Brihaspati Ji (Jupiter)

Brihaspati is the Devguru, the divine preceptor of the gods, and, as one of the Navagraha, personifies the planet Jupiter and rules Thursday (Brihaspativara). He is counted among the most consistently benevolent of the nine grahas.

He is called simply Guru, "teacher," a title so closely tied to him that it names the planet Jupiter itself in everyday astrological speech; Thursday, Brihaspativara or Guruvar, likewise takes its name from him.

He is shown as a large, golden-complexioned figure, richly adorned, often seated on a lotus or riding a chariot, carrying a staff of learning and a vessel or rosary that mark him as a preceptor rather than a warrior deity, in keeping with his role as the counsellor of the gods.

Son of the sage Angiras, one of the Saptarishi, he appears already in the Rigveda as a sage born from the first great light, bright and pure, carrying a bow strung with Rta, cosmic order. As Devguru he serves as counsellor to Indra during the long war between the gods and the asuras, his wisdom repeatedly tipping contests of strength toward the gods' favour.

Son of the sage Angiras; some traditions also describe him as a mind-born son of Brahma. As Devguru he stands at the head of the gods' own line of teachers, distinct from Shukra, who fills the parallel role of guru to the asuras.

As the Navagraha most associated with wisdom, knowledge, children and wealth, he is considered the most consistently auspicious of the nine grahas in Vedic astrology, and is propitiated especially on Thursdays for guidance, learning and prosperity.

He is worshipped chiefly through the Navagraha shrine set found in temple courtyards across India, alongside a smaller number of dedicated temples, such as the modern Brihaspati Dham in Jaipur, that focus specifically on his worship.