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| type = Hindu
| type = Hindu
| image = Angraka graha.JPG
| image = Angraka graha.JPG
| caption = Mangala riding on his mount [[Sheep|Ram]]
| caption = Mangala riding on his mount [[Sheep|ram]]
| name = Mangala
| name = Mangala
| Devanagari = मंगल
| Devanagari = मंगल
| Sanskrit_transliteration = Mangala
| Sanskrit_transliteration = Mangala
| affiliation = [[Graha]], [[Deva (Hinduism)|Deva]]
| affiliation = [[Graha]], [[Deva (Hinduism)|Deva]], [[Vaishnavism]]
| god_of = [[Mars]]
| god_of = [[Mars]]
| abode = Mangala loka
| abode = Mangalaloka
| deity_of = God of Aggression, <br>'''[[Mars]]'''
| deity_of = God of the planet Mars<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/mangala | title=Mangala, Maṅgalā, Maṅgala, Mamgala: 45 definitions | date=27 September 2008 }}</ref>
| number =  
| number =  
| planet = Mars
| planet = Mars
| day = Tuesday
| day = Tuesday
| mantra = Om Angakaraya Namah
| mantra = Om Mangala devaya Namah
| colour = Red
| colour = Red
| father = [[Varaha]]
| father = [[Shiva]]
| mother = [[Bhumi (goddess)|Bhumi]]
| mother = [[Bhumi (goddess)|Bhudevi]]
| consort =
| consort =  
| mount = [[Sheep|Ram]]
| mount = [[Sheep|Ram]]
| member_of = [[Navagraha]]
| member_of = [[Navagraha]]
}}
}}


'''Mangala''' ([[Devanagari|Sanskrit]]: मङ्गल, [[IAST]]: {{IAST|Maṅgala}}) is the name for [[Mars]], the red planet, in [[Hindu texts]].<ref name="Dalal2010p240">{{cite book|author=Dalal|first=Roshen|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DH0vmD8ghdMC&pg=PA240|title=Hinduism: An Alphabetical Guide|publisher=Penguin Books India|year=2010|isbn=978-0-14-341421-6|page=240}}</ref> Also known as '''Lohit''' (meaning: red), he is the god of anger, [[celibate]] and sometimes linked to god [[Kartikeya]] (Skanda).<ref name="Dalal2010p240"/> His origins vary with different mythological texts; in most texts, he is the son of [[Bhūmi|Bhumi]], the Earth Goddess and Vishnu, born when he raised her from the depths of water in [[Varaha]] avatar. In other myths, he is born from [[Shiva]]'s sweat or blood drop.<ref name="Dalal2010p240"/>
'''Mangala''' ([[Devanagari|Sanskrit]]: मङ्गल, [[IAST]]: {{IAST|Maṅgala}}) is the personification, as well as the name for the planet [[Mars]], in [[Hindu texts|Hindu literature]].<ref name="Dalal2010p240">{{cite book|author=Dalal|first=Roshen|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DH0vmD8ghdMC&pg=PA240|title=Hinduism: An Alphabetical Guide|publisher=Penguin Books India|year=2010|isbn=978-0-14-341421-6|page=240}}</ref> Also known as '''Lohita''' ({{Literal translation|the red one}}),<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=hmYMAQAAIAAJ&q=mangala+mars+lohita |title=Ancient Indian Tradition & Mythology: The Nārada-Purāṇa |date=1982 |publisher=Motilal Banarsidass |pages=984 |language=en}}</ref> he is the [[celibate]] deity of anger, aggression, as well as war.<ref name="Dalal2010p240"/> According to [[Vaishnavism]], he is the son of [[Bhūmi|Bhumi]], the earth goddess, and [[Vishnu]], born when the latter raised her from the depths of the primordial waters in his [[Varaha]] avatar.<ref name="Dalal2010p240"/><ref>{{Cite book |last=Williams |first=George M. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=N7LOZfwCDpEC&dq=mangala+bhumi+varaha&pg=PA86 |title=Handbook of Hindu Mythology |date=2008-03-27 |publisher=OUP USA |isbn=978-0-19-533261-2 |pages=86 |language=en}}</ref>
 
