Brihaspati is commonly known as “Guru” or “Jupiter”. Jupiter represents joy in living, the positive spirit. He is the great optimist who always sees the good. In him all sorrow, depression and melancholy are overcome or turned into a learning experience. Jupiter is the planet of luck, grace, favor and fortune. He gives wealth, abundance, prosperity and success.

Here is a story from the Navagraha Purana about the birth of Brihaspati

Advised by Sage Narada, Sage Angiras and his wife shraddha prayed intensely to Lord Agni by performing all the fire rituals (agnikarya – the favorite homa of Lord Agni)

Agni deva appeared before the sage and asked him to ask for a boon.

Angiras was delighted and asked for a son who would be blessed with extraordinary wisdom, matchless intellect and intelligence. Lord Agni granted him this boon.

Soon Shraddha was pregnant and they waited eagerly for the birth of their son who is blessed by Lord Agni himself. Shraddha soon delivered a baby boy. And at the naming ceremony Angiras pronounced him as “Brihaspati”. Sage Naradha was at the naming ceremony and announced on behalf of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva that Brihaspati will turn out to be the most knowledgeable and perfect being and he will have a special place among the Navagrahas (9 Planets).

Angrias and Shraddha’s joy knew no bounda. Narada advised angiras to make sure that the little boy was given the perfect education.

Angiras agreed and commenced his son’s education. Even as a little child Brihaspati excelled in wisdom and knowledge. He was brilliant with the scriptures and philosophical sciences. Thus he became the greatest of scholars under the guidance of his father and grace of Lord Agni.