The planet Venus is known as Shukra graha in the Vedic astrology. Shukra means ‘white or bright in Sanskrit’. Shukra is the name of the son of Bhrigu, and preceptor of the demons and the teacher (guru) of the demons, identified with the planet Venus (Shukra). Sage Bhirgu, an astrologer, taught his son all of the spiritual sciences and scriptures. Venus or Shukra was enemy to Brihaspati (Jupiter), so Shukra agreed to be the teacher of the asuras (demons). He became their preceptor to protect them against the gods and demigods. His caste is Brahmin and he presides over Friday. 

Venus is charming, has a splendorous physique, is excellent or great in disposition, has beautiful and bright eyes, is a poet and has curly hair. While Jupiter is the Guru of the Gods, Venus is the Daityaguru (Guru of the demons). He is represented as very youthful some say as young as seven. He rides a white chariot adorned by flags and pulled by eight fiery horses. He is of white complexion and he holds a stick, holy Rudraksha beads, and a small pot in three of his hands. His fourth hand is raised in a gesture of blessing. Venus performed severe tapas (penance) to Lord Shiva, and being pleased, lord Shiva granted Venus a special knowledge called Mritasanjivani, which enabled him to raise people from the dead. Lord Shiva also made him incapable of being killed and granted him the role of "Lord of Wealth." He is a master of herbs and mantras and is skilled in generating all kinds of tastes. In his role as guru of the demons, he revived the demons after they had been killed in battle with the demigods. Venus eventually gave all his wealth to the demons (asuras) and retired as an ascetic. Lord Brahma also conferred upon him the position of a planet. One of his skills as a planet is to pacify the other planets, who might cause an obstruction to rain, an essential part of India's monsoon-based agriculture.

In Vedic astrology Shukra (Venus) rules over the signs Taurus and Libra. The planets Mercury and Saturn are considered friendly to Shukra, the Sun and Moon are hostile and Jupiter and the rest are considered neutral. In astrology Shukra represents love, romance and sexuality, artistic talents and wealth. All paintings are courtesy of Art of Legend India.