Ritual

planetary signs found their way into cosmograms, giving tantric
diagrams a great diversity of geometric patterns. As astronomical
charting crystallized, there was a total denunciation of pictorial
imagery and a shift of emphasis to the delineation of the elements
of natural phenomena. Space, time, light and motion were
conceived of against the background of atmospheric phenomena.
Astrological computations, like most tantric diagrams, are also
marked by mathematical proportions: grid patterns of flat colours
have a mosaic-like simultaneity; kinetic curves encircling solar and
lunar orbs create powerful gestalt sensations. Planetary signs
abound: the sun as a red solar disc; the moon as an opalescent
crescent; Mars represented as a vermilion triangle; Mercury as a
sap-green droplet; a yellow straight line represents Jupiter; a blue
five-pointed star denotes Venus; and Saturn is represented as
purple, the densest of all colours. Innumerable other biomorphic
shapes and voidal spheres resulted as a fusion of primary shapes in
an attempt to record astronomical concepts. Among the
observatories, the Jantar Mantar of Jaipur and Dakshina Vritti
Yantra, engraved in lime plaster on a wall in the Ujjain
observatory, built in the early 18th century, not only achieve a
functional beauty, but are remarkable examples of abstract forms.
Surya or Sun-mandala. Rajasthan,
c. 19th century. Ink on paper.
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