Brihaspati is the lord of prayer in Hindu mythology. He is the celestial priest who is master of the Word who dispels darkness and destroys the enemies of the gods by his recitations of magical formulae. In his form as Brahmanaspati he helped create the universe with his chanting. He has seven mouths, seven rays emanate from him, and he rides on a chariot drawn by eight horses. He seems to be connected in some way to the sacrificial fire of the south which is lit for the honored ancestors, and because of this is sometimes confused with Agni, who also seems to be a sort of priest of the gods. He is also closely linked with Brahma, as both are regarded as the creators of the universe. He is considered to be the planet Jupiter. His consort is Tara.
Source(s):
Jordan, Michael. Encyclopedia of GodsNew York: Facts on File, 1993.
Herbert, J. "Hindu Mythology." Larousse: World MythologyPierre Grimal, ed. New York: Gallery Books, 1989.
Masson-Oursel, P. and Louise Morin. "Indian Mythology." New Larousse Encyclopedia of MythologyNew York: Crescent Books, 1989.