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Figl Chandra or Soma. the Moon. 2. Mangala. 3. Budh
Published by Parbury, Allen & Co London. 1832.

M

PL.25.

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on Mungulwar, or Tuesday, over which day he presides. Like many other martial personages, Mungula is said to be of a fierce and arbitrary disposition.

BUDH,

The planet Mercury of the Hindus, is the son of Soma or Chandra and Rohini. He is a Kettrie, and the first of the Chandrabans, or lunar race of sovereigns. He is represented as being eloquent and mild, and of a greenish colour. In one of the zodiacs he is seated on a carpet, holding in his hands a sceptre and a lotus: in another, he is riding on an eagle. He is elsewhere described sitting in a car drawn by lions; and by Ward, as mounted on a lion. In one of the compartments of the temple at Ramnaghur he is represented, very appropriately, on a winged lion, holding in three of his hands a scimitar, a club, and a shield. (See fig. 3, plate 25.) Budh is the god of merchandize and the protector of merchants; he is, therefore, an object of worship by the Bys caste. It is fortunate to be born under this planet. Budh presides over Budhwar, or Wednesday. The bow, according to Colonel Delamaine, is sacred to Budh, being an emblem of his yielding disposition. It was selected by the sage Dunwuntree, and by him presented to that god; saying, "I have this day completed the circle of my knowledge, and he who shall reverence this token of thee, to him shall knowledge be given, and his diseases vanish."

BRISHPUT, or VRIHUSPATI,

Is the regent of the planet Jupiter, and the preceptor of the gods, hence called their guru. He is the son of Ungira, a son of Brahma, and is of the Brahman caste. He is described of a golden or yellow colour, sitting on a horse, and holding in his hands a stick, a lotus, and his beads. (See fig. 1, plate 26.) The Hindus consider it fortunate to be born under this planet, and are strict in their worship of Brishput. Besides being called Guru or the preceptor, he is termed Gishputu, the eloquent, &c. &c. Vrihuspatwar, or Thursday, is the day over which he presides. The mango-tree is sacred to him.

SUKRA,

The planet Venus, is a Brahman, the preceptor or guru of the giants or ditis, and is held in great estimation by the Hindus. He is by some called the son, by others the grandson, of Brigu, and is described as variously mounted. In one of the zodiacs he is seated on a camel (see fig. 2, plate 26), with a large ring or hoop in his hands, and having the appearance of a female; in another on an animal resembling a rat. By Colonel Delamaine he is represented on a horse, with a stick, beads, a lotus, and sometimes a bow and arrows in his hands. He is thus represented in my plate from the temple at Ramnaghur. He is of a white complexion, middle-aged, and of an agreeable countenance. A person born under this planet will be gifted with the power of omniscience, and possess the gifts of fortune and the blessings of life, among which are many wives. He presides over Sukerwar, or Friday.

SANI or SHUNI,

Is the planet Saturn. He is described of a dark colour, and clothed in black; holding a sword, arrows, and two daggers in his hands. (See fig. 3, plate 26.) His vahan is variously represented, being by some called a black vulture or raven, and by others an elephant. He is old, ugly, lame, of an evil disposition, has long hair, nails, and teeth, and is of the Sudra caste. It is unfortunate to be born under this planet, and the ills of life are ascribed to his influence, as he is supposed to be skilled in all kinds of wickedness. In the worship of him numerous ceremonies are in consequence resorted to, to appease him. He presides over the day of the week Saniswar, or Saturday.

RAHU

Is by some called the sun, and by others the grandson of Kasyapa, and is the planet of the ascending node. He is also variously represented on a lion, a flying dragon, an owl, and a tortoise. Fig. 5, plate 26, from a zodiac, shews him on the latter with a spear in his hand. He is worshipped

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Fig 1. Brishput or Vri haspati 2. Sukra. 3. Sani 4 Ketu 5. Rahu. 6. Unknown. 7. Varuna. 8. Argun performing Tapyasa

from Drawings, Temple of Rama &c. Published by Parbury, Allen&C.London 1832.

W Clerk lith. 41 Dean St Soho.

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