The red planet Mars is in
the news.
Mars is at its closest point to the earth - now in August 2003, a
position of proximity that will be seen only after another 3 centuries
or so.
Indian mythology associates the
name Angaraka - with the planet Mars. Certain legends
regard Angaraka or Kuja as the equivalent of Skanda
the son of Shiva. Indeed the Sangam Tamil name 'SevvEL'
of Skanda, literally translated means the red chief. Note that
the Tamil word SevvAi refers to Mars (re: the Tevara
Patikam Veyuru ToLipankan by Sambandar). It should be
noted that Mars was regarded as a deity of war in ancient Greek and
Roman mythology as well.
The Shivastalam PuLLirukku
vELUr or Vaideeswaran Koyil near Chidambaram
in Tamilnadu enshrines Angaraka in addition to Vaidyanatha
(Shiva), Balaambaal (Taiyal Nayaki - Shakti) and Muthukkumaaraswamy
(Skanda).
This temple witnesses
processions of an image of Angaraka (on a ram mount) on
Tuesdays and is regarded as one of the nine Navagraha
shrines of the Kaveri region of Tamilnadu.
Mutthuswamy
Deekshitar, the greatest of composers in the Karnatic music
tradition (as it is practised today), was named after the deity Muthukkumaaraswamy
of PuLLirukku vELUr.
The following is a translation
of his musical composition (in sanskrit) eulogizing Angaaraka
- Sevvaai. This song presents a succinct summary of the mythological
and astrological beliefs centered around Angaaraka.
Angaarakam aasrayaamyaham:
- I salute Angaaraka (who is)
vina taasritajana mandaaram: - the mandaara tree (bestower of
wishers) to his devotees and is
Mangalavaaram Bhumikumaaram - vaaram vaaram: the presiding
deity of mangalavaaram - Tuesday and the son of the earth Bhumi.
Shringaaraka mesha vrischikaraasyaadipatim - He is the
lord of the zodiac signs of Aries and Scorpio.
raktaangam raktaambaraadidharam : He is red complexioned and is
cloaked in red garments
shakti sooladharam: and is armed with a sword and a trident.
Mangalam kambukalam manjulatarapadayugalam: He is the
embodiment of ausipiciousness ; iconographically he is depicted with a
defined neck and beautiful feet.
mangaladaayaka meshaturangam makarottungam - He is the bestower
of auspiciousness; he is seated on a ram (goat) and his position of
strength is the zodiac sign of Capricorn (makara).
Daanava sura sevita He is worshipped by the demons and
the Gods
mandasmita vilasita vaktram - He has a beaming smiling face.
Dharaneepradam bhratrukaarakam - He is the bestower of lands
and brotherhood
rakta netram - He is endowed with red eyes
Dheenarakshakam - He is the protector of the weak
poojita Vaidyanatha kshetram - He is worshipped at the Vaideeswaran
temple
Divyoughaadi guruguha kataakshaanugraha paatram - He is
favoured by the three groups of divine teachers such as Divyaugha (in
the Shakta worship tradition), and by Guruguha (Skanda)
Bhaanuchandra gurumitram - He is a friend of Surya, Chandra and
Brihaspati (the sun, moon and jupiter)
bhaasamaana sukalatram - He radiates in splendour with his
consort
jaanustahasta chitram - (Iconographically he is depicted)
with one hand on his knee
chaturbhujam - (Iconographically he is depicted) with four arms
ati vichitram - and is extraordinary.
