51 - Characteristics of the images of the Sun and other planets

The Lord said:

l. (The image of) the Sun (should be made) to ride a chariot having one wheel and seven horses. (He must) hold two lotuses, ink-stand, pen and a staff in his right hand. 

2. Pingala, an attendant and gate-keeper of the Sun (should be placed) on the left with the mace in his hand. (Sun-god)should have female attendants bearing chowries (fly-slappers) and the pale-looking consort by his side. 

3. Or (the image of) the Sunshould be made as riding a horse alone. The guardian deities of different quartersshould duly be endowed with weapons, holding two lotuses (in hands) and bestowing boons. 

4. (The images of) Agni and other gods bearing the club, trident, disc and lotusshould be placed in different directions (around). (The images of) thc forms of Sun, commencing with Aryamå are represented as possessing four arms and placed in a diagram of twelve petals. 

5-6. Varuna, Sürya, Sahasrāmśu (one who has thousand rays), Dhátr, 'Tapana, Savitr, Gabhastika, Ravi, Parjanya, Tvashțr, Mitra (and) Vishņu are his different names as he moves over the zodiacal signs commeneing with the Aries in the course of months commencing with Margasirsha and ending with Karttika.¹ 

1. These two correspond to the months December-January and November-December. 

7-9. Their female energies known by the names-Ida, Sushumná, Visvárcis, Indu, Pramardini, Praharshaņi, Mahákali, Kapila, Prabodhani, Nilambarā, Ghanåntastha and Amrutå, and placed at the ends of petals are of black, red, pale red, yellow, pale yellow, white, brown, yellow, green, white, grey and blue. 

10. Similar colours are given to Varuna and others placed at the tips of petals. The form of Tejas (effulgence)should be represented as fierce, extremely crooked, possessing two arms holding a lotus and sword. 

11. The form of Moonshould be represented as holding a sacrificial pitcher and rosary. (The image of) Marsshould be) holding a spear and rosary. (The figure of) Mercury (should be) holding the bow ard rosary in his hands. (The form of) Jupiter (should be) holding the sacrificial pitcher and rosary. 

12. (The image of) Venus may be holding the sacrificial pitcher and rosary. (That of) Saturnshould be endowed with a girdle of bells. (While that of) Råhu (the ascending node of the moon considered as a planet) (is represented as) holding half of the lunar disc, (that of) Ketu (the descending node of the moon considered as a planet) (is represented as) holding the sword and lamp. 

13. (The serpents) Ananta, Takshaka, Karka, Padma, Mahābja and Sankha are all (represented as) having hooded heads with great radiance. 

14. (The image of) Indra is endowed with thunder-bolt and as seated on an elephant, (that of) Agni as riding a goat and holding a spear, (that of) Yama as on a buffalo and carrying a club and (that of) Nirruti as holding a sword. 

15. (The image of) Varuņa (ocean god) is made as seated) on a crocodile and as holding a noose, (that of) Våyu (wind god) (as riding) an antelope and holding a banner, (that of) Kubera (god of wealth) as seated on asheep and bearing a mace, and (that of) Ishana (as seated) on a bull and having a matted hair. 

16. (The images) of theguardian deities of the quarters of the world are endowed with two arms. (The celestial architect) Viśvakarman (should be represented) as holding a rosary. (The figure of) Hanumat (monkey, devoted to Råma) may be holding the thunderbolt in his hand and pounding the earth with his feet. 

17. (The semi-divine beings) Kinnaras may be (represented) as holding lutes in their arms and the Vidyadharas (semidivine beings) as having garlands (and moving) in the sky. The goblins may be (represented) as having emaciated bodies and the vampires as deformed faces, the Guardians of the sites as having the tridents and the spirits of the dead people as lean and big-bellied.