Nine Celestial Bodies (Navagraha)

Cleveland Museum of Art

The image depicts a stone carving featuring nine celestial bodies, also known as Navagraha. The carving shows a row of eight figures with similar facial features and hairstyles, wearing tiaras and minimal clothing. From left to right: - The first figure holds an object in their right hand and has a small object or animal beside them. - The next four figures each hold a bow. - The sixth figure holds a club or staff-like object. - The seventh figure holds a curved object. - The eighth figure holds a staff-like object. On the far right, a large face with a serene expression and a headband is visible, appearing to be reclining. A smaller figure stands beside this large face, holding a staff. The carving is rectangular and made of brown stone. The background of the image is dark gray, gradually lightening towards the center.