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The Rgveda refers to five planets as deities, out of which it mentions Brhaspati (Jupiter) and Vena (Venus) by name.<ref name=":0">Kolachana, Aditya & Mahesh, Kaluva & Ramasubramanian, K.. (2019). Main characteristics and achievements of ancient Indian astronomy in historical perspective. 10.1007/978-981-13-7326-8_24. </ref><blockquote>अमी ये पञ्चोक्षणो मध्ये तस्थुर्महो दिवः । देवत्रा नु प्रवाच्यं सध्रीचीना नि वावृतुर्वित्तं मे अस्य रोदसी ॥१०॥<ref>Rgveda, Mandala 1, [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%8B%E0%A4%97%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B5%E0%A5%87%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%83_%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%82%E0%A4%95%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%82_%E0%A5%A7.%E0%A5%A7%E0%A5%A6%E0%A5%AB Sukta 105].</ref> Rg. 1.105.10</blockquote><blockquote>बृहस्पतिः प्रथमं जायमानो महो ज्योतिषः परमे व्योमन् । सप्तास्यस्तुविजातो रवेण वि सप्तरश्मिरधमत्तमांसि ॥४॥<ref>Rgveda, Mandala 4, [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%8B%E0%A4%97%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B5%E0%A5%87%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%83_%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%82%E0%A4%95%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%82_%E0%A5%AA.%E0%A5%AB%E0%A5%A6 Sukta 50].</ref> Rg. 4.50.4</blockquote><blockquote>अयं वेनश्चोदयत्पृश्निगर्भा ज्योतिर्जरायू रजसो विमाने । इममपां संगमे सूर्यस्य शिशुं न विप्रा मतिभी रिहन्ति ॥१॥<ref>Rgveda, Mandala 10, [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%8B%E0%A4%97%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B5%E0%A5%87%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%83_%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%82%E0%A4%95%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%82_%E0%A5%A7%E0%A5%A6.%E0%A5%A7%E0%A5%A8%E0%A5%A9 Sukta 123].</ref> Rg. 10.123.1</blockquote><blockquote>अथ मन्थिनं गृह्णाति । अयं वेनश्चोदयत्पृश्निगर्भा ज्योतिर्जरायू रजसो विमाने इममपां संगमे सूर्यस्य शिशुं न विप्रा मतिभी रिहन्ति उपयामगृहीतोऽसि मर्काय त्वेति - ४.२.१.[१०]<ref>Shatapatha brahmana, Kanda 4, Adhyaya 2, [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%B6%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%A5%E0%A4%AC%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B9%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D/%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A1%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D_%E0%A5%AA/%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%83_%E0%A5%A8/%E0%A4%AC%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B9%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%A3_%E0%A5%A7 Brahmana 1].</ref> Shat. brah. 4.2.1</blockquote>Shani (Saturn), Rahu (Moon's ascending node), and Ketu (Moon's descending node) are mentioned in the Maitrayani Upanishad 7.6<ref name=":0" /><blockquote>शनिराहुकेतूरगरक्षोयक्षनरविहगशरभेभादयोऽधस्तादुद्यन्ति तपन्ति वर्षन्ति स्तुवन्ति पुनर्विशन्ति अन्तर्विवरेणेक्षन्ति यः प्राज्ञो विधरणः सर्वान्तरोऽक्षरः शुद्धः पूतः भान्तः क्षान्तः शान्तः ॥ ७.६॥<ref>[https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%88%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%A3%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%A8%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B7%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D Maitrayani Upanishad].</ref> Mait. Upan. 7.6</blockquote>It also mentions 34 lights which, in all probability, are the Sun, the Moon, the 5 planets and the 27 nakshatras (Rg 10.55.3)<ref name=":0" /><blockquote>आ रोदसी अपृणादोत मध्यं पञ्च देवाँ ऋतुशः सप्तसप्त । चतुस्त्रिंशता पुरुधा वि चष्टे सरूपेण ज्योतिषा विव्रतेन ॥३॥<ref>Rgveda, Mandala 10, [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%8B%E0%A4%97%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B5%E0%A5%87%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%83_%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%82%E0%A4%95%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%82_%E0%A5%A7%E0%A5%A6.%E0%A5%AB%E0%A5%AB Sukta 55].</ref> Rg. 10.55.3.</blockquote>The Rgveda describes the Sun as the sole light-giver of the universe, the cause of the seasons, the controller and the lord of the world.<ref name=":0" /><blockquote>एक एवाग्निर्बहुधा समिद्ध एकः सूर्यो विश्वमनु प्रभूतः । एकैवोषाः सर्वमिदं वि भात्येकं वा इदं वि बभूव सर्वम् ॥२॥<ref>Rgveda, Mandala 8, [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%8B%E0%A4%97%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B5%E0%A5%87%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%83_%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%82%E0%A4%95%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%82_%E0%A5%AE.%E0%A5%AB%E0%A5%AE Sukta 58].</ref> Rg. 8.58.2</blockquote><blockquote>त्रीणि जाना परि भूषन्त्यस्य समुद्र एकं दिव्येकमप्सु । पूर्वामनु प्र दिशं पार्थिवानामृतून्प्रशासद्वि दधावनुष्ठु ॥३॥<ref>Rgveda, Mandala 1, [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%8B%E0%A4%97%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B5%E0%A5%87%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%83_%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%82%E0%A4%95%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%82_%E0%A5%A7.%E0%A5%AF%E0%A5%AB Sukta 95].</ref> Rg. 1.95.3</blockquote><blockquote>सनेमि चक्रमजरं वि वावृत उत्तानायां दश युक्ता वहन्ति । सूर्यस्य चक्षू रजसैत्यावृतं तस्मिन्नार्पिता भुवनानि विश्वा ॥१४॥<ref>Rgveda, Mandala 1, [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%8B%E0%A4%97%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B5%E0%A5%87%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%83_%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%82%E0%A4%95%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%82_%E0%A5%A7.%E0%A5%A7%E0%A5%AC%E0%A5%AA Sukta 164].</ref> Rg. 1.164.14</blockquote>Aitareya brahmana 2.7 describes Sun as the cause of the wind.
