In a Vedic Astrology Horoscope, the positions and effect of 9 heavenly bodies are carefully examined. These are the seven planets - Sun, Moon, Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus and Saturn along with two nodes - Rahu and Ketu. Each planet has a long list of significations which are further divided into the direction, metals, age, nature, elements, body part / body system, colors, rulership of zodiac signs and the host of other attributes which a good Astrologer has to keep in mind at the time of making the calculations and giving the forecast. While all planets are given equal attention but it is Mars which is given special attention to check for suddenness in giving bad results - if it is a malefic. At the time of matching the Horoscopes for marriage purposes, it is the presence or absence of Manglik feature which is checked before anything else. So let us go a little deeper into the nature, functioning, and mode of operation of Mars in a Horoscope. Is it always to be feared or does it have the power to give also? Mars is the fourth planet from the Sun. It is called Mangal in Hindi, Kujja in Sanskrit. West has named it after the Roman God of War. Mars is also referred to as the Red Planet because of its reddish appearance as seen from Earth. Similarly all the planets are divided into 4 elements of nature - Fire, Earth, Air and Water. Mars is supposed to be a fiery planet. As the story goes in the Vedic system, Mars is the commander-in-chief of the celestial army. It is therefore, quite natural to associate Mars with action & raw energy, after all it is fiery, hot red and fast (compared to Jupiter and Saturn it is a much faster planet orbiting the Sun).