Vedic Tradition

In Vedic scriptures and Jyotisha (Vedic astronomy and astrology), the Sun is classified as a Graha. While the English word "planet" is often used to translate Graha, the Sanskrit term has a distinct and deeper meaning.

• Graha vs. Planet: The word Graha comes from the Sanskrit root grah, which means "to grasp," "to attract," or "to influence." In Vedic thought, a Graha is any celestial body or cosmic node that exerts a gravitational and subtle energetic influence on Earth and living beings.
• King of the Navagrahas: Surya (the Sun) is considered the Graharaja (king of the nine cosmic influences or Navagrahas), which also include Chandra (Moon), planets, and mathematical lunar nodes (Rahu and Ketu).
• Cosmic Soul: The Rigveda (1.115.1) states: Surya Atma Jagatas Tasthushascha—"Surya is the Soul (Atman) of everything that moves and does not move."

Therefore, while modern astronomy categorizes the Sun as a star, Vedic traditions view Surya as the central divine Graha, representing the supreme source of visible light, time (Kala), and vital energy (Prana).

FOLLOW-UP: Would you like to learn about the spiritual significance of worshipping Surya through Surya Namaskar or the Gayatri Mantra?