer years than other planets in completing one circle in orbit (30 years). When we say that Jupiter is the planet that measures years we mean it moves from one zodiac sign to another sign every year and completes the 12 zodiacal signs in 12 years which decides Kumba mela, Maha makam and other big festivals.

Planets-lots-of-info-Chart1

I have already written about the Valakilya Rishis (Lilliputian seers travelling with sun). I have also written about the Heavy planet Guru and its sling shot effect in sending the rockets without fuel. Guru in Sanskrit means Heavy and one who sends up (elevates) others.

My Conclusions:

1.No other language has got so many names for the planets or stars like Tamil and Sanskrit. This shows that astronomy was born here and we have not borrowed it from the Greeks or the Babylonians.

2.Brahmins in their Sandhya Vandhanam every day, worship Navagrahas in the same order like Sunday , Monday, Tuesday …….. They couldn’t have borrowed it from someone and inserted it in their Vedic ceremonies.

3.Tamil saint Sambandhar of seventh century CE sang about the nine planets in the same order. So it is Vedic and not Greek.

4. Moreover these beliefs are listed in 2000 year old scriptures in Tamil and Sanskrit from Kanyakumari to Himalayas covering the vast sub continent. So they couldn’t have borrowed it during Alexander’s time and spread it over the entire country. There were no mobile phones or telephone lines or electronic communication at that time!

5. Foreign beliefs can’t be inserted into Hindu ceremonies that easily. They have a fool proof system.

6. Purusha sukta of Rig Veda linked mind to Moon. It is scientifically proved with lots of research confirming the link between the two.

We can conclude that Hindus spread it to the whole word like their decimal system and Hindu numerals.

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Here is the Sanskrit Hymn

Navagraha strotram

SURYA:

       Om Japa Kusuma Sankasam Kashya peyum mahadyuthim

        Thamorim sarva papaghanam pranatosmi divakaram

Chandra:

        Om Dadhi sankha thusharabham kshirodarnava sambhavam

       Namami sasinam somam shabhormakuda Bhushanam

Mangal(Mars or Chouva)

     Om Dharani Garbha Sambhootham vidyuthi kanthi samaprabham

     Kumaram Sakthi Hastham tham Mangalam Pranamamyaham

Mercury (Budha)

     Om Priyangu Kalikashyamam roopena prathimam budham

      Soumyam soumyagunopetham tham Budham pranamamyaham

Jupiter (Brihaspathi or  Vyasham)

          Om Devanam cha rishinam cha gurum kanchana sannibham

          Budhhibhootham thrilokesham tham namami brihaspatham

Venus (Shukra)

        Om Himakunda mrinalabham dythyanam paramam gurum

          Sarava sastha pravaktharam bhargavam pranamamyaham

Saturn(Shani)

        Om Neelanjana samabhasam raviputhram yamagrajam

         Chhayya marthanda sambhootham tham namami shanaiswaram

Rahu

       Om Ardha kayam mahaveeryam chandradhithiya vimardanam

         Simihika Garbha Sambhootam Tham Rahum Pranamamayaham

Kethu

       Om Palasa Pushpa sankasam tharakagraha masthakam

        Roudram roudrathmakam ghoram tham Kethum pranamamyaham

Meaning

The first verse is dedicated to Surya, the Sun God. In this verse sun is compared to Hibiscus (Japa Kusuma) with magnificence (Mahaa-dyutim). He is the descendent of Sage Kashyapa (Kashyapeeyam). Destroyer of darkness and sins (Tamorim sarva paapaghnam), He is the day-maker (Divakaram) too.   

The second hymn is on Chandra, the Moon. His colour is of Yogurt, Shell and Snow (Dadhi Shanka Tushara). He is born out of Milky Ocean at the time of Samudra Mathana (Ksheeror daarnava sambhavam) and bears the rabbit (Shashi) in Him. He is the head ornament of Shambhu (Shambhur mukuta bhushanam).

The third hymn is on Mangala, the Mars. He is Youth (Kumaram) Romans too consider Mars to be valiant youth. Born out of Earth (Dharani Garbha sambhutam) He is bright as lightening (Vidyut Kanti samaprabham).

The fourth hymn is on Budha, the Mercury. Like the bud of Priyangu (Aglaia Elaeagnoidea) He is Shyama (cloud colour) astronomers have observed Mercury to be grey. Roopene apratimam (matchless beauty). Gentle and composed nature (Sowmyam Sowmyagunopetam).

The fifth hymn is on Guru, the Jupiter. Resembling Gold (Kanchana sannibham) he is the preceptor of Deva and Rishis (Devanam cha Rishinam cha). He is embodiment of Intellect (Buddhi bhutam) and Lord of three worlds (Trilokesham).

The sixth hymn is on Sukra, the Venus. With the advantage of looking like the fibre of snow jasmine (Hima Kunda mirnalaabham), He is the teacher for Demons (Daityanam Paramam Gurum). He is the preacher of all science (Sarva shastra pravaktaaram).

The seventh hymn is on Shani, the Saturn. There is a mention of the Rings of Saturn (Neelanjana Samabhaasam) Neela is blue, Anjana is embellishment and Samabhaasam is resemble. He is (Raviputra) Son of Sun and Elder brother to Yama (Yamagrajam). He is son of Surya and Chayadevi (Chayamarthanda Sambootam) Marthanda is Sun.   

The eighth hymn is on Rahu, the north lunar node. He has half body but he is brave (Ardhakayam mahaveeram), He is the destroyer of Sun and moon (Chandraditya vimardanam) that is, while eclipse he destroys them. He is the son of Simhika, sister of Prahalada (Simhikagarbha sambootam).  

The ninth hymn is on Ketu, the south lunar node. He is red as Butea flower (Palasha Pushpa samkaasha). He is the head of all stars and planets (Tarakagriha mastakam). He is fierce and terrifying (Raudram Raudratmakam).

Gangaokonda Chozapuram Navagrahas in one stone.

To be continued………………

Tags- Navagrahas, Surya, Nine heavenly bodies, Gravity, Solar system, Hindu knowledge, Science in Navagraha Hymn, Synonyms for Sun, 29 Names