The Rgveda refers to five planets as deities, out of which it mentions Brhaspati (Jupiter) and Vena (Venus) by name.<ref name=":0">Kolachana, Aditya & Mahesh, Kaluva & Ramasubramanian, K.. (2019). Main characteristics and achievements of ancient Indian astronomy in historical perspective. 10.1007/978-981-13-7326-8_24. </ref><blockquote>अमी ये पञ्चोक्षणो मध्ये तस्थुर्महो दिवः । देवत्रा नु प्रवाच्यं सध्रीचीना नि वावृतुर्वित्तं मे अस्य रोदसी ॥१०॥<ref>Rgveda, Mandala 1, [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%8B%E0%A4%97%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B5%E0%A5%87%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%83_%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%82%E0%A4%95%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%82_%E0%A5%A7.%E0%A5%A7%E0%A5%A6%E0%A5%AB Sukta 105].</ref> Rg. 1.105.10</blockquote><blockquote>बृहस्पतिः प्रथमं जायमानो महो ज्योतिषः परमे व्योमन् । सप्तास्यस्तुविजातो रवेण वि सप्तरश्मिरधमत्तमांसि ॥४॥<ref>Rgveda, Mandala 4, [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%8B%E0%A4%97%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B5%E0%A5%87%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%83_%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%82%E0%A4%95%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%82_%E0%A5%AA.%E0%A5%AB%E0%A5%A6 Sukta 50].</ref> Rg. 4.50.4</blockquote><blockquote>अयं वेनश्चोदयत्पृश्निगर्भा ज्योतिर्जरायू रजसो विमाने । इममपां संगमे सूर्यस्य शिशुं न विप्रा मतिभी रिहन्ति ॥१॥<ref>Rgveda, Mandala 10, [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%8B%E0%A4%97%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B5%E0%A5%87%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%83_%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%82%E0%A4%95%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%82_%E0%A5%A7%E0%A5%A6.%E0%A5%A7%E0%A5%A8%E0%A5%A9 Sukta 123].</ref> Rg. 10.123.1</blockquote><blockquote>अथ मन्थिनं गृह्णाति । अयं वेनश्चोदयत्पृश्निगर्भा ज्योतिर्जरायू रजसो विमाने इममपां संगमे सूर्यस्य शिशुं न विप्रा मतिभी रिहन्ति उपयामगृहीतोऽसि मर्काय त्वेति - ४.२.१.[१०]<ref>Shatapatha brahmana, Kanda 4, Adhyaya 2, [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%B6%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%A5%E0%A4%AC%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B9%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D/%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A1%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D_%E0%A5%AA/%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%83_%E0%A5%A8/%E0%A4%AC%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B9%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%A3_%E0%A5%A7 Brahmana 1].</ref> Shat. brah. 4.2.1</blockquote>Shani (Saturn), Rahu (Moon's ascending node), and Ketu (Moon's descending node) are mentioned in the Maitrayani Upanishad 7.6<ref name=":0" /><blockquote>शनिराहुकेतूरगरक्षोयक्षनरविहगशरभेभादयोऽधस्तादुद्यन्ति तपन्ति वर्षन्ति स्तुवन्ति पुनर्विशन्ति अन्तर्विवरेणेक्षन्ति यः प्राज्ञो विधरणः सर्वान्तरोऽक्षरः शुद्धः पूतः भान्तः क्षान्तः शान्तः ॥ ७.६॥<ref>[https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%88%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%A3%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%A8%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B7%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D Maitrayani Upanishad].</ref> Mait. Upan. 7.6</blockquote>It also mentions 34 lights which, in all probability, are the Sun, the Moon, the 5 planets and the 27 nakshatras (Rg 10.55.3)<ref name=":0" /><blockquote>आ रोदसी अपृणादोत मध्यं पञ्च देवाँ ऋतुशः सप्तसप्त । चतुस्त्रिंशता पुरुधा वि चष्टे सरूपेण ज्योतिषा विव्रतेन ॥३॥<ref>Rgveda, Mandala 10, [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%8B%E0%A4%97%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B5%E0%A5%87%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%83_%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%82%E0%A4%95%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%82_%E0%A5%A7%E0%A5%A6.%E0%A5%AB%E0%A5%AB Sukta 55].</ref> Rg. 10.55.3.</blockquote>The Rgveda describes the Sun as the sole light-giver of the universe, the cause of the seasons, the controller and the lord of the world.