Budha — Navagraha

Budha, the planet Mercury, governs intellect, communication, analytical reasoning, commerce, and skill in the Navagraha system, representing the swift, adaptable, and discerning aspect of the mind. According to the Puranas, Budha was born from the union of Chandra (Moon) and Tara, the wife of Brihaspati (Jupiter), making his birth itself a complex tale of transgression and divine reconciliation, as Tara had been abducted by Chandra, leading to a celestial conflict later resolved by Brahma's intervention. This unusual parentage is often interpreted symbolically as representing the union of emotion (Moon) and wisdom (Jupiter's wife, associated with knowledge), producing the balanced, communicative intelligence that Mercury represents. Budha is depicted as a youthful, green-complexioned deity riding a lion or a chariot drawn by lions, holding a scepter, a sword, and a shield, symbolizing his sharp intellect and ability to navigate diverse situations with adaptability and wit. In astrological practice, Mercury governs speech, writing, mathematics, trade, humor, and the nervous system, and its placement in a birth chart significantly influences one's communication style, business acumen, and capacity for logical analysis. A well-placed Budha grants eloquence, quick thinking, success in education and commerce, and diplomatic skill, while an afflicted Mercury can cause speech difficulties, indecisiveness, nervous disorders, and challenges in learning or professional communication. Being closest to the Sun and often considered neutral, taking on qualities of planets it associates with, Budha's worship on Wednesdays through green offerings and mantra recitation is recommended for students, writers, and business professionals seeking mental sharpness and articulate expression.

Wearing green clothing on Wednesdays, donating green vegetables, moong dal, or bronze items, feeding green fodder to cows, reciting Vishnu Sahasranama, and wearing emerald after consultation strengthen a weak Budha.