1920.] Hindu Astronomical Deities. 65 
MEDIAEVAL RITUAL. 
13. The Yajiiavalkyasmriti, which was possibly composed 
in the fourth century of the Christian era, contains directions 
for the worship of the planets : 
‘Those desirous of prosperity or desirous of peace 
should worship the planets. For rain, for long life, 
for nourishment act in the same way e Sun 
Moon, Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus, ‘Saturn, Rahu 
and Ketu should be remembered as planets. 
“The planets should be offered copper, a oe red 
sandal, gold, silver, iron, lead and bro in 
order. They should be marked on a a boKie in Abele 
own colours in circles by sandal-wood, or their 
several colours should be indicated by pieces of 
cloth or flowers. Also perfumes, garlands and 
incense of guggulu should be offered, and oblations 
should be made with mantras.’ 
Then are indicated the appropriate mantras, which have 
a very special interest as obviously they were considered the 
most suitable of the Vedic texts for the several planets. The 
connexion, except in the cases of the Sun and Moon, and 
perhaps Jupiter, is generally merely a matter of some verbal 
similarity: for raged the Budha Aggies mantra begins 
with udbudh ya, etc. ‘Wake up, etc.” The following trans- 
ven are rakeg ene Griffith’s edition of the White Yajur 
living coektaiakst (WYV Xxxiii, 43; RV i, 35*.) 
Tur Moon—‘ Gods quicken me that none may be my rival 
as domination, dit f lordship, me son of such a man 
an, of sucha tribe. This is your king, 
ve bay men: Soma is lord and king of us the Brah- 
.’ (WYV ix, 40.) 
pana Agni is heed and height of heaven, the master 
of the earth is he. He quickeneth the water’s seed.” 
(WYV iii, 12; RV viii, 44'°.) 
Mercury—* Wake up, O Agni, thou, and keep him watch- 
ful. Wish and fruition meet and be together. In this 
and the loftier habitation be seated, All-gods, and the 
sacrificer.”” (WYV xv, 54.) 
Jurirer—* Give us, Brihaspati, that wondrous treasure, 
that which exceeds the merit of the foeman, w h 
shines among the folk effectual, splendid, that son of 
law which is might refulgent: taken upon a base art 
