Guru (Brihaspati) — Navagraha

Guru, also known as Brihaspati, is the largest and most benevolent of the Navagrahas, revered as the preceptor (guru) of the Devas and the presiding deity over wisdom, knowledge, dharma, wealth, children, marriage, and spiritual growth. Born as the son of Sage Angiras, Brihaspati earned his position as the celestial teacher through profound learning and unwavering commitment to righteousness, becoming the counselor whose guidance helped the gods triumph over the Asuras in numerous cosmic conflicts described throughout the Puranas. He is depicted as a golden-hued, dignified sage-like figure riding a chariot pulled by eight horses or seated upon a lotus, holding a staff, a rosary, and sacred texts, embodying his role as the ultimate source of scriptural knowledge and ethical guidance. In Vedic astrology, Jupiter is considered the most auspicious and benefic of all planets, governing higher education, spirituality, moral character, marriage, children, financial prosperity, and the capacity for expansive, generous thinking. Its placement in the fifth house relates to progeny and creative intelligence, while its position in the ninth house governs fortune, higher learning, and one's guru or spiritual teachers, making Jupiter's overall strength in a chart one of the most significant indicators of a person's life success, wisdom, and ethical development. A well-placed Guru bestows optimism, generosity, respect in society, successful marriage, and spiritual inclination, while an afflicted Jupiter can lead to poor judgment, difficulties in marriage or childbearing, financial instability, and a lack of ethical direction. The worship of Guru, especially through fasting on Thursdays and donating yellow items, turmeric, and religious texts, is a time-honored practice for attracting wisdom, prosperity, and divine grace into one's life.

Fasting on Thursdays, donating turmeric, yellow clothes, gram lentils, or religious books to Brahmins and teachers, worshipping Vishnu, reciting the Vishnu Sahasranama, and wearing yellow sapphire after consultation strengthen Jupiter.