SUN

By Far the largest astral body Visible to our Eye, It is The Star that illuminates our Solar System. Sun also called as Ravi/ Surya/ Aditya by Hindus, “Ra” by ancient Egyptians, Apollo by Ancient Greek and other different names by others in History of mankind.

Astronomical Facts:

The Sun is the star at the centre of the Solar System. It is a nearly perfect sphere of hot plasma, with internal convective motion that generates a magnetic field via a dynamo process. Which is a round - shaped, heavy-elemental star that spreads massive heat around other planets and stars. Sun is a dry, masculine, positive and hot planet in Universe. It is by far the most important source of energy for life on Earth. It is nearest to earth in January every year when it is 14,71,03,000 kms and farthest in July when its distance from earth is 15,21,06,000 kms. Its diameter is 13,92 000 kms (109.3 times of earth’s diameter), surface area is 6.087 x 1012 square kms. (1,20,000 times of earth’s  surface area), Volume is 1.41 x 1018 cubic kms. (1,306,000 times the earth’s volume) and its mass is about 330,000 times that of Earth, accounting for about 99.86% of the total mass of the Solar System. About three quarters of the Sun's mass consists of hydrogen (~73%); the rest is mostly helium (~25%), with much smaller quantities of heavier elements, including oxygen, carbon, neon, and iron. The Sun takes 365 days travelling approximately 1 degree per day to go round the ecliptic. It’s Stationary and never retrogrades.

Vedic Stories –

In India, Surya is believed to be a benevolent deity capable of healing sick people. Even today, people place the symbol of the Sun over shops because they think it would bring good fortune.

The oldest surviving Vedic hymns, such as the hymn 1.115 of the Rigveda, mention Sūrya with particular reverence for the "rising sun” and its symbolism as dispeller of darkness, one who empowers knowledge, the good and all life.

The Sun and the Earth

The Sun causes day and night on the earth,

Because of revolution,

When there is night here, it is day on the other side,

The sun does not really rise or sink.

—Aitareya Brahmana III.44 (Rigveda)

Surya first appears in Vedic literature in the Rigveda, Composed about 10000 BC. The bringer of the Light, Surya was thought to ride his chariot across the sky and defeat the demons of darkness. Surya is depicted as a red man with three eyes and four arms, riding in a chariot drawn by seven mares. Surya holds water lilies with two of his hands. With his third hand he encourages his worshipers whom he blesses with his fourth hand.

Names that come up for Sun in Hindu Scriptures are Aditya (of Aditi, inspirer), Surya (the supreme guide or light), Ravi (praised by all), Divakara (creator of day) and Hiranyagarbha (having golden womb, the creator). , Bhaanu (the shining one or ray of light), Arka (the radiant), Bhaskara (the illuminator), Mitra (friend of all), Marichi (rays of light, starlight), Sahasrarhsu (having thousand rays), Savita (the purifier), Pushan (the nourisher of all), Khag (stimulator of the senses), Mihira, Prabhakara (creator of shining light), Martanda (sprung from lifeless egg), Chitrabhanu (lord of flames),

The Ādityas are one of the principal deities of the Vedic classical Hinduism belonging to solar class. In the Vedas, numerous hymns are dedicated to Mitra, Varuna, and Savitr etc. Even the Gayatri mantra, which is regarded as one of the most sacred of the Vedic hymns is dedicated to Savitr, one of the principal Ādityas. The Adityas are a group of solar deities, from the Brahmana period numbering twelve. The ritual of Surya Namaskaar, performed by Hindus, is an elaborate set of hand gestures and body movements, designed to greet and revere the Sun.

As per some Hindu Legends, Surya is the son of Kasyapa (a Vedic sage) and Aditi (Infinite Heavens), in others he is the offspring of Dyaus (Sky), and in still others his father is Brahma. Sage Kashyap and his wife Aditi gave birth to Indra, Visnu, Vivasvan, Mitre, Amsuman, Dhata Tvasta, Pusa, Varuna, Aryama, Bhaga and Savita. These twelve sons of Aditi become known as twelve Adityas. Lord Bramha selected Savita from theses twelve Adityas and blessed him by saying only he will be worshiped and all other Adityas will be merged in him. But these twelve Adityas exerts their force separately which gave rise to twelve months and each of them are said to rule over the each of the twelve months. As a result of this, we have different seasons and climatic changes.

