Nadhajyothi Brahma Shri Muthuswamy Dikshitar composed Chandragraha kirtana in Asaveri Ragam set to Mattiya Thalam.  Chandra I.e. Moon is born with Atri Gothram as the son of Sage Atri and Sati Anusuya. He is brother of Guru Dattatreya and Sage Durvasa. The trinities blessed Sage Atri and Sati Anusuya with three sons as a boon. A repllica of themselves Durvasa Shiva swarupam,  Dattatreya Vishnu Swarupam and Chandra Brahma Swarupam.

Be the looks or the Personality of Chandra is very fascinating, very cool & artistic.  Moon has always been personified with Poetic, Artistic, Musically oriented subjects and a matter of providing deft touches to enhance permeating  radiance along the surface/environment of these subjects in its entirety.  In addition, in western classical music Moon light Sonata, in Southern Karnatak and Hindustani classical music Chandra or Nila Abyassa Ghanam are a musical treat both to performer and listener that takes place after Moon rise, more so, when it is full Moon.  Similarly, when initiation is taking place for Upasana Padhthi in light of mantra shastras, full Moon day is considered the most auspicious.  The Rays of Moon are nectar, very cool capable of providing solace, tranquility during the period the earth is engulfed in darkness.  The full moon is also representative of hare like colour in the sky and regarded as the dispeller of darkness during night hours.  So much so, even the melatonin secretion in human body also takes place during dark night hours.  The Moon has deep connectivity with human and their emotions.

Considering the significance of Moon Ved Vyasa composed the following mantra for Moon and recitation of the same benefits in controlling the malefic effect of Moon which is generally emotional, linked to thought process, pondering and matters deeply entrenched in the core of heart.

चंद्र

दधि संक तुषा राभं क्षीरर्णव समुद्भवम्

नमामि शशिनं सोमोर शंभोर मुकुता भूषणम

I recite in reverence to that Luna who looks like a white conch, cool with radiance, who took birth from the sheersagar(the abode of Lord Vishnu)the rabbit sits on top of it and the one who adorns the jhata of Lord Shiva.

Considering the elaborate factors of its proximity to earth, the deep connectivity through which emotional link is established in all beings with particular emphasis on humans notwithstanding the astrological perspective,  Dikshitar composed the following Kirtana for Chandra (Moon).

चन्द्रं भज मानस - रागं असावेरि - ताळं मट्यम्

पल्लवि

चन्द्रं भज मानस साधु हृदय सदृशम्

अनुपल्लवि

इन्द्रादि लोक पालेडित तारेशं

(मध्यम काल साहित्यम्)

इन्दुं षोडश कला धरं निशा-करं

इन्दिरा सहोदरं सुधा-करं अनिशम्

चरणम्

शङ्कर मौलि विभूषणं शीत किरणं

चतुर्भुजं मदनच्छत्रं क्षपा-करम्

वेङ्कटेश नयनं विराण्मनो-जननं

विधुं कुमुद मित्रं विधि गुरु गुह वक्त्रम्

(मध्यम काल साहित्यम्)

शशाङ्कं गीष्पति शापानुग्रह पात्रं

शरच्चन्द्रिका धवळ प्रकाश गात्रम्

कङ्कण केयूर हार मुकुटादि धरं

पङ्कज रिपुं रोहिणी प्रिय-कर चतुर

The ragam Asaveri is a jenya ragam of Thodi.  It is a very cool, captivating ragam with a mattya thalam containing 10 matras. Dikshitar opens the Kirtana with the description of "O mind engage thyself in bhajan of Moon who is cool like the heart of a Saint or Pious man.  The Moon is worshipped by Indra and other Lokpals, he is the King amongst the Stars visible during night, who is endowed with 16 kalas (change of faces everyday), the brother of Mahalakshmi and the provider of light during night.  The one who occupies a respectable place in the head of Lord Shiva as Cresent, the one who sends cool rays, having four hands, a parasol of Manmatha (cupid), he is one of the eye of Lord Venkateshwara, having born out of Virata Purusha, the generator of herbal medicines, a great friend of lily, the one who resembles the face of Guruguha,  the one whose blemish resembles Rabbit, the one who was cursed and later graced by Brihaspati(Jupiter), the one whose body radiates like autumn moonlight, the one who wears bracelets, shoulder plates, neck laces, crown, the enemy of lotus, and the one who sincerely loves Rohini".

Because of its proximity to earth, Moon carries greater significance, the Moon acts as the sole determinant for identification of Thithi, Nakshatra, Rasi and Pakshu (for year and Month Sun the sole determinant).  This core determinant is considered for performing any ritual be birth, death or other prevalent rituals. The Moon moves from one zodiac sign to another in 2 and a quarter day or 54 hours covering 9 Padams/Sharans covering 3 Nakshatras.  Astrologically Moon is associated with heart, body, mind, mother (Matru Karaga) and is Mandala Graha, the one who has only forward motion.  The Moon has a mahadasa of 10 years, falls under Rajoguna, and only in rare occasion of the period of full Moon regarded as Shubha Graha.  When Moon is in debilitated position or not placed in good position in the birth chart is capable of eluding,  deeply causing confusion, mental agony showering its malefic effects to the native.  Similarly, when it is in exalted or placed in good position in birth chart it can shower its benefic effects to the native.

Following mantra is recommended to be recited by the native when Moon is in troublesome placement in the birth chart.

Om Rohinischa Sudhamurthihi

Sudhakatraha  Sudhadhanaha

Vishamat staana samboodham

Peedaam harathu mey Vidhuhu

रोहिणीशः सुधामूर्तिः सुधागात्रः सुधाशनः।

विषणस्थानसंभूतां पीडां हरतु मे विधुः।

There are events mentioned in Puranas about the tapas Chandra did pursuant to being cursed by Ganesha, he fell from the Chandra Bhimbha developing severe illness on account of Leprosy, on the instance and guidance of Sage Naarada made a Shiv Linga and did extreme penance as a result of which he could overcome the curse and regained what position he lost. The Somadeva Linga at Somanath Mandir was installed by Moon and is regarded as one of the 12 Jyotirlinga. There are other similar events, stories embedded in our Bhagvadha and other Puranas about Moon.

Getting a very pivotal and nodal position amongst nine Planets (in Graha Mandala) and physically visible is an attribute that has been achieved with grit, determination, tapas, and blessings by Moon.

Om Tat Sat

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