SHUKRA

In whole of Jyotish only two grahas are accorded the status of a Guru. Shukra and Brihaspti. While Brihastpati guides the devas, Sukra is considered as the Guru of Asura-s.Born into the lineage of Rsi Bhrigu, Sukracharya is considered to be a great devotee of Lord Shiva who by his penance attained to the knowledge of Sanjeevani Vidya or the ability to bring life back into a dead organism.

Sukra rules enthusiasm (that which creates a powerful zeal for life in any individual), arts, poetry, lovemaking, sense of aesthetics and beauty without being sentimental, infact passion for any work is always provided by Shukra. For men it indicates the nature of spouse, and married life.An afflicted Shukra can cause problems of lack of happiness, weakness of health and specially of reproductive organs. In a more malefic condition it can create obsessions which are unhealthy.It remains one of the most vital grahas for Tantra sadhana. In the Mahabharata Shukracharya is mentioned as one of the teachers of Bhisma.Dhyana of Sukra by Veda Vyasa:

हिमकुन्दमृणालाभं दैत्यानां परमं गुरुम् । सर्वशास्त्रप्रवक्तारं भार्गवं प्रणमाम्यहम् ।।

himakundamrnaalaabhan daityaanaan paraman gurum . sarvashaastrapravaktaaran bhaargavan pranamaamyaham[I pray to Venus, the utimate preceptor of demons, promulgator of all learning, he who shines like the snow-white jasmine . ]Different devatas are linked to Shukra but the most popular one is Mahalakshmi and Kamalatmikta depending on the condition of Sukra. Regular upasana of any of these two deities especially on Fridays can help to mitigate the problems related to Shukra.The Tantrokta mantra of Shukra is:

द्रां द्रीं द्रौं सः शुक्राय नमः ।

Texts mention this should be chanted 16,000 times however since most people lack concentration a safe target is about 1 lakh of japa and then homas with 1/10 of the count of mantras using kheer. This helps to appese Shukra and bring the necessary benefits to the individual.Diamond is the gemstone related to Shukra.