Aditya is said to be married to the goddess Ranaadeh, also known as Sanjnya. She is depicted in dual form, being both sunlight and shadow, personified. The goddess is revered in Gujarat and Rajasthan. When Surya married Sanjna, (Conscience), the daughter of Visvakarma The celestial architect these were Vaivasvata (one of the 14 original men or Manu), Yama (god of the dead), and Yami (goddess of the Yamuna river) Sanjana could not bear the intense light and heat. Sanjna became so tired of Surya’s brilliant light that she one day gave him a handmaid, Chaya (Shade), and left him to live a life of reflection in the forests, transformed into a mare. Meanwhile, the Sun being unknown of this fact, continued to live with Chaya and she gave birth to three more children, Savarni, Shani (later became the planet Saturn) and Tapti (later became a river). After passage of some more time Sun realized that Chaya was not his wife and he went to look for her. He saw his wife praying in the form of a mare and he turned himself into a horse and approached her amorously. The resulting offspring were Revanta (chief of the Guhyakas) and two twin sons, the youthful Ashvins, the birth of horse headed twins, Ashwini Kumara, the celestial physicians who travel before his chariot in their own golden version or on horseback. Sanjana told her husband that his light was too strong for her. Sun then decided to divide his light in to sixteen parts, each of which created different planets including Earth, while the Sun was left with one-sixteenth part of his original light and Sanjana came back to live with Sun.

Another legend gives the credit of to Sanjanas Father Vishwakarma, He decided to help her and trimmed Surya's Brillance and aura reducing his brightness by an eighth. Thus, Sanjna could more easily live close to her husband. From these blazing fragments were made various weapons of the gods, including Vishnu’s discus, Shiva’s trident, Kubera’s club, and Karttikeya’s lance.

A powerful race of Hindu kings are supposed to be the direct descendant of Sun god. This dynasty known as Suryavanshi, first king of this dynasty was Iskwakoo and later incarnation of Vishnu, Lord Rama was born in this dynasty. The Mahabharata describes one of its warrior heroes, Karna, as being the son of the Pandava mother Kunti and Surya. Various other offspring sometimes attributed to Surya include the monkey chief Sugriva, Ushas, the personification of Dawn in early texts.

The charioteer of Surya is Aruna, who is also personified as the redness that accompanies the sunlight in dawn and dusk. The sun god is driven by a seven-horsed Chariot depicting the seven days of the week. Seven horses pulling the chariot, known as Gayatri, Brhati, Usnik, Jagati, Tristup, Anustup and Pankti. These seven horses are metaphorically speaking are also the seven colours which the Sunlight consists of and known as 'VIBGYOR'.

Surya is considered the King of the nine Grahas of Vedic Astrology. These are the Surya, Chandra, Buddha, Mangal, Shukra, Guru, and Shani, plus Chaya Grahas (ascending and descending nodes) of Rahu and Ketu, all visible to the naked eye.

In other stories involving Surya, the sun-god gave the White Yajurveda (a collection of mantras) to the sage Yajnavalkya. Ever generous, Surya also gave the magical syamantaka gem to Satrajit, a nobleman known for his devout worship of the god. This stone, if the owner were a good person, could produce a huge quantity of gold on a daily basis and dispelled all fears. If the owner was evil, then it proved their undoing with deadly consequences.

Hanuman and Surya Namaskar

Pawan putra Hanuman or Anjanaye swamy   was born with supernormal powers. As a child he was a voracious eater. One day when his mother was out, he was hungry and looking for food. He looked outside and saw the Sun just rising on the horizon. He mistook it for a ripe mango and wanted to eat it. Using his supernormal powers, he took a big leap and soared to grab the sun. He grabbed the sun and began to put it into his mouth to eat it. As soon as he put the sun in his mouth, the earth began to get engulfed in darkness. The gods in heaven really got worried and requested Hanuman to release the sun. The stubborn child refused. Indra, the Lord of all gods, had to use his weapon, the diamond thunderbolt (Vajra) and threw it at Hanuman. The weapon came and hit Hanuman’s jaw. Out of pain, Hanuman opened his mouth and dropped the sun, thus bringing the universe back to sunlight. But the thrust of the Vajra broke his jaw (hanu), giving him the nickname by which we know him today, “Hanuman, the one with the broken jaw.” The gods, as punishment for Hanuman’s impunity, temporarily took away Hanuman’s powers. Only after they were threatened by Vayu, the wind god, Hanuman’s father, they realized their mistake and gave Hanuman a boon that would give him special powers of strength, speed, shape-transform, a gift for celibacy, a prodigious memory, and the qualities of a true lover of God, all of which would be restored to him in the future when he would meet and serve Lord Rama.

