Budha

In Vedic and later Puranic genealogies cited in the sources, Budha is described as a son of the moon (Chandra) and Rohini (or Tara in variant accounts). Later mythic genealogies and epic/Puranic narratives place him in relationships such as husband of Ila and father of the king Pururavas. The sources also note narrative material (e.g., Tarakamaya War episodes in later mythic accounts) connected to events that lead to his birth in some traditions; these appearances situate Budha within the broader celestial family of Vedic and Puranic beings rather than as an independent invention.

Iconographic descriptions in the sourced material depict Budha as a benevolent male deity with a green complexion, draped in yellow garments, holding a scimitar, a club, and a shield. He is commonly shown riding a chariot drawn by eight yellow horses. Some illustrations show him with four arms, and a temple depiction cited in the sources portrays him riding a lion.

The sources describe Budha primarily through two registers: astronomical and astrological. Astronomically, classical Sanskrit works (including Aryabhatiya, Panca Siddhantika, Khandakhadyaka, Surya Siddhanta and others) record and model the planet Mercury's motions (sidereal revolutions, apogee, epicycles, nodal longitudes, orbital inclination) with variant numerical parameters across manuscript traditions. Astrologically, as one of the Navagraha he is considered benevolent and is associated with an agile mind and memory; he rules the nakshatras Ashlesha, Jyeshtha, and Revati and gives his name to Wednesday (Budhavara). The sources do not attribute specific malefic possession phenomena or discrete magical ‘powers’ beyond these astronomical and astrological functions.