LEGENDS OF MOON AND MERCURY

LEGEND OF SUN AND MOON

MERCURY LEGENDAccording to Linga Purana Mercury is the son of moon by his wife Rohini.But according to Vishnu purana, Brahma purana Bhagawata purana it is told, Moon seduces the wife of Brahaspati `TARA` and Budha is brn out of their union. He is called Soumya - Son of Soma namely Moon.
Moon being the father is friendly towards him while Mercury knows he is the son of the wife of jupiter and so he is always in conflict with his father,the Moon.

Mercury is neutral and sexless. Being neutral it changes according to its placement. Beacuse it is nearest to Sun it is often restless and fickle, It becomes malefic when conjunt with Mars, whihc makes it nervous, excitable and insecure.

MOON LEGENDS Moon- Chandra has emerged from the sea of milk when it was churned by asuras and Devas. Due to the brilliant form it was given the status of planet and is given the status of Navagraha.

He enetered into an illegitimate relationship with Tara the wife of Brhaspati whihc resulted in Budha . The child hated his father, thus mercury and moon are rival planets.
Chandra married 27 daughters of Daksha . One condition was he should love everyone equally. But Chandra favoured Rohini over others. This angered Daksha and he cursed Chandra to loose his divine nature. After doing many penances Chandra regained his lost lusture.. The cycle of losing and regining the lusture is reflecteed as the phases of moon.

As per Markandeya purana Chadra is the son of Atri and Anusuya born by the gracce of Brahma. According to the legend the power of Brahma enetered Atri and was born as Chandra to his wife.

Another legend , Chandra prayed to Lord Shiva to restore his lost glory. Shiva showed his gracce and kept him on his locks. Later one day Chandra saw Shiva's son Ganesha and laughed at his big stomach and the way he fell down from his Mooshika vehicle. This angered Ganesha's mother Parvathi who cursed anyone who sees Chandra on the 4th day ie Chaturthi will augur bad things.But if they pray to Ganesha they will be freed of thier troubles, hence `Sankatahara chaturthi is celebrated,