Ninth Section

Invocation of the Sun and Celestial Deities

Ninth Section — A

Reciting the mantra beginning with "Observing the higher light," original: "ud vayaṃ tamasaspari... nipashyan"; a Vedic verse to the Sun I invoke the Sun: O Lord Aditya, sovereign of the planets, born of the Kashyapa lineage Kashyapa: One of the seven great sages from whom various beings are descended, ruler of the Kalinga region, you who resemble the hibiscus flower, with two arms, your hands held in the gestures of the lotus and "fear-not" Abhaya-mudra: a hand gesture symbolizing protection and peace. You whose garments, garlands, and ointments are the color of vermillion, whose entire body is adorned with ornaments set with blazing rubies, a radiant treasury of light, the illuminator of the three worlds, whose form embodies the three great gods Trimurti: The triad of Brahma the creator, Vishnu the preserver, and Shiva the destroyer, I bow to you. Decorated with a banner and flag of a dull red hue, arrive on your chariot drawn by seven horses as you circle Mount Meru The sacred mountain at the center of the universe in Hindu cosmology clockwise. I invite you to take your place upon the copper image situated in the center of the lotus for the sake of worship. Thus, one should invite the Sun.

To his right side, I invoke Agni, the presiding deity Adhidaivata: The "over-deity" or primary celestial patron of a planet of the Sun, with the sacred syllables: Om Bhūr, Om Bhuvaḥ, Om Svaḥ These are the Vyahritis, representing the earth, atmosphere, and heavens.

Regarding the mantra Agni as the messenger, the seer is Kanva Medhatithi, the meter is Gayatri, and the deity is Agni Shiva —:

Om. We choose Agni as our messenger, the priest, the possessor of all knowledge, the performer of this sacrifice.

After reciting this mantra:

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I invoke Agni, the presiding deity of the Sun, who has yellow-gold eyebrows, beard, and hair, yellow eyes, and three eyes; who is of a reddish complexion, seated upon a goat, holding a rosary and the seven-flamed power in his hands.

To the left side of the Sun, I invoke Rudra, the secondary presiding deity Pratyadhidaivata: The "counter-deity" or secondary patron who balances the primary one. Om Bhūr, Om Bhuvaḥ, Om Svaḥ, I invoke the Rudras.

Regarding the mantra The Three-Eyed One, the seer is Vasishtha, the meter is Anushtubh, and the deity is Tryambaka A name for Rudra/Shiva meaning "Three-Eyed":

Om. We worship the three-eyed one, who is fragrant and who nourishes all. Like a ripened cucumber from its stem, may he liberate us from death, and not from immortality.

After reciting this mantra: I invoke Rudra-Sadashiva, the secondary presiding deity of the Sun, who has three eyes and five faces, who is mounted upon a bull, who carries a skull-cup, a trident, and a sword, and who wears the moon upon his head.

On the southeast petal of the ritual diagram, I invoke Soma The Moon deity. Om Bhūr, Om Bhuvaḥ, Om Svaḥ, I invoke Soma.

Regarding the mantra May you swell, the seer is Gautama, and the meter is Gayatri:

Om. May you swell; may the strength of the universe come to you from all sides, O Soma. Be the source of our strength—