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Graha
Surya (Sun)
The Sun is the atmakaraka — the significator of the soul itself: your core self, your vitality, your father, and the authority you carry into the world.
| Signifies | Soul, self, father, authority, vitality, the bones and heart |
|---|---|
| Rules | Leo (Simha) |
| Exalted | Aries |
| Debilitated | Libra |
| Day | Sunday |
| Gemstone | Ruby (Manikya) |
What the Sun signifies
In Jyotish the Sun is the king of the chart and the atmakaraka — the steady flame of the self. It governs the father, the ego in its healthy sense, physical vitality, and any role that asks a person to lead or stand visible. Where the Sun sits is where you are asked to shine honestly and take responsibility for what bears your name.
Strong Sun, afflicted Sun
A well-placed Sun gives confidence without arrogance, good health, and natural authority. Pressed — combust neighbours, a hard aspect, or its fall in Libra — it can tip into either ego and rigidity or, conversely, low self-worth and trouble with father figures and bosses. The Sun conjunct a node forms Grahan Dosha, an 'eclipse' of that light.
Traditional remedies
The Sun is honoured at dawn: offering water to the rising sun (Surya Arghya), the Aditya Hridayam, Sunday observance, and — on a qualified astrologer's advice — a ruby. The deeper remedy is behavioural: integrity, humility, and taking one's rightful responsibility rather than shrinking from or inflating it.
Common questions
What does the Sun represent in Vedic astrology?
The soul, the self, vitality, the father, and authority. It is the atmakaraka — the significator of the soul — and rules the sign Leo.
Which sign is the Sun strongest in?
The Sun is exalted in Aries and rules Leo; it is at its weakest (debilitated) in Libra. Cast your chart to see the Sun's sign, house and dignity.