Jupiter

Planetary Relationships

ॐ ग्रां ग्रीं ग्रौं सः गुरवे नमः

Om Graam Greem Graum Sah Gurave Namah

Salutations to Guru (Jupiter)

ॐ बृं बृहस्पतये नमः

Om Brim Brihaspataye Namah

Salutations to Brihaspati

देवानां च ऋषीणां च गुरुं काञ्चनसन्निभम्। बुद्धिभूतं त्रिलोकेशं तं नमामि बृहस्पतिम्॥

Devanam Cha Rishinam Cha Gurum Kanchana Sannibham, Buddhi Bhutam Trilokesham Tam Namami Brihaspatim

I bow to Brihaspati who is the Guru of gods and sages, golden in complexion, the intellect incarnate, lord of three worlds

ॐ वृषभध्वजाय विद्महे क्रुणीहस्ताय धीमहि तन्नो गुरुः प्रचोदयात्

Om Vrishabhadhwajaya Vidmahe Krunihasthaya Dhimahi Tanno Guruh Prachodayat

We meditate upon Jupiter who has bull as symbol; may that Guru illuminate our intellect

How Brihaspati Became Guru of the Gods

In the ancient times, the Devas (gods) and Asuras (demons) were in constant conflict. The Asuras had Shukracharya as their preceptor, who possessed the Sanjeevani Vidya—the knowledge to revive the dead. This gave the Asuras a significant advantage in battle; no matter how many were slain, Shukra could bring them back to life. The Devas were repeatedly defeated and needed a guru of equal or greater wisdom. Sage Angiras, one of the Saptarishis born from Brahma's mind, had a son named Brihaspati who had mastered all the Vedas, Upanishads, and sacred sciences through intense study and tapasya. Recognizing his exceptional wisdom and dharmic nature, the Devas approached Brihaspati to become their preceptor. He accepted, taking on the cosmic responsibility of guiding the gods in both spiritual and material matters. From that day, Brihaspati became Devaguru, the Guru of the Gods, and the eternal rivalry between him and Shukracharya shaped the course of cosmic history.

Source: Bhagavata Purana, Rig Veda

Brihaspati and Shukracharya - The Eternal Rivalry

Brihaspati and Shukracharya represent two sides of the cosmic principle—both are immensely learned, both are Brahmin sages, but they chose opposite paths. Brihaspati guides the Devas who represent order, dharma, and the divine law. Shukracharya guides the Asuras who, while not entirely evil, represent desire, ambition, and the challenge to divine order. This rivalry is not merely personal but cosmic—it represents the eternal tension between opposing forces that drives creation. Interestingly, both gurus possessed vast knowledge, and their students (Devas and Asuras) were often nearly equally matched. When Brihaspati's strategies led Devas to victory, Shukra would devise new methods. When Shukra's Sanjeevani brought back Asura armies, Brihaspati had to find counterstrategies. This eternal chess game between the two greatest teachers shaped many events in Puranic history. In astrology, Jupiter (Brihaspati) and Venus (Shukra) are considered enemies—reflecting this cosmic rivalry.

Source: Various Puranas, Mahabharata

Kacha and Devayani - Learning the Sanjeevani

The Devas were suffering heavy losses because Shukracharya could revive all slain Asuras using the Sanjeevani Vidya. Brihaspati devised a plan: his son Kacha would go to Shukracharya's ashram as a disciple and learn the secret knowledge. Kacha arrived and, with his humility and devotion, won the favor of Shukra and especially his daughter Devayani, who fell deeply in love with Kacha. The Asuras, suspecting Kacha's mission, killed him repeatedly. Each time, Devayani begged her father to revive him, and Shukra did so out of love for his daughter. Finally, the Asuras killed Kacha, burned his body, mixed the ashes with wine, and tricked Shukra into drinking it. Now Kacha was inside Shukra's body. When Devayani again begged for Kacha's revival, Shukra realized that bringing Kacha out would kill himself. To solve this, he taught the Sanjeevani Vidya to Kacha while Kacha was still inside him. Kacha emerged, then immediately revived his guru using the newly learned knowledge. Though Devayani expected Kacha to marry her, he refused, citing that as one reborn from Shukra's body, she was now like his sister. Heartbroken Devayani cursed him that he would never be able to use the Sanjeevani himself, and Kacha cursed that no Brahmin would marry her. Kacha returned to the Devas with the knowledge, fulfilling his mission.

