ABSTRACT

Shukracharya was an eminent rishi in the ancient Indian rishi tradition. He was the teacher and guide of the Daityas and Danavas (demons). His father’s name was Kavi. His grandfather was the illustrious sage, Bhrigu. His other name was Ushana. He was also called Kavya. When he came out of lord Shankara’s body along with semen, he got the name Shukra. Shukra was earlier married to Daksha Prajapati’s daughter, Shanta. Shukra had four sons from Arani. He also had two more sons called Twashtadhara and Atri. All they were brilliant. This Atri created a city called Atripattan in present-day Iran, which is now called ‘Atropatan’ along the river Atrius (Puranokta Atri Nadi). His daughter, Devayani, was married to the famous king Yayati. As per the Mahabharata, sage Shukra was an expert in Niti Shastra (Political Science). According to the Jaiminiya Brahmana, sage Shukra resided in the Gandharva loka. The ancient Gandharva loka was from present-day Pakistan to Iran. After his mother's death at the hands of lord Vishnu, he became a permanent enemy of lord Vishnu. He pleased lord Shiva and obtained the rare ‘Mrit Sanjivani Vidya’ (art of reviving the dead persons) from lord Shankara. By virtue of this art, he saved daityas and danavas from the onslaught of devas. He also saved his nephew, Sage Jamdagni, with this art. Despite knowing the fact that his disciple Kacha was the spy sent by the devas to obtain the Mrita Sanjivani Vidya, he taught it to Kacha. Keywords: Brahma, Atma, Vidya