The Naadha Jyothi Brahmashri Muthuswamy Dikshitar gave the Surya Graha Kirtana to the world keeping in view the benefic results that will accrue to each individual who propitiates Surya.  In Sanathana Padhathi, through guru mukha or through the medium of Puranas God/Godess are described with certain identity like “Abhishekapriya, Namaskarapriya, Alankarapriya etc.  In line with this Padhathi, Surya is also known as “ Namaskarapriya” as such Dikshitar used the phrase in the Pallavi “Suryamurthey namostuthey.”  

Surya upasana Padhatheys are available and can be worshiped in conformity with these scriptures.  These are all derived from Vedo Upanishad and from Puranas.  Surya Atharva commences with

 “Om Greni Surya adityaha”. 

ॐ  घृणि सूर्य आदित्य 

Surya the Sun God moves from one zodiac sign to another in 30 days in average moving almost 1+ degree every day completing 360 degrees in 365 days and 6 hours. Born in Kashyapa gotra to Sage Kashyapa and Dev Mata Aditi. The Sun is known by other names too viz., Aditya, Surya, Marthanda, Dewaakara, Prabhakara, etc.

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One of the notable epic is Ramayana. In Ramayana in the Yudh Kandam when final battle was to take place between Rama and Ravana Sage Agastya appeared before Ram and Ram alongwith Lakshmana was initiated by Agastya for Surya worship by chanting Aditya Hridayam, a well known treatise that is generally chanted for victory, good health, longevity and other benefits that can be derived through Surya Worship. 

Dikshitar had composed Surya graha kirtana as under:-

पल्लवि

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सूर्यमूर्ते नमोस्तुते सुन्दर छायाधिपते

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अनुपल्लवि

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कार्य कारणात्मक जगत् प्रकाश सिंह राश्याधिपते
(मध्यम काल साहित्यम् )
आर्य विनुत तेजःस्फूर्ते आरोग्यादि फलद कीर्ते

चरणम्
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सारस मित्र मित्र भानो सहस्र किरण कर्णसूनो
क्रूर पापहर कृशानो गुरुगुह मोहित/मोदित  स्वभानो
सूरिजनेडित सुदिन मणे सोमादि ग्रह शिखामणे
धीरार्चित कर्म साक्षिणे दिव्यतर सप्ताश्व रथिने
(मध्यम काल साहित्यम् )
सौराष्टार्ण मन्त्रात्मने सौवर्ण स्वरूपात्मने
भारतीश हरि-हरात्मने भुक्ति मुक्ति वितरणात्मने

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Sensing, the need of the time (this kirtana must have been composed two centuries ago) as well taking into account the abject requirements of busy life of the present day (being endowed with clairvoyance and clarity of future societal requirements) Dikshitar devised easiest and pragmatic way of propitiating Surya and other Grahas through the medium of Kirtana which is easy, simple and can be added to as a complement of daily routine.

Dikshitar described in Surya Graha Kirtana Namaskaram to Suryamurthy whose consort is beautiful Chaya Devi (the mother of Saturn).  Surya whose rays as a matter of fulfilling daily routine permeates the world with illumination, providing light to all beings including humans, the lord of Singh Rasi (Zodiac Leo – in vedic astrology the house of zodiac sign Leo's Lordship is vested in Surya and no other planets occupies this zodiac sign terming Surya as the King of nine Planets)the provider of good health, glory.  His rays Sahasra kirana means the rays that are infinite here, (generally sahasra refers to thousand)the father of karna whose valour as warrior was unmatched. Surya dispels sins (Papebyoh rakshintaam ) amongst the Moon and other planets termed as the foremost, the one who acts as the rightful evidence to all deeds in the world, the one who has occupied a divine Chariot driven by seven green horses, the one is propitiated with 8 eight syllable mantras, whose bodily description is like glittering gold, looks like Brahmha, Vishunu and Shiva  providing enjoyment, pleasure, and liberation. 

The Surya from astrological perspective benefits the Upasaka in numerous ways. Surya provides confidence, good health, longevity, the very purpose of having taken birth as humans.  Surya is also described as Pitrukarakh and Atmakarakh.  Ancestral gains from father in the form of Education, Training, Skills, art, learning are a source derived since dawn of human civilization, and this has been described very aptly in Sanatana Padhathi as a family legacy from father to son ceaselessly and seamlessly.  Surya is Atmakarkh that is none other than  the soul, the soul is full of light and energy.  It has been a daily routine for many to offer argayam (water) to rising sun in the morning, trikaala sandhyas are performed during morning, afternoon and evenings as a daily routine for yugas together. Generally all rituals of sadhvik nature are performed during the day only.  Of the 5 five nature of Upasana Marga one is Surya Upasana, the remaining 4 are Ganesha, Shiva, Vishnu and Shakti Upasana Marga.  The best part of Surya Upasana is you can see the Sun God with your eyes he is Pratyaksha deva.

When the Sun rises red in colour within minutes the sky is engulfed in red colour is referred as “Arunodhaya” followed by the blazing Rays turning into yellow making it difficult to look or take a glimpse of Surya Udhaya.  Vedo-Upanishad recommends to offer argyam during the time the Sun is red in colour and Surya Namaskar as devised in Yoga Shastra is most divine and benefic for humans if performed everyday as  a ritual.

Every verses from the Aditya Hridaya Stotram is a boon for humanity very apt for growth, progression, development capable of ensuring longevity, good health coupled with peace, prosperity interwoven with esoteric and spiritual development for all Yugas and at all times.  These are truly highlighted and substantiated by the following verses.

Aditya hridayam punyam sarva shatru vinashanam 

Jayavaham jhape nityam akshayam paramam shivam

Sarva mangala mangalyam sarva papa pranaasanam

Chinta shokha prasamanam ayurvardhana Uttamam

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आदित्यहृदयं पुण्यं सर्वशत्रुविनाशनम्
जयावहं जपेन्नित्यमक्षय्यं परमं शिवम्

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सर्वमङ्गलमाङ्गल्यं सर्वपापप्रणाशनम्
चिन्ताशोकप्रशमनमायुर्वर्धनमुत्तमम्

Universally the day is important and majority of all round growth, progression and development are witnessed visibly on account of natural light drawn from the Sun, the existence of eternal Sun that keeps rising and setting every day is an epitome of optimism that brings true universal development at Physical, Mental and Spiritual levels.

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OM TAT SAT

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