Mercury (Budh)

Astronomical Introduction

Budha, the graha Mercury, the "grasper" that governs intellect, has a diameter of 4,900 kilometres and lies at a distance of 60 million kilometres from the Sun. Famed for its swiftness, it circles the Sun in only 90 days at an average speed of 48 kilometres per second, yet it takes 60 days to rotate once on its own axis.

Puranic Account

The story of Budha's birth is most extraordinary. Chandra (the Moon) abducted Tara, the wife of the Deva-guru Brihaspati (Jupiter, preceptor of the gods). When, at the entreaty of the gods, Tara was returned to Brihaspati, she was already with child, and it is held that she gave birth to Budha as the son of Chandra. The basis of this legend is found in the Rigveda (10.109) and in the thirteenth mandala of the Atharvaveda, where mention is made of the carrying-off of Brihaspati's wife Tara by a man of the kshatriya order. According to the Vayu Purana (27/56; 66/22), Budha is described as the son of Chandra and Rohini. The Vedic Samhita also holds that Budha was born of Chandra's nakshatra (lunar mansion) Shravishtha. He is called a prince, a king's son.

By the testimony of the Matsya, Vayu, and Vishnu Puranas, his chariot is of a gleaming white colour, drawn by ten horses of different hues. He is of neuter gender and of the shudra order; he is a knower of the Atharvaveda, a scholar of Arthashastra (the science of statecraft and wealth), and the founder of Hastishastra, the science of elephants. His complexion is somewhat dark, like durva grass; he possesses eighteen rays; and he is the lowest of all the grahas (Vayu Purana 101/132), that is, the one nearest the Sun. Budha was married to Ila, the daughter of Vaivasvata Manu, and from this union the Chandra-vansha, the Lunar dynasty, took its beginning.

In the assembly of the gods, Budha holds the station of the prince. In human life, the principal period of learning is the kumara stage (youth), and it is this stage that lays the foundation of one's future. This very period stands under the influence of Budha, and it is in consequence of this that we may set our intellect upon the right path or the wrong one.

The Person Influenced by Budha

The Budha-influenced person is dusky in colour like durva grass, with firm skin, thick hair, thick nails, and large teeth. The waist is thick, and the body may carry a paunch; the hands are fleshy. The eyes are like a pigeon's, though at times long and large. His constitution is mixed, partaking of vata, pitta, and kapha alike, the three humours of the traditional system. His gait is like a cat's, and he is frequently seen running his tongue over his lips.

He is rajoguni (dominated by rajas, the active quality), cheerful and fond of jest, yet innocent and timid by nature. He is skilled in mimicry and the like, and clever in his work. Sweet of speech, he can win anyone over as a companion through conversation alone. He is fond of eating and drinking. In his inauspicious form, he takes pleasure in causing harm to others.

Influence on the Body

Budha's dominion extends over the skin of the body, the tongue, the skull, the teeth, the intestines, the tip of the nose, and the nadis (the body's channels). He directs the activities of friendship, imitation, the power of writing, flattery, sycophancy, and speech.

Astronomical Details

Remedies

According to the Bhavishyottara Purana and the Nirnaya-Amrita, when the Ashtami (eighth lunar day) of the Shukla Paksha (the bright, waxing fortnight) falls on a Wednesday, worshipping Budha brings about the development of excellent intellect. If the nakshatra Vishakha also falls on that day, it is the most auspicious time of all to commence this worship.