One of its names is Aditya ("first born"). It is also called Bhutasya Jatah (creator or father of all bhutas, i.e., objects and ingredients from which objects assume form). He is the ruler of all the planets. The Sun represents the male or father principle.

The Sun is the ruler of the zodiac sign Leo. It is regarded as a malefic planet, but it is actually an auspicious planet. Its' friendship with Jupiter is sattvik (pure, as Jupiter is the teacher of the Sun). With the Moon the relationship is rajasic and with Mars, tamasic.

The Sun gives us vitality and the power of resistance and immunity. It is responsible for our physical makeup - the body's constitution. The Sun gives life force, the power of will, intellect, brilliance, prosperity, success in worldly affairs, wealth, personal conduct, activity, cheerfulness, good fortune, wisdom, ambition, fame, the understanding of the phenomenal world, and the knowledge of medicine.

The gemstone related to the Sun is the ruby - the metal is gold. The Sun rules number 1 in indian numerology.

Synthesized extract by Seema Johari from "The Healing Power of Gemstones", which gives detailed information on the relationship between vedic astrology, horoscopes and gemology (click here for all extracts from this book) - as well as from "The Planet Meditation Kit", which gives an overview of the actions that can be performed to become more in tune with the planets and individual horoscopes, as well as 5 one-hour audio tapes with Mantras of the Planets and the 9 basic yantras of the planets.