Shukracharya
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Shukracharya is a guru in Hindu mythology. Known as the guru of the Asuras, he is also associated with the planet Shukra (Venus) which is named after him.
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[edit] Birth and early life
He was born as the son of Rishi Brighu and his wife Ushana. The feminic natured Shukra is a Brahminical planet. He was born on Friday in the year Paarthiva on Sraavana Suddha Ashtami when Swathi Nakshatra is on the ascent. Hence, Friday is known as Shukravaar in Indian languages especially Sanskrit, Hindi, Marathi , Gujarati and Kannada. He went on to study Vedas under rishi Angirasa but he was disturbed by Angirasa's favouritism to his son Brihaspati. He then went to study under rishi Gautama. He later performed penance to Lord Shiva and obtained the Sanjivani mantra (a hymn that can revive the dead). He married Priyavratha's daughter Urjaswathi and gave birth to four sons — Chanda, Amarka, Twaashtra, Dharaatra and a daughter by name Devayani.
His brilliance is believed to be on account of his proximity to the Sun.
[edit] The Guru
In the meantime Brihaspati ends up as the Guru of the divine people Devaa. Out of jealousy, Shukracharya decides to become the Guru of Asuras. He helps them achieve victory over the Devas and uses his magic to revive the dead and wounded Asuras.
In one story, Lord Vishnu is born as the Brahmin sage Vamana. Vamana comes to take the three worlds as alms from the asura king Bali. Lord Vishnu wanted to deceive the king in order to help the Devas. The sage Shukracharya identifies him immediately and warns the King. The King is however a man of his word and offers the gift to Vamana. Shukracharya, annoyed with the pride of the king, shrinks himself with his powers and sits in the spout of the vase, from which water has to be poured to seal the promise to the deity in disguise. Lord Vishnu, in disguise of the dwarf, understands immediately, and picks a straw from the ground and directs it up the spout, poking out the left eye of Shukracharaya. Since this day on, the guru of the asuras has been known to be half blind.
[edit] Devayani
Devayani was the daughter of Shukracharya, who was rejected by the son of Brihaspati, Kacha. She later marries Yayati who founds the Kuru dynasty.
The devas were uneducated in the use of the mrit sanjivani - the mantra which brought the asuras back to life numerous times due to the help of Shukracharya. The devas then sent the son of their Guru Brihaspati, Kacha, to learn the mantra. Devayani soon fell in love with her fathers new student, and, as a result, Shukrachrya kept him back as long as he could, making sure that he would not teach him the mantra, until time was right. However, the asuras were not keen on the prospect of the devas knowing the mrit sanjivani mantra as well. They attempted many times to kill Kacha, but Shukracharya revived him at the tears of his daughter. The final, almost successful attempt of the asuras was when they burned Kacha to ash, an in desperation, put his ashes into Shukracharyas drink. Immediately after drinking from the cup, Shukracharya realised what was wrong, and, performed the mrit sanjivani on the Kacha now in his stomach. He then taught Kacha the full education of the mantra, and then cut himself open. Kacha then faithfully revived his guru, and on completing his desired education, left Devayani behind. As a result, Kacha was cursed by his guru that he could never use the mantra, however, he was still able to teach the devas the magic.
There are other accounts which denote that Devayani is the one who cursed Kacha to be unable to use the mantra. When he came out of Sukra's body, he revived Sukra with the mantra. And then took his leave. She asked him to stay and marry her. However Kacha replied that he could no longer do such a thing as he now felt they were siblings having been born/reborn from her father's body. As he payed his respects to Sukra on leaving, she placed the curse on him that he would never be able to use the mantra to bring anyone back to life again. To which he replies he holds no ill will towards her and will think of her as a sister for ever. He also tells her that the curse will still allow him to teach others in the use of the Mantra.
[edit] The Law Maker
Shukra neeti is an important law book written by/dedicated to Shukracharaya. The book is noted by many scholars to have advanced theory on politics and economics.
