VNN Editorial - Daitya Guru Shubha

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EDITORIALNovember 11, 2002 VNN7627 Related VNN StoriesDaitya Guru ShubhaBY

DHARMAPADA DASEDITORIAL, Nov 11 (VNN) — The great Parashara Rishi has openly

stated in the Brihat Parashara Hora Shastra that for Aquarius ascendent, the

planet Venus, also known as Shukra Acharya, the spiritual master of the

materialists, is benefic. The rishi tells us: Daitya Guru Shubha. Of course, he

says this in relation to the lordship over houses which Venus acquires in

relation to that ascendent, but we know that in a broader sense, Venus is a

positive benefic all around. For example, in predictive astrology, Venus in a

quadrant can counteract a multitude of afflictions by other planets. The very

fifth canto of the Bhagavat Purana tells us that Venus is auspicious because it

obstructs the influence of evil planets. Venus Rides a white steed with a scroll

and pen in hand. The pen and scroll relate to the fact that Venus is the

originator of scriptures and religious processes with the purpose of providing

reformatory facilities for the materialistic and even demoniac beings. For this

reason Venus is considered to be very merciful. One of the 108 names of Venus is

Muktidaya, which indicates that the purpose of this planet is to lead one to

liberation. The love, love of beauty, refinement, mercy, care and refinement

championed by Shukra all have the goal of sublimating and spiritualizing the

baser qualities of the matierialists, in a similar way to Beauty to the Beast..

The cursing of Maharaj Yayati by Shukra is a good example of this. Yayati had

been given the hand of Shukra's daughter, Devayani, in marriage. But he also

carried on a secret liason with her maidservant, Sharmishta. For this reason

Yayati was cursed to experience immediate old age by Shukra, but was given the

boon that the old age could be transferred to a willling recipient. His noble

son Puru answered the call and donated his youth to his father, who took

advantage to the fullest! But Yayati became philosophical upon noticing that,

even thought he enjoyed sensual pleasures to the maximum, his desires never

became satiated. It dawned on him how fultile material life is, he became

philosophical, returned the youth to his son and then went off to the forest to

engage in self realization. The entire episode was all part of a greater plan

for the spiritual upliftment of Yayati. Thus the sensuality and materialistic

love corresponding to Venus is a part of a greater plan of evolution. In the

case of Bali Maharaj, we can hardly blame Shukra for protecting the material

possessions of Bali; nor for warning him against awarding the Vamana Avatar His

requested donation of three steps of land. Shukra knew that with a mere two

steps, Vamanadev would cover all the worlds, and ask for something more, too!

But remember, the Venusian way is to elevate one's consciousness by exposure to

love, beauty and refinement- to thus re-condition grosser forms of

consciousness, such that the Venusian way is hardly appropriate for one who

comes to the very point of surrendering all material attachment due to pure

love of God. Thus Bali rejected his preceptor's advice, but we cannot be

critical of Shukra as he once again taught us by playing his role as a worldly

benefic- ultimately, for the spiritual upliftment of society. We can only see

such interactions between the leaders of the demigods and the demons as some

type of past time enacted for our benefit.After all, Parashara tells us- Daitya

Guru Shubha!By Dean Dominic DeLucia, Dharmapada DasDharmapad's Astro

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