== Nomenclature ==
Mars (Mangala) is also called:
* '''Raktavarna''' (रक्तवर्ण) - whose color is like blood.<ref>{{cite web |last=Turner |first=Sir Ralph Lilley |author-link=Ralph Lilley Turner |year=1962 |title=aṅgāraka 126 |url=https://dsal.uchicago.edu/cgi-bin/philologic/contextualize.pl?p.0.soas.82184 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20121215002336/http://dsal.uchicago.edu/cgi-bin/philologic/contextualize.pl?p.0.soas.82184 |archive-date=15 December 2012 |access-date=21 February 2010 |work=A comparative dictionary of the Indo-Aryan languages. London: Oxford University Press |publisher=Digital Dictionaries of South Asia, University of Chicago |page=7 |quote=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]].}}</ref>
* '''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.<ref>{{cite book |last=Gopal |first=Madan |url=https://archive.org/details/indiathroughages00mada |title=India through the ages |publisher=Publication Division, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India |year=1990 |editor=K.S. Gautam |page=[https://archive.org/details/indiathroughages00mada/page/75 75]}}</ref>
 
==Iconography==
He is painted red or flame colour, four-armed, carrying a trident (Sanskrit: ''[[trishula|trishūla]]''), [[Gada (mace)|mace]] (Sanskrit: ''gadā''), lotus (Sanskrit: ''[[Padma (attribute)|Padma]]''), and a spear (Sanskrit: ''shūla).'' His mount (Sanskrit: ''[[vahana]]'') is a ram. He presides over [[Tuesday]].<ref>''Mythology of the Hindus'', Charles Coleman, p. 132</ref>
 
== Legend ==
{{See also|Varaha|Bhūmi|Hiranyaksha}}
Mangala appears in the narrative of the Varaha avatar of Vishnu. When the king of the [[Asura|asuras]], [[Hiranyaksha]], abducts the goddess of the earth, Bhumi, Vishnu assumes his third avatar, and descends upon the earth to rescue her. Observing that the asura had dragged her deep within the [[Kshira Sagara|primordial waters]], he catches the goddess with his tusks, and successfully slays the asura, restoring her to her rightful place in the cosmos. As she rises, Vishnu realises that Bhumi is, in fact, an aspect of his consort, [[Lakshmi]],<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Misra |first1=Munindra |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=RbBNCgAAQBAJ&dq=bhudevi+form+of+lakshmi&pg=PP108 |title=Lord Vishnu & Goddess Lakshmi |last2=मिश्रा |first2=मुनीन्द्र |date=2015-08-04 |publisher=Osmora Incorporated |isbn=978-2-7659-1672-7 |pages=108 |language=hi}}</ref> and proceeds to sport with her, and from this union is born Mangala, meaning the auspicious one.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Arumugam |first=Nesa |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ZjUCEAAAQBAJ&dq=mangala+bhumidevi&pg=PT45 |title=Myths and Legends of the Navagraha: The Nine Movers of Destiny in Indian Astrology |date=2020-09-27 |publisher=Partridge Publishing Singapore |isbn=978-1-5437-6002-6 |pages=45 |language=en}}</ref>
 
