Together with the chief gods of the Hindu pantheon, the lesser deities and the planets are also to be worshipped. Surya illuminates the earth; infuses energy into all creatures being the leader and king in heaven. He is prayed to for deliverance from sin and to conduct the souls of the departed to the abode of the righteous. Here, he appears in his symbolic form with human features in a circular pattern with rays emanating from all sides. Coming towards the sun is his son, Shani, born of Surya and Chaya. Surya's wife Suvarna found his heat and brightness too much too bear and so left a replacement who looked exactly like her. She was called Chaya who bore Shani. Shani is not considered ominous and anyone born under the said planet is said to undergo many problems in life. The Maithilas worship Shani and keep him pleased. In art he is represented as a black and ugly man, holding a lasso in one hand.
This painting attracts attention due to its unusual theme and colour scheme.
This description by Renu Rana.
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