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."
the upcoming ones:
"Chandra" The Moon
"White, dressed in white, divine, ten horses, white adornments,
mace in hand and two arms is fixed the Moon, O' Twice Born."
"Kuja" Mars
"Wearing red garlands and clothes, a spear, trident and mace and
blessing, four armed is Mars riding a ram."
"Budha" Mercury
"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
"Jupiter... is yellow... four armed, staff, blessing, offerings, rosary
thread and Kamandalu."
"Sukra" Venus
"Venus is white... four armed, staff, blessing, offerings, rosary
thread and Kamandalu."
"Sani" Saturn
"Brilliant like blue sapphire, trident, blessing, riding a vulture,
holding arrow and bow is known Saturn, O' Twice Born."
"Rahu" The North Node
"Gaping mouthed, sword, shield, trident, granting wishes, on a lion
and dark colored is fixed Rahu."
"Ketu" The South Node
"Smokey, two armed, armed with a mace, deformed
limbs, and
seated on a vulture are fixed Ketus granting blessings."