Shukra or Shukracharya, is the deity of the planet Venus. Shukra literally means “white” or “bright” in Sanskrit. Shukravar meaning Friday is dedicated to this planet. This wise and learned Navagraha member plays the similar role of a mentor, like his fellow Navagraha, Brihaspati, the teacher of Devas, but unlike him, Shukracharya serves as a mentor to the asuras, the arch-nemesis of the devas. Since he was the guru of Asuras, he was also called Asuracharya.
Shukra was one of the sons of sage Bhrigu and thus the grandson of Lord Brahma. When they were young, Shukra and Brihaspati studied under the same guru, Sage Angirasa, who also happened to be Brihaspati’s father. Shukra was known to be more knowledgeable than Brihaspati. He went on to study the Vedas under the rishi Angirasa but he was disturbed by Angirasa’s favoritism for his son Brihaspati. He then went to study under rishi Gautama.
Shukracharya is also known for his hatred toward Lord Vishnu for what he perceived as the murder of his mother. Initially under the protection of Lord Vishnu, it was difficult for the Asuras to defeat the Devas in battle. Having lost several times, the Guru of Asuras, Shukracharya performed penance to Lord Shiva to obtained the Sanjivani mantra that was capable of bringing the dead back to life. Meanwhile, Sukracharya asked the Asuras to take refuge at his father Maharishi Bhrigu’s ashram. The Devas and Indra used this opportunity to attack the unarmed Asuras. In the absence of the sage, the Asuras fled to Bhrigu’s wife, Kavyamata for shelter. Kavyamata used her Yogic powers to immobilize Indra and protect the Asuras. Frightened by the immobilization of Indra, the Devas decided to take refuge at the feet of Lord Vishnu. Therefore, Vishnu decided to enter the body of Indra and to save the Devas. Kavyamata was enraged by this and warned to burn them down to ashes if they did not leave. However, Indra instigated Lord Vishnu to annihilate Bhrigu’s wife, and therefore, Vishnu used the Sudarshana Chakra on her.
Shukr eventually was blessed by Lord Shiva with the mantra to Mrita Sanjeevani that could bring back a dead person to life. Shukracharya used this mantra on the Asuras on various occasions to ensure their victory.
So Brihaspati once sent his son Kacha to learn the secret of the Mrita Sanjivini mantra from Shukracharya, the guru of the Asuras. The idea was to help the Devas with the knowledge of this secret who was about to lose the war. Brihaspati also advises him to first impress Devayani in order to impress Shukracharya, who was very fond of his daughter. Kacha follows his advice and unknown to him Devayani falls in love with him.In the meantime, the Asuras want to kill Kacha, as he might be dangerous if he learns the Mantra. Every time they kill him, Shukracharya revives him with his art on the insistence of Devayani. The Asuras finally kill him, burn his body and mix his remains with alcohol. Shukracharya learns of this via meditation and he rushes to the court of asuras and consumes all the alcohol. Later he tries to revive Kacha who was now in his stomach. He teaches Kacha the Mantra and tells him to come out. Kacha comes out by tearing his guru’s stomach open and brings his life back with the help of Mantra.
