Page 22 - February 2024
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A Celestial Beacon of Love
Across Cultures and Time
Explore the legacy of Venus to uncover how this luminous
planet has fascinated civilizations throughout history.
In the tapestry of the night sky, few in Hindu mythology. Shukra (Sanskrit
celestial bodies have captivated the for “brightness” or “clearness”) is known
human imagination as vividly as Venus. as the teacher (guru) of the asuras,
Known in Western astronomy as Venus, often translated as “demons” in English.
after the Roman goddess of love and However, it’s important to understand
beauty, this radiant planet has been a that “asuras” in Hindu mythology are
symbol of enchantment across various more complex than the typical Western
cultures and times. concept of demons. Asuras are a class
of divine beings that have both good
While the name “Venus” is universally and evil qualities, and they are often
recognized in the scientific community, in conflict with the devas (gods). The
the planet’s identity is as diverse as reason for Shukra being the teacher of
the human cultures that gaze upon asuras is deeply rooted in mythology and
it. In East Asia, Venus shines under religious beliefs.
different names, such as “Kinsei” in
Japanese, meaning “gold star”. This name The intrigue of Venus extends to
encapsulates the planet’s metallic glow, indigenous and ancient civilizations
a feature that has influenced numerous as well. The Maya, known for their
mythologies and star-gazing traditions. sophisticated astronomy, called Venus
“Chak ek,” translating to “Great Star.”
In the Arab world, Venus is known as
“Zuhara,” a name rooted in pre-Islamic The Maya observations of Venus were
Arabian mythology. The name “Zuhara” incredibly accurate. They were able
resonates with the historical significance to calculate the synodic period of
of astrology in Arabic science and culture. Venus – the time it takes for the planet
to return to the same position in the
The Indian subcontinent refers to Venus sky – with remarkable precision. This
as “Shukra,” but here it is a male figure period is about 584 days, and the Maya’s
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