According to Vedic scriptures and astrology, planet Mercury or Budha Graha is a celestial planet which means cleverness and symbolizes the qualities of intellect, wit and humor in an individual. Mercury is also referred by other names such as Rauhineya, Saumya, Jna, Bodhana, Vit and Hema. It is considered to be an inherent benefic. Budha Graha is related to the Heart Chakra and manages all the affairs related to the heart and consequently the biggest lesson that it teaches us is forgiveness and the act of kindness.
Budha is generally considered to be a benefic planet however under certain circumstances it plays the role of a malefic planet. Those born under the influence of strong Mercury are sharp thinkers; however they have an innate anxiety as well as indecisiveness. Mercury also imparts logic. Those under a strong influence of this planet have excellent reasoning and analytic ability. Researchers are said to have a strong presence of Budha in their horoscope. It is the planet that regulates communication and represents the areas such as trade, banking and commerce, accounts and computers. An exalted Budha ensures success in these fields. Communication is governed by Mercury and hence it rules work related to telephone, telegraphs, couriers etc. Since it governs logic and communication the horoscopes of businessmen, engineers, media personnel, writers, mathematicians, astrologers and traders have a strong Budha influence. An exalted Mercury also makes and individual appealing and insightful.
The two zodiac signs that it governs are Gemini and Virgo. It is a dual natured planet that rules the arms, ear, lungs and nervous system.
Astrological Significance of Mercury
Mercury rules over the voice of a person and represents our mentality, understanding, mental outlook and the manner in which we think and communicate. Mercury is the closest planet to the Sun and as a fast moving planet represents concepts, information and the methods to achieve them. Budha gives us information based intelligence. It is also known as the divine messenger and governs the communication, writing skills and sense of humor.
As per astrology it rules over your relationship with friends, family and neighbors. It stays in a zodiac sign for 30 days. Mercury is especially beneficial to people born in the following signs: Taurus (Vrishabha), Gemini (Mithuna), Virgo (Kanya), Libra (Thula), Capricorn (Makara) and Aquarius (Kumbha).
He is hostile towards Moon, Mars and Jupiter; friendly towards Saturn and Venus and neutral to others. It Mercury is placed alone in any house the native is bound to waste time. His malefics result in the disease of nervous system.
Those with an exalted Budha in their horoscope are adaptive and recreate ideas, mediators, problem solvers and social.
The color related to Budha is Green. Its gemstone is Emerald (Panna).
Lessons That Mercury Teaches
Mercury is considered to be the messenger of God as per Astrology as well as mythology and the ruler of Gemini and Virgo. It is said that in contemporary times we meet a person’s Mercury first as it is the planet that represents the everyday expression and communication. Mercury determines if we are ornate in our written and verbal communication; choose the precise word while communicating. This signs determines the person’s style of communication.
Apart from our communication, Mercury rules our Heart or Anahata Chakra. People afflicted with the ill-effects of Mercury will suffer from highs and lows in relationships until they eventually learn the lessons about right communication, thoughts and actions. Exalted Mercury makes us communicative, inquisitive and versatile. The malefic effect of Mercury can make a person tensed or nervous, indecisive and hyper-technical.
Mercury influences what its native strives for. It also controls what field of life intrigues the native and what he/she intellectualizes. It imparts the wish for communication and exchanges of information on the planets it influences. A strong influence of Mercury in a person’s chart instills curiosity and liveliness.