Section 9

10

The Ritual of the Planets (Continued)

Invocation of Lord Angaraka (Mars)

In the shoreless [waters] he sprinkles. Reciting this mantra: O Lord Angaraka The planet Mars, associated with fire and the color red, born of the lineage of Sage Bharadwaja, with a body resembling a mass of blazing coals, possessing four arms and carrying the power-spear, the trident, the mace, and the sword. You who are adorned with red garments, red garlands, and red pastes, and whose limbs are beautified with coral ornaments. You who shine with the glow of the Ashoka flower, I bow to you. You who are graced with a red banner and flag, riding upon a red ram as your vehicle, circling Mount Meru The sacred five-peaked mountain of Hindu cosmology, considered the center of all physical and spiritual universes in a clockwise direction, please arrive.

Accompanied by your consort, I invite you to take your place for the sake of worship upon the image made of red sandalwood, facing South, situated in the center of the southern petal of the lotus on a triangular pedestal.

The Presiding Deity: Bhumi (The Earth)

To his right side, I invoke the Earth (Bhumi), the presiding deity Adhidaivata: The primary celestial patron or "over-lord" of the planet of Mars, with the sacred syllables: Om Bhūr, I invoke the Earth, the presiding deity of Mars. Om Bhuvaḥ, I invoke the Earth. Om Svaḥ, I invoke the Earth. Om Bhūr Bhuvaḥ Svaḥ, I invoke the Earth, the presiding deity of Mars.

Shiva 10

Of the mantra "May the Earth be pleasant" original: "Syona prthivi..." from the Rigveda, the sage is Medhatithi and the meter is Gayatri. "O Earth, be pleasant to us, be free of thorns and a place of rest; grant us wide-spreading shelter." Reciting this mantra: I invoke the Earth, the presiding deity of Mars, who is white in color original: "shukla-varna," though usually associated with green or brown, here she is described in her pure, celestial form,

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adorned with divine ornaments, having four arms and a gentle body, wearing garments like the sky, and holding in her hands a vessel of gems, a vessel of grain, a vessel of medicinal herbs, and a lotus. She who gazes through the doors of the four directions.

The Counter-Presiding Deity: Skanda

To his left side, I invoke Skanda Also known as Kartikeya, the god of war, the counter-presiding deity Pratyadhidaivata: A secondary protective deity associated with the planet of Mars. Om Bhūr, I invoke Skanda. Om Bhuvaḥ, I invoke Skanda. Om Svaḥ, I invoke Skanda. Om Bhūr Bhuvaḥ Svaḥ, I invoke Skanda.

Of the mantra "Like a son to a father" original: "Kumāraścit pitaram...", the sage is Gritsamada and the meter is Trishtubh. Reciting this mantra: I invoke Skanda, the counter-presiding deity of Mars, who has six faces, is decorated with a crest-lock of hair, wears beautiful garments, and rides a peacock. He is equipped with a rooster, a bell, a flag, and a power-spear, and possesses four arms.

Like a son...

Invocation of Lord Budha (Mercury)

Then, on the north-eastern petal: Om Bhūr, I invoke Mercury (Budha). Om Bhuvaḥ, I invoke Mercury. Om Svaḥ, I invoke Mercury. Om Bhūr Bhuvaḥ Svaḥ, I invoke Mercury.

Of the mantra "Awaken!" original: "Udubudhyadhvam..." from the Rigveda, calling for alertness and unity, the sage is Budha (son of Soma) and the meter is Trishtubh. "O friends of my mind, awaken! Kindle the fire together, you who are many and united." I [invoke] Dadhikravan... The text breaks off mid-mantra