KAAMAAKSHI, Leader of Navagrahaas (the nine planets)
(Sri Kanchi Mahaswami’s discourses –
Translation by P.N. Ramachandran)
Kaamaakshi (Mother Goddess) relieves us of all our difficulties and grants us acme of bliss. Generally in astrology, all our troubles are ascribed to navagrahaas (nine planets.) Such adverse effect would not happen to those who meditate intensely on the Devi’s feet – In this sense, there is a sloka with pun in “Mookha Panchasathi.” This is a 500 sloka-stothra composed by the poet Mookha which is full of spiritual knowledge, bhakthi (intense devotion), Shaaktha principles, and poetic excellence. One of the slokas brings out the similarities between the qualities each of the navagrahaas and those of Sri Devi’s worshipful feet.
Dhaddhano Bhassvatthaam
Amruthanilayo Lohithavapuh
Vinamraanhaam Saumyo Gururapi
Kavithvam Cha Kalayan!
Gathau Mandho Gangaaddharamahishi
Kaamaakshi Bhajathaam
Thamah Kethur-maathasthava
Charanapadhmo Vijayathe! 59!
(Mookha Panchasathi –
Paadhaaravinda Sathakam – 59)
Surya (Sun): The Devi’s feet have the quality of shining (Bhaavassvatthaam). Bhaskara is another name of Surya. The term means one who shines.
Chandra (Moon): Nectar flows from the Devi’s feet (Amruthanilaya). Likewise nectar also flows from the moon that has “Sudhakara” as one of his names.
Mangala (Mars): For those who show devotion, the Devi’s feet are soft and peaceful (Vinamraanaam Saumya.) Mars is red in colour (Lohithavapuh.)
Budha: Peacefulness and comforting are also the qualities of the Devi’s feet as well as of Budha. The latter goes by the name “Saumya” meaning Soma (Moon’s) son.
Guru (Teacher): The Devi’s feet have the highest special qualities and they also give highest spiritual knowledge of Brahmam instantly (Gururapi.) Guru refers to the priest/teacher of devas, viz. Brihaspathi.
Sukra: The Devi’s feet are capable of bestowing poetic skills of the highest order. Earlier the author of this Stotram was himself dumb (Mookha) and he chose the name Mookha to proclaim that his stature as a poet was attained by the immense grace of the Devi. Kavi refers to the priest/teacher of the asuras, viz. Sukra.
Sani (Saturn): The Devi’s feet have the quality of slow movement (Gathau Mandha.) This is also the quality of Sani (Saturn) whose alternate name is “Sanaischaran): The expression means one who moves slowly.
Rahu & Kethu: The Devi’s feet wipe out instantly like a meteor the darkness of misery and ignorance of the persons who worship them (Bhajatham Thamah Kethu.) The term ‘Thamas’ stands for both ignorance as well as Rahu. Kethu the ninth graham has not been mentioned direct. But in the sloka, by the use of the word ‘thamas’ the first eight grahaas have been linked to the graceful lotus-like feet of the Devi.
Sri Sankara Bhagavatpada too refers to the sun and moon (day and night) in sloka No.48 of Saundarya Lahari.
Ahaha Soothe Savyam Thava Nayanam Arkaathmakathaya
Thriyaamaam Vamam The Srujathi Rajanee Naayakathayaa!
Thriteeyaa The Dhrishtir Dhara-Dhalitha-Hemaambuja-Ruchih
Samaaddhatthe Sandhyaam Divasa-Nisayor Antaracharim!!
(Saundarya Lahari – 48)
The Devi’s right eye resembles the sun causing the day and the left eye is like the moon causing the night. Her third or middle eye with its resemblance to the slightly-open bud of a golden lotus flower makes the dawn and the dusk.