<ref name=":0" /><blockquote>एक एवाग्निर्बहुधा समिद्ध एकः सूर्यो विश्वमनु प्रभूतः । एकैवोषाः सर्वमिदं वि भात्येकं वा इदं वि बभूव सर्वम् ॥२॥<ref>Rgveda, Mandala 8, [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%8B%E0%A4%97%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B5%E0%A5%87%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%83_%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%82%E0%A4%95%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%82_%E0%A5%AE.%E0%A5%AB%E0%A5%AE Sukta 58].</ref> Rg. 8.58.2</blockquote><blockquote>त्रीणि जाना परि भूषन्त्यस्य समुद्र एकं दिव्येकमप्सु । पूर्वामनु प्र दिशं पार्थिवानामृतून्प्रशासद्वि दधावनुष्ठु ॥३॥<ref>Rgveda, Mandala 1, [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%8B%E0%A4%97%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B5%E0%A5%87%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%83_%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%82%E0%A4%95%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%82_%E0%A5%A7.%E0%A5%AF%E0%A5%AB Sukta 95].</ref> Rg. 1.95.3</blockquote><blockquote>सनेमि चक्रमजरं वि वावृत उत्तानायां दश युक्ता वहन्ति । सूर्यस्य चक्षू रजसैत्यावृतं तस्मिन्नार्पिता भुवनानि विश्वा ॥१४॥<ref>Rgveda, Mandala 1, [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%8B%E0%A4%97%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B5%E0%A5%87%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%83_%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%82%E0%A4%95%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%82_%E0%A5%A7.%E0%A5%A7%E0%A5%AC%E0%A5%AA Sukta 164].</ref> Rg. 1.164.14</blockquote>Aitareya brahmana 2.7 describes Sun as the cause of the wind.
The Moon is called Surya-rashmi ie. one which shines by sunlight (Taittiriya Samhita 3.4.7.1)<ref name=":0" /><blockquote>ऋताषाड् ऋतधामाग्निर् गन्धर्वस् तस्यौषधयो ऽप्सरस ऊर्जो नाम स इदम् ब्रह्म क्षत्रम् पातु ता इदम् ब्रह्म क्षत्रम् पान्तु तस्मै स्वाहा ताभ्यः स्वाहा सꣳहितो विश्वसामा सूर्यो गन्धर्वस् तस्य मरीचयो ऽप्सरस आयुवः सुषुम्नः सूर्यरश्मिश् चन्द्रमा गन्धर्वस् तस्य नक्षत्राण्य् अप्सरसो बेकुरयः । भुज्युः सुपर्णो यज्ञो गन्धर्वस् तस्य दक्षिणा अप्सरस स्तवाः प्रजापतिर् विश्वकर्मा मनः<ref>Taittiriya Samhita, Kanda 3, [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%88%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%80%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%B8%E0%A4%82%E0%A4%B9%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%BE(%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%83)/%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A1%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D_%E0%A5%A9/%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A0%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%83_%E0%A5%AA Prapathaka 4].</ref> Tait. Samh. 3.4.7.1.</blockquote>According to the Taittiriya brahmana 3.1.1, "Jupiter when born was first visible in the nakshatra Tishya (Pushya).<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1">Taittiriya brahmana, Kanda 3, [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%88%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%80%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%AC%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B9%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D_(%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A0%E0%A4%83)/%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A1%E0%A4%83_%E0%A5%A9/%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A0%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%83_%E0%A5%A6%E0%A5%A7 Prapathaka 1].</ref><blockquote>बृहस्पतिः प्रथमं जायमानः । तिष्यं नक्षत्रमभि संबभूव ।<ref name=":1" /></blockquote>
