Budha (Mercury)
Budha, also known as Mercury, is the smallest and closest planet to the Sun. It orbits the Sun in just 88 earth days and is always found in the same house or one house apart from the Sun in the astrological chart. Due to its proximity, it rises and sets with the Sun daily and is difficult to observe with the naked eye. Mercury is a dry, solid metallic planet with a higher concentration of iron, than Earth, which makes it withstand intense heat from the Sun. Its also shrinking gradually due to its core.
Tale of Lord Budha
Lord Budha, the creator of the Mercury, is known to be the son of Lord Chandra (Moon) and was born out of an extramarital affair between Chandra and Tara, the wife of Guru (Jupiter). This led to a war between the devas and Chandra, who joined forces with the asuras under Shukracharya's guidance. Eventually, both sides realized their mistakes and agreed that Budha needed to be taught by the Jupiter. Despite his initial indifference, Guru had agreed to teach the intelligent, witty and attractive young Mercury. Mercury later married Ila and fathered King Pururava, who started the Alia dynasty. This dynasty is the root of the legendary Pandavas and Kauravas of the epic Mahabharata. Budha was also the first in the hereditary line of Chandra (Chandravamsha), which is considered the beginning of the Mahabharata.
Budha, the youngest among the grahas, maintains friendship and neutrality with all except Chandra. Surya admires this quality and has made Budha his confidant, keeping him close.
This is the image of Lord Budha riding a liophant (lion and elephant).
Significations
By combining scientific and puranic evidence, it is clear that Budha represents buddhi (the intellect). He signifies intangible traits like knowledge, intelligence, wit, communication (including media), youth, quickness, duality, adaptation, blending, logic, analysis, language, breath, CNS, skin and attraction. Mercury's tangible traits are siblings, cousins (esp. younger), friends, aunts, uncles, assistants, and confidants. Mercury inherited qualities from Moon and Jupiter, representing the duality of life, such as good vs. bad, day vs. night, and male vs. female. Even the third gender is represented by Mercury.
Other representations such as merchants, businessmen, accountants, writers, publishers, editors, speakers, teachers, astrologers, mathematicians, travelers, messengers, and postal workers.
Interpretations
When strong, Budha makes one intelligent, quick-witted, adaptable, logical, practical, judgmental, and appear youthful. It also represents the mingling of duality to create harmony in nature, and is associated with being multilingual and technically skilled.
Portfolio
Mercury is a male graha but in astrological terms, he represents no specific gender due to the association of duality. It can act as both male and female and can be benefic or malefic depending on its associations. It attains maturity at the age of 32, after which its influence on logical and practical decision making abilities become significant. Additionally, the numbers 5 and 24 hold great importance in Mercury's influence.
1. Its exalted in Virgo and debilitated in Pisces
2. It rules the signs Gemini and Virgo
3. Gets directional strength in the East (1st house)
4. Mercury's ruling direction is North
7. Rajassic graha
8. Associated colour is green
9. Most dependent graha (young boy/prince)
10. Ruling deity is Vishnu
11. Mercury represents prithvi (earth) and its ruling body part is skin
Exaltation and Debilitation
Mercury attains exaltation in the sign of Virgo, where he feels most powerful. To better understand this, lets imagine Mercury in Virgo and analyze the position as the 1st house.
Mercury always seeks to be close to the Sun, the King, and this proximity is beneficial for Mercury because of its solid, dry-skinned body. Mercury is excellent at assisting the King and conveying his messages to others, serving as a messenger. Although he has a family, he does not place much importance on it, as he is always with the King. This work-centric nature has led others to describe Mercury as a workaholic, emotionless, celibate, and sober. However, Mercury views himself as practical, funny and he considers his work as an assistant/messenger to the King to be more important to society than anything else. Virgo is situated right next to Leo, which is ruled by the Sun. Virgo is a dry earth sign that represents barren land and the natural 6th sign of service, daily routines, and celibacy. It is also associated with critical thinking, problem-solving, logical and analytical skills. The symbol of Virgo, a young princess helping and healing others, reflects the primary motto of Mercury. Mercury, as the youngest prince, is known for solving others’ problems. Virgo reflects everything that Mercury intends to achieve in this material plane.
Mercury seeks to be friends with everyone and even turns enemies into friends (as it has Aquarius in the 6th house). He is quick, meticulous, and precise, taking every task seriously and completing it with utmost perfection. Mercury thrives through communication, such as speaking, writing, orating, and social media (Libra, Aquarius, and Gemini are artha houses). His efforts bring sudden changes that lead to evolution (3rd house Scorpio), and he loves law and order in everything (as represented by the 4th house Sagittarius).
On the other hand, Pisces is considered the debilitation sign of Mercury, where he becomes weak and clumsy. As the natural 12th sign of addiction, such as alcoholism and drug abuse, it poses a challenge for Mercury. In Pisces, he is tested in the realm of nothingness, spirituality, and emotional approaches. He may struggle to make friends (12th house in Aquarius) and even become an enemy to the King (6th house in Leo). His actions become slow (3rd house in Taurus), and his love for law and order may get wasted in just talking (4th house in Gemini). Therefore, Pisces poses a challenge for Mercury and deprives him of his essential needs.
Note: The concept of exaltation and debilitation presented here is the result of extensive observational research and contemplation over the years.