The Hand of Shiva

History:

Jack Kirby: I took my screenplay to Jack with my visions of a stadium-sized central communications complex. A massive turning wheel called Raga topped by a great crystal which condenses the planet's electro-magnetic gravity and is the energy source of Heaven. The wheel emits "AUM" sounds and distributes these electronic energies to the Temples around the world through a floating Planetary replica held by a giant hand. The gods watch the temples of Earth along several tiers of TV monitors, detection devices, holographic video-phone projectors and weather control instrumentation. The walls are covered with massive TV screens. Demi-gods, cyborgs and men hover about, hoping to increase their rank in planetary control.

Well look what Jack came up with! Two drawings, The Raga Wheel and The Hand of Shiva, which, together, form the 40" x 24" Planetary Control Room (Interior), as it was sold at Sotheby's in 1993.

Lord of Light:  In the Novel, there is nothing called the Planetary Control Room. Descriptions of it first appeared in the Lord of Light screenplay. I got the idea from Roger's scenario in the beginning of the novel where Sam, in the guise of Prince Siddhartha, enters a holy temple. Announcing his wish to speak with Brahma, Sam is told by a local priest, "all may pray to God, my son." But Sam replies to the amazed Priest, "No thanks. I just want to use your telephone." This inner sanctum's holy secret was none other than a large TV screen hooked up to Heaven, by which the Gods communed to their priests.