Brihaspati is the Guru of Devas, personification of piety and religion, the chief offerer of prayers and sacrifices, represented as the Purohita of the gods with whom he intercedes for men. He is the Lord of planet Jupiter. He is of Sattva Guna and represents knowledge and teaching. He is often known simply as "Guru".

According to Hindu scriptures, he is the guru of the Devas and the nemesis of Shukracharya, the guru of the Danavasa. He is also known Guru, the god of wisdom and eloquence, to whom various works are ascribed, such as the "atheistic" Barhaspatya sutras. Guru is usually depicted with an elephant or chariot drawn by eight horses as his vehicle. He is also depicted in a lotus flower.

His Tattva or element is Akasha or ether, and his direction is north-east. He is described of yellow or golden colour and holding a stick, a lotus and his beads. He presides over 'Guru-vaaram', Brihaspativaara or Thursday.

In Jyotish (Hindu astrology), Brihaspati(Guru) is the name for the planet Jupiter, which is one of the Navagraha (the nine planets) . He is also known as Guru, Cura and Devaguru. Brihaspati is considered to be the most beneficial sign of any of the planets. Brihaspati rules over the signs Dhanu (Sagittarius) and Meena (Pisces), he is exalted in Karka (Cancer) and in his fall in Makara (Capricorn). The Sun, Moon and Mars are considered friendly to Brihaspati, Mercury is hostile and Saturn is neutral.

Brihaspati in Vedic astrology is considered to be of the element ether (space) or Akash Tattva. This element indicates vastness, growth and expansion in a person's life. Brihaspati also represents the balance of past karma, religion, philosophy, knowledge and issues relating to offspring. He is concerned with education, teaching and the dispensation of knowledge. Humans with Jupiter dominating in their horoscope could grow fat as life progresses and their empire and prosperity increases; and diabetes is an ailment directly related to this sign. According to traditional Hindu astrology, worship or propitiation of Brihaspati or Guru (Jupiter) results in cure from ailments affecting the stomach and helps ward off sins.

Brihaspati is lord of three Nakshatras or lunar mansions: Punarvasu, Vishakha and Purva Bhadrapada. The following items are associated with Brihaspati: his color is yellow, his metal is gold, and his gemstones are yellow topaz and yellow sapphire. The season associated with him is winter, direction is north-east and his element is ether or space.