The Sun: Astrological Effects and Remedies

A brilliant globe of light rising on the eastern horizon and setting in the west with unerring regularity called the sun has awe-inspired mankind since its inception. This sole sustainer of terrestrial life undergoes constant fusion reaction on its surface as per modern science in which two atoms of hydrogen fuse together to form one atom of helium and in the process an incredible amount of energy is released. The latest scientific developments have enabled man to pursue his search for extra-solar planets about 90 of which have been discovered so far but without any confirmation of extraterrestrial life being present there primarily due to the lack of a special combination of factors like right distance of planets from the sun, right size of the planet, presence of an atmosphere and most importantly the presence of water. These studies further emphasize the uniqueness of our sun-earth relationship which is apparently purely astronomical in nature but in effect astrological too.

A great deal of our ancients� attention was focused on the Sun who well recognized its central position in our solar system and also the fact that many such suns are scattered across various galaxies. These and many other astronomical and astrological facts of importance are well documented in our ancient scriptures including Suryasiddhanta.

In ancient lore, there is a story about Maya demon, who, after a long tapa was blessed by the Sun God, a part of whom appeared before him and granted him a boon. Maya asked to make him known the mystery and secret workings of nature and the science of Jyotisha was explained to him by the Sun God himself. Jyotisha contained both predictive and mathematical portions.

In predictive astrology, the Sun represents royal position, the king, authority father, Atma(self), Tanu(body) and especially the portion of head. Astrologically, if Sun is ill-placed or afflicted in any manner it can affect the abovementioned significations adversely but as taken in conjunction with its lordship. We will discuss in the course of this article positive or negative effects of the Sun with respect to different lagans(Ascendants), such placements and the Rajayogas(combinations for attaining high positions) it is capable of formation.

Aries Lagna: Sun is the ruler of 5th house for this Lagna ruling children, education and intellect. Sun is a benefic planet here. It can form Rajayogas with mars, Moon and Venus for this Lagna in the ascending order of power.

Positive Placements: Lagna, 2nd 3rd, 5th, 9th, 10th and 11th houses. Rest of the placements is negative.

Taurus Lagna : Sun rules the 4th house for this Lagna ruling mother, heart, domestic attachments and property related matters. Sun can form Rajayogas with Venus(blemished due to 6th lordship), mercury and Saturn in the ascending order of power.

Positive placements : Lagna, 2nd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 9th, 10th and 11th. Rest of the placements are negative.

Gemini Lagna : 3rd house is governed by the Sun for this Lagna representing younger siblings, prowess, shoulders and arms etc. Sun is a functional malefic here.

Positive placements : Lagna, 2nd, 3rd, 6th, 8th, 11th and 12th. Rest of the placements are negative.

Cancer Lagna : Sun is ruler of the 2nd house ruling wealth speech, right eye, face and neck. Sun is a strong Maraka for Cancer Lagna. As 2nd lord, Sun is a neutral planet. It can form Dhanayogas( combinations for wealth) with Moon, Venus and Jupiter(blemished).

Positive placements : Lagna, 2nd, 3rd, 5th, 9th, 10th and 11th. Rest of the placements are negative.

Leo Lagna : Sun is lord of Lagna for the Leo natives. It is an unflinching benefic here. Sun can form Rajayogas with Mars, Jupiter(blemished), Saturn(blemished) and Venus(slightly blemished).

Positive placements : Lagna, 2nd, 4th, 5th, 7th, 9th, 10th and 11th. Rest of the placements are negative.

Virgo Lagna : Sun is lord of the 12th here ruling losses, expenditure etc. Although 12th lord is a neutral planet here still because of being a Dusthana(negative house) lord usually it is taken to be a malefic.

Positive placements : 2nd, 3rd, 6th, 8th and 12th. Rest of the placements are negative.

Libra Lagna : Sun being lord of the 11th house for Libra Lagna rules gains, profits, friends etc. Sun is a functional malefic here. But as its significations are positive it is usually taken to be a benefic. It can form Dhanayogas with Mars(lord of 2nd), Mercury(9th lord) and Venus(Lagna lord).

Positive placements : 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 7th, 9th, 11th. Rest of the placements are negative.

