A TO Z INDIA SPECIAL ISSUE PAGE 13 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 hi m. While the manuscripts of Brihaspati Smriti (B ṛ haspatism ṛ ti) 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 B ṛ haspatismriti. Jolly and Aiyangar have gathered some 2,400 verses of the lost B ṛ haspatism ṛ ti text in this manner. Brihaspati Smriti was likely a larger an d 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.