The Nine Planets
The Navagrahas or the nine planets are thus represented
in the Sashtras: -
1. Surya's great chariot has one wheel and is drawn by
seven horses; he has a lotus in each hand, wears armour
and has a shield over his breast, has beautiful straight
hair, and is surrounded by a halo of light.
2. Chandra is represented in white colour, clothed in white
garment, surrounded by a halo and adorned with ornaments
and garland of all sorts of flowers.
3. Mangala is represented in fire-like red colour, clothed
in red garments, seated upon Simhasana, with three arms
bearing 'Gada', 'Sula', 'Sakti' weapons and as one in an
'Abhaya' or 'Varada' pose.
4. Buddha is represented in yellow colour, clothed in yellow
garment, with' three arms bearing 'Khadga', 'Khetaka', and
'Gada' and in Varada pose.
5. Brihaspati is represented in yellow colour, clothed
in golden yellow garments with three arms bearing 'Kamandalu',
'Aksamala', and 'Danda' and in Varada pose. Sometimes this
planet is represented with two arms having a 'Pustaka' and
an 'Aksamala'.
6. Shukra is represented in white colour, clothed in white
garments, having four arms and bearing the same weapons
as Brihaspati. Just like him it is sometimes represented
with two hands bearing 'Nidhi' (treasure) and 'Pustaka'.
7. Shani is represented in black colour, clothed in black
garments, small in stature and somewhat lame in one leg.
He has two arms bearing a Danda and an 'Aksamala' and sometimes
in Varada pose.
8. Rahu is represented on a 'Simhasana' or a silver chariot
drawn by eight horses. According to some it possesses four
arms, three of which bear 'Khadga', 'Khetaka', and 'Sula'
and in Varada pose and sometimes he possesses two arms carrying
a book.
9. Ketu is represented in dark colour having two arms
in Abhaya pose holding a 'Gada', and sometimes on a chariot
drawn by ten horses."
