Understanding of Rahu and Ketu

Sanatana Dharma Philosophy

According to Puranas, the birth of Rahu and Ketu dates back to earliest of times.‘Samudra Manthan’ is regarded as one of the most important events in the history of Hindu civilization. Following which, Solar and Lunar eclipse are also associated with ‘Samudra Manthan’. When the ocean was churned by the Asuras and Devas, ‘Amrit’ was produced. This Amrit was stolen by Asuras and to obtain the Amrit, Lord Vishnu took incarnation in the form of a beautiful damsel ‘Mohini’ and tried to please and distract the demons. On receiving the Amrit, Mohini came to Devas to distribute it to them.

‘Svarbhanu’, one of the asuras changed his appearance to a deva to obtain some portion of the Amrit. However, Surya (Sun) and the Chandra (Moon) realized that Svarbhanu was an Asura and not one of the devas. Knowing this, Lord Vishnu severed Svarbhanu’s head with his discus, the Sudarshan Charka.

However, even though his head and body became separated, they still remained immortal as the separate entity because before his head was served, he managed to drink a drop of the nectar from the Amrit. The Head is known as Rahu and the headless body is the Ketu. Since then Rahu and Ketu constantly chase the Sun and the Moon for revenge as they are the cause of separating the head and body of the Asura Rahu. It is a popular belief that when they succeed catching Sun and Moon they swallow them causing Solar or Lunar eclipse but they can’t hold them for long and Sun and Moon emerge again intact as they also had nectar and are immortal.

Scientifically, Rahu and Ketu denote the two points of intersection of the paths of the Sun and the Moon as they move around the celestial sphere. Therefore, Rahu and Ketu are respectively called the North and the South Lunar nodes. Sometimes when the moon passes these nodes, it is aligned perfectly between the earth and the sun to create eclipses.

The fact that eclipses occur when Sun and Moon are at one of these points gives rise to the myth of the swallowing of the Sun. They transit in retrograde motion (in opposite direction to all other planets), hence they are not stationary. In Hindu astrology (Jyotish-Shastra), these cycles of Rahu and Ketu are well known, but their association with eclipses served to make the characters Rahu and Ketu relatively unknown, hidden and dark.

Geological position of rahu and ketu

Rahu and Ketu are considered as two strong planets as per the principles of Vedic Astrology, although, astronomically, they do not exist. Since Rahu and Ketu are believed to have a strong impact on our lives, they are a crucial part of Jyotish Shastra and are denoted as mathematical points while making calculations in Vedic Astrology. The general explanation is that Sun represents body whereas Moon represents mind, hence, these incision points strongly affects the energies of these two parts of the bodies.

KETU

In Hindu astrology Ketu represents karmic collections both good and bad, spirituality and supernatural influences. Ketu signifies the spiritual process of the refinement of materialisation to spirit and is considered both malefic and benefic, as it causes sorrow and loss, and yet at the same time turns the individual to God. In other words, it causes material loss in order to force a more spiritual outlook in the person. Ketu is a karaka or indicator of intelligence, wisdom, non-attachment, fantasy, penetrating insight, derangement, and psychic abilities. Ketu is believed to bring prosperity to the devotee's family, removes the effects of snakebite and illness arising out of poisons. He grants good health, wealth and cattle to his devotees. Ketu is the lord of three nakshatras or lunar mansions: Ashvini, Magha and Mula.

Ketu is considered responsible for moksha, sannyasa, self-realization, gnana, a wavering nature, restlessness, the endocrine system and slender physique.

The people who come under the influence of Ketu can achieve great heights, most of them spiritual.

the negative effects of Ketu can cause diseases related to lungs, ear problems, brain disorders, problems in the intestine, etc. It represents mystic activities, wounds, sufferings, bad company, false pride, etc. Ketu also stands for moksha, sudden gains, interest in philosophical pursuits, spiritual pursuits, etc.

RAHU

In Hindu Astrology Rahu represents materialism, mischief, fear, insatisfaction, obsession and confusion. Rahu is also associated with politicians and occult sciences. Like Ketu, Rahu is also an enemy against the sun and moon.

Generally, astrology mentions that Rahu represents indulgence. Some of the negative effects of Rahu are Mental illnesses, theft, losses, the death of family members, legal hassles, etc. It also represents diseases such as leprosy, skin diseases, breathing problems, ulcers, etc. Rahu is also behind the instant success or failure of a person. However, if Rahu is well placed, it can bestow the native with courage and fame. 

Rahu is an obssessive energy which wants to get the things related to that house but doesn't know how. He will fake it till he makes it and use any measure to attain his goals without thinking how or why it affects others around him. Because of this, He is known as the trouble maker of astrology.

On the other hand, We would never have the luxuries of life we experience if it were not for Rahu life would be stagnant and innovation would be a taboo concept.

Other Technical aspect of Rahu and Ketu: As per Hindu astrology Rahu and Ketu have an orbital cycle of 18 years and are always 180 degrees from each other orbitally (as well as in the birth charts). This coincides with the precessional orbit of moon or the ~18 year rotational cycle of the lunar ascending and descending nodes on the earth's ecliptic plane. This also corresponds to a saros, a period of approximately 223 synodic months (approximately 6585.3211 days, or 18 years, 11 days, 8 hours), that can be used to predict eclipses of the Sun and Moon. Rahu rules the zodiac sign of Aquarius together with Shani(Saturn).

Astronomically, Rahu and Ketu denote the points of intersection of the paths of the Sun and the Moon as they move on the celestial sphere. Therefore, Rahu and Ketu are respectively called the north and the south lunar nodes. The fact that eclipses occur when the Sun and the Moon are at one of these points gives rise to the understanding of swallowing of the Sun and the Moon by the snake. Rahu is responsible for causing the Eclipse of the Sun.