Shukra (, ) is a Sanskrit word that means "clear" or "bright". It also has other meanings, such as the name of a sage who was the preceptor of the and taught them the Vedas.
In medieval mythology and
Hindu astrology, the word refers to the planet
Venus, one of the
.
Hinduism
In
Hinduism, Shukra is one of the sons of
Bhrigu, one of the
Saptarshis. He was the
guru of the
asuras and is also referred to as
Shukracharya or
Asuracharya in various
Hindu texts. In another account found in the
Mahabharata, Shukra divided himself into two, one half became the fount of knowledge for the devas (gods) and the other half became the knowledge source of the asuras (demons).
[ Shukra, in the Puranas, is blessed by Shiva with Sanjeevini Vidhya after performing tapas to propitiate Shiva. Sanjeevini Vidhya is the knowledge of raising the dead back to life, which he used from time to time to restore life to the asuras. Later, this knowledge was sought by the devas and was ultimately gained by them.][
]
Vamana, the dwarf Dashavatara of Vishnu, requests the asura king Mahabali for three steps of land. Mahabali acceded to the request and as was the practice, took up the kamandalu to pour water to symbolically signify the donation to Vamana. When Shukra, the asuras' guru, had realised Vamana's true identity, he tried to prevent the flow of water from the kamandalu
Suryanar Koil
Shukra's mother was Kavyamata, whilst Shukra's wives were the goddesses Urjasvati, Jayanti, and Sataparva. Sometimes, Urjjasvati and Jayanti are considered to be one goddess.
With her, Shukra produced many children, including Queen Devayani.
In the Mahabharata, Shukracharya is mentioned as one of the mentors of Bhishma, having taught him political science in his youth.
Astrology
In classical Vedic astrology or
Jyotisha, Shukra is considered to be among the Navagrahas (Nine planets) that influence the pattern of life on earth. Shukra represents women, beauty, wealth, luxury, and sex. According to classical astrological texts, a powerfully placed Shukra, aspected by benefic planets such as Jupiter, and in favourable signs and houses in the birth chart, ensures material well-being. Its
beej mantra is "Om Draam Dreem Draum Sah Shukraya Namaha". It is associated with Friday, and the gem diamond. The classical
shastras ordain that the best method to attain the blessings of Shukra is to respect the women in one’s life.
It is also popularly propitiated through Devi Aradhana or worshipping the goddess Lakshmi.
Planet
Shukra as a planet appears in various Hindu astronomical texts in
Sanskrit, such as the 5th century
Aryabhatiya by
Aryabhatta, the 6th century
Romaka by Latadeva and
Panca Siddhantika by Varahamihira, the 7th century
Khandakhadyaka by Brahmagupta and the 8th century
Sisyadhivrddida by Lalla.
These texts present Shukra as one of the planets and estimate the characteristics of the respective planetary motion.
[ Other texts such as Surya Siddhanta dated to have been complete sometime between the 5th century and 10th century present their chapters on various planets with deity mythologies.][
]
The manuscripts of these texts exist in slightly different versions, present Shukra's motion in the skies, but vary in their data, suggesting that the text were open and revised over their lives.
The 1st millennium CE Hindu scholars had estimated the time it took for sidereal revolutions of each planet including Shukra, from their astronomical studies, with slightly different results:
| >+ Sanskrit texts: How many days for Shukra (Venus) to complete its orbit?
|
| Source | Estimated time per sidereal revolution[
] |
| ''Surya Siddhanta'' | 224 days, 16 hours, 45 minutes, 56.2 seconds
|
| ''Siddhanta Shiromani'' | 224 days, 16 hours, 45 minutes, 1.9 seconds
|
| [[Ptolemy]] | 224 days, 16 hours, 51 minutes, 56.8 seconds
|
| 20th century calculations | 224 days, 16 hours, 49 minutes, 8.0 seconds
|
Calendar and zodiac
The weekday
Shukravara in Hindu calendar, or Friday, has roots in Shukra (Venus).
Shukravara is found in most Indian languages, and
Navagraha is driven by the planet Venus in Hindu astrology. The word "Friday" in the Greco-Roman and other Indo-European calendars is also based on the planet Venus.
Shukra is a part of the Navagraha in the Hindu zodiac system. The Navagraha developed from early works of astrology over time. Deifying planetary bodies and their astrological significance occurred as early as the Vedic period and was recorded in the Vedas. The Classical planet, including Venus, were referenced in the Atharvaveda around 1000 BCE. The planet Venus was deified and referred to as Shukra in various Puranas.
See also
Further reading
External links
