Ritual of the Nine Planets 16

The Invocation of Ketu

O Lord Ketu, born in the land of Kamarupa Modern-day Assam, historically associated with tantric rites and the origin of Ketu, belonging to the Jaimini lineage, and ruler of the Middle Country. Your complexion is smoke-colored, and your form is like a banner. You have two arms, holding a mace and making the gesture of granting boons. You are adorned with variegated garments, garlands, and ointments, and decorated with ornaments of cat’s eye term: vaidūrya (the gemstone associated with Ketu).

Salutations to you, who possess the power of the diverse classes of the mind! Come, graced by variegated banners and flags, riding a chariot drawn by a variegated pigeon, as you circumambulate Mount Meru—come now! Along with Brahma and Vishnugupta, please take your place for the sake of worship upon the bronze image, facing southward on the banner-shaped seat in the middle of the northwest petal. I invoke you.

To the right side of Ketu: Om Bhuh, I invoke Brahma, the presiding deity term: adhidevatā of Ketu. Om Bhuvah, I invoke Brahma... Om Swah, I invoke Brahma... Om Bhur-Bhuvah-Swah, I invoke Brahma.

For the mantra "Brahma, the first-born" original: "brahma jajñānaṃ..." (Atharva Veda 4.1.1). This hymn celebrates the primordial creative intellect, the meter is Trishtubh and the deity is Brahma. Invocation. Om. Brahma, the first-born from of old, from the radiant horizon, the Seer has revealed; he has disclosed its deepest, most fundamental forms, the womb of both the existent and the non-existent.

I invoke Brahma, the presiding deity of Ketu, who is seated upon a lotus, with matted hair and four faces, holding a prayer bead, a sruva a small wooden ladle used for pouring clarified butter into the sacred fire, a book, and a water-pot; he wears a black antelope skin as a garment and is accompanied by a swan.

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Vi. 16

To the left side of Ketu: Om Bhuh, I invoke Vishnugupta This refers to Chitragupta, the celestial record-keeper and scribe of Yama, the counter-presiding deity term: pratyadhidevatā of Ketu. Om Bhuvah, I invoke Vishnugupta... Om Swah, I invoke Vishnugupta... Om Bhur-Bhuvah-Swah, I invoke Vishnugupta.

For the mantra "The wondrous Sun" original: "savitraṃ citraṃ...", the seer is Bharadvaja, the deity is Chitragupta, and the meter is Trishtubh. Invocation. Om. We invoke the bright, wondrous Sun, who perceives all, the wonderful protector; may we attain that wondrous wealth and heroic strength.

I invoke Vishnugupta, the counter-presiding deity of Ketu, who wears Northern-style clothing A traditional iconographic trait for solar and scribal deities, showing Central Asian influence, has a gentle appearance, and is equipped with a pen and a leaf for writing. He has two arms.

Invocation of the Supporting Deities

Now, to ensure the perfection of the ritual, one should perform the invocation of the deities upon the well-prepared pedestals. The order is as follows: in the north-western region... Om Bhuh, I invoke Vinayaka Ganesha, the remover of obstacles. Om Bhuvah, I invoke Vinayaka... Om Swah, I invoke Vinayaka... Om Bhur-Bhuvah-Swah, I invoke Vinayaka.

For the mantra "Come to us, O Indra" original: "ā tū na indra..." (Rig Veda 1.82.1). Though addressed to Indra, it is used here to summon Ganesha's power, the seer is Kanva Kusidi, the deity is Vinayaka, and the meter is Gayatri. Om. Come to us, O Indra, with wondrous, graspable wealth; O Great-Handed One...