In Linga Purana it is said that Mercury or Buddha Graha, as said in Hindi, is the son of the Moon by his wife Rohini. But according to Vishnu Purana, Brahma Purana, Devi Bhagvata Bhagwat Purana, Harivansha Purana, Padma Purana and Vayu Purana, the seduction of Brahaspati's wife Tara by the Moon gave birth to Buddha. Mercury rules education, writers, lecturers, traders, teachers, artists, businessmen, the nervous system and the lungs.

Mercury has two faces, it gives double nature and makes one detached and independent as well as an extremist. It is dominated by the three doshas, the wind, bile and mucus. Mercury loves the company of learned. It is the lord of the direction North.