==Literature==
{{Vaishnavism}}
The word ''Mangala'' is ancient, first appearing in the [[Rigveda]] (2nd millennium BCE), and mentioned by grammarian Patanjali (~2nd century BCE), but not as an astrological term, rather to mean "auspicious-successful" (''siddha'') structure in literary arts. Panini too mentions it in verse I.3.1 in a similar context.<ref name="Slaje2008p22">{{cite book |author=Walter Slaje |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=fD0Ypvxmzj8C&pg=PA22 |title=Abhandlungen für die Kunde des Morgenlandes |publisher=Otto Harrassowitz Verlag |year=2008 |isbn=978-3-447-05645-8 |pages=22–24}}</ref> In the [[Vedas|Vedic]] texts, states Christopher Minkowski, there is no mention of auspicious rituals, or auspicious start or timing of a ritual, rather the "mangala" as auspicious practices likely emerged in the Indian traditions during the medieval era (after mid 1st millennium CE), thereafter found in Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism.<ref name="minkowski8">{{cite book |author=Christopher Minkowski |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=fD0Ypvxmzj8C&pg=PA22 |title=Abhandlungen für die Kunde des Morgenlandes |publisher=Otto Harrassowitz Verlag |year=2008 |isbn=978-3-447-05645-8 |editor=Walter Slaje |pages=8–24}}</ref> The ritualistic [[Mimamsa]] school of Hinduism did not include any ''mangala'' (auspicious) verses, related to plane "Mangala"  in any of its text throughout the 1st millennium CE.<ref name="minkowski8" />
 
The [[Markandeya Purana]] contains the astrological ''Mangala Kavacha Stotram'', which includes a prayer to be recitated to Mangala for seeking protection.<ref>{{Cite book |last=adawal |first=Shanker |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=51BsEAAAQBAJ&dq=mangal+kavach+stotra&pg=PT589 |title=Encyclopedia of Vedic Astrology : Relationship: Marriage, Love & Sex |publisher=Sagar Publications |pages=589 |language=en}}</ref>


==Astrology and worship==
==Astrology and worship==


[[Jyotisha]] is Hindu astrology, which entails concept of [[Nakshatra]] (see also [[List of Natchathara temples]]), [[Navagraha]] (see also [[Navagraha temples|List of Navagraha temples]] and [[Saptarishi]] included in the [[list of Hindu deities]] whose [[List of Hindu temples|dedicated temples]] are found at various [[Hindu pilgrimage sites]] to which Hindus take pilgrimage [[yatra]].
[[Jyotisha]], the tradition of Hindu astrology, includes Mangala in the concept of [[Nakshatra]] (see also [[List of Natchathara temples]]), [[Navagraha]] (see also [[Navagraha temples|List of Navagraha temples]]), and [[Saptarishi]]. He is included in the [[list of Hindu deities]], whose [[List of Hindu temples|dedicated temples]] are found at various [[Hindu pilgrimage sites]], to which Hindus perform their pilgrimage, called [[yatra]].


==Planet==
==Planet==
Mangala as a planet appears in various Hindu astronomical texts in [[Sanskrit]], such as the 5th century ''Aryabhatiya'' by [[Aryabhata]], the 6th century ''Romaka'' by Latadeva and ''Panca Siddhantika'' by Varahamihira, the 7th century ''Khandakhadyaka'' by [[Brahmagupta]] and the 8th century ''Sisyadhivrddida'' by Lalla.<ref name="Burgess1989vii">{{cite book|author=Ebenezer Burgess|editor=P Ganguly, P Sengupta|title=Sûrya-Siddhânta: A Text-book of Hindu Astronomy|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=W0Uo_-_iizwC|year=1989|publisher=Motilal Banarsidass (Reprint), Original: Yale University Press, American Oriental Society|isbn=978-81-208-0612-2|pages=vii–xi}}</ref> These texts present Mangala as one of the planets and estimate the characteristics of the respective planetary motion.<ref name="Burgess1989vii"/> Other texts such as ''Surya Siddhanta'' dated to have been complete sometime between the 5th century and 10th century present their chapters on various planets with deity mythologies.<ref name="Burgess1989vii"/>
Mangala, as a planet, appears in various Hindu astronomical texts in [[Sanskrit]], such as the 5th century ''Aryabhatiya'' by [[Aryabhata]], the 6th century ''Romaka'' by Latadeva and ''Panca Siddhantika'' by Varahamihira, the 7th century ''Khandakhadyaka'' by [[Brahmagupta]] and the 8th century ''Sisyadhivrddida'' by Lalla.<ref name="Burgess1989vii">{{cite book|author=Ebenezer Burgess|editor=P Ganguly, P Sengupta|title=Sûrya-Siddhânta: A Text-book of Hindu Astronomy|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=W0Uo_-_iizwC|year=1989|publisher=Motilal Banarsidass (Reprint), Original: Yale University Press, American Oriental Society|isbn=978-81-208-0612-2|pages=vii–xi}}</ref> These texts present Mangala as one of the planets and estimate the characteristics of the respective planetary motion.<ref name="Burgess1989vii"/> Other texts such as ''Surya Siddhanta'' dated to have been complete sometime between the 5th century and 10th century present their chapters on various planets with deity mythologies.<ref name="Burgess1989vii"/>