In the meantime, Hanuman, as a Growing child, needed an education. His mother, Anjana, instructed him to approach sun, the perennial teacher, to teach him about all sacred scriptures. Initially, the sun refused Hanuman’s request stating that it is not possible to learn from him as he is constantly on the move. Hanuman insisted and assured the sun that he would keep pace with the sun while getting his education. The sun agreed and imparted all the knowledge of the Vedas and other Shastra’s to Hanuman. In gratitude, Hanuman offered to pay his "guru dakshina" (traditional fee for the teacher) but the sun refused. Hanuman then decided to propitiate his teacher through the practice of Surya Namaskaar which he dedicated to the sun and began practicing it regularly. That is how the practice of Surya Namaskaar was born.

Surya Namaskaar: A simple twelve step exercise to be performed at the time of Sunrise facing east.

Basic Astrological facts about Surya 

Karaka for-----------------------1,9,10 Houses.
Gender of Sun------------------Masculine.
Sun is the karaka---------------The Soul.
Sun as relationship ------------Father.
Planetary cabinet status-------King.
Temperament of Sun ----------Fixed and Steady.
Element governed-------------Agni or Fire.
Primary quality or Guna -----Sattva Guna

Caste of the Sun ---------------Kshatriya or Warrior.
Nature of Sun-------------------Cruel and Malefic.
Directional strength -----------In the Tenth House.
Directional weakness --------- In the Fourth House.

Duration in each Sign----------1 month.

Daily Movement ---------------1 degree (app).

Zodiacal Sign------------------- Leo.
Zodiacal House-----------------Natural astrological fifth house.
Sign of exaltation of Sun------Aries.
Sign of debilitation of Sun ---Libra.
Weak sign of Sun -------------Aquarius. 

               

Functional Benefic for ------- Aries, Taurus, Leo, Scorpio and Sagittarius.

Functional Malefic for-------- Gemini, Pisces and to some extent Capricorn.

Neutral for---------------------- Cancer.

Finger----------------------------Ring.
Sun's friends are---------------Moon, Mars, and Jupiter.
Sun's enemies are--------------Venus and Saturn.
Sun is neutral with------------ Mercury. 

Marna karna Sthana-----------12th house.

Aspect---------------------------7^th.

Special aspect------------------Nil

Rules Varga Chart------------- D1.
Sun's Dasha period------------ Six Years.
Nakshatras----------------------Krittika, Uttara Phalguni and Uttara Ashadha.

Body part:---------------------- -Head, heart, brain, right eye, bones, mouth, spleen and blood circulation
Day of the week---------------  Sunday.
Direction------------------------ East.
Season--------------------------- Grishma or summer season.
Metals----------------------------Gold and Copper.
Gemstone------------------------Ruby.
Substitute gemstones-----------Red garnet and Sunstone.
Colours ------------------------- Saffron, Light red and Orange.
Food and flavors---------------Things of pungent taste.
Geometrical shape-------------A quadrangle.
Numbers------------------------1, 10, 19, 28 and all those that adds up to 1, are governed by it.

Deity-----------------------------Lord Vishnu.

Avatar----------------------------Rama

Vedic Mantra-------------------Om Grhani Suryay Namah.

Beej Mantra--------------------Om Hraang Hreeng Hraung Sah Suryay Namah - 7000 times

The Surya Stotra---------------Om Jaba kusuma sankasam kashyapeyam mahadutim tamorim sarva paapghnam                                                         pranatosmi Divakaram

Gayatri Mantra----------------Om Adityaye vidmahe divakaraya dhimahi tanno suryay prachodayat

Articles of Donation--------- Wheat, Copper, Jaggery, Red flowers, Red Cloth, Ghee, Red Sandal, Ruby, Gold 

Pooja--------------------------- Rudrabhishek.

Rudraksh---------------------- Wear one mukhi (one faced) or twelve mukhi (twelve faced) Rudraksh.

 Surya yantra

PHYSICAL APPEARANCE

Sun If Strong in Natives horoscope say in Ascendant or 10th house where it has Dikbala gives the native honey coloured eyes, broad shoulders, lean and muscular body, large and round face, short hairs and the colour of skin is blackish Red. The height is average and the immunity power is good and a commanding speech.

