Jupiter is the greatest benefic in the astrological hierarchy. He is the biggest planet in the solar system. He is a whirling mass of Hydrogen and Helium and is the fifth planet in the solar system. He is gaseous giant, like Saturn, Uranus and Neptune. These four planets are referred to as the Jovian planets.

The ancients used to call him Dyo Pithah or Father of the Heavens. The Sanskrit Dyo Pithah became Jupiter ! The Romans named him after the Roman God, Jupiter.

The Great Red Spot of Jupiter is famous. It is a giant storm which has existed from the 17th century onwards.

Jupiter has 63 known moons, including four large moons, known as Galilean moons ( first discovered by Galileo ). Ganymede, largest of these moons, has a diameter greater than that of Mercury.

Its Aphelion is 5.458104 AU, Perihelion 4.950429 AU, Semi-major axis 5.204267 AU, Eccentricity .48775, Sidereal Period 11.85920 years and Synodic Period is 398.88 days.

Jupiter is so voluminous that 1200 earths can be fit into Jupiter.

In Vedic Astrology, he is known as Brihaspathi, the preceptor of the celestials. Brihatham thasya esha pathi ithi brihaspathi meaning that he who is the owner of vastness is called Brihaspathi.

He is noble minded and high principled, spiritual and divine. His voice is like a lion’s and like the clouds. He is prosperity personified.

Kaphatmaka Sreshtamathi Suredya
Simhabda Nadascha Vasu Pradhana

 

The sidereal signs of Pisces and Sagittarius are ruled by him. He is the most auspicious of all planets. He is exalted in Cancer and debilitated in Capricorn. If the Sun is the emblem of the Self, then Jupiter is the Consciousness of the Self representing the individuality of Self.

He is an indicator of luck, fortune, judges, ministers, spirituality, morality, devotion and faith. Also leaders in government and Religion. He represents sacred scripture, benevolence and philosophy, natural and moral. His nature is Kapha or watery. His most favoured position is in the First House. He is powerful in Angles, where he can destroy one lakh afflictions ( laksham doshan hanthi devendra poojya ). He is also powerful in trines, in the 5th and 9th houses. His primary gemstone is Yellow Sapphire and his secondary gemstone is Golden Topaz. His direction is North East, his day is Thursday ( Thor’s day is Thursday ) and his metal is Gold. He shines like Gold ( Gurum Kanchana Sannibham ).

In Grecian Mythology, there is his story that he expelled Pallas Athene ( Venus ) from a pond where he was bathing. This story is a symbolism of a theory in Astronomy that Venus was once a planet within the orbit of Jupiter.

In Vedic Mythology, there is a famous story about him. A king had  seven sons. Spiritual people came begging for alms but the wives of these sons returned them, empty handed. The Jupiter Deity became angry with them with the result the prosperity of the kingdom diminished. The youngest wife asked the wise about the solution to this problem and the wise advised her to fast on Thursdays and give alms to spiritual people. If anyone’s husband has gone to a foreign country, then that wife should make two human figures behind the door and this would ensure the safe return of her husband. The youngest wife did so, as her husband has gone on a tour to a foreign country.

The seven sons had gone on a tour to a neighbouring country. The youngest wife did the ritual, as instructed by the wise. The youngest son had gone to a country, where the king died. The king had no son. In order to find a suitable successor, a garland was put on the horn of a female elephant and whosoever was garlanded by the elephant would be king. The elephant put the garland on the youngest son’s neck. He became king and all his brothers were ultimately reconciled with him.

The youngest wife’s spiritual discipline brought prosperity to the kingdom. The other six wives changed their minds and began to do Vara Puja ( worshipping Jupiter on Thursdays ) for Jupiter and Jove usurping reigned !

His mantra is

Om Brihaspathaye Namah

His stotra is

Devanamscha Muneenamscha
Gurum Kancha Sannibham
Bandhu Bhootham Trilokesha
Tham Namami Brihaspathim

His Peedahara Stotra is

Deva mantree Vishalakshah
Sada Loka Hithe Rathah
Aneka Shishya Sampoornah
Peedam Harathu Me Guruh

His Gayatri is

Om Vrishabhadwajaya Vidmahe
Ghrini hasthaya dheemahi
Thanno Guru Prachodayath .

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Cancer rising, along with exalted Jupiter, was in the horoscopes of these celebrities.