The manuscripts of these texts exist in slightly different versions, present Mangala's motion in the skies, but vary in their data, suggesting that the text were open and revised over their lives.<ref>{{cite book|author=Lionel D. Barnett|title=Antiquities of India: An Account of the History and Culture of Ancient Hindustan|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=x40mwFwgK44C&pg=PA190 |year=1994|publisher=Asian Educational Services|isbn=978-81-206-0530-5 |pages=190–192 }}</ref><ref>{{cite book|author=Ebenezer Burgess|editor=P Ganguly, P Sengupta|title=Sûrya-Siddhânta: A Text-book of Hindu Astronomy|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=W0Uo_-_iizwC|year=1989|publisher=Motilal Banarsidass (Reprint), Original: Yale University Press, American Oriental Society|isbn=978-81-208-0612-2|pages=ix-xi, xxix}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|author=J Fleet | title=Arbhatiya|journal=Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain and Ireland|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=1LssAAAAIAAJ|year=1911|publisher=Cambridge University Press for the Royal Asiatic Society|pages=794–799}}</ref>
The manuscripts of these texts exist in slightly different versions, present Mangala's motion in the skies, but vary in their data, suggesting that the text were open and revised over their lives.<ref>{{cite book|author=Lionel D. Barnett|title=Antiquities of India: An Account of the History and Culture of Ancient Hindustan|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=x40mwFwgK44C&pg=PA190 |year=1994|publisher=Asian Educational Services|isbn=978-81-206-0530-5 |pages=190–192 }}</ref><ref>{{cite book|author=Ebenezer Burgess|editor=P Ganguly, P Sengupta|title=Sûrya-Siddhânta: A Text-book of Hindu Astronomy|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=W0Uo_-_iizwC|year=1989|publisher=Motilal Banarsidass (Reprint), Original: Yale University Press, American Oriental Society|isbn=978-81-208-0612-2|pages=ix-xi, xxix}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|author=J Fleet | title=Arbhatiya|journal=Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain and Ireland|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=1LssAAAAIAAJ|year=1911|publisher=Cambridge University Press for the Royal Asiatic Society|pages=794–799}}</ref>


