We learn from the very source of Sanatana Dharma, after creation of the three worlds GOD ensured the growth, progression and development to take place with certain timelines.  To maintain the flora & fauna, all beings including humans are endowed with the power for creating ceaseless progenies’, 64 fine arts, materials that are expensive like precious gems, metals consisting of gold, silver, platinum and other materials used for constructions of buildings for dwelling, trade & commerce came into being.  Besides, there is constant sporadic development of literary works relating to poetry, music, sculptors, paintings and other available fine arts that are a source of reflecting the highest philosophy, thought process prevalent in a Society, preserved through ages what is  being referred to as Antique, but certainly a classic/contemporary work that speaks volumes of hidden treasure in several forms.  These are vested powers of planet Venus (henceforth spelt as Shukra) whose artistic abilities are unmatched.

A sloka describes Shukra as under: -

धीनर्तिहार गो दैत्य

गुरुर्देवो पिनन्दिताह

काव्यसक्तः कामपालः

कविहि कल्याणं दायका

The Shukra in a societal set up thus takes care of poor/downtrodden in the form of master, responsible for ensuring the natives display exemplary Literary work, poetic abilities, and these natives worship Shukra as who fulfil all wishes and is all auspicious.

The treatise describes Shukra was born in Sage Bhargava Gotra, a great devotee of Lord Shiva by dint of great penance learnt the “Mrida Sanjeevni Vidya” from Lord Shiva and through this Vidya Shukra can raise anybody from death back to life.  The available treaty illustrates when Devasura Sangrama (battle between deva and asuras took place) devas overpowered and killed many asuras later using “Mrida Sanjeevni Vidya” Shukra raised dead asuras back to life.  An extraordinary feat which only Shukra can fulfil, and the title “Daitya Guru” was conferred on Shukra.  Similarly, when the great Bali performed Ashwamedha Yagya and would have succeeded the concluding yagya provided had he taken cognizance of the advise of Shukra but he stood by his promise and was about to offer water as a mark of performing the promise, Shukra took the form of a bee went inside the vessel obstructing the water from flowing outside.  Lord Vishnu in the Avataar of Vamana took a grass (kusha) inserted from outside to clear obstruction in the Vessel hit Shukra in one of the eyes immediately Shukra losing it. These traits and virtues instinctive in Shukra enabled him to perform his duties as Daitya Guru paying scant disregard to the consequences he must bear/undergo.  Later with deep penance of Vishnu Shukra regained that eye.

The below delineated sloka describes Shukra with Bhavapoorva meaning given in English:-

अक्षमाला धण्डा वर

कमण्डलु तारम्भजे

स्वेदा वस्त्रोज्वलं शुकरम्

सर्व धनवा पूजिताम्

The one who always carries with him Akshamala, Kamandalu, Yogadhandam, the one who wears clothes milky white and is very fair in colour is propitiated by all Asuras.

The Astrological significance of Shukra is very elaborate, he is the Lord of Zodiac Taurus and Libra (Rishabh and Tula) the mahadasa of Shukra is 20 years (the longest of all planets), the one feminine in nature, responsible for Marriage, providing Raj Yog , providing abundance of earthly material, happiness in the form of Palaces, Mansions, expensive modes of transportation, abundance of precious gems, expensive metals made up of gold, platinum, Silver, Diamonds, expensive Carpets, Clothing, Perfumes, and other materials used in day to day activities of living.  The precious gem of Shukra is Diamond, and metal is Silver and favourable colour is White. Shukra is also responsible for providing native with Shakti, Shiva Upasana and further taking the native in pursuit of higher spiritual levels.  Shukra is also called the Morning Star; it rises in Eastern Horizon on Sky early in the morning around 3.30 AM and on account of its glitter in Sky can be identified as Shukra.  200 years back in Indian conditions particularly in Southern part of India people get up very early in the morning only after “Shukrodaya” i.e. Venus could be spotted in the sky.

Brahma Shri Muthuswamy Dikshitar gave following Shukra Graha Kirtana to the world, brief meaning given below kirtana.

श्री शुक्र भगवन्तम् - रागं परजु - ताळं अट

पल्लवि

श्री शुक्र भगवन्तं चिन्तयामि सन्ततं

सकल तत्त्वज्ञम्

अनुपल्लवि

हे शुक्र भगवन् मां आशु पालय

वृष तुलाधीश दैत्य हितोपदेश

(मध्यम काल साहित्यम्)

केशव कटाक्षैक नेत्रं

किरीट धरं धवळ गात्रम्

चरणम्

विंशति वत्सरोडुदश विभागं

अष्ट वर्गं

कविं कळत्र कारकं

रवि निर्जर गुरु वैरिणं

नवांश होराद्रेक्काणादि -

वर्गोत्तमावसर समये -

वक्रोच्च नीच स्व-क्षेत्र -

वर केन्द्र मूल त्रि-कोणे -

(मध्यम काल साहित्यम्)

त्रिंशांश षष्ट्यांशैरावतांश -

पारिजातांश गोपुरांश -

राज योग कारकं

राज्य प्रदं गुरु गुह मुदम्

Shri Shukra means (Shri refers to infinite it could be money, wisdom, knowledge, power & authority or any earthly material which is endless, however, in abundance you consume it will not exhaust). Mediate on God Shukra always, who knows all truths.

Oh the lord of Rishabha Tula houses rescue me quickly who is adviser to all demons, whose one eye was destroyed by the weapon of Kesava (later regained) and wearer of crown of white substance.

Shukra has 20 years of mahadasa influence on different constellations, one having eight vargas,the poet, the planet beneficial for marital benediction, who is not friendly with Surya, Brihaspati. Shukra while in Navamsa (9), Hora (2) Drekhana (7), Vargotama(a planet is considered Vargotama when it is placed in the same zodiac house in Rasi-Lagna and Navamsa chart capable of giving far reaching beneficial results)Vakrocha (retrograde), Neecha (debilitated), swachetra (beneficial own house Risabh), Kendra (1,4,7 10 houses in a natives chart) moola trikonam (5 and 9 houses in a natives chart)trimshamsa, shastyamcha, sheeravadamsa, parijatamsa, gopuramsa (these are multiple astrological calculations that fall under 16 types of calculations propounded by Sage Parasher)bestows Raj Yogam i.e.native shall lead royal life like a King and Shukra delights guruguha.(Guruguha is a mudra used by Muthuswamy Dikshitar referring self).

A very apt tamil propitiation is given below for Shukra.

மூர்க்கவான் சூரன் வாணன் குருவாய் வையம்காக்க வான்மழையைப் பேய்விக்கும் கவிமகன் கனகமீவோம் தீர்க்கவாணவர்கள் போற்றச் செயத்தவர் தம்மை எழும் பார்கவன் சுக்ராச்சாரி பாத பங்கயமே போற்றி

moorkavaan shooran vaanan guruvaay vaiyamkaakka vaanmazhyai paeywikkum kavymagan kanakameevom theergavaanavargal potra cheathavar tmay ezuppum bhaargavan shukrachary paadha pangayame potri

All the worldly material and substance naturally come to surface. The subsequent honing brings lustre, glitter, Artistic tapestry on any Poetry, literary work, 64 fine arts making it a classic/ contemporary work eulogised by people and connoisseurs making it wonders of the world. All such honing is an invisible act of Shukra making the world exquisite.  Here I remember John Keats and his illustrative expression “A thing of beauty is joy forever”.

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