Shukra

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Shukra (शुक्र) was the name of the son of Bhrigu, and preceptor of the Daityas, and the guru of the Asuras. Shukra (शुक्र) is mentioned in Mahabharata (I.59.35), (I.60.40), (II.48.24),(XIV.8.29). Shukra (शुक्र) is a place name mentioned by Panini in Ashtadhyayi (4.2.80.14) group. [1]

Variants of name

Mention by Panini

Shukra (शुक्र) is a place name mentioned by Panini under in Ashtadhyayi under Sutangamadi (सुतंगमादि) (4.2.80.14) group. [2]

History

V. S. Agrawala[3] mentions Ayudhjivi Sanghas in the Ganapatha under Yaudheyadi group, repeated twice in the Panini's Ashtadhyayi (IV.1.178) and (V.3.117) which includes - Śaukreya (शौक्रेय). Probably the Scythian tribe Sakarauloi, mentioned as Saruka, along with Pasionoi (Prāchīnī) in the Puṇyaśālā Inscription at Mathura.

अस्तगिरि

विजयेन्द्र कुमार माथुर[4] ने लेख किया है ...अस्तगिरि (AS, p.54) शाक द्वीप के एक पहाड़ का नाम है। देवासुर संग्राम में राजा बलि जब मूर्च्छित होकर गिर गया, तब संजीवनी विद्या से दैत्यगुरु शुक्राचार्य द्वारा उसकी चिकित्सा यहीं की गयी थी। यह रजतमय कहा गया है।[5]

'पूर्वस्तत्रोदय गिरिर्जला धारस्तथापर:, तथा रैवतक: श्यामस्तथेवास्त गिरिर्द्विज'। (विष्णु पुराण 2, 4, 61)

उर्पयुक्त उद्धरण के प्रसंग के अनुसार भी अस्तगिरि शाक द्वीप के सात पर्वतों में से एक सिद्ध होता है।

Jat Gotras

  • Shukra (शुक्र) is gotra of Jats.[6] [7] This gotra originated from rishi Shukracharya (शुक्राचार्य). [8]

Depiction

He is of white complexion, middle-aged and of agreeable countenance. He is described variously as mounted on a camel, horse or crocodile. He holds a stick, beads and a lotus and sometimes a bow and arrow.[9]

Ushanas is the name of a Vedic rishi with the patronymic Kāvya (descendant of Kavi, AVŚ 4.29.6), who was later identified as Ushanas Shukra.

As Guru of Devas

He was a Bhargava rishi of the Atharvan branch and a descendant of sage Kavi. The Devi-Bhagavata Purana refers to his mother as Kavyamata. The feminic natured Shukra is a Brahminical planet. He was born on Friday in the year Parthiva on Sraavana Suddha Ashtami when Svati Nakshatra is on the ascent. Hence, Friday is known as Shukravaar in Indian languages like Sanskrit, Telugu, Hindi, Marathi, Gujarati, Oriya, Bengali, Assamese, and Kannada. He went on to study the Vedas under the rishi Angirasa but he was disturbed by Angirasa's favouritism for his son Brihaspati. He then went to study under rishi Gautama. He later performed penance to Lord Shiva and obtained the Sanjivani mantra (a formula that revived the dead). He married Priyavrata's daughter Urjaswathi and they had four sons — Chanda, Amarka, Tvastr, Dharaatra and a daughter from his marriage to Indra's daughter Jayanti by the name Devayani.

During this period Brihaspati became the Guru (Preceptor) of the Devas. Due to the hatred Sukracarya bore towards Vishnu for what he perceived as the murder of his mother as she had given shelter to some asura whom Vishnu was hunting, Shukracharya decided to become the Guru of Asuras. He helped them achieve victory over the Devas and used his knowledge to revive the dead and wounded among them.

In one story, Lord Vishnu is born as the Brahmin dwarf-sage Vamana. Vamana comes to take the three worlds as alms from the asura king Bali. Lord Vishnu wanted to deceive the king Bali who was the grandson of the great king Prahlada, 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 Kamandalu, 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.

Devayani, the daughter of Shukracharya

Devayani was the daughter of Shukracharya, who was rejected by the son of Brihaspati, Kacha. She later marries the legendary Somavanshi king Yayati.


In Mahabharata

Shukra (शुक्र) is mentioned in Mahabharata (I.59.35), (I.60.40), (II.48.24),(XIV.8.29), (XIV.8).


