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Brihaspati
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Brihaspati (or Brahmanaspati) is the name of a Vedic deity, personification of piety and religion, the chief offerer of prayers and sacrifices, represented as the Purohita of the gods with whom he intercedes on behalf of humankind.
In later Hindu mythology, he is the guru of the Devas and the arch-nemesis of Shukracharya, the guru of the Danavas. He is also known as Ganapati (leader of the group [of planets]), and Guru (heavy and teacher), the god of wisdom and eloquence, to whom various works are ascribed, such as the Barhaspatya sutras.
He is described of yellow or golden colour and holding the following divine attributes: a stick, a lotus and beads.
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Encyclopedia
Brihaspati (or Brahmanaspati) is the name of a Vedic deity, personification of piety and religion, the chief offerer of prayers and sacrifices, represented as the Purohita of the gods with whom he intercedes on behalf of humankind.
In later Hindu mythology, he is the guru of the Devas and the arch-nemesis of Shukracharya, the guru of the Danavas. He is also known as Ganapati (leader of the group [of planets]), and Guru (heavy and teacher), the god of wisdom and eloquence, to whom various works are ascribed, such as the Barhaspatya sutras.
He is described of yellow or golden colour and holding the following divine attributes: a stick, a lotus and beads. He presides over 'Guru-war' or Thursday.
In astronomy he is the regent of Jupiter and often identified with that planet.
Unlike a regular Sanskrit compound, his name receives two accents in Vedic Sanskrit, "lord of prayer", like "lord of prayer".
In Hindu mythology
Brihaspati is the son of Rishi Angirasa and Surupa according to the Shiva Purana. He has two brothers named Utathya and Samvartana. He has three wives. His first wife Shuba gave birth to Bhanumati, Raaka, Archishmati, Mahamati, Mahishmati, Sinivalli, and Havishmati, his seven daughters. His second wife Tara gives birth to seven sons and a daughter. Through his third wife Mamata, he has two sons, Kacha and Bharadwaja.
He attained his position as the preceptor of the Devas, by performing penances on the banks of Prabhas Tirtha. Lord Shiva granted him this position, as well as his position as one of the Navagrahas (nine planets).
There is a wide debate whether Kacha was Brihaspati's offspring or his brother. But the Mahabharata states that Kacha was his brother. All Brahmins belonging to the Bharadwaja Gotra are believed to be his descendants.
In astrology
In jyotisha (Hindu astrology), Brihaspati is the name for the planet Jupiter, which is one of the
navagraha (cosmic influencers) or planets. It is also known as Guru, Cura and Devaguru. Brihaspati is considered to be the greatest benefic of any of the planets. Guru rules over the signs Dhanus (Sagittarius) and Meena (Pisces), he is exalted in Karka (Cancer) and in his fall in Makara (Capricorn). The Sun, Moon and Mars are considered friendly to Brihaspati, Mercury is hostile and Saturn is neutral.
Guru in Vedic astrology is considered to be of the element ether (space) or Akasha Tattva (i.e. Akasha = Space/Sky/Aether; Tattva = Essence/Category/Truth). This indicates vastness, growth and expansion in a person's horoscope and life. Brihaspati also represents the balance of past karma, religion, philosophy, knowledge and issues relating to offspring. He is concerned with education, teaching and the dispensation of knowledge. Humans with Jupiter dominating in their horoscope could grow fat as life progresses and their empire and prosperity increases; and diabetes is an ailment directly related to Jupiter. According to traditional Hindu astrology, worship or propitiation of Brihaspati or Guru (Jupiter) results in cure from ailments affecting the stomach and helps ward off sins.
Brihaspati is lord of three nakshatras or lunar mansions: Punarvasu, Vishakha and Purva Bhadrapada. The following items are associated with Brihaspati: his color is yellow, metal is gold and gemstone is yellow topaz. The season associated with him is winter (snow), direction is north-east and element is ether or space.
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