Planets · 4 of 9
Mercury (Budha) in Vedic astrology
Intelligence, speech, writing, trade, mathematics, friends, the nervous system and the skin.
- Sanskrit
- Budha बुध
- Signifies
- Intelligence, speech, writing, trade, mathematics, friends, the nervous system and the skin
- Nature
- A natural benefic, but takes on the nature of the planets it joins
- Own sign
- Gemini and Virgo
- Exalted
- Virgo, deepest at 15°
- Debilitated
- Pisces, deepest at 15°
- Moolatrikona
- Virgo 16°–20°
- Aspects
- The 7th house
- Vimshottari dasha
- 17 years
- Nakshatras ruled
- Ashlesha, Jyeshtha, Revati
- Day
- Wednesday
- Element
- Earth
- Direction
- North
- Colour
- Green
- Traditional gem
- Emerald (we do not sell gemstones)
Mercury in Jyotish
Mercury is the prince: intellect, speech and commerce. It is the fastest planet after the Moon and never more than about 28° from the Sun. Strong, it gives a quick mind, wit and skill with words and numbers; afflicted, nervousness and poor judgement.
Friends and enemies
| Natural relationship | Planets |
|---|---|
| Friends | Sun, Venus |
| Neutral | Mars, Jupiter, Saturn |
| Enemies | Moon |
These natural (naisargika) relationships, from Brihat Parashara Hora Shastra, are not always mutual: the Moon counts Mercury a friend, while Mercury counts the Moon an enemy.
Mercury in your chart
Where Mercury sits in your chart (its sign, house, dignity and the planets it joins or aspects) shows how these significations work out for you, and its dasha shows when. See your Mercury in your free kundli, or read chapter 3: the 9 planets.
Sources: Brihat Parashara Hora Shastra and Phaladeepika for the signs, planets and houses; Muhurta Chintamani for the nakshatra classes and the guna milan attributes. Wording is our own.