The Planet Sun: Nature, function, character and effects of its afflictions

According to astronomy, Sun is the parent of entire solar system. He is also called the ‘Father of Stars’. According to Hindu mythology the centre of all life, force and energy and the giver of Prana, Sun is worshipped as Sun God. He is held in high esteem. At least thrice daily Sun is prayed for by the Sun’s devotees, ‘Surya Namaskar’ is done by many persons to regain the lost vitality and eye sight. Other nations also pay reverence to Sun. He is believed to represent the Creator, the Brahma, with his four faces to have a survey of all the four directions causing four seasons and the four elements Fire, Earth, Air and Water. Amongst the Hindus, it is believed that the Sun is ever moving in a chariot drawn by seven horses. This is probably because in the Sun are contained all the seven colours of the Spectrum (VIBGYOR). When the Sun enters certain significant signs, the Hindus perform some religious function on those days to satisfy the departed souls and offer prayers to Sun God. One such important occasion is Makara Sankranti when Sun enters the sign Capricorn.

Sun stands to us as a symbol of spirit. Sun is the soul of Kala-purusha (The Moon is his mind, Mercury is his speech, Mars is his strength, Jupiter is his knowledge and happiness, Venus is his desire and Saturn is his misery, etc.). It is said that the several constituents of Kala-purusha are either strong or weak according to the strength of the planets representing them, only Saturn is exempted. Whenever Saturn is weak misery will be much greater and will predominate. But if Saturn is strong there will be less misery. For all human beings Sun represents the positive and primal fount. Moon represents the negative influence. Sun is constructive and creative while Moon is preserving and formative. Sun is the father; Moon is the mother. The Sun offers us the power of resistance and vitality. He governs the inspiration and expiration, i.e. breath of life. Also he rules over our consciousness and denotes the individuality whereas the form and personality are attributed to Moon. Sun gives the force and self-will and makes one determined and decisive. According to Briha.t Jatak the Sun possesses a dark-red form. The Moon is white. Mars is of pale red colour. Mercury has the dark green hue of Durua (grass). Jupiter has a body of yellowish hue. Venus is neither very white nor very black. Saturn is dark in form. Rahu is of smoky colour and Ketu is of variegated colours. The substances ascribed to planets from Sun onwards are copper, gems, gold, alloy of metals, silver, pearls and iron. We are sorry, we have created some confusion by bringing all the planets in our description. This is because they are mentioned in this manner in the classical texts. Now we will confine ourselves to the Sun.

The Sun rules the heart, so also the sign Leo (Simha) denotes the heart of the Kala-purusha. Sun also represents the right eye in men and left eye in women. The mouth, throat, spleen and brain are also indicated by Sun. Sun when afflicted will cause defects in the heart or in the eye sight. Saturn afflicting the Sun causes low blood pressure. Mars afflicting the Sun causes haemorrhage, cardiac thrombosis etc. The constitution will be overheated and bilious. Sun also denotes cerebral meningitis, eruptions of the face, loss of speech as a result of cerebral affection, sharp fevers, typhoid, polypus, epilepsy, bile complaints, sun-stroke, scorches and diseases in the head. Beneficial Sun gives ambition, boldness, brilliance, capacity to command, dignity, energy, elevation in rank, faith, fame, grace, generosity, health, hope, happiness, individuality, influence, joy, kind heart, kingly appearance, loyalty, magnanimity, nobility, optimism, power, respect to elders, reputation, royalty, success in worldly affairs, good temperament, vigour and vitality. Afflicted Sun takes away all these good effects and makes one arrogant, a bluff, domineering, egoistical, faithless, vainglorious, haughty, jealous, lavish, over-ambitious or ambitionless, pompous and proud, self-opinionated, irritable, angry and spiteful.