The Moon is called Surya-rashmi ie. one which shines by sunlight (Taittiriya Samhita 3.4.7.1)<ref name=":0" /><blockquote>ऋताषाड् ऋतधामाग्निर् गन्धर्वस् तस्यौषधयो ऽप्सरस ऊर्जो नाम स इदम् ब्रह्म क्षत्रम् पातु ता इदम् ब्रह्म क्षत्रम् पान्तु तस्मै स्वाहा ताभ्यः स्वाहा सꣳहितो विश्वसामा सूर्यो गन्धर्वस् तस्य मरीचयो ऽप्सरस आयुवः सुषुम्नः सूर्यरश्मिश् चन्द्रमा गन्धर्वस् तस्य नक्षत्राण्य् अप्सरसो बेकुरयः । भुज्युः सुपर्णो यज्ञो गन्धर्वस् तस्य दक्षिणा अप्सरस स्तवाः प्रजापतिर् विश्वकर्मा मनः<ref>Taittiriya Samhita, Kanda 3, [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%88%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%80%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%B8%E0%A4%82%E0%A4%B9%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%BE(%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%83)/%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A1%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D_%E0%A5%A9/%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A0%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%83_%E0%A5%AA Prapathaka 4].</ref> Tait. Samh. 3.4.7.1.</blockquote>According to the Taittiriya brahmana 3.1.1, "Jupiter when born was first visible in the nakshatra Tishya (Pushya).<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1">Taittiriya brahmana, Kanda 3, [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%88%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%80%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%AC%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B9%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D_(%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A0%E0%A4%83)/%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A1%E0%A4%83_%E0%A5%A9/%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A0%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%83_%E0%A5%A6%E0%A5%A7 Prapathaka 1].</ref><blockquote>बृहस्पतिः प्रथमं जायमानः । तिष्यं नक्षत्रमभि संबभूव ।<ref name=":1" /></blockquote>The explicit name of Budha for Mercury appears in Panchavimsha Brahmana.
== Evolution in the study of the Grahas ==
== Evolution in the study of the Grahas ==
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We note that the understanding of the motions of the planets arose at some time during the unfolding of the Rgvedic period. For example, Venus is described in early Vedic literature in terms of the twin Ashvins, the morning and evening stars.
== Grahas and Vaidika Devatas<ref name=":2">Subhash Kak (2000), [http://www.ece.lsu.edu/kak/ast.pdf Astonomy and its Role in Vedic Culture], Chapter 23 in Science and Civilization in India, Vol.1, The Dawn of Indian Civilization, Part 1, edited by G. P. Pande, Delhi: ICPR/Munshiram Manoharlal, pp. 507-524.</ref> ==
== Grahas and Vaidika Devatas<ref name=":2">Subhash Kak (2000), [http://www.ece.lsu.edu/kak/ast.pdf Astonomy and its Role in Vedic Culture], Chapter 23 in Science and Civilization in India, Vol.1, The Dawn of Indian Civilization, Part 1, edited by G. P. Pande, Delhi: ICPR/Munshiram Manoharlal, pp. 507-524.</ref> ==
* Mars is Skanda (the son of Shiva)
* Mars is Skanda (the son of Shiva)
* Mercury is Vishnu
* Mercury is Vishnu
Mercury's identi�fication with the Vishnu, an important deity in the Rgveda, is of particular signifi�cance. Vishnu is the younger brother of Indra in the Rgvedic era; and Indra is sometimes identi�fied with the sun. The most essential feature of Vishnu are his three steps by which he measures out the universe (e.g. RV 1.154). Two of these steps are visible to men, but the third or highest step is beyond the flight of birds or mortals (RV 1.155, 7.99). Later, Vishnu did this remarkable thing in the Vamana Avatara. This agrees with the identi�fication as the small Mercury.
Also, the explanation of the three steps of Vishnu comes to the fore when we consider Vedic altar ritual. It appears likely that the three steps of Vishnu are nothing but the three revolutions of Mercury in a cycle of 261 sky days. With this supposition the period of Mercury will be 87 days. Furthermore, three synodic periods of Mercury, at 118 days a period, equal the 354 lunar days or 360 tithis. It appears that this dual relationship led to the great importance being given to the story of the three steps of Vishnu. Of course, the �figures for the periods are only approximate but as expected at the �first determination of these numbers an attempt was made to connect them to the basic numbers of 261 and 354.
Also, Panchavimsha Brahmana 24.18 speaks of Budha in connection with a 61 day rite. Three such rites imply a total of 183 days which equals the days exclusively devoted to the heavens. This appears to be the analog, in the fi�eld of ritual, of the three steps of Vishnu covering the heavens.
* Jupiter is Brahman (symbolizing the entire universe)
* Jupiter is Brahman (symbolizing the entire universe)
* Venus is Indra
* Venus is Indra