Guru of the devtas, Brihaspati is the son of Maharshi Angira. His mother’s name is Surupa. The name of Brihaspati’s sister is Yogsiddha whom he loved very much.
In the Puranas, Brihaspati is said to be the guru (teacher) of all the Devi and devtas and has been praised for his knowledge and wisdom. Brihaspati is the symbol of truth and master of vocabulary. It is said that he was blessed and specially loved by Saraswati, the Devi of knowledge. He is described of yellow or golden color 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.
In his form as Brahmanaspati he helped create the universe with his chanting. He has seven mouths, seven rays emanate from him, and he rides on a chariot drawn by eight horses. He seems to be connected in some way to the sacrificial fire of the south which is lit for the honored ancestors, and because of this is sometimes confused with Agni, who also seems to be a sort of priest of the gods. He is also closely linked with Brahma, as both are regarded as the creators of the universe. He is considered to be the planet Jupiter. His consort is Tara.
Brihaspati was the protector of good actions and well wisher of the Devtas. For the removal of the hazards of the devtas, Brihaspati used to carry out “Sarvato Bhadra” yagya on and off. Devraj Indra and other Devtas used to feel blessed after getting the Prasad (food offered to lord in a pooja) of this yagya. This Prasad was the symbol of protection and amnesty to the devtas. Brihaspati was such and ideal scholar and philosophic who never used to keep enmity with his opposition. The demon guru Shukracharya was jealous and angry with Brihaspati but Brihaspati always praised Shukracharya’s knowledge and wisdom. He used to tell Shukracharya many times not to support demonic activities but egoistic Shukracharya never listened to his advice.
Shukracharya had the knowledge of Sanjeevani Vidya with the help of which he brought back to life many demons who had died in the battle between the Devtas and demons. Even devtas wanted to acquire the knowledge of Sanjeevani Vidya for the security of the devtas. On the insistence of the devtas, Brihaspati sent his son Kach to Shukracharya to acquire the knowledge of Sanjeevani Vidya. Kach served Shukracharya for many years. In between, Shukracharya’s daughter Devyani fell in love with Kach. When the demons came to know that Kach was sent by devtas, they killed him. On Devyani’s request, Shukracharya brought him to life again and taught him the Sanjeevani Vidya. After learning the Sanjeevani Vidya, when Kach was set to leave for devlok, Devyani proposed him to get married to her but Kach refused saying she was the daughter of his guru. Devyani was very angry at this and cursed Kach that he would not be able to use his knowledge in emergency and when he needed it the most. Then even Kach cursed her that she would never get a Brahmin as her husband. Brihaspati was very sad with this, but he assured devtas that he would never let anything go against the devtas.
Brihaspati’s personality filled with scholarship was so vast and dignified those scholars and teachers are often honored by calling them Brihaspati.
In Jyotish (Hindu astrology), Brihaspati is the name for the planet Jupiter which is one of the Navgrah (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 Dhanu (Sagittarius) and Meen (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 Akash Tatva (i.e. Akash = Space/Sky/ether; Tatva = 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 the 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.
