Jupiter ( Brihaspathi ):
He is the teacher of Gods and is praised in Rig Veda . He is shown sitting on a chariot pulled by 8 horses each showing one branch of knowledge .
The Mantras and meanings : Devanaam Cha Rishii Namcha Gurum Kanchana Sannibham Buddhi Bhuutam Trilo Kesham Tam Namami Bruha Spatim
Meaning : I pray to Jupiter , the preceptor of gods and rishis , intellect incarnate , lord of the three worlds . Gemstone is Pukhraj ( yellow sapphire ).
The planets , their representations and favorable days to chant : Jupiter ( Brihaspati ) – the great teacher . — Friday
Sage : Brihaspati appears in the Rigveda ( pre-1000 BCE ), such as in the dedications to him in the hymn 50 of Book 4 ; he is described as a sage born from the first great light , the one who drove away darkness , is bright and pure , and carries a special bow whose string is Rta or " cosmic order " ( basis of dharma ). His knowledge and character is revered , and he is considered Guru ( teacher ) by all the Devas . In the Vedic literature and other ancient texts , sage Brihaspati is also called by other names such as Bramanaspati , Purohita , Angirasa ( son of Angiras ) and Vyasa ; he is sometimes identified with god Agni ( fire ). His wife is Tara ( or Goddess who personifies the stars in the sky ).
The reverence for sage Brihaspati endured through the medieval period , and one of the many Dharmasastras was named after him . While the manuscripts of Brihaspati Smriti ( Bṛhaspatismṛti ) have not survived into the modern era , its verses were cited in other Indian texts . Scholars have made an effort to extract these cited verses , thus creating a modern reconstruction of Bṛhaspatismriti . Jolly and Aiyangar have gathered some 2,400 verses of the lost Bṛhaspatismṛti text in this manner . Brihaspati Smriti was likely a larger and more comprehensive text than Manusmriti , and the available evidence suggests that the discussion of the judicial process and jurisprudence in Brihaspati Smriti was often cited .
A TO Z INDIA SPECIAL ISSUE PAGE 13