KOYILNET

The Sun in Vedic astrology is called "Ravi" or "Surya." He is considered mild malefic, given his hot, dry nature. Saint Kasyapa and Athithi gave birth to twelve children, who are the twelve Suryas. He is considered the right eye of Lord Shiva. He rides a chariot with one wheel and seven horses called "Saptha," each a different color, driven by Arunan, who is without legs. The chariot moves in the western direction around Mount Meru. He has two wives, Usha Devi and Chaya Devi, and five sons — Emman, Sani, Asviniththevar, Sukreevan, and Karnan — and two daughters, Yamunai and Pathirai. He is the head of the Navagraha and occupies the centre position, belonging to the Kshathriya family. He is the commander for the Number 1 in astrology, i.e. the persons having date in the date of birth as 1, 10, 19, 28. His auspicious day is Sunday.

As in western tropical astrology, the Sun rules the sign of Leo. He is exalted in Aries, and in his fall in Libra. The Sun is known as the "Atmakaraka," from the Sanskrit "Atma" meaning soul and "Karaka" meaning indicator — as "indicator of the soul," the Sun is the giver of life. He is the indicator of the father, our ego, honors, status, fame, the heart, the eyes, general vitality, respect, and power. He is a living God whom everyone can see, perceive, and pray to, though he has also been presented in a variety of forms as the life-giver and time-giver. The Vedas adore him as a witness (Sakshi) of all actions.

He is the lord of Leo in the Zodiac. He stays one month in each Rasi and takes 365 days, or twelve months, to complete a round of the twelve Rasis. Worship of this Devata on Sunday is said to bring manifold benefits to worshippers. In the six sects established by Adi Sankara, Souram is devoted to the Sun God, and Sun worship has a place in other religions too. In the Zodiac the Sun occupies the prominent centre position — this graha is the source of life and is described as the life-giver, Pranadhata. He helps one gain eyesight, and Suryanamaskar (worship by prostration) is said to strengthen one's bones, cure illness however severe, cleanse the devotee of sins, and bestow progeny, wealth, good health, and long life. He is also said to cause the rainfall that benefits the world. The Sun is strongest directly overhead in the 10th House, and also strong in the other Kendras (1st, 4th, 7th) and the upachaya houses (3rd, 6th, 11th). He is particularly beneficial for the fire sign Ascendants of Aries, Leo, and Sagittarius.