The Ritual of the Planets, Section 11

Planets Ritual 11 [Recite:] "Like the gods well-adorned, the companions of Indra..." A Vedic mantra fragment, likely from the Rigveda, used to sanctify the space. Having recited this mantra: O Lord Mercury The text uses the name "Saumya," meaning "Son of the Moon," a standard title for the planet Mercury, who acts with gentleness, the all-knowing one! I bow to you, born of the Atri lineage, ruler of the Magadha region Ancient kingdom in eastern India, having the color of a golden water-jar, four-armed, holding a sword, a shield, and a mace, and displaying the gesture of granting boons. You are adorned with yellow garments, yellow garlands, and yellow ointments, with all your limbs beautified by emerald ornaments. O wise one, I bow to you. Please arrive, graced by your yellow banner and flag, riding a chariot drawn by four lions, circling Mount Meru The sacred center of the universe in a clockwise direction.

Accompanied by Lord Vishnu and the Supreme Purusha The Cosmic Man, I invite you to take your place for the sake of worship upon the golden image, facing North, situated in the center of the North-East petal of the lotus on an arrow-shaped pedestal.

The Presiding and Counter-Presiding Deities

Then, the invocation of the primary and secondary presiding deities at his sides. To his right side: Om Bhūr, I invoke Vishnu, the presiding deity Adhidaivata: The primary celestial patron of the planet of Mercury. Om Bhuvaḥ, I invoke Vishnu. Om Svaḥ, I invoke Vishnu. Om Bhūr Bhuvaḥ Svaḥ, I invoke Vishnu, the presiding deity of Mercury.

For the mantra "Through this, Vishnu strode," the seer is Kanva Medhatithi, the deity is Vishnu, and the meter is Gayatri.

[Mantra:] "Through this entire universe strode Vishnu; thrice he planted his foot..." 19

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"...and the whole world was gathered in the dust of his footsteps." original: Rigveda 1.22.17 I invoke Lord Vishnu, the presiding deity of Mercury, four-armed and carrying the Kaumodaki mace, the lotus, the conch, and the discus.

To his left side: Om Bhūr, I invoke the Supreme Spirit Purusha, the counter-presiding deity Pratyadhidaivata: The secondary celestial patron of the planet of Mercury. Om Bhuvaḥ, I invoke the Purusha. Om Svaḥ, I invoke the Purusha. Om Bhūr Bhuvaḥ Svaḥ, I invoke the Purusha, the counter-presiding deity of Mercury.

For the "Thousand-headed" mantra, the seer is Narayana, the deity is the Purusha, and the meter is Anustubh.

[Mantra:] "The Purusha has a thousand heads, a thousand eyes, a thousand feet. He encompasses the earth on every side and rules over it, extending ten fingers' breadth beyond." original: Rigveda 10.90.1, the "Purusha Sukta" I invoke the Purusha, the counter-presiding deity of Mercury, four-armed and carrying the Kaumodaki mace, the lotus, the conch, and the discus.

Invocation of Lord Brihaspati (Jupiter)

Upon the northern petal [of the mandala]: Om Bhūr, I invoke Jupiter (Brihaspati). Om Bhuvaḥ, I invoke Jupiter. Om Svaḥ, I invoke Jupiter. Om Bhūr Bhuvaḥ Svaḥ, I invoke Jupiter.

For the mantra "O Jupiter, that which surpasses," the seer is Gritsamada, the deity is Jupiter, and the meter is Trishtubh.

[Mantra:] "O Jupiter, that which surpasses the enemy, which shines bright and powerful among the people, which is radiant with holy rites..." original: Rigveda 2.23.15