SHUKRA

'Shukra' (शुक्र), the Sanskrit for "clear, pure" or "brightness, clearness", is the name the son of Bhrgu and Ushana, and preceptor of the Daityas, and the guru of the Asuras, identified with the planet Venus, one of the Navagrahas (with honorific, शुक्राचार्य ''Shukracharya''). He presides over 'Shukra-war' or Friday.
He is of white complexion, middle-aged and of agreeable countenance. He is described variously mounted , on a camel or a horse or a crocidile. He holds a stick, beads and a lotus and sometimes a bow and arrow..^[1]
'Ushanas' is the name of a Vedic rishi with the patronymic ''Kāvya'' (descendant of Kavi, AVŚ 4.29.6), who was later identified with Shukra.

Contents

Name

Guru Shukracharya

In astrology

See also

Name

''Shukra'' is etymologically identical with ''shukla'' "white". As a noun, it may also refer to any clear liquid, to water, semen and to Soma, and to a receptable for Soma, and it is also the name of a Marutvat, of a son of Vasishtha, of the third Manu, of one of the saptarshi under Manu Bhautya, of a son of Bhava, of a son of Havirdhana.
''Ushanas'' is also the name of the author of a Dharmashastra.

Guru Shukracharya

He was born as the son of Rishi Brighu and his wife Ushana. The feminic natured Shukra is a Brahminical planet. He was born on Friday in the year Paarthiva on Sraavana Suddha Ashtami when Swathi Nakshatra is on the ascent. Hence, Friday is known as ''Shukravaar'' in Indian languages especially Sanskrit, Hindi, Marathi , Gujarati and Kannada. He went on to study Vedas under rishi Angirasa but he was disturbed by Angirasa's favouritism to his son Brihaspati. He then went to study under rishi Gautama. He later performed penance to Lord Shiva and obtained the ''Sanjivani mantra'' (a hymn that can revive the dead). He married Priyavratha's daughter Urjaswathi and gave birth to four sons — Chanda, Amarka, Twaashtra, Dharaatra and a daughter by name Devyani.
During this period Brihaspati became the Guru (Preceptor) of the divine people Devaa. Out of jealousy, Shukracharya decides to become the Guru of Asuras. He helps them achieve victory over the Devas and uses his magic to revive the dead and wounded Asuras.
In one story, Lord Vishnu is born as the Brahmin sage Vamana. Vamana comes to take the three worlds as alms from the asura king Bali. Lord Vishnu wanted to deceive the king Bali who was the grandson of the great king Prahlad, in order to help the Devas. The sage Shukracharya identifies him immediately and warns the King. The King is however a man of his word and offers the gift to Vamana. Shukracharya, annoyed with the pride of the king, shrinks himself with his powers and sits in the spout of the vase, from which water has to be poured to seal the promise to the deity in disguise. Lord Vishnu, in disguise of the dwarf, understands immediately, and picks a straw from the ground and directs it up the spout, poking out the left eye of Shukracharaya. Since this day on, the guru of the asuras has been known to be half blind.
Devyani was the daughter of Shukracharya, who was rejected by the son of Brihaspati, Kacha. She later marries Yayati who founds the Kuru dynasty.

In astrology

In Vedic astrology Shukra represents artistic talents, the quality of the body and material life, wealth, the opposite sex, pleasure and reproduction, feminine qualities and music and dance. Shukra is the lord of three nakshatras or lunar mansions: Bharani, Purva Phalguni and Purva Ashadha
In Vedic astrology, there is a dasha known as Shukra Dasha which remains active in a person's horoscope for 20 years. This dasha is believed to give more wealth, fortune and luxury to a person's life if they have Shukra positioned well in their horoscope. In additon Shukra is an important benefic planet in the horoscope. Shukra is associated with a month in the Hindu calendar called JyeshTha ( May-June, personified as the guardian of Kubera's treasure) MBh. Sushr.;

See also

★ Navagraha