Sukra
The planet Venus is known as SUKRA
in Vedic astrology. Sukra means "white", or "bright" in Sanskrit.
Venus is a first rate benefic in Jyotish (predictions). Venus
rules over the two sidereal signs of Taurus and Libra.
Venus is exalted in Pisces and in his fall in the opposite
sign of Virgo. Venus is a karaka, or indicator of
spouse, love, marriage, comfort, luxury, beauty, prosperity,
happiness, all conveyances, art, dance music, acting, passion
and sex, healing and the saying of mantras.
Sage Parasara says of Venus; "Venus is charming, has a splendors
physique, is excellent or great in disposition, has charming
eyes, is a poet, is phlegmatic and windy and has curly hair."
Venus most powerful position is in the 4th House and enjoys
the TRIKONAL Houses, 1, 5, and 9. Venus is a particularly
beneficial planet for Capricorn and Aquarius Ascendants. Her nature is KAPHA, or watery in
disposition.
Her gem is diamond and her metal is copper and silver. Venus'
direction is Southeast and her day is Friday. She reaches
full maturity at age 25. In Vedic myth Venus, or Sukra, is
known as the Guru, or teacher of the ASURAS, or one of the
two camps of the Vedic deities. Sukra therefore is a Brahmin,
or the highest priestly order, and is considered the forefather
of the Brig lineage of sages from ancient India.
In Vedic myth the Asuras are the demonic aspect of the divine
and, like many of the ancient creation myths, are locked in
eternal battle with the Devas, the auspicious aspect of the
Divine. In one episodic myth the Devas are particularly concerned
in their battle with Asuras because Venus knows the mantra
of immortality to raise the dead. This of course gave the
Asuras an unfair advantage in their battle with the Devas.
So Jupiter, or Brihaspati, the guru to the Devas, sends his
son Kaca (brightness) to study under Sukra.
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| SUKRA AS SEEN IN TEMPLES |
Sukra has a beautiful daughter Devayani (way to the gods), and
she is quite taken with Kaca. Now, the Asuras know what Kaca
is up to, so like all good demons they kill him. Devayani, of
course, grieves for him and tells father, so Sukra repeats the
mantra and Kaca comes back to life. Then the demons kill Kaca
again. Once again Devayani complains, and once again Sukra repeats
the mantra and Kaca come back to life. Undeterred, the demons
go about killing Kaca and Sukra keeps resurrecting him. So the
demons get a particularly demonic idea and this time they kill
Kaca and grind him up into a fine powder and put him in Sukra's
wine. Sukra drinks the wine, Devayani begins her grieving, and
in response Sukra repeats the mantra, but this time he has a
stomachache as Kaca speaks from inside him. At last the demons
appear to be happy.
But, they ironically bring about the very thing they were trying
to prevent, for Sukra reveals the mantra of immortality to Kaca,
so when Kaca tears himself out of Sukra's body he will repeat
the mantra and raise Sukra from the dead. This myth explains
why all Brahmins committed to spiritual life are not allowed
to drink wine, and one of the epithets of Venus is: the one
who "produces stomach problems".
Sukra bestows long life, wealth, happiness, children, and property
and good education. He is the Guru for Asuras. Well learned
in Neeti Sastras follower of such sastras and one who dispenses
justice, Sukra is considered a beneficial Devata. He blesses
the devotees with power to control one's Indriyas (Sense organs)
and enables the devotee to obtain fame and name.
In the Zodiac, he is the Lord of Tula. Sukra takes one year
to complete the Zodiac cycle living one month in each Rasi.
Fridays are considered to be effective for the worship of Sukra.
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