Vedic Astrology is based upon the 9 grahas , 12 bhavas , 16 vargas or divisional charts and 27 nakshatras or constellations. In the magnum opus Brihat Parashara Hora Shastra, Parasara Muni states

“Jeevanam Karmaphalado Graharupo Janardana ” which means

Lord Vishnu himself incarnated as the 9 grahas to bestow the effects to living beings as per their own karma . So , essentially the 9 grahas assume good or bad positions based upon the individual karmas from past life and certain good or bad yogas are formed and when they will be experienced is examined by the dasha system.

In vedic astrology , Jupiter planet or Brihaspati is regarded as a minister/advisor amongst all the grahas and is the prime guru or teacher of all the devas or Gods. Today we will study about the importance and effects of Brihaspati in vedic astrology. Below are the attributes associated with him.

Name  –  Brihaspati / Guru

Gender – Male

Owns – Saggitarius  and Pisces

Exalted – Cancer 5 degrees

Debilitated  – Capricorn 5 degrees

Mulatrikona – Saggitarius (0-10 degrees)

Gemstone – Yellow Sapphire

Metal – Gold

Colour – Yellow

Element – Space

Chakra – Vishuddhi

Direction – East

Tanmatra – Hearing

Dhatu – Fat

Type – Jeeva (Living things)

Time – Masa (1 month)

Drishti – 100 % aspect on 5th ,7th and 9th  house from Natal Position

Rashmis – 7

Guna – Sattwik

Abode – Treasury

Status – Minister

Food – Yellow Urad Lentil

Rudraksha – 3 Mukhi

The BPHS states Jupiter has a big body , is highly intelligent , has tawny hair and tawny eyes , is phlegmatic (suffers from kapha dosha) , has golden hue complexion and is learned in all shastras.

Exalted and powerful Jupiter , when associated with the eight house easily grants psychic ability of clairaudience or divine hearing. Also makes a person highly  knowledgeable and wise. Jupiter also adds intelligence , wit , makes a person learned and devotional. Malefic or inauspicious Jupiter will make the native selfish and money minded in temperament , have dominating tendencies , lack of belief in gods and divine things and will have a hard time understanding  things which are deep in nature.

Obesity problems , liver issues , thyroid  and diabetic issues and doshas related to kapha are common for those suffering from malefic jupiter , especially when it associates with lagna or lagnesha. The benefic aspect of jupiter in women , makes them extremely sattwik in nature and makes them lucky for their partners.Jupiter being the natural karaka for wealth and finances , a benefic brihaspati makes the person wealthy whilst a malefic aspect makes the person live by hand to mouth and always unhappy.

Jupiter rules the weekday Thursday and fasting on this day without salt is a very effective , time-tested and proven remedy. The Agni purana specially mentions the fasts for all 9 grahas and donation of yellow urad lentils is most effective and recommended. The navagraha stotra for Brihaspati as taught by Maharshi Ved Vyasa in the Mahabharat is :-

“Devanam Cha Rishinam Cha Gurum Kaanchan Sannibham”

“Budhi Bhutam , Trilokesham , Tam Namami Brihaspatim”

which means , I salute the one who resembles the hue of Gold , is intelligent in all the three lokas , is worship able by all known gods and rishis, to that Brihaspati, I pay for peace and well being !!

Reading this everyday for minimum 108 times is very helpful , especially in the mahadasha and antardasha of Jupiter.