Scorpio Lagna : Being lord of the 10th Sun rules government, father etc. for Scorpio Lagna. Here the Sun has got a special role to play. Being both the karaka as well as the lord of the abovementioned significations it can show accentuated effects of its position in these areas of life. It can form Rajayogas with Mars(blemished), Jupiter and Moon in the ascending order of power.

Positive placements : Lagna, 2nd, 4th, 5th, 7th, 9th, 10, 11th and 12th. Rest of the placements are negative.

Sagittarius Lagna : As lord of 9th house, Sun represents bhagya(fortune), foreign travel and fame for this Lagna. Sun is a benefic for Sagittarius Lagna natives. Sun can form Rajayogas with the Jupiter and Mercury as lords of Kendras.

Positive placements : Lagna, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 7th, 9th and 10th. Rest of the placements are negative.

Capricorn Lagna : Sun rules the 8th house for this Lagna and represents Ayus(longevity), suffering and diminution but under a special rule of Parashara Sun and the Moon are exempt from the Dosha(blemish)of 8th lordship. Hence Sun is a functional benefic but can be taken to be a slight malefic because of the inherently negative significations of the 8th house.

Positive placements : 3rd, 6th and 10th. Rest of the placements are negative.

Aquarius Lagna : The Sun rules 7th house for Aquarius Lagna. It represents marriage, travel, partnerships. Sun is a benefic here. It can form Rajayogas with Saturn, Mercury(blemished) and Venus in the ascending order of power. It has also been assigned Maraka powers and its connection with 2nd house can be especially harmful in relation to health. Positive placements : Lagna, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 10th and 11th. Rest of the placements are negative.

Pisces Lagna : Sun is lord of the 6th for Pisces Lagna ruling enemies, debts and diseases. It is a full-fledged malefic here.

Positive placements : 3rd, 6th, 8th and 12th. Rest of the placements are negative.

These positions of the Sun should not be taken as decisively positive or negative on the basis of the results given above without looking into other planets� influence and especially Bhava degrees, the degrees of the planets and the power of the Sun in the horoscope of a particular individual.

Astrological Remedies for the Sun If Sun is negatively disposed in a particular horoscope due to either malefic placement, aspect or conjunction proper remedies can be performed to ward off the evil. These can be performed especially in the major or sub-periods of the Sun.

Mani : A good quality Ruby of at least 5.25 Ratti or 5 carat weight approximately can be worn in a gold ring on a Sunday. The weight of the stone should be in accordance with the power of the planet to bring evil to the concerned person.

1. Trial : First one should keep the stone for 2-3 days below his head while sleeping and look out for the indications he may receive in the form of dreams or otherwise. Then the stone can be worn in red cloth on arm or in the ring only after proper Shuddhi(purification).

2. Shuddhi(Purification) : The stone should be purified with snana(bathing) in pure water, unboiled milk, honey, curd, pure ghee and lastly in the Ganges water. Then Dhoopa, Deepa(incense) should be shown before wearing the stone. During Shuddhi(purification) of the stone one should constantly chant Surya Mantra to seek the blessings of the Sun God.

Fasting : This is also an effective remedy. While fasting for the Sun one should eat only once which can be sweet but salt is to be avoided. Something made of guda can be eaten. For the rest of the day one can take fruits, milk etc. fasting on Sunday in the aforesaid manner is said to ward off the evil. In my opinion, fasting should be continued for the whole of the astrologically affected period.

Charity : One should perform charity on Sundays for seeking positive effects of the Sun. For this purpose, one should donate red articles like clothes, pulses etc. in the quantities of a whole and a quarter(1 � ). This can also be continued without break on Sundays.

Japa(Chanting) : Japa(chanting) of the Surya mantra can be performed with complete austerities. Usually, the number can be one hundred and twenty five thousand(125,000) but can also be its half depending on the power of the Sun.

Surya Mantra : Om hraang hreeng hraung sah suryaya namah.

One should fix the number, place and time of the Japa(chanting) for daily routine and strictly adhere to it. A Raktachandan Mala(rosary) and a woolen asana can be used for the purpose. One who performs Japa(chanting) should be a Brahmin and know the correct pronunciation of the mantra from an able guru.

Astrological remedies can work wonders if performed carefully and their power should never be underestimated.