The 1st millennium CE Hindu scholars had estimated the time it took for sidereal revolutions of each planet including Mangala, from their astronomical studies, with slightly different results:<ref name="Burgess198926">{{cite book|author=Ebenezer Burgess|editor=P Ganguly, P Sengupta|title=Sûrya-Siddhânta: A Text-book of Hindu Astronomy|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=W0Uo_-_iizwC|year=1989|publisher=Motilal Banarsidass (Reprint), Original: Yale University Press, American Oriental Society|isbn=978-81-208-0612-2|pages=26–27}}</ref>
The 1st millennium CE Hindu scholars had estimated the time it took for sidereal revolutions of each planet including Mangala, from their astronomical studies, with slightly different results:<ref name="Burgess198926">{{cite book|author=Ebenezer Burgess|editor=P Ganguly, P Sengupta|title=Sûrya-Siddhânta: A Text-book of Hindu Astronomy|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=W0Uo_-_iizwC|year=1989|publisher=Motilal Banarsidass (Reprint), Original: Yale University Press, American Oriental Society|isbn=978-81-208-0612-2|pages=26–27}}</ref>
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[[File:OSIRIS Mars true color.jpg|thumb|Mangala as the malefic planet [[Mars]]|299x299px]]
[[File:OSIRIS Mars true color.jpg|thumb|Mangala as the malefic planet [[Mars]]|299x299px]]
Deifying planetary bodies and their astrological significance occurred as early as the [[Vedic period]] and was recorded in the [[Vedas]]. The [[Classical planet|classical planets]], including Mars, were referenced in the [[Atharvaveda]] from the second millennium BCE. The Navagraha was furthered by additional contributions from [[Western Asia]], including [[Zoroastrian calendar|Zoroastrian]] and [[Hellenistic astrology|Hellenistic]] influences. The [[Yavanajataka]], or 'Science of the [[Yavana|Yavanas]]', was written by the [[Indo-Greek Kingdom|Indo-Greek]] named "[[Yavanesvara]]" ("Lord of the Greeks") under the rule of the [[Western Kshatrapa]] king [[Rudrakarman I]]. The Yavanajataka written in 120 CE is often attributed to standardizing Indian astrology. The Navagraha would further develop and culminate in the [[Shaka era]] with the [[Saka]], or Scythian, people. Additionally the contributions by the Saka people would be the basis of the [[Indian national calendar]], which is also called the Saka calendar.
Deifying planetary bodies and their astrological significance occurred as early as the [[Vedic period]] and was recorded in the [[Vedas]]. The [[Classical planet|classical planets]], including Mars, were referenced in the [[Atharvaveda]] from the second millennium BCE. The Navagraha was furthered by additional contributions from [[Western Asia]], including [[Zoroastrian calendar|Zoroastrian]] and [[Hellenistic astrology|Hellenistic]] influences. The [[Yavanajataka]], or 'Science of the [[Yavana|Yavanas]]', was written by the [[Indo-Greek Kingdom|Indo-Greek]] named "[[Yavanesvara]]" ("Lord of the Greeks") under the rule of the [[Western Kshatrapa]] king [[Rudrakarman I]]. The Yavanajataka written in 120 CE is often attributed to standardizing Indian astrology. The Navagraha would further develop and culminate in the [[Shaka era]] with the [[Saka]], or Scythian, people. Additionally the contributions by the Saka people would be the basis of the [[Indian national calendar]], which is also called the Saka calendar.
==Iconography==
He is painted red or flame colour, four-armed, carrying a trident (Sanskrit: ''[[trishula|trishūla]]''), [[Gada (mace)|mace]] (Sanskrit: ''gadā''), lotus (Sanskrit: ''[[Padma (attribute)|Padma]]'') and a spear (Sanskrit: ''[[Shula (spear)|shūla]]''. His mount (Sanskrit: ''[[vahana]]'') is a ram. He presides over ([[Tuesday]]).<ref>''Mythology of the Hindus'', Charles Coleman, p. 132</ref>
== Other Names ==
Mars (Mangala) is also called:
* '''Angāraka''' (अङ्गारक) - one who is red in colour also called
* '''Raktavarna''' (रक्तवर्ण) - whose color is like blood.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://dsal.uchicago.edu/cgi-bin/philologic/contextualize.pl?p.0.soas.82184
|archive-url=https://archive.is/20121215002336/http://dsal.uchicago.edu/cgi-bin/philologic/contextualize.pl?p.0.soas.82184
|url-status=dead |archive-date=15 December 2012 |title=aṅgāraka 126  |access-date=21 February 2010  |last=Turner  |first=Sir Ralph Lilley  |author-link=Ralph Lilley Turner  |year=1962  |work=A comparative dictionary of the Indo-Aryan languages. London: Oxford University Press  |publisher=Digital Dictionaries of South Asia, University of Chicago  |page=7  |quote=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]]. }}</ref>
* '''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.<ref>{{cite book|title=India through the ages|url=https://archive.org/details/indiathroughages00mada|last=Gopal|first=Madan|year= 1990| page= [https://archive.org/details/indiathroughages00mada/page/75 75]|editor=K.S. Gautam|publisher=Publication Division, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India}}</ref>
==Mangala verses==
The word ''Mangala'' is ancient, first appearing in the Rigveda (2nd millennium BCE), and mentioned by grammarian Patanjali (~2nd century BCE), but not as an astrological term, rather to mean "auspicious-successful" (''siddha'') structure in literary arts. Panini too mentions it in verse I.3.1 in a similar context.<ref name="Slaje2008p22">{{cite book|author=Walter Slaje|title=Abhandlungen für die Kunde des Morgenlandes|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=fD0Ypvxmzj8C&pg=PA22 |year=2008|publisher=Otto Harrassowitz Verlag|isbn=978-3-447-05645-8|pages=22–24}}</ref> In the Vedic texts, states Christopher Minkowski, there is no mention of auspicious rituals, or auspicious start or timing of a ritual, rather the "mangala" as auspicious practices likely emerged in the Indian traditions during the medieval era (after mid 1st millennium CE), thereafter found in Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism.<ref name=minkowski8>{{cite book|editor=Walter Slaje|author = Christopher Minkowski |title=Abhandlungen für die Kunde des Morgenlandes| url=https://books.google.com/books?id=fD0Ypvxmzj8C&pg=PA22 |year=2008| publisher=Otto Harrassowitz Verlag|isbn=978-3-447-05645-8|pages=8–24}}</ref> The ritualistic [[Mimamsa]] school of Hinduism did not include any ''mangala'' (auspicious) verses, related to plane "Mangala"  in any of its text throughout the 1st millennium CE.<ref name=minkowski8/>
The Markendeya Puran has "मङ्गल्कवचम् स्तोत्र " referring to planet "Mangal".


