Shukra the Sanskrit for "clear, pure" or "brightness, clearness", is the name the son of Bhrigu and Ushana, and preceptor of the Daityas, and the guru of the Asuras, identified with the planet Venus - Shukracharya.
He presides over 'Shukra-war' or Friday. He is Rajas in nature and represents wealth, pleasure and reproduction.
He is of white complexion, middle-aged and of agreeable countenance.
He is described variously mounted, on a camel or a horse or a crocodile.
He holds a stick, beads and a lotus and sometimes a bow and arrow.
In Astrology, there is a dasha or planetary period known as Shukra Dasha which remains active in a person's horoscope for 20 years.
This dasha is believed to give more wealth, fortune and luxury to one's living if a person has Shukra positioned well in his horoscope as well as Shukra being an important benefic planet in his/her horoscope.
He had got the blessings from Lord Siva after severe penances.
In the Vamana Avataram of Lord Vishnu, Vamana sought three foot steps of land from Mahabali, an asura king.
Realising Vamana to be no mere mortal, Sukrachariyar assumed the form of a bee and tried to block the flow of water from the kamandalam.
Vamana picking up a pavithram blinds Sukracharya in one eye while trying to unclog the hole in the kamandalam.
Sukracharyar has the prowess to bring the dead to living by virtue of his knowledge of Amirtha Sanjeevini Mantra.
Using this mantra, in the asura war against the devas, he revived the slain asuras.
This helped the asura army swell. The devas prayed to Lord Siva for help, who swallowed up Sukracharya in a fit of rage.
After residing in Lord SIva's stomach in a siddha state, he emerged from Lord Siva's stomach.
Sukra endows those who pray to him with wealth, pleasure, wife, prosperity, vehicles. He is the next most beneficial planet after Guru.
If in a person's horoscope, Sukra is well placed, then the person will enjoy pleasure, beautiful wife, wealth, house, vehicle, good food, fame, love, affection, marraige, siblings, governmental help, chance to govern the country/state and hold influential status.
If in a bad position, the ward will experience a family devoid of love and ties, bad life, enimity amongst family and friends, Kalathira dosham. By praying to Sukra these problems could be mitigated. Wife, arts, sculpture, love, vehicles are the beneficial aspects of Sukra.
The sthalam of Sukra Bhagavan is Kanjanur, which is located 3kms from Suryanar koil, enroute to Mayavaram.
His wives are Subakirthi, Sundari and Sringini.
The presiding deity are Agneeswarar and his consort Iswari.
The presiding deity Agneeswarar is the embodiment of Sukran. Sukrachariar was the Guru of asuras.
He is the Lord of Rishaba and Thula Rasi and faces East direction.
The Adi Devatha is Indra's physician.
His colour is white;
his vahana is the crocodile;
the grain associated with him is mochai;
the flower - white lotus;
fabric - white cloth;
gem - diamond;
food - rice mixed with mochai powder.
Sukra is the bestower of long life, wealth, happiness, children, property and good education.
He is the Guru for Asuras. Well learned in Neeti Sastras follower of such sastras and one who dispenses justice,
Sukra is considered a beneficial devata.
He blesses the devotees with power to control one's Indriyas (Sense organs) and enables the devotee to obtain fame and name.
Fridays are considered to be effective for the worship of Sukra.
In the Zodiac, he is the Lord of Tulo. Sukra takes one year to complete the Zodiac cycle living one month in each Rasi.