Spiritual/Mythological shades of Jupiter or Brihaspati

As every planet and the presiding deities are associated with variant spiritual and mythological facts, planet Jupiter or brihaspati does have the same but there are more than one or two relating to the planet which are existing since ages. In these different articulations about the planet, Jupiter or Guru has been perceived in various ways like the ruler of gods, lord of speech, lord of power, guru of gods, reader of minds, god of gods and beloved of gods.

There are various tales behind the existence of the planet Jupiter or Guru saying it to be the incarnation of Lord Vishnu, Lord Brahma and in some Lord Ganesha. Few of it articulates that the wife of Angiras, the priest of gods and lord of sacrifies gave birth to Brahspati that is Jupiter. Another tale of Rig Veda Brahaspati says that Jupiter was begotten in the sky with seven faces and seven rays. In the words of Skanda Purana it has been said that Brahaspati or Guru worshipped Shiva and performed many penance for thousands of years bestowing to Lord Shiva for which the Lord rewarded him resulting in Jupiter, the Guru of Gods.

In spiritual believes, Jupiter or Guru is perceived to be a Brahmin who Angiras lineage of Brahmin sages. He is believed to defeats his enemies and their forts. The ritual sacrifice are believed not to be accomplished without the comprising the worship of Guru of gods known as Brahaspati in the sacred language Sanskrit.

Mythological Story or katha of Jupiter or Brihaspati

There was a certain king who had seven sons and their wives. Two Brahmins used to come there to beg alms but the wives returned them, empty handed. Therefore Jupiter deity was displeased with them, which affected adversely the prosperity and wealth of the king. When there was devastation in the kingdom and the king neared poverty, the youngest wife sought excuse from the Brahmins and started giving them alms but still the elder six denied alms to the Brahmins. The youngest wife asked the Brahmins the remedy for getting over the bad days. The Brahmins advised to keep a fast for Jupiter or Brihaspati to feed Brahmins. If anyone' s husband has gone to a foreign country, then that woman should make two human figures behind the door; that would result in early safe return of the husband. If the family is stricken with poverty then those figures should be made on a box.

The king's seven sons had already gone on a foreign tour. The youngest wife observed the ritual as advised. Her husband had gone to a place, the king of which died. The king had no son. To find a suitable successor, a garland was hung on the horn of a female elephant so that whosoever is garlanded by it, he shall be the king as per the tradition of that kingdom. The elephant went all around and ultimately put the garland round youngest son's neck. He became the king. He searched for his brothers, but in vain for the sake of public welfare, the new king decided to construct a tank. Thousands of laborers were engaged, among whom his brothers also came. He called all of them took them to his palace and all started living peacefully. The worship and alms by the youngest wife brought prosperity back to the family. Then all other wives also started Jupiter or Brihaspati fast and worship. No one was ever refused alms by them, anymore.