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Shukra
The Graha "Shukra", whose name means "semen" is described as a young, gentle, fair-complexioned and effeminate man with dark curly hair and a beautiful physique. At times he even takes on a feminine form, appearing to others as a goddess. He rules over human sexuality, sensuality, matters of the heart, beauty, nature, art, theatre, romance and poetry, and inspires all these movements. He is the erotic energy that brings a sparkle of pleasure into life. Although he is mystically inclined, he chose to be the Guru to asuras (demons) and preceptor to the daityas (giants) because of his enmity towards Brihaspati (Jupiter) who is the Guru for the devas (gods).
Shukra is in a unique position. He is a demi-god who is said to have been the mind-born son of the sage (rishi) Bhrigu, who learned all the spiritual sciences and esoteric knowledge from his father, yet he chose to live among demons and uses his wisdom to assist them. One of the reasons he despises Brihaspati (Jupiter) so much is that they both studied the Vedas from the rishi Angirasa, who was Brihaspati's father. Angirasa naturally showed more affection for his son in his studies which made Shukra upset. When Brihaspati was chosen to be the Guru of the gods, Shukra chose the opposing role. Another reason for his chosen path was that his mother was killed while Lord Vishnu hunted an asura she was sheltering. It is said that Shukra is a great devotee of the Lord Shiva, and learned from Shiva the science of reviving the dead called the "mrityu sanjivini vidya", which he uses to heal and revive demons who are fallen in battle. In alot of ways Lord Shukra reminds us of the Christian fallen angel and Roman god "Lucifer", the morning star, who is also a face of the planet Venus. Lucifer is said to be the leader and teacher of demons and yet a celestial being of light. Only by one's unverified personal gnosis can one find out for one's self if there is any link between these two godforms. The similarities in their nature, rulership, and myth is intriguing. Magically Shukra (Venus) rules over lovers, marriages, women, water, perfumes, music, plastic arts, dramatic arts, poetry, alchemy, enchantments and the mysticism of nature. When one is harmonised with Shukra he will have a pleasant disposition, inclined to the arts, romantic and loving nature, passionate, and prosperous. Shukra brings good fortune, wealth and luxury when he is well-placed in one's astrology chart. His influence will be toward attractiveness, refinement, grace and elegance. One will be smooth, humanitarian, long-lived and possess many good qualities, i.e., positive results may be expected. When one is not harmonised with him then he fails to create anything useful in life, is either overly sensuous or impotent, and suffers from eye and venereal diseases.
Correspondences for Shukra (Venus): Color: White/yellow Day: Friday Metal: Silver or Copper Direction: South-East Element: Water Gemstone: Diamond Food: Kidney beans Drink: Rose water, Mead, and Champagne Incense: Aloeswood Oil: Rose Flower: Rose Fruit: Apple Indian Herb: Ficus Glomerata or Audumbara-bhasma
Shukra Kavacham Protective Armor of Venus Shukra in Indian mythology is the teacher of Asuras and Rakshasas. He is a very famous sage and son of Bhrigu. If any problems are caused by him or if one wants to earn lots of wealth, this Kavacham should be read on Fridays.
मृणालकुन्देन्दुपयोजसुप्रभं
Mrunala kundendu payoja suprabham, Peethambaram, prasrutha maksha malinam, Samastha sasthrartha vidhim mahantham, Dhyayeth kavim vanchitha maartha sidhaye. 1 All desires would get fulfilled by meditating on that poet, Who shines like the white lotus born out of the sea, Who wears yellow silks, who is known to wear garland of beads, And who is a very great individual knowing the meaning of all sasthras.
शिरो मे भार्गवः पातु भालं पातु ग्रहाधिपः ।
Om Siro may Bhargava pathu, Baalam pathu grahadhipa, Nethre daithya guru pathu, srothre may chandana dyuthi. 2 Let the son of Bhrigu protect my head, Let the lord of planets protect my hair, Let the teacher of asuras protect my eyes, And let my ears be protected by, He who is lustrous like sandal wood.
पातु मे नासिकां काव्यो वदनं दैत्यवन्दितः । Pathu may nasikaam kavyo, vadanam daithya vanditha, Vachanam chosna pathu, kandam sri kanda bhakthiman. 3 Let the writer of epics protect my nose, Let my face be protected by he who is worshipped by asuras, Let my words be protected by the hungry one, And let my neck be protected by the great devotee of Vishnu.
भुजौ तेजोनिधिः पातु कुक्षिं पातु मनोव्रजः । Bhujou thejo nidhi pathu, kukshim pathu mano vraja, Nabhim braghu sutha pathu, madhyam pathu mahee priya,. 4 Let my hand be protected by the treasure of light, Let my belly be protected by him who is the choice of my mind, Let my stomach be protected by son of Bhrigu, And let my middle be protected by the darling of earth.
कटिं मे पातु विश्वात्मा उरू मे सुरपूजितः । Katim may pathu viswathma, ooru may sura poojitha, Janum jadya hara pathu, jange jnana vatham vara. 5 Let my hip be protected by soul of the universe, Let my thigh be protected by him who is worshipped by devas, Let my knees be protected by enemy of sluggishness, And let my calf be protected by he who is great among knowledgeable.
गुल्फौ गुणनिधिः पातु पातु पादौ वराम्बरः । Gulphou guna nidhi pathu, pathu padhou varam bhara, Sarvanyangani may pathu, swarna mala parishkrutha. 6 Let my ankle be protected by treasure of goodness, Let my feet be protected by he who grants boons, And let all my limbs be protected by he who wears golden garland.
य इदं कवचं दिव्यं पठति श्रद्धयान्वितः । Ya idham kavacham patathi sradhyanwitha, Na thasya jayathe peeda, bhargavasya prasadatha. 7 He who reads this armor with devotion, Will never get any problems by the grace of son of Bhrigu.
॥ इति श्रीब्रह्माण्डपुराणे शुक्रकवचं सम्पूर्णम् ॥
Idhi Brahmanda purane Shukra kavacham sampoornam. Thus ends the armor of Venus occurring in Brahmanda Purana. |
