Question

Given below are two statements: one is labelled as Assertion (A) and the other is labelled as Reason (R).
Assertion (A): The natural friends of the planet Mars (Bhauma) are the Sun, the Moon, and Jupiter.
Reason (R): The natural friends of the planet Saturn (Śani) are Mercury and Venus.

• A. Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).
• B. Both (A) and (R) are true but (R) is NOT the correct explanation of (A).
• C. (A) is true but (R) is false.
• D. (A) is false but (R) is true.

Hint:

Group 1 (Sun, Moon, Mars, Jupiter) are mutual friends.
Group 2 (Mercury, Venus, Saturn) are mutual friends.
Knowing the two camps helps you instantly verify friendship statements!

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
This question deals with 'Naisargika Maitrī' (Natural Planetary Friendship). In Vedic Astrology, planets are divided into two primary camps: the 'Deva' (Divine) group and the 'Asura' (Demonic) group. Friendship within these groups is generally strong, while across groups, it is usually neutral or inimical.

Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Analysis of Assertion (A):
According to the standard friendship table in Br̥hat Jātaka and BPHS:
- For Mars (Bhauma), the Sun (Sūrya), Moon (Candra), and Jupiter (Guru) are friends (Mitra).
- Mercury (Budha) is its enemy.
- Venus (Śukra) and Saturn (Śani) are neutral.
Mars belongs to the Deva camp along with Sun, Moon, and Jupiter. Thus, Assertion (A) is factually true.

Analysis of Reason (R):
- For Saturn (Śani), Mercury (Budha) and Venus (Śukra) are friends (Mitra).
- Sun, Moon, and Mars are its enemies.
- Jupiter is neutral.
Saturn belongs to the Asura camp along with Venus and Mercury (Rāhu/Kētu are also included here). Thus, Reason (R) is also factually true.

Evaluating the Relationship:
Assertion A discusses the friends of Mars. Reason R discusses the friends of Saturn. These are two independent sets of astrological rules. The fact that Saturn is friends with Mercury and Venus does not 'cause' or 'explain' why Mars is friends with the Sun, Moon, and Jupiter. There is no logical or causal dependency between these two planetary friendship lists in the context of the question's phrasing. They are simply two true statements from the same category of astrological knowledge.

In such cases, the standard answer is that both are true, but the second does not explain the first.

Step 3: Final Answer:
Both statements regarding natural friendship are correct, but R does not explain A.