The Sun stands for the psychological basis that determine your identity, actions and who you truly are. It shows the prime energy pattern of your psyche and body and it also describes your consciousness, individuality, ego, creativity and self-image. The position of the Sun in the natal chart by sign, house and aspect will describe your potential creativity and the way you should ideally seek to express yourself. Amongst the twelve zodiac signs Sun governs the zodiac sign Leo, so people with Sun as ruling planet born either on a Sunday or in Leo sign or with sun in the Ascendant will have special characteristics. Sun in astrology is considered to have a regal air so it rules royalty, great political power, state and the higher positions as well. It also signifies good health, vitality and wellbeing. A strong Sun in horoscope indicates a person with leadership qualities. Such a person usually enjoys a higher position in society It bestows true love towards everything and everybody. Strong-will, individuality, royalty, Majestic & magnetic nature, boldness, brilliance, energy, dignity, Kind-heart, optimism, Kingly, well-reputation, and ambitious are some key qualities due to 'beneficial Sun'.

                A person whose kundali has a weak Sun is usually ill and unhealthy. Due to this, the other planets are also unable to give fruitful results. Sun’s relation with other planets is also important. It is important to check if the Sun is exalted, debilitated, friendly or an enemy to other planets. Sun influences the looks, height, complexion and other traits of a person. A weak Sun gives inauspicious results. It is important to understand the strength, effects and relations of Sun with other planets while analysing a Kundali. Unfavourable placement of Sun can make a person arrogant and may cause mental and emotional disorders. A weak Sun in horoscope can also affect one’s relation with father or cause problem to father. It is responsible for lack of confidence and in most places, letting others dominate the situation. The person would hate to be in charge. On the other hand, such folks generally lack ego, are perceptive and open to ideas. They show lack of ego. A weak sun would be responsible for heart disease, weak bones in the body.

On the other hand, 'afflicted Sun' makes one bluff, angry, arrogant, jealous, lavish, over ambitious, irritable, and egoistical. The Sun is reckoned 'afflicted' when it is unfavourable debilitated or take an appropriate house placement in one's natal- chart. In one's birth-chart, it generally encompasses Squares, Quincunxes, oppositions and Conjunctions. Heavy affliction of Sun in one's natal-chart sometimes gives lots of psychological problems. Whereas, if it shows in one's natal-chart that the Sun conjunct the Ascendant, the person will be recognized as a 'highly-confident' person. People born with Sun square Ascendant do not like to come across before masses, and often they are known as a person with 'attitude.

Positive key words for Sun: Creativity, Vitality, Leadership, Confidence & Generosity.
Negative key words for Sun: Arrogance, Cruelty, Conceit, Pomposity & Aggression.

Body parts, function and diseases governed by Surya
Surya is the life giver to our physical bodies and controls the prana or life force. The placement of the Sun is very important for overall health as it governs entire constitution of the body. No number of words can express the Sun's importance in bodily functions. It rules the heart, eyes, upper back and spine, aorta and blood circulation. All heart related problem arise due to affliction to Sun or its sign Leo, this includes enlarged heart conditions, palpitations of the heart, cholesterol-related degeneration of the heart, angina, pericarditis, endocarditis, blood pressure and heart attacks. High fevers, back problem, diseases of the bone marrow, Migraine, Gonorrhoea, Poisoning, Skin disease, diseases related to head and brain like epilepsy, cerebral disorders, bone weakness and diseases of bones and sunstroke and difficulty in movements, rheumatic fever and sunstroke.

Professions governed by the Sun
Any profession or employment having authority, command and power. Generally any service under Government but specifically high posts like department heads, envoy, ambassador, counsel general, ministers, etc. Employment in fields related to gold, manufacturing and trading in wool and woollen goods, wood and wooden furniture. Traders of wheat, grains, pulses and cereals. Career related to bankers, presidents, stock exchange, engineering and occupations involving children and related to entertainment, amusement and theatres. Service in medical department, particularly heart and child specialist.

Herbs :Solar energy is increased by taking spicy and fiery herbs, like cayenne, black pepper, dry ginger, long pepper, cardamom, saffron, calamus, bayberry and cinnamon (specifically the Ayurvedic formula Trikatu). Calamus is best for the sattvic side of solar energy in the mind. Aromatic oils and fragrances for the Sun are camphor, cinnamon, and eucalyptus, saffron-most warm and stimulating oils.

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