==See also==
==See also==

Latest revision as of 21:30, 6 January 2023

This article is about Mars in Hindu astrology. For other uses, see Mangala (disambiguation).


Mangala
God of the planet Mars[1]
Member of Navagraha
Angraka graha.JPG
Mangala riding on his mount ram
Devanagariमंगल
Sanskrit transliterationMangala
AffiliationGraha, Deva, Vaishnavism
AbodeMangalaloka
PlanetMars
MantraOm Mangala devaya Namah
DayTuesday
ColourRed
MountRam
Personal information
Parents

Mangala (Sanskrit: मङ्गल, IAST: Maṅgala) is the personification, as well as the name for the planet Mars, in Hindu literature.[2] Also known as Lohita (lit. 'the red one'),[3] he is the celibate deity of anger, aggression, as well as war.[2] According to Vaishnavism, he is the son of Bhumi, the earth goddess, and Vishnu, born when the latter raised her from the depths of the primordial waters in his Varaha avatar.[2][4]

Nomenclature[edit]

Mars (Mangala) is also called:

  • Raktavarna (रक्तवर्ण) - whose color is like blood.[5]
  • 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.[6]

Iconography[edit]

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.[7]

Legend[edit]

See also: Varaha, Bhūmi, and Hiranyaksha

Mangala appears in the narrative of the Varaha avatar of Vishnu. When the king of the asuras, Hiranyaksha, abducts the goddess of the earth, Bhumi, Vishnu assumes his third avatar, and descends upon the earth to rescue her. Observing that the asura had dragged her deep within the primordial waters, he catches the goddess with his tusks, and successfully slays the asura, restoring her to her rightful place in the cosmos. As she rises, Vishnu realises that Bhumi is, in fact, an aspect of his consort, Lakshmi,[8] and proceeds to sport with her, and from this union is born Mangala, meaning the auspicious one.[9]

Literature[edit]

