Budha (Mercury) in Vedic Astrology — Meaning & Mantra

Significations (karakatva)

Mercury (Budha) signifies intelligence (buddhi), speech, writing, learning, mathematics, commerce, communication, humour and adaptability. It is the karaka of maternal uncles, friends and the nervous system and skin. It is a neuter, earthy, rajasic graha whose nature depends on its company: it is benefic when alone or with benefics and acquires malefic qualities with malefics. Mercury gains directional strength in the first house. Professions associated with Mercury include accounting, trade, teaching, writing, journalism, astrology and information technology. Mercury is exalted and owns its moolatrikona in the same sign, Virgo, a feature shared with no other planet.

Astronomy of Mercury

Mercury is the smallest planet and the closest to the Sun, about 4,880 km in diameter, orbiting in only 88 days. Because its orbit lies inside the Earth's, it never appears more than about 28° from the Sun, so in a horoscope it is always in the same sign as the Sun or in an adjacent sign. It is visible only briefly near the horizon after sunset or before sunrise. Mercury turns retrograde three or four times a year, each time for about three weeks. Its quick, changeable apparent motion fits its astrological association with speed and adaptability.

Mythology

Budha is the son of Chandra (the Moon) and Tara, wife of Brihaspati. Chandra carried Tara away, leading to a war between the gods and the asuras; after Tara was returned, she gave birth to a brilliant child whose paternity was claimed by both, and she named Chandra as the father. Because of these circumstances Budha is said to be hostile to the Moon. Budha married Ila and became the father of Pururavas, founder of the lunar dynasty (Chandravamsha) to which the Pandavas belong. Wednesday (Budhavara) is named after him.