Adi Parva, Mahabharata/Mahabharata Book I Chapter 59 provides us progeny of the gods and the Asuras, both of great strength and energy, countless as they are. Shukra is mentioned in verse (I.59.35)....And Sukra, the son of a Rishi, was the chief priest of the Asuras. And the celebrated Sukra had four sons who were priests of the Asuras. [10] And they were Tvashtavara and Atri, and two others of fierce deeds. [11]


Adi Parva, Mahabharata/Mahabharata Book I Chapter 60 provides genealogy starting from Brahma. "These are the Ganas of the gods recited to thee, O king! This recitation washes men of all sins...."The illustrious Bhrigu came out, ripping open the breast of Brahman. The learned Sukra (I.60.40) is Bhrigu's son. [12]

And the learned Sukra (I.60.42), of great intelligence and wisdom, of rigid vows, leading the life of a Brahmacharin, divided himself in twain by power of asceticism, and became the spiritual guide of both the Daityas and the gods. [13]

And after Sukra (I.60.43) was thus employed by Brahman in seeking the welfare (of the gods and the Asuras), Bhrigu begot another excellent son. This was Chyavana who was like the blazing sun, of virtuous soul, and of great fame. [14] And the daughter born of Sukra (I.60.51), named Divi, became the eldest wife of Varuna. Of her were born a son named Vala and a daughter named Sura (wine), to the joy of the gods[15]


Sabha Parva, Mahabharata/Book II Chapter 48 Describes Kings who presented tributes to Yudhishthira..... Shukras are mentioned in verse (II.48.24)..."And, O thou of the Kuru race, the celebrated king of the Mlechcha tribe, called the Sukras, gave many hundreds of excellent elephants. [16]


Aswamedha Parva, Mahabharata/Book 14 Chapter 8 mentions Names of Shiva. Shukra is one of names of Shiva mentioned in verse (XIV.8.29). [17]


In the time of the Mahabharata, Shukracharya is mentioned as one of the mentors of Bhishma, having taught him political science in his youth.[18]

References

  1. V. S. Agrawala: India as Known to Panini, 1953, p.507
  2. V. S. Agrawala: India as Known to Panini, 1953, p.507
  3. V. S. Agrawala: India as Known to Panini, 1953, p.449
  4. Aitihasik Sthanavali by Vijayendra Kumar Mathur, p.54
  5. भागवतपुराण 8.11.46.-48; ब्रह्मांडपुराण 2.19.89; वायुपुराण 49.83; विष्णुपुराण 2.4.62.
  6. Jat History Dalip Singh Ahlawat/Parishisht-I, s.n. श-2
  7. O.S.Tugania:Jat Samuday ke Pramukh Adhar Bindu,p.60,s.n. 2320
  8. Mahendra Singh Arya et al: Adhunik Jat Itihas, p. 281
  9. Mythology of the Hindus By Charles Coleman p.134
  10. असुराणाम उपाध्यायः शुक्रस तव ऋषिसुतॊ ऽभवत, खयाताश चॊशनसः पुत्राश चत्वारॊ ऽसुर याजकाः (I.59.35)
  11. तवष्टावरस तथात्रिश च दवाव अन्यौ मन्त्रकर्मिणौ, तेजसा सूर्यसंकाशा बरह्मलॊकप्रभावनाः (I.59.36)
  12. बरह्मणॊ हृदयं भित्त्वा निःसृतॊ भगवान भृगुः, भृगॊः पुत्रः कविर विद्वाञ शुक्रः कवि सुतॊ गरहः (I.60.40)
  13. यॊगाचार्यॊ महाबुद्धिर दैत्यानाम अभवद गुरुः, सुराणां चापि मेधावी बरह्म चारी यतव्रतः (I.60.42)
  14. 43 तस्मिन नियुक्ते विभुना यॊगक्षेमाय भार्गवे, अन्यम उत्पादयाम आस पुत्रं भृगुर अनिन्दितम, (I.60.43) चयवनं दीप्ततपसं धर्मात्मानं मनीषिणम (I.60.44)
  15. वरुणस्य भार्या जयेष्ठा तु शुक्राद देवी वयजायत, तस्याः पुत्रं बलं विद्धि सुरां च सुरनन्दिनीम (I.60.51)
  16. कृती तु राजा कौरव्य शूक्राणां विशां पते, अथथथ गजरत्नानां शतानि सुबहून्य अपि (II.48.24)
  17. शितिकण्ठम अजं शुक्रं पृथुं पृथु हरं हरम, विश्वरूपं विरूपाक्षं बहुरूपम उमापतिम (XIV.8.29)
  18. Subramaniam, Kamala (2007). "Adi Parva". The Mahabharata. Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan India. ISBN 81-7276-405-7.

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