Puranic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature c9.2597

c9.2597

(i) Once Śukrācārya had adorned the office of Education Minister of Mahiṣāsura. At that time Cikṣura was the War Minister, Tāmra was Finance Minister, Asiloma was the Prime Minister, Viḍāla was the Foreign Minister, Udarka was the Military Commander and Śukra was the Education Minister. (Devī Bhāgavata, 5th Skandha).
(ii) Agni Purāṇa, Chapter 51 states that Śukra should be installed in temples with his Kamaṇḍalu (a vessel for carrying water) and wearing his garland.
(iii) At the time of the war between Devas and Asuras. Śukra taught Surasā a mantra to destroy everything. (Skanda Purāṇa, Yuddha Kāṇḍa).
(iv) Śukra was Prahlāda’s Guru (preceptor). (Kamba Rāmāyaṇa, Yuddha kāṇḍa).
(v) Śukra worshipped Śiva and received from him "Mṛtasañjīvanī Mantra" (Mantra having power to revive the dead). (Vāmana Purāṇa, Chapter 62).
(vi) Śukra had prohibited drinking. (M.B. Ādi Parva, Chapter 76, Verse 57).
(vii) He had shone in Indra’s assembly. (M.B. Chapter 7, Verse 22, Sabhā Parva). (viii) Śukra exists in Brahmā’s assembly in the form of a planet. (M.B. Sabhā Parva, Chapter 11, Verse 29).
(ix) Śukra resides with other Asuras on the top of the Meru mountain. All precious stones are in the possession of Śukra. Even Kubera (the god of wealth) lives by borrowing one- fourth of Śukra’s wealth. (M.B. Bhīṣma Parva, Chapter 6, Verse 22).
(x) Śukra was among those who visited Bhīṣma as he lay on the bed of arrows. (M.B. Śānti Parva, Chapter 47, Verse 8).
(xi) Once Śukrācārya was the priest of Emperor Pṛthu. (M.B. Śānti Parva, Chapter 59, Verse 110).
(xii) On another occasion Śukra sent Indra to Prahlāda to obtain prosperity. (M.B. Śānti Parva, Chapter 124, Verse 27). (xiii) By his power of Yoga Śukra once grabbed all the wealth of Kubera. (M.B. Śānti Parva, Chapter 289, Verse 9).
(xiv) He got the name "Śukra" because he came out through "Śivaliṅga" (Śiva’s penis) and thereby became a son of Pārvatī. (M.B. Śānti Parva, Chapter 289, Verse 32).
(xv) Śukra learnt Śiva’s Sahasranāma (Thousand names) from the sage Taṇḍi and taught it to Gautama. (M.B. Anuśāsana Parva, Chapter 17, Verse 177).
(xvi) Mahābhārata, Anuśāsana Parva, Chapter 85, Verse 129, mentions that Bhṛgu had seven sons-Cyavana, Vajraśīrṣa, Śuci, Aurva, Śukra, Savana and Vibhu. (xvii) Once in answer to a question of Mahābali, Śukra referred to the importance of Puṣpadāna (gift of flowers). (M.B. Anuśāsana Parva, Chapter 98). (xviii) In his old age Śukra observed Vānaprastha and attained Heaven. (M.B. Śānti Parva, Chapter 244, Verse 17).
(xix) In Mahābhārata, several other names like Bhārgava, Bhārgavadāyāda, Bhṛguśreṣṭha, Bhṛgūdvaha, Bhṛgukulodvaha, Kaviputra, Kāvya and Uśanas are given for Śukra.