Grahas- The Planetary Images


A couple of years ago (2006) I did the sketches of the planetary deities for my husband Ernst Wilhelm's  book "Graha Sutras." The sketches were done true to the descriptions of the imagery of the planets as described in the ancient astrological text from India.

This year I have started working on portraying these deities in watercolor.

Here is the first one of the series:

"Surya"  The Sun


"Lotus seated, lotus in hand, brilliant as a lotus flower and sitting
 in a seven horse drawn chariot with two arms is the Sun."
 

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the upcoming ones:

"Chandra"  The Moon

Chandra

"White, dressed in white, divine, ten horses, white adornments,
mace in hand and two arms is fixed the Moon, O' Twice Born."
 

"Kuja"  Mars

Kuja

"Wearing red garlands and clothes, a spear, trident and mace and
blessing, four armed is Mars riding a ram."
 

"Budha"  Mercury

Budha

"Wearing yellow garlands and clothes, brilliant like a Karnika flower,
handling a sword, shield and mace, on a lion and blessing is Mercury."
 

"Guru"  Jupiter

Guru

"Jupiter... is yellow... four armed, staff, blessing, offerings, rosary
thread and Kamandalu."
 

"Sukra"  Venus

Sukra

"Venus is white... four armed, staff, blessing, offerings, rosary
thread and Kamandalu."
 

"Sani"  Saturn

Sani

"Brilliant like blue sapphire, trident, blessing, riding a vulture,
holding arrow and bow is known Saturn, O' Twice Born."
 

"Rahu"  The North Node

Rahu

"Gaping mouthed, sword, shield, trident, granting wishes, on a lion
and dark colored is fixed Rahu."
 

"Ketu"  The South Node

Ketu

"Smokey, two armed, armed with a mace, deformed limbs, and
seated on a vulture are fixed Ketus granting blessings."