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In
Vedic astrology Mars is know as MANGAL, ANGARAKA and
KUJA. These names in Sanskrit mean, "auspicious, burning
coal, and the fair one". Mars is a malefic. He rules
over the two sidereal signs of Aries and Scorpio. He is
exalted in Capricorn and fallen in the opposite sign of
Cancer. Mars is often depicted as a god with a red body
exemplifying the natural color of the astronomical body
in the sky.
Kuja
is a karaka, or indicator, of brother and siblings,
assertion, aggressiveness, soldiers and military
endeavors, mechanical ability, engineers and surgeons,
commanders and rulers, accidents, violence and war,
ambition, strength, arguments and conflict, passion and
desire.
Like
Surya, the Sun, Mars most powerful position is in the
10th House. He is a particularly beneficial planet for
Cancer or Leo Ascendants. His nature is PITTA, or fiery.
His gem is red coral and his direction is south. Mars'
day is Tuesday and he reaches full maturity at age 28.
In
Vedic mythology Mars appears to have been born of the
Earth. SARVA, the archer, represents the element of
Earth as the supporter of life. Sarva's wife VIKESI, the
disheveled, is the Earth goddess. The Puranic literature
of ancient India declares that Angaraka, Mars is their
son born of the Earth. Mars is further identified with
the Kartikeya, the god of war. He is the son of the god
Shiva, who was born without Shiva's union with a woman.
Kartikeya was born with six heads as the six goddesses
of the lunar constellation, Kritika, or the Pleiades
nurtured him. Kartikeya kills the seemingly invincible
demon Taraka, and releases the Devas from Taraka's
oppression. These myths depict valor, strength and
courage, and most fittingly, the protective quality of
Mars. Thus, Mars is known as the protector of dharma,
the sacred path and purpose in life that each of us
follows.
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