The Jewel of Rituals for the Planetary Sacrifice

Ritual of the Nine Planets

...to the right side. I invoke Vinayaka, who has four arms, three eyes, and an elephant’s face. He wears a serpent as his sacred thread term: yajñopavīta and bears the crescent moon on his head. He holds a rosary, an axe, and a sweetmeat term: modaka.

To his right: Om Bhuh, I invoke Durga. Om Bhuvah, I invoke Durga. Om Swah, I invoke Durga. Om Bhur-Bhuvah-Swah, I invoke Durga.

For the mantra "To the Knower of Wealth" original: "jātavedase..." (Rig Veda 1.99.1). Though addressed to Agni, this verse is traditionally used to invoke Durga's protection, the Seer is Kashyapa, the deity is Durga, and the meter is Trishtubh. Invocation.

Om. We offer the Soma to the Knower of Wealth; may he consume the wealth of those who wish us ill. May he lead us across all difficulties and trials, as a boatman carries us across a river, protecting us from sin as if from fire.

I invoke Durga, who is adorned with power, arrows, a trident, a sword, a discus, a moon-disk, a shield, a skull, and precious jewels. She has ten arms, rides a lion, and is the destroyer of the demon enemies of the gods.

To her right: Om Bhuh, I invoke Kshetrapala The "Guardian of the Ground," usually a fierce form of Shiva or Bhairava who protects the ritual space. Om Bhuvah, I invoke Kshetrapala. Om Swah, I invoke Kshetrapala. Om Bhur-Bhuvah-Swah, I invoke Kshetrapala.

For the mantra "With the Lord of the Field" original: "kṣetrasya patinā..." (Rig Veda 4.57.1), the Seer is Vamadeva, the deity is Kshetrapala, and the meter is Anushtubh. Invocation.

Om. With the Lord of the Field as our friend, we shall be victorious. May he nourish our cattle and our horses; may he be gracious to such as us.

Shiva 17

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Om Bhur-Bhuvah-Swah, I invoke the deity of the North... Om Bhuvah, I invoke... Om Swah, I invoke... Auspicious

I invoke Kshetrapala, who is dark-complexioned with three eyes and hair that stands upright. His face is fierce with fangs and a furrowed brow. His feet are adorned with anklets, and he wears a serpent as a waistband. His entire body is pitch black; his ankles are tied with small bells. He wears a garland of skulls and a loincloth made of deer skin. He wears the moon in his hair. In his right hands, he holds a jewel, a goblin-staff term: vetāla, a sword, and a kettle-drum. In his left hands, he holds a skull-cup, a water-pot, a shield, and a bow. He is terrifying, clothed in the directions note: "digvāsasam" implies he is naked, a common trait of Bhairava, and possesses boundless splendor.

To his right: Om Bhuh, I invoke Vayu. Om Bhuvah, I invoke Vayu. Om Swah, I invoke Vayu. Om Bhur-Bhuvah-Swah, I invoke Vayu.

For the mantra "Like a young child" original: "kaṇāśiśur..." (Rig Veda 9.102.2), the Seer is Trita, the deity is Vayu, and the meter is Ushnih. Invocation.

Om. Like a young child, he moves through the great ones, stimulating the light of the eternal Law. He becomes beloved by all, carrying the offerings.

I invoke the smoke-colored Vayu The God of Wind, who moves swiftly and carries the offerings of the sacrifice.

To his right: For the mantra "Beholding the Sun" original: "āditya prat...", the Seer is Vatsapri and the meter is Gayatri...