Brihaspatiबृहस्पति
Brihaspati, also known as Guru, is the preceptor and priest of the gods, the lord of wisdom, prayer and sacred speech, and the presiding deity of Pushya, the eighth nakshatra. He is identified with the planet Jupiter and personifies devotion, righteous counsel and the power of the sacred word. As deity of Pushya he bestows nourishment, auspiciousness and spiritual growth.
- Governs Nakshatra
- Pushya
- Meaning
- Lord of Sacred Prayer - preceptor and priest of the gods
- Represents
- Wisdom, prayer, sacred speech, teaching, righteousness and prosperity
- Primary Qualities
- Learned, eloquent, devout, just and benevolent
- Associated Planet
- Saturn
- Key Symbols
- The sacred fire, the book of scripture, the rosary, the golden staff
- Favourable Activities
- Study, teaching, worship, taking vows, seeking counsel and beginning auspicious rites
- Spiritual Lesson
- Right knowledge, guided by devotion and sacred speech, is the true wealth that protects and elevates.
Mythological background
Brihaspati is the divine Guru, the chief priest and teacher of the Devas, and one of the most honoured figures of Vedic tradition. His name is read as 'lord of prayer' or 'lord of sacred speech', and in the Rigveda he presides over devotion, ritual utterance and the power by which words become effective in sacrifice. He is the celestial counterpart of the earthly priest, guiding the gods in their rites and defending them with the strength of righteousness.
In the Puranas he is described as a great sage, often counted among the mind-born or Angirasa lineage of seers, and he serves as the purohita, the household priest and counsellor, of Indra and the assembly of gods. His wisdom, eloquence and mastery of scripture make him the arbiter of dharma among the celestials, and his guidance repeatedly secures the fortunes of the Devas against their rivals.
Brihaspati is also identified with the planet Jupiter, the great benefic of Vedic astrology. In this role he governs knowledge, teachers, priests, law, philosophy and prosperity, and his blessing is sought for wisdom, right judgement and abundance. His counterpart Shukra serves as guru to the Asuras, so that the two great preceptors embody the contest of wisdom on either side of the cosmic order.
Symbolism
Brihaspati symbolises wisdom, learning and the sanctifying power of speech and prayer. As Guru he represents the teacher who transmits truth, the counsellor who upholds dharma and the priest whose words carry offerings to the gods. He stands for expansion of every good kind - of knowledge, virtue, faith and fortune.
His association with Jupiter makes him a figure of benevolence and grace, the great giver who nourishes and protects those who follow right conduct and honour sacred learning.
Influence on Pushya Nakshatra
Pushya means 'nourishment' and is regarded as among the most auspicious of all nakshatras, and Brihaspati's wise, devout and benevolent nature shapes those born under it. His influence gives Pushya natives a caring and dutiful temperament, a love of learning and tradition, and a strong sense of righteousness and responsibility. They tend to be nurturing, spiritually inclined and trustworthy, drawn to teaching, guidance and the wellbeing of others, and blessed with the steadiness that Pushya's nourishing energy confers.
Spiritual significance
Spiritually Brihaspati teaches that true wealth is right knowledge united with devotion, and that the spoken word, when sacred and truthful, has the power to bless, protect and transform. He shows that the disciple who honours the Guru and the scriptures opens the path to wisdom, and that prosperity and dharma are meant to grow together. To turn to Brihaspati is to seek the light of understanding that guides action toward the good.
Iconography
Brihaspati is depicted as a dignified sage of golden or yellow complexion, often robed in yellow and adorned as a learned priest. He is shown with several arms holding a book or manuscript of scripture, a rosary of prayer beads and a staff or the ritual water-pot, with one hand raised in blessing. He is frequently seated upon a lotus or riding a chariot, and his serene, fatherly bearing reflects his role as the wise and benevolent teacher of the gods.
Traditional worship
Devotees invoke Brihaspati for wisdom, success in study and examinations, sound judgement, marital happiness and prosperity. As lord of Jupiter he is worshipped especially on Thursday, the day named for the Guru, when devotees offer yellow flowers, turmeric, chana dal and yellow cloth, wear yellow and recite his mantras to strengthen his benefic influence. Students, teachers, priests and seekers of blessing pray to him for the growth of knowledge and virtue.
Om Gurave Namah
Salutations to the Guru, the preceptor of the gods.
Associated professions
Teachers, professors and scholars · Priests, counsellors and spiritual guides · Lawyers, judges and advisers · Philosophers, writers and astrologers · Bankers and those in finance
Brihaspati is the Guru and chief priest of the Devas, guiding them in ritual and counsel.
He is identified with the planet Jupiter, the great benefic of Vedic astrology.
His name means 'lord of prayer' or 'lord of sacred speech'.
Thursday (Guruvar) is named for him and is the traditional day of his worship.
His rival counterpart Shukra serves as the guru of the Asuras.
Related nakshatra
Questions people ask
Who is Brihaspati?
Brihaspati, also known as Guru, is the preceptor and priest of the gods, the lord of wisdom, prayer and sacred speech, and the presiding deity of Pushya, the eighth nakshatra. He is identified with the planet Jupiter and personifies devotion, righteous counsel and the power of the sacred word. As deity of Pushya he bestows nourishment, auspiciousness and spiritual growth.
Which nakshatra does Brihaspati preside over?
Brihaspati presides over Pushya nakshatra.
What does Brihaspati represent?
Brihaspati represents wisdom, prayer, sacred speech, teaching, righteousness and prosperity.
What is the spiritual lesson of Brihaspati?
Right knowledge, guided by devotion and sacred speech, is the true wealth that protects and elevates.
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Last updated 2 August 2026 · attributes follow standard Vedic sources; panchang times computed by KaalPanchang from modern astronomy.