Part of a series on
Vaishnavism
Closeup of Vishnu, seated in the lotus position on a lotus. From depiction of the poet Jayadeva bowing to Vishnu, Gouache on paper Pahari, The very picture of devotion, bare-bodied, head bowed, legs crossed and hands folded, Jayadeva stands at left, with the implements of worship placed before the lotus-seat of Vishnu who sits there, blessing the poet.
Supreme deity
Vishnu / Krishna / Rama
Important deities
Dashavatara
Other Avatars
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Related
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The word Mangala is ancient, first appearing in the Rigveda (2nd millennium BCE), and mentioned by grammarian Patanjali (~2nd century BCE), but not as an astrological term, rather to mean "auspicious-successful" (siddha) structure in literary arts. Panini too mentions it in verse I.3.1 in a similar context.[10] In the Vedic texts, states Christopher Minkowski, there is no mention of auspicious rituals, or auspicious start or timing of a ritual, rather the "mangala" as auspicious practices likely emerged in the Indian traditions during the medieval era (after mid 1st millennium CE), thereafter found in Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism.[11] The ritualistic Mimamsa school of Hinduism did not include any mangala (auspicious) verses, related to plane "Mangala" in any of its text throughout the 1st millennium CE.[11]

The Markandeya Purana contains the astrological Mangala Kavacha Stotram, which includes a prayer to be recitated to Mangala for seeking protection.[12]

Astrology and worship[edit]

Jyotisha, the tradition of Hindu astrology, includes Mangala in the concept of Nakshatra (see also List of Natchathara temples), Navagraha (see also List of Navagraha temples), and Saptarishi. He is included in the list of Hindu deities, whose dedicated temples are found at various Hindu pilgrimage sites, to which Hindus perform their pilgrimage, called yatra.

Planet[edit]

Mangala, as a planet, appears in various Hindu astronomical texts in Sanskrit, such as the 5th century Aryabhatiya by Aryabhata, the 6th century Romaka by Latadeva and Panca Siddhantika by Varahamihira, the 7th century Khandakhadyaka by Brahmagupta and the 8th century Sisyadhivrddida by Lalla.[13] These texts present Mangala as one of the planets and estimate the characteristics of the respective planetary motion.[13] Other texts such as Surya Siddhanta dated to have been complete sometime between the 5th century and 10th century present their chapters on various planets with deity mythologies.[13]

The manuscripts of these texts exist in slightly different versions, present Mangala's motion in the skies, but vary in their data, suggesting that the text were open and revised over their lives.[14][15][16]

The 1st millennium CE Hindu scholars had estimated the time it took for sidereal revolutions of each planet including Mangala, from their astronomical studies, with slightly different results:[17]

Sanskrit and other texts: How many days for Mangala (Mars) to complete its orbit?
Source Estimated time per sidereal revolution[17]
Surya Siddhanta 686 days, 23 hours, 56 minutes, 23.5 seconds
Siddhanta Shiromani 686 days, 23 hours, 57 minutes, 1.5 seconds
Ptolemy 686 days, 23 hours, 31 minutes, 56.1 seconds
20th century calculations 686 days, 23 hours, 30 minutes, 41.4 seconds

Calendar and zodiac[edit]

Mangala is the root of the word 'Mangalavara' or Tuesday in the Hindu calendar.[2] The word मंगल also means "auspicious" but the planet मंगल is considered malefic.

Similarly, the names of Tuesday in other Indo-European languages are often derived from the Roman god Mars,[18] (such as the Latin word Martis "Tuesday") or a god ascribed with similar characteristics. The root of the English word Tuesday, for instance, is the old Germanic god of war and victory, Tīw, also known as Týr.[19]

Mangala is part of the Navagraha in Hindu zodiac system. The role and importance of the Navagraha developed over time with various influences. The earliest work of astrology recorded in India is the Vedanga Jyotisha which began to be compiled in the 14th century BCE.

Mangala as the malefic planet Mars

Deifying planetary bodies and their astrological significance occurred as early as the Vedic period and was recorded in the Vedas. The classical planets, including Mars, were referenced in the Atharvaveda from the second millennium BCE. The Navagraha was furthered by additional contributions from Western Asia, including Zoroastrian and Hellenistic influences. The Yavanajataka, or 'Science of the Yavanas', was written by the Indo-Greek named "Yavanesvara" ("Lord of the Greeks") under the rule of the Western Kshatrapa king Rudrakarman I. The Yavanajataka written in 120 CE is often attributed to standardizing Indian astrology. The Navagraha would further develop and culminate in the Shaka era with the Saka, or Scythian, people. Additionally the contributions by the Saka people would be the basis of the Indian national calendar, which is also called the Saka calendar.

