Shantikamalakara 2.3.5

2.3.5

[those facing west] have downward gaze, and the others face the Sun: because of the statement in the Matsyapurāṇa. In the Hemādri it is said that there is an option [on this]. Having recited the vyāhṛtis and hailed them, one should invoke those endowed with color, form, and qualities. / The diagrams of the planets in the Skandapurāṇa: / But the Sun is in the shape of a circle, the Moon is square, Mars is triangular, and Mercury is in the shape of an arrow. One should know Jupiter to be square, and Venus five-cornered. One should know Saturn to be like a bow, and Rāhu in the shape of a winnowing basket. But the Ketus are banner-shaped; Gaṇeśa has his own form. / The meaning is that one should establish them on diagrams of their respective colors, on images of copper or the like, or on unbroken rice. In the Hemādri [it is stated that] there is an option between diagram and image. / Yājñavalkya states the mantras of the planets: / 'By the dark [path],' 'This [soma] the gods,' 'Agni is the head, the summit of heaven,' 'Awaken!': the verses are proclaimed in respective order. 'O Bṛhaspati, that which is exceedingly venerable,' 'From every limb,' 'May the goddess be auspicious for us,' 'From every knot,' 'Making [him] a ketu': these [are recited]. / But in the Skandapurāṇa it is said: 'By what [aid]' is Rāhu's [mantra]. In the Matsyapurāṇa others are stated: / 'Agni the messenger' for the Lord of Day; and for the Moon, 'O Agni, be favorable'; 'Be soft, O Earth' for Mars; and 'This Viṣṇu' for Mercury; 'Indra [is the king] of these' for Jupiter; and 'Bright light' for Venus; 'O Lord of creatures' for Saturn; 'This spotted bull' for Rāhu; for Ketu 'Knowing the ultimate reality': they are established with their respective mantras. Even for the mantras of other deities, their application is according to the principle 'just as the Aindrī verse applies [to Indra]' based on an element of the wording. These very ones are [used] in the homa too. / The presiding deities in the Skandapurāṇa: / One should place Śambhu to the north of the Sun, Umā to the south of the Moon, and Skanda to the south of Mars; Viṣṇu to the west of Mercury, Brahmā to the east of Jupiter; know Indra to the east of Venus, and Yama to the southeast of Saturn; Kāla, who inspires fear in all beings, to the northeast of Rāhu; and Citragupta in the southwestern direction of Ketu.