Mangala

Not to be confused with Eliaquim Mangala.

This article is about Mars in the Jyotish astrology. For Turkish mancala game, see Mangala (game).

Mangala
Mangala / Angaraka / Kuja / Chevaai
Mars
Devanagari	मंगल
Sanskrit Transliteration	mangala
Affiliation	Graha
Abode	Mangal loka
Consort	Shaktidevi
Mount	Ram

In Jyotish astrology, Mangala (Devanagari: मंगल, Maṅgala) is the name for Mars, the red planet. Mars is also called Angaraka ('one who is red in colour'^[1] or Bhauma ('son of Bhumi') in Sanskrit. He is the god of war and is celibate. He is considered the son of Prithvi or 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 'Mangala-varam' (Tuesday).^[2]

Birth

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 (the planet Mars).^[3]

In astrology

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 planets 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. Mangal rules over blood, muscles and bone marrow. He is also 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 and gemstone red coral. His element is fire, direction is south, season is summer.

See also

• Navagraha

Notes

1. ^ 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. http://dsal.uchicago.edu/cgi-bin/philologic/contextualize.pl?p.0.soas.82184. 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." 
2. ^ Mythology of the Hindus By Charles Coleman p.132
3. ^ Shiva Purana- Chap 2.71

References

• Dictionary of Hindu Lore and Legend (ISBN 0-500-51088-1) by Anna Dallapiccola