A TO Z INDIA SPECIAL ISSUE PAGE 15 Venus (Sukra): Sukra is the teacher of the Demons. He has four hands and rides on a chariot pulled by 8 horses. Three of his hands hold a staff, a rosary, a vessel of gold while the fourth hand is held in a mudra. The Mantras and meanings: Hima Kunda Mruna Labham Daityanam Paramam Gurum Sarva Shastra Pravak Taram Bhar Gavam Prana Maa Myaham Meaning: I pray to Venus, the son of Bhagu. He is the spiritual master of demons, promulgator of all learning, he who shines like the fiber of snow-white jasmine. Gemstone is diamond. The planets, their representations and favorable days to chant: Venus (Sukra) – wealth, pleasure and reproduction. Hinduism: In Hinduism, Shukra is one of the sons of Bhrigu, of the third Manu, one of the saptarishis. He was the guru of Daityas and Asuras, and is also referred to as Shukracharya or Asuracharya in various Hindu texts. In another account found in the Mahabharata, Shukra divided himself into two, one half becoming the fount of knowledge for the devas (gods) and the other half being the knowledge sourc e of the asuras (demons). Shukra, in the Puranas, is blessed by Shiva with Sanjeevini Vidhya after worshipping and impressing Shiva with his devotion. Sanjeevini Vidhya is the knowledge that raises the dead back to life, which he used from time to time to restore life to the asuras. Later, this knowledge was sought by the devatas and was ultimately gained by them. Shukra's mother was Kavyamata, whilst Shukra's wives were the goddesses Urjasvati, Jayanti, and Sataparva. Sometimes, Urjjasvati and Jayanti are considered to be one goddess. With her, Shukra produced many children including, Queen Devayani.Sataparva was childless. In the Mahabharata, Shukracharya is mentioned as one of the mentors of Bhishma, having taught him political science in his youth.