Mangala

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Not to be confused with Eliaquim Mangala.
This article is about Mars in the Jyotish (or Hindu) astrology. For Turkish mancala game, see Mangala (game).
Mangala
Mars
Angraka graha.JPG
Mangala / Angaraka / Kuja / Chevaai
Devanagari मंगल
Sanskrit transliteration Mangala
Affiliation Graha
Abode Mangala loka
Planet Mars
Mantra Om Mangalāya Namaha
Consort Jwalini
Mount Ram

In Jyotish (or Hindu) astrology, Mangala (Sanskrit: मङ्गल, Maṅgala) is the name for Mars, the red planet. He is the god of war and is celibate. He is considered the son of Bhumi, the Earth Goddess. He is the owner of the Aries and Scorpio signs, and a teacher of the occult sciences (Ruchaka Mahapurusha Yoga).

He is painted red or flame colour, four-armed, carrying a trident (Sanskrit: trishūla), mace (Sanskrit: gadā), lotus (Sanskrit: Padma) and a spear (Sanskrit: shūla). His mount (Sanskrit: vahana) is a ram. He presides over (Tuesday).[1]

Other Names[edit]

Mars (Mangala) is also called as-

  • Angāraka (अङ्गारक) - one who is red in colour also called
  • Raktavarna (रक्तवर्ण) - whose color is like blood.[2]
  • Bhauma (भौम) - son of Bhumi.
  • Lohitānga (लोहिताङ्ग) - red bodied (Loha also means Iron, so could also mean Iron Bodied).
  • Kuja (कुज) - he who is born from Earth.
  • Bha (भ) - shining.[3]

Birth[edit]

Once when Lord Shiva was engrossed in deep meditation (Sansrit: samādhi) upon his abode, Mount Kailash, three drops of perspiration originated from his forehead and fell down on the earth. From those drops manifested a very beautiful infant, who was of reddish complexion and who had four arms.

The child was handed over to the earth goddess, Bhumi for upbringing by Lord Shiva. The child was named Bhauma as he was nurtured and brought up by 'Bhumi' (earth).

When Bhauma grew up, he went to Kashi and did a tremendous penance to please lord Shiva. Lord Shiva blessed him by granting him 'Mangala loka' (the Abode of Mangala), which was superior even to the 'Shukra loka' (the Abode of the god of Venus - Shukra). The same Bhauma is established in the solar system by the name of Mangala (planet Mars).[4]

In astrology[edit]

Mangala with consort Jwalini

In Vedic astrology Mangala is considered a malefic of the first order. He rules over the signs Mesha (Aries) and Vrishchika (Scorpio), is exalted in Makara (Capricorn) and has his fall in Karka (Cancer). The Sun, Moon and Jupiter are all considered friendly to him, while he is hostile to Mercury. Venus and Saturn are neutral. Mangala represents drive and physical energy, self-confidence and ego, strength, anger, impulsiveness, heroism and adventurous nature. Mangala rules over blood, muscles and bone marrow. He is associated with battle, war and soldiers.

Mangala is the lord of three nakshatras or lunar mansions: Mrigashīrsha, Chitra and Shravishtha or Dhanista. Mangala has the following associations: the color red, the metal brass, Copper and gem stone red coral. His element is Fire, direction is South, season is Summer.

Famous personality in Ramayana : Jambvan, Ravan brother of Kubera, Kumbhakarna, Vibhishana, Visharwa, Pushlatsya

Gods associated : Brahma, Kartikeya the son of Shiva, Vamna brother of Indra, Saraswati, Shakti, Agni

Notes[edit]

  1. ^ Mythology of the Hindus, Charles Coleman, p. 132
  2. ^ Turner, Sir Ralph Lilley (1962). "aṅgāraka 126". A comparative dictionary of the Indo-Aryan languages. London: Oxford University Press. Digital Dictionaries of South Asia, University of Chicago. p. 7. Retrieved 21 Feb 2010. aṅgāraka 126 aṅgāraka '(hypothetical) red like embers', masculine 'charcoal'. 2. masculine 'the planet Mars'. [áṅgāra -- ]1. Pali aṅgāraka -- 'red like charcoal'; Sanskrit aṅārī 2. Pali aṅgāraka -- masculine 'Mars',; Sanskrit aṅāro masculine Tuesday. 
  3. ^ Gopal, Madan (1990). K.S. Gautam, ed. India through the ages. Publication Division, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India. p. 75. 
  4. ^ Shiva Purana, chapter 2.71

References[edit]