Astrological Mythology The Meaning of ... - Mandhata Global

married to Sage Kashyapa, one of the primeval seven sages. The Daityas, as
this reveals, are not hostile forces trying to retard the evolutionary progress.
They are essential counterparts of the Daivic or benign energy assisting and
guiding manifestation. The Daityas as sons of Diti merely mean the
multitude: the word Diti means "cutting, splitting, and dividing," while
Aditya standing for the Sun means wholeness. The numerous forms of
manifestation reeled off from cosmic unity represent the Daityas. They have
been split from the 'Whole' and have lost their original pure nature. The
guardian of these separate beings who arc ever struggling to gain (or regain)
their inherent status has to possess tremendous wisdom and insight. Only the
teacher who understands the nature and ordeals of the Path, can lead
disciples correctly and effectively. Shukra, Venus, is attributed to possess the
secret of immortality which even Jupiter, the god's preceptor did not possess.
The reference linking Venus to the Asuras who arose from the very first act
of polarization of the primeval energy, is important for understanding the
chief function of the planet. With the creation of the gods, there arose the
necessity of producing a counterbalancing power without which there would
be unbalanced growth of the universe. The gods represent unity while the
Daityas are the multitude. The Daityas are also associated with primeval
giants. Yet the gigantic demons who were brainless and beastly are different
from the original Asuras who are the personifications of centrifugal forces.
The Asuras whom Venus or Shukra guided were devotees of different
aspects of the Divine Trinity represented by Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. The
Asuras obtained powerful siddhis, that js control over supernatural powers
as a result of benedictions received from these gods. The primary distinction
between the Devas and the Asuras is ahankara, the ego, which the latter
represent. But egoism or the idea of the separate self is the root cause of
human manifestation. Shukra, as the teacher of egoistic beings like the
Dailyas and Rakshasas, has the prime task of preserving and nourishing
them in an ordered existence. This is only possible by the observance of an
ideal code of social behavior, which Shukra laid down as the Dharma
Shastra or code of righteous behavior. The planetary impulse from Venus
aims at maintaining a well-ordered harmonious interaction between different
people.
The Shiva Purana mentions that Shukra was born from the vital fluid of
Lord Shiva when his passion was aroused by the captivating form of Vishnu
which had once subdued and destroyed a powerful demon. The form was so
seductive that having seen it Shiva could not contain himself; his creativefluid
came out and Shukra arose from it. The word Shukra in Sanskrit means
semen as well as Agni or fire. Shiva himself christened this personification