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| SURYA - THE 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. 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. 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. His nature, or temperament
is PITTA, or fiery, and the gemstone associated with the Sun is the red ruby.
The Sun's metal is Gold and his direction is east. His day is Sunday, and he
comes into full maturity and brilliance at age 22.
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 legend that depict the influence of the worship of SURYA goes as follows,
and is narrated whenever a worship or offering is made to the deity.
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| SURYA AS SEEN IN TEMPLES |
There was a wife and her mother-in-law. The husband of the daughter-in-law was
an incarnation of Sun god, for a while he came home and then disappeared. Whenever
he came home he used to give a diamond to his wife and mother. One day the mother
told the son that the wealth given by him was not enough to meet their expenses.
The son in anguish said, "Except for eating and wearing garment, you do
nothing else. You do not care for your duties and that is the reason for your
discontentment." Then both the mother and daughter-in-law started going
for a ritual bath in the month of Kartik (October-November) regularly. After
twelve years, the mother prayed to Surya (Sun god). The result was plenty of
food and other requirements. The daughter-in-law also worshipped Surya, who on
appearance asked her to demand a boon. She said, "My husband remains away
from me. I request him to be near me"
At night the husband said to his mother that he would sleep at home. The wife
was happy and on a decorated bed, the husband lay. The whole world plunged into
darkness. All gods came and requested the mother to awaken her son. On the appearance
of the son, he asked gods that as long as his wife and mother take bath in Kartik
regularly, till then the mother Ganges should flow by the side of their house
and that Riddhi and Siddhi (consorts of Ganesha denoting wealth and prosperity)
should reside in this house. Since then Kartik bath has gained importance, by
which sins are excused and in the end, the devotee goes to heaven. The Sun (Surya)
worship exerts favorable influence on the devotees. |
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