To this Father of five feet and twelve forms, in the upper half of heaven, they say is established upon water. And to this other, to the omniscient of seven wheels and six spokes, they say is established.

This is the verse mentioned about the sun. The descriptions are enigmatic and symbolic:

Pañcapād — “five feet.” It refers to the five seasons of the year according to the Vedic calendar, or to the five elements that constitute the universe.

Dvādaśākṛti — “twelve forms.” The twelve months of the year, during which the sun changes form according to its zodiacal position.

Purīṣiṇam — “established upon water.” The sun seems to float upon the clouds, upon the “celestial ocean” of the sky.

Saptacakra — “seven wheels.” The seven celestial bodies (sun, moon and five known planets), or the seven cakra of the subtle body of which the sun is the cosmic expression.

Ṣaḍara — “six spokes.” The six directions (the four cardinals, above and below), or the six darśana (philosophical systems) that sustain the Vedāntic vision.

Vicakṣaṇa — “omniscient, of penetrating vision.” The sun sees everything, nothing is hidden from it. Thus the yogī aspirant develops the inner vision that perceives reality as it is.