SUKRA

[Hindu] Preceptor and priest of Daityas. He protects the Daityas from enemies by his recitation of magical formulae, just as Brihaspati does for the Devas (gods). He knows the Mritasanjeevani-vidya (magical formula by which the dead can made alive). On one occasion, he had to leak this vidya to one Kacha, son of Brihaspati. He became one-eyed during a Yajna (religious ceremony) performed by Bali. He is the planet-god of Venus. Other names: Kaavya (son of Kavi); Bhargava (one born in Bhrigu's lineage); Daitya-guru (preceptor of Daityas).