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Brihaspati is considered Guru (teacher) by all the gods. In the Vedic literature and other ancient texts, sage Brihaspati is also called by other names such as Bramanaspati, Purohita, Angirasa(son of Angiras)and Vyasa. In the Mahabharata, the son of Brihaspati named Bharadvaja is the counsellor of the Pandavas. Bharadvaja was one of the revered Vedic sages (maharishi) in Ancient India, who was a renowned scholar, economist and an eminent physician. His contributions to the ancient Indian literature, mainly in Puranas and Rig Veda, played a significant role in giving an insight to the then Indian society. He and his family of students are considered the authors of the sixth book of the Rigveda.Bharadwaja was father of warrior Brahmin Droṇācārya,a main character in Mahabharata who was an instructor to both Pandava and Kaurava princes. He was the grandfather of Aśvatthāma, a legendary warrior in Mahabharata. Both Droncharya and Ashwatthama fought in different battles of Mahabharata alongside Kauravas. Bharadwaja is also mentioned in Charaka Samhita,He is one of the Saptaṛishis (seven great sages or Maharṣis).According to Vishnu Purana, Bhardwaja had brief liaison with an apsara named Ghritachi, due to which he grew up a son named Dronacharya. That's why Garga and Dronacharya are half-brothers. Apart from his half-brother, Garga had two sisters named Ilavida (also known as Devavarnini) and Katyayani who married sage Vishrava and Yajnavalkya respectively.

Rishi (Saint) Garga was one of the most revered Vedic sages in ancient India, who was a preeminent scholar and a major benefactor to the field of Ayurveda. Author of Garga Samhita, he is considered one of the 18 most important contributors to the subject of astrology.

Astrology is considered to be an important aspect of Vedas and Garga was one of the founders of the subject. Indian astrology is written in various ancient scriptures and the major ones include Narad Samhita, Garga Samhita, Bhrigu Samhita, Arun Samhita, Ravana Samhita, Varahi Samhita, etc. Among these Garga Samhita is based on the six fractions of the astrological science.

His work Garga Purana lays down the rules of astrology in detail. Garga also contributed in the field of Vastushastra. He started the list of twenty seven nakshatras with Krittika. Selecting Krittika as the first of twenty seven nakshatras was very significant as it is in deep contrast with the first star of Jyotihshastra i.e., Ashvini.

Garga Samhita not only deals with astrology but also accounts the life of Lord Krishna. There is a detailed account of Krishna's character. Rishi Garga is credited with naming the eighth incarnation of Lord Vishnu as Krishna and his brother as Balarama.

King Vasudeva, the father of Krishna, approached Garga after few months of Krishna's birth and beseeched him to go to Gokul to foretell the future of his son at Nanda's home, as he was living in the prison of the tyrant ruler of Mathura called Kamsa. Garga was a reputed priest for the Yadu dynasty. So, he was given a warm welcome at Nanda and Yashoda's home. On being asked to give names to the newborns, he named Rohini's son as Balarama and Yashoda's son as Krishna.

He also predicted the greatness of both child to their parents. But he also warned Nanda about the problems they will encounter in their lifetime. He warned them that there would be various attempts of killing Krishna by many demons and advised them to protect him.

The Gagas river, which originates in the sacred forests of Pandukholi in Almora district, Uttarakhand has been named after Garga. The river evolves largely through the flow of over fourteen major streams and flows for about 50 km prior to merging with Ramganga (West) river.

Dunagiri, a historic area in Almora district was the place where Garga established his ashram.

His passages have been quoted by Max Muller as a part of his evidence that time keeping using constellations was a part of the Vedic era knowledge.