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Question - 11
By what names were the planets mentioned in the Mahabharata?
Answer:
Among the planets Mars is found with many names in the Mahabharata.
Mars = Angāraka, Lohita, Dhuma saha Pāvaka, Pāvaka.
Of these Dhuma is the upagraha of Mars. Mars is recognised along with Dhuma. Pāvaka is fire.
Jupiter = Brahaspati
Mercury = Budha, Somasya putra, Yamasya putra
Based on the story of Budha (Mercury) born to Soma (Moon) and Tara, the wife of Brihaspati, Mercury came to be called as the son of both Moon and Jupiter. As per this story, both Moon (Soma) and Jupiter (Brihaspati) claimed Budha as their child. As a result Budha came to be regarded as Somasya Putra and Yamasya Putra as well.
Somasya Putra is understandable as the son of Soma.
What was the rationale to link Yama with Brihaspati, that Budha got the name Yamasya Putra?
As per Vedic astrology, Yamaghantaka is the son of Brihaspati. This name appears from as early as Parashara's time (of Mahabharata). The name signifies the bell of Yama (Ghanta of Yama) by which we deduce that Yama refers to Brihaspati. Brihaspati (Jupiter) stands for the Kaarakatva of Dharma. Yama is the lord of Dharma. That is how Brihaspati came to be regarded as Yama.
Due to the specific context of Budha, getting accepted by Brihaspati who adhered to the Dharma of supporting his wife and the child born to her, Budha (Mercury) came to be identified as the son of Yama (Yamasya Putra).
This word is specifically used for Mercury in the Mahabharata in the context of fall of Karna (8-68-47)
The description was such that when Karna fell on the 17th day of the war, the surrounding Nature was in a state of shock. The earth roared; there was smoke in all directions; the rivers stood still, the sun looked pale. In this context it is said that 'Yamasya Putra' crossed the sky silently in a slanting direction. The judgement of Yama Dharma having been delivered in the death of Karna, Jupiter, the Dharma planet is remembered as Yama by mentioning Mercury as the son of Yama,
Venus = Shukra, Shyama (Brihat Jataka, v: II-4: Shayama: Shukro)
Saturn = Shanaischara, Surya putra (Brihat Jataka, v: II-4: Bhaskari: krishnadeha: where Bhaskari refers to Saturn as offspring of the Sun).
Also Parusha graha because it is said to have 'rough hairs' - parusha roma (Brihat Jataka, v: II-11)
Sun and moon are known by their popular names such as Surya, Aditya, Bhaskara, Divakara, Chandra, Soma etc. Different names of the Sun are given in the Mahabharata.
