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| SUKRA - THE VENUS |
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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