He is the master or Guru of the Asuras, thus known as Daityaguru. He is also considered a bestower of beauty, luxury, and royalty and he is an expert on the matters of statecraft and administration. He is Shukra, the Lord of the Planet Venus. Shukra literally means “brilliant” or “clear”, referring to his association with the color white and the beautiful white diamond. And brilliant he is.
A master of Neeti and the knower of Mrita-Sanjeevani, the art of bringing the dead back to life, Shukra is probably one of the most powerful and enigmatic members of the Navagraha.
An embodiment of luxury, beauty, and regalia, Shukra in art is represented as a youthful man, dressed in silken garments and adorned with jewelry of all kinds. He is shown riding an elephant or a horse, both symbols of royalty in ancient Indian art. He is four-armed and carries a book, a pot of jewels, and the gesture of Abhaya and Varada.
Shukracharya is the son of sage Bhrigu, a learned Rishi. From his birth, he chose an unorthodox path, which made his life one filled with adventures, difficulties, and greatness. Though always put opposite to Brihaspati as his rival and shadowed by the mighty Devaguru, the master of Asuras has his own legendary life worth commemorating.
🌀A Wise Counselor- Shukracharya was a powerful and intelligent guide for the Asuras. His knowledge of war and astuteness of administration led the Asuras to great victories against the Devas.
🌀The Keeper of Immortality- One of the main reasons behind the Asuras’s many victories against the Devas in spite of their great armies and the help of divine beings, was the potent Vidya of Mrita Sanjeevani. With great austerities, Shukra pleased Lord Shiva, who gave him the boon of resurrecting the dead.
Every time an Asura fell on the battlefield, he was brought back to life by the Daityaguru making it nearly impossible for the Devas to defeat them. To overcome this challenge, Devas sent Kacha, the son of Brihaspati to Shukracharya.
He became the pupil of Shukra and began learning various skills under him. But Shukra was always careful not to let him in on the secret of Mrita Sanjeevani. However, the Asuras were getting anxious, and to avoid the Vidya from going to the Devas, they killed Kacha and after cremating him, mixed his ashes in the drink of Shukra. Kacha was now inside Shukra’s stomach.
To bring his student back to life, Shukra taught him the Vidya after which Kacha came out of Shukra, tearing his body apart. Then Kacha, using the Mrita Sanjeevani Vidya, brought Shukracharya back. The Vidya in the end did not go to the Devas. The daughter of Shukracharya, Devayani, who was in love with Kacha, learned that he stayed with them only to gain the Mrita Sanjeevani.
When Kacha was about to leave Devayani behind after coming back to life, she cursed him. The Vidya for which Kacha was leaving her, would be forgotten by him. This way, Mrita Sanjeevani Vidya of Shukracharya remained with the Asuras.
Shukra with King Bali and Vamana
🌀A True Guide and Guardian- When the king of demons Mahabali, was visited by Vishnu as Vamana, he vowed to gift him with three steps of earth. Shukracharya however, was aware of the divine Narayana behind the dwarf sage. He knew that three steps from Vamana would take everything that Mahabali had and more.
In order to protect the kingdom of Bali, Shukracharya transformed himself into an insect and sat in the spout of the water pot, through which Bali was about to pour water to take the vow of Daana (donation) ritually.
Shukra stopped the water from falling from the pot without which the vow would not be complete. Vamana saw this, and with a Durva (grass) poked in the spout, causing an injury to the eye of Shukra. In the end, the vow was completed, and Mahabali gave a great Daana to Vamana, forever being remembered as a generous and devoted king.
Shukra in this episode, emerges as a cautious, intelligent, and brave teacher and guide, who with great perceptiveness and awareness, is always alert and ready to stand up to the god himself, if it means his students and those who depend on him will be protected.
Niti (moral or ethics) in Indian thought are ideas and concepts related to administration, conduct in matters of the world, and ways of ruling or working- an important part of Dharmashastra literature. Nitisara- a collection of teachings for kings and administrators is a valuable part of this tradition, attributed to Shukracharya, who is believed to have collected unimaginable ideas and concentrated them into “sara” or “gist” (essence) for the benefit of all human beings.
Shukra mentions that the Varna of a person- whether they are Brahamana, Kshatriya, Vaishya, or Shudra depends upon their Karma (action or deeds) and Guna (nature or character). Divided into five sections, Nitisara is a rich discussion on political and moral ideology, one that is relevant to the material world even in contemporary times.
In Indian astrology, Shukra is believed to be the planet that rules over romantic and interpersonal relationships. A strong Shukra in one’s birth chart (Kundali) is believed to bring charm, beauty, and abundance in life, while a weak Shukra causes over-indulgence in worldly affairs and luxury. The day devoted to Shukra is Shukravara, on which many people worship goddess Lakshmi, the bestower of wealth, beauty, and riches (spheres that Shukra controls), to gain the positive energies of Venus.
ऊँ शुं शुक्राय नम: (Om Shum Shukraye Namah) and ॐ द्रां द्रीं द्रौं स: शुक्राय नम: (Om Dram Dreem Draum Saha Shukraye Namah) are two of the many mantras (chants) using which devotees worship Shukra. A simple way of appeasing Shukra is also by respecting women in one’s life.
A teacher, a leader, and a philosopher, Shukra is the ruler of all the splendor one can imagine. His presence and reverence in Indian culture are representative of the value of wealth, abundance, and beauty in creating a well-rounded and fulfilled life. Source of material and spiritual riches, Shukra’s blessings are integral to achieving the perfectly balanced life that is the ideal of Indian philosophy.
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