the Ultimate Web on Indian Gods & Temples

 by Padmani,

Abodes of Navagraha

Suryan (Sun)

              The Sun in Vedic astrology is called "RAVI", or "SURYA". He is considered to be mild malefic, in consideration of the hot, dry in nature. Saint Kasyapa and Athithi gave birth to 12 children. Those 12 children are the 12 suryas. He is considered as the right eye of Lord Shiva. He goes on a Chariot which has one wheel and seven horses called "Saptha". The seven horses are in seven different colors. The Chariot is driven by Arunan, a handicap without legs. The Chariot moves in the Western direction arount the Mount Mearu. He has two wives Usha Devi and Chaya Devi. He has 5 sons Emman, Sani, Asviniththevar, Sukreevan and Karnan and 2 daughters Yamunai and Pathirai. He is the head of the Navagraha and occupies the Centre position. He belongs to 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. The auspicious day for him is Sunday. As in western tropical astrology, the Sun rules the Sign of Leo. He is exalted in the sign of Aries, and he is in his fall in the sign of Libra. The Sun is known as the "ATMAKARAKA". This comes from the Sanskrit "ATMA" meaning soul, and "KARAKA" meaning indicator. As "indicator of the soul" the Sun is the giver of life. The Sun is the indicator of the father, our ego, honors, status, fame, the heart, the eyes, general vitality, respect and power. He is the God - a living God - whom everyone can see, perceive and pray. Though he is visible, he also has been presented in a variety of forms. He is 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 12 months to complete a round of 12 Rasis. Worship of this Devata (GOD) on Sunday is supposed to bring in manifold benefits to the worshippers. In the six sects established by Adi Sankara, Souram is one devoted to Sun God. Even in other religions, Sun worship has place. In the Zodiac, Sun occupies a prominent place - the Center. This graha is the source of life and he is therefore described as the life-giver - PRANADHATA. He helps one gain his eyesight and SURYANAMASKAR (worship by prostration) will strengthen one's bones, cure illness, however severe it may be, cleanses the devotee from his sins and bestows on him progeny, wealth, good-health and long life. He is the cause for rainfall benefiting the world. The Sun is in his strongest placement directly overhead in the 10th House. He is also strong in the other Kendra's, or Angles. These are the Houses 1, 4, and 7. The Sun also does well in what are called the upachaya, or growing Houses. These are the Houses 3, 6, and 11. He is particularly beneficial for the fire sign Ascendants of Aries, Leo, and Sagittarius.