Dikshitar Navagraha Kriti - 9; Mahasuram – Raga Shanmukhapriya (Chamaram)– Rupaka thalam

The ninth composition of the Navagraha Kritis of Shri Muthuswamy Dikshitar.
Rendered By Shri Thiruvananthapuram R Geethakrishnan & Smt Veena Balaji
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Though this Kriti is attributed to have been composed by Dikshitar, there is a wide belief it is composed by followers or disciples of Dikshitar, which is evident from the structure of the composition.
Ketu, the mysterious celestial entity in Vedic astrology, is often referred to as the South Node of the Moon. Unlike the tangible planets we see in the sky, Ketu is a shadow planet. It represents spiritual liberation, detachment, and enlightenment, in contrast to its counterpart, Raahu, which symbolizes materialism and worldly desires.
Pallavi
mahasuram ketum aham bhajami chayagrahavaram
Anupallavi
mahvicitramakutadharam mangalavastradidharam narapitasthitam sukham navagrahayutamsakham
Charanam
Ketumkrnvan mantrinam krodhanidhijaiminam kuluthadibhakshanam konadhvajapatakinam
Madhyamakalam
guruguhachamarabharanam gunadoshacidabharanam grahanadikaryakAranam grahApasavyasancharinam
Translation :
I worship Ketu, the great demon who is foremost of the shadow planets.
Who wears a peculiar crown and auspicious dress. Who is happy in his part human-like body and is friendly in the group of nine planets.
Who is adored by the Ketum-krinvan mantra, who is exceedingly wrathful, a descendent of Jaimini, who savours his grain, and has his flag with the cut-out triangle. Who bears the fan of Guruguha, whose distinction lies in his discernment of good and bad, who causes eclipses and moves in a counter-clockwise direction.