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 (with honorific,Shukracharya).He presides over'Shukra-var' or Friday.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.
He is Rajas in nature and represents wealth,pleasure and reproduction.
In Vedic 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.
Design: Made in heavy shining brass.
Brass is well known for its grasping capacity.It grasps the divine spirit upto 30%, when compared to other metals.The spiritual vibrations are attracted towards these shining idols easily.
Dimensions: 2.8 inches (H) x 1.1 inches (W) x 2.5 inches (L) (7 x 2.7 x 6.3 cms) approx
Weight: 235 grams
Placement: It should be placed facing East direction.
Importance of Idol worship: Idols are not the idle fancies of sculptors,but shining channels through which the heart of the devotee is attracted to and flows towards God. Though the image is worshipped, the devotee feels the presence of the Lord in it and pours out his devotion unto it.Regular worship, Puja and other modes of demonstrating our inner feeling of recognition of Divinity in the idol unveils the Divinity latent in it.This is truly a wonder and a miracle.The picture comes to life.The idol speaks. It will answer your questions and solve your problems.The God in you has the power to awaken the latent Divinity in the idol.The lives of Mirabai,Sant Tukaram, Shri Ramakrishna Paramhansa and Shri Yogananda are a few instances to prove the point.They proved beyond doubt that idol worship has its own brighter side and through simple faith and intense devotion one can realize God through it.
Idols are the"finite representation of the Infinite".As per Vishnu Samhita (ch 29, v 55-7), persuasively endorses the use of imagery (idols) and puts it:"Without a form how can God be mediated upon? If (He is) without any form,where will the mind fix itself? When there is nothing for the mind to attach itself to,it will slip away from meditation or will glide into a state of slumber.Therefore the wise will meditate on some form, remembering, however, that the form is a superimposition and not a reality."