Source: Mahabharata (Adi Parva), Devi Bhagavata

The Abduction of Tara - Brihaspati's Sorrow

Tara was Brihaspati's beloved wife, faithful and devoted. However, Chandra (the Moon god), intoxicated by his own beauty after emerging radiant from the Samudra Manthan, became arrogant and lustful. He set his eyes on Tara and, using his mesmerizing charm, lured her away from Brihaspati's ashram. Despite demands and warnings from Brihaspati, Brahma, and others, Chandra kept Tara with him. This led to the Tarakamaya War—the Asuras, seeing a chance to oppose Brihaspati, supported Chandra, while the Devas supported their guru. Even Lord Shiva initially sided with Chandra but later withdrew. The war threatened to destroy creation until Brahma forcefully intervened. Tara was returned, but she was pregnant. The child born was extraordinarily beautiful. Both Chandra and Brihaspati claimed fatherhood. Under Brahma's pressure, Tara admitted the father was Chandra. The child was named Budha (Mercury). Brihaspati, though hurt by the betrayal, eventually accepted the situation with dharmic composure, but this story explains the astrological enmity between Jupiter and Mercury—the stepson-stepfather tension remains.

Source: Bhagavata Purana, Vishnu Purana

Brihaspati Cursed by Indra - The Devas' Downfall

Once, the proud Indra, king of gods, became so intoxicated with his power that he disrespected his own guru Brihaspati. When Brihaspati came to visit Indra's court, Indra, surrounded by apsaras and enjoying entertainment, failed to rise and show proper respect to his teacher. Deeply hurt by this ingratitude, Brihaspati quietly left the court and went into hiding. The Devas, without their guru's guidance and protection, became vulnerable. The Asuras, learning of this, attacked with renewed vigor. Without Brihaspati's strategies and spiritual protection, the Devas suffered terrible defeats. Indra, realizing his grave mistake, searched everywhere for Brihaspati but could not find him. In desperation, the Devas approached Brahma, who advised them to temporarily accept another guru. They chose Vishwarupa, son of Tvashta. Though Vishwarupa served well initially, complications arose (he secretly favored Asuras through his mother). Eventually, Indra found Brihaspati and, with heartfelt repentance and penance, convinced him to return. This story teaches the importance of respecting one's teacher—even the king of gods suffered when he forgot this dharma.

Source: Mahabharata, Various Puranas

Brihaspati and the Origins of Law

Brihaspati is credited with composing one of the ancient Smritis—the Brihaspati Smriti—which deals with law, ethics, and proper conduct. He is considered one of the founders of the science of Niti (political ethics and statecraft). His teachings to the Devas included not just spiritual knowledge but practical wisdom for governance, war, and social order. The Arthashastra tradition acknowledges Brihaspati as one of the ancient teachers of political science. He taught the Devas how to maintain their celestial kingdom, how to conduct warfare ethically, and how to uphold dharma in their divine duties. This aspect of Brihaspati explains why Jupiter in astrology is associated with law, justice, and ethical conduct—he is quite literally the cosmic source of dharmic law.

Source: Arthashastra references, Smriti literature

Why Thursday is Brihaspativar (Jupiter's Day)

The seven days of the week are each ruled by one of the seven visible celestial bodies. Thursday (Brihaspativar or Guruvar) is ruled by Jupiter. The tradition holds that on this day, Brihaspati's energies are most accessible for prayer and worship. Thursday fasting and worship became popular because Brihaspati blessed this day as auspicious for beginning educational pursuits, seeking wisdom, and matters of dharma. The yellow color associated with Jupiter is worn on Thursdays. The Peepal tree (Ashwattha), considered Jupiter's tree, is circumambulated on Thursdays. Many important traditional events—beginning education (Vidyarambha), religious ceremonies, and seeking blessings from teachers—are scheduled for Thursdays when possible. The 16 Thursdays (Solah Guruvar) vrat is a popular observance for Jupiter's blessings.

Source: Jyotish traditions

Guru Purnima - The Day of the Teacher

Guru Purnima, celebrated on the full moon of Ashadha month (June-July), is the day dedicated to honoring all teachers, both worldly and spiritual. While this day is associated with Sage Vyasa (who is considered the Adi Guru or first teacher, having compiled the Vedas), it is fundamentally a celebration of the Guru principle that Brihaspati embodies cosmically. On this day, disciples honor their teachers, students show gratitude to their mentors, and the transmission of knowledge across generations is celebrated. In the cosmic sense, Guru Purnima honors Jupiter's role as the great benefic teacher of the universe. Offerings are made to Jupiter on this day, and many begin new spiritual practices under their guru's guidance on Guru Purnima, believing Jupiter's blessings are especially strong.

Source: Indian traditional calendar

Brihaspati's Teachings on Dharma

Brihaspati's teachings to the Devas emphasized several key principles that are reflected in Jupiter's astrological significations. He taught that dharma (righteousness) must be the foundation of all action. He taught that knowledge without ethics is dangerous, but ethics illuminated by knowledge leads to liberation. He emphasized the importance of tradition, respect for elders, and the transmission of wisdom from generation to generation. He taught that expansion and growth should be balanced with discipline. He taught that true wealth is not material but the wealth of wisdom, character, and spiritual merit. These teachings explain why Jupiter in astrology is associated with dharma, wisdom, tradition, teachers, and ethical conduct. A well-placed Jupiter reflects these Brihaspati qualities in a native's character.

Source: Various scriptures