Surya

SOOR-yah

sanskrit: सूर्य (Sūrya)

Definition

Surya is the Sanskrit name for the Sun, also called Ravi — the first of the nine grahas, the celestial agents Vedic astrology reads in a chart. In the Vedic framework the Sun stands for the soul, the father, the king and spiritual authority, and it is held to be the principle of light and life. A well-placed Sun is said to give intelligence, will, courage and leadership; an ill-placed one, weakness of will, low vitality and dishonesty. The Sun also rules the heart.

In Tradition

The sources agree that the Sun, as a graha, is the karaka — the natural significator — of the soul, the father, and kingship or sovereign authority, along with power, strength and courage. Uttara Kalamrita places it at the head of the grahas and names it significator of the soul, of power or strength, of greatest severity, and of the fortress, among many matters; Frawley reads it the same way: the soul, the father, the king and spiritual authority.

In Practice

A jyotishi — a Vedic astrologer — reads the Sun (Surya or Ravi) as the karaka, the natural significator, of certain core matters, so it is consulted whenever those themes come up. Uttara Kalamrita assigns to the Sun the soul, power or strength, the father, kingship and sovereignty, courage, heat and fire, and worship of Shiva, among many other matters. Frawley judges the Sun's condition for the same significations: a well-placed Sun is taken to give intelligence, will, courage and leadership, while an ill-placed one gives weakness of will, low vitality and dishonesty. And because the Sun rules the heart, its state is read in questions of vitality too.

Historical Origin

The Sun's significations as a graha are attested in the classical text Uttara Kalamrita, attributed to Kalidasa, whose significations chapter lists Ravi (also Surya) at the head of the nine grahas. Modern authors carry the same names forward: Frawley in The Astrology of the Seers and Raman in Notable Horoscopes both use Ravi and Surya as Sanskrit terms for the Sun.

Further Reading

  • Kalidasa, Uttara Kalamrita
  • Frawley, The Astrology of the Seers
  • Raman, Notable Horoscopes