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ↑ "Mangala, Maṅgalā, Maṅgala, Mamgala: 45 definitions". 27 September 2008.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Dalal, Roshen (2010). Hinduism: An Alphabetical Guide. Penguin Books India. p. 240. ISBN 978-0-14-341421-6.
  3. ↑ Ancient Indian Tradition & Mythology: The Nārada-Purāṇa. Motilal Banarsidass. 1982. p. 984.
  4. ↑ Williams, George M. (27 March 2008). Handbook of Hindu Mythology. OUP USA. p. 86. ISBN 978-0-19-533261-2.
  5. ↑ 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. Archived from the original on 15 December 2012. Retrieved 21 February 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.
  6. ↑ Gopal, Madan (1990). K.S. Gautam (ed.). India through the ages. Publication Division, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India. p. 75.
  7. ↑ Mythology of the Hindus, Charles Coleman, p. 132
  8. ↑ Misra, Munindra; मिश्रा, मुनीन्द्र (4 August 2015). Lord Vishnu & Goddess Lakshmi (in हिन्दी). Osmora Incorporated. p. 108. ISBN 978-2-7659-1672-7.
  9. ↑ Arumugam, Nesa (27 September 2020). Myths and Legends of the Navagraha: The Nine Movers of Destiny in Indian Astrology. Partridge Publishing Singapore. p. 45. ISBN 978-1-5437-6002-6.
  10. ↑ Walter Slaje (2008). Abhandlungen für die Kunde des Morgenlandes. Otto Harrassowitz Verlag. pp. 22–24. ISBN 978-3-447-05645-8.
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 Christopher Minkowski (2008). Walter Slaje (ed.). Abhandlungen für die Kunde des Morgenlandes. Otto Harrassowitz Verlag. pp. 8–24. ISBN 978-3-447-05645-8.
  12. ↑ adawal, Shanker. Encyclopedia of Vedic Astrology : Relationship: Marriage, Love & Sex. Sagar Publications. p. 589.
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 Ebenezer Burgess (1989). P Ganguly, P Sengupta (ed.). Sûrya-Siddhânta: A Text-book of Hindu Astronomy. Motilal Banarsidass (Reprint), Original: Yale University Press, American Oriental Society. pp. vii–xi. ISBN 978-81-208-0612-2.
  14. ↑ Lionel D. Barnett (1994). Antiquities of India: An Account of the History and Culture of Ancient Hindustan. Asian Educational Services. pp. 190–192. ISBN 978-81-206-0530-5.
  15. ↑ Ebenezer Burgess (1989). P Ganguly, P Sengupta (ed.). Sûrya-Siddhânta: A Text-book of Hindu Astronomy. Motilal Banarsidass (Reprint), Original: Yale University Press, American Oriental Society. pp. ix–xi, xxix. ISBN 978-81-208-0612-2.
  16. ↑ J Fleet (1911). "Arbhatiya". Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Cambridge University Press for the Royal Asiatic Society: 794–799.
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 Ebenezer Burgess (1989). P Ganguly, P Sengupta (ed.). Sûrya-Siddhânta: A Text-book of Hindu Astronomy. Motilal Banarsidass (Reprint), Original: Yale University Press, American Oriental Society. pp. 26–27. ISBN 978-81-208-0612-2.
  18. ↑ Richard L. Thompson (2004). Vedic Cosmography and Astronomy. Motilal Banarsidass. p. 88. ISBN 978-81-208-1954-2.
  19. ↑ Linda T. Elkins-Tanton (2006). Mars. Infobase Publishing. pp. v–vi. ISBN 978-1-4381-0726-4.

Further reading[edit]

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