Rahu and Ketu- Meaning and Effects
By: Future Point | 18-May-2021
Views : 8824
Effects of Rahu and Ketu in Horoscope: In Vedic Astrology, Rahu and Ketu are the most talked about topics. Known to put its strong influence on human lives these two are not planets but the Lunar Nodes. Unlike the seven planets (Grahas) they have no mass and are the two points of intersection between the paths of the Sun and the Moon as they move around the celestial sphere. These mathematical points are referred to as the shadow planets. Our solar system is structured in such a manner that it takes approximately 365 days for the Earth to complete one round of the Sun and the moon takes approximately 28 days to orbit around the Earth. These two orbital paths are completely independent from each other.
At least twice a year, these paths intersect to create eclipses to the Sun and the Moon. They are so powerful that for a short time, they take over the Sun or Moon with their darkness. This also gives birth to the myth that they have swallowed the luminaries. Rahu is an ascending point called the North node whereas Ketu is a descending point called the South node. These non stationery shadow planets move in retrograde motion. They are always placed opposite to each other in the sky and their placement in the chart shows the main purpose of a native’s life.
Associated myth with the nodes:
The myth lies in the ancient Puranic texts of the time before creation. ‘Samudra Manthan’ is known as one of the prominent events in the historic pages of the Hindu religion. The ocean was churned by the Gods and demons and ‘Amrit’ was produced. This Amrit known for immortality was stolen by Asuras, Lord Vishnu then took incarnation as a beautiful damsel named Mohini to distract and snatch amrit from them.
She succeeded and started distributing it amongst devas. ‘Svarbhanu’, one of the asuras disguised himself as deva and sat in the rows of devas to obtain some portion of the Amrit. However, Surya (Sun) and the Chandra (Moon) soon realized him as asura and immediately complained to Lord Vishnu, who in turn severed the head of Svarbhanu with his discus, the Sudarshan Charka. However, even though his head and body was separated but since he managed to have a drop of nectar, he remained immortal as two separate entities i.e. a head and a tail. The Head is known as Rahu and the tail is the Ketu.
Since then Rahu and Ketu are constantly chasing the luminaries to take revenge and whenever they get the chase they swallow them causing Solar or Lunar eclipses. They however can’t take hold on them for a long time as the Sun and Moon also had nectar and they emerge intact out of their grips.
Impact of Rahu and Ketu
Since Rahu and Ketu exert a strong impact on our lives, they hold a crucial position in Jyotish Shastra and are considerably noticed while making calculations in Vedic Astrology. The Sun and the Moon respectively represents our body and mind. So, these incision points strongly bear an influence on these two aspects of human existence.
Hindu Astrology considers both the nodes as malefics. While Rahu stands for mundane prosperity, Ketu symbolises spiritual vibrations required for emancipation. In accordance with different permutations and combinations of different planets in a native's chart, these astrological points also indicate Raja-yogas in a chart. As per scholars, Rahu and Ketu, placed within two degrees of the Ascendant, affect a person with unusual personality traits and distinctive appearance.
In general astrological terms, Rahu stands for indulgence. Some of the bad effects of Rahu are mental imbalances, losses, theft, deaths in a family, legal suits, etc. It also represents conditions like leprosy, skin related diseases, breathing problems, ulcers, etc.
Rahu is also a prime cause of instant success or failure in a person’s life. However, a well placed Rahu can bless the native with immense courage and fame. Simultaneously, the negative effects of Ketu include lungs diseases, brain disorders, ear problems, problems in intestine, etc. It also represents mysticism, wounds, false pride, bad company etc. Ketu also recognises moksha, philosophical bends, sudden gains and spiritual pursuits etc.
Rahu and Ketu tend to act on emotional level and absorb the traits of the sign of their depositor. Rarely they give favourable results and in their dasha or antardasha the native may suffer their malefic effects.
The energies of different planets put varied influences as described below:
Effect of Mercury:
Rahu also signifies intelligence just as Mercury does but this is more intuitive in nature. Some of the results of Mercury over Rahu are unnecessary lying, trickery and deceit.
Effect of Mars:
When with Mars, Rahu becomes more aggressive. Many heroes like Shivaji also had this combination and he fought for good cause. So, this says that even though loaded with unnecessary violence, Rahu can also have a positive impact on an individual's energy.
Effect of Jupiter:
Jupiter with Rahu makes the Guru-Chandal Yoga. This leads to extremes of religiousness and sometimes misuse of powers also.
Effects of Sun:
Rahu is also called the 'Artificial Sun' as it shows off the outer traits of an individual’s personality, formed as per his karmas in his previous births.
Effect of the Moon:
When the moon is eclipsed by Rahu, it results in disturbed mental states in an individual. Emotional ups and downs, phobias, lunacy and loneliness are some of the manifestations.
Effect of the Saturn:
when the Saturnine influences are exaggerated by the association of Rahu, its results are ignored self, orthodox thinking, unreasonable dominance etc.
Effect of the Venus:
Rahu is considered a female planet, so, obviously, it inclines towards pomp and show. It also results in extreme sexual desires and offenses.
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About the Maha Dasha of Rahu
Mahadasha of Rahu runs for 18 years and the first six years of this dasha period is seen as a building period, the middle six years is the time to enjoy the fruits of your efforts, while the last six years are seen as the completion time.
In a sense, the Rahu Maha Dasha is an 'adventurous period', which pushes a person beyond his comfort zone and break down the vicious karmic cycles. This period also has the ability to bestow fame and honour along with material prosperity on an individual.
Some cautions:
- The beginning is a period of transformation.
- One can feel lethargic with the onset of the Rahu dasha, and the person strives to find his real self.
- Difficulty in concentration and new routines generally replace the old ones.
- In extreme cases, an individual ends up losing everything and by the end of the period, needs to start afresh.
- Arguments and misunderstandings between colleagues, family, friends and relatives may also be countered.
However, the Dasha alone is not responsible for these good or bad results. The placement of other planets with respect to Rahu plays a vital role. So, all the effects can be well understood after consulting an expert astrologer.
Rahu Graha Shanti
- If Rahu isn’t favourable in the birth chart following remedies can be followed:
- Chanting the Beej Mantra of Rahu for 18000 times helps in doing away the malefic effects of Rahu. The beej mantra is “Om Bhram Bhreem Bhroum Sah Rahave Namah”.
- Keeping fasts on Saturdays also help to reduce the malefic effects of Rahu.
- Donate rice to the Brahmins and the poor.
- Help leprosy patients.
- Help the poor with his/her daughter’s marriage.
- Feeding sweet rotis to crows and keeping fennel seeds under your pillow are some of the effective remedies.
Ketu Graha Shanti
- Chant Ketu Beej mantra 17,000 times and perform Hawan. Ketu Beej mantra is “Om Shram Shreem Shroum Sah Ketave Namah”.
- Donate blankets, calf, goat, sesame, grey coloured materials and iron weapons.
- Observe fasts on Tuesday and Saturday.
- Feed a dog; also feed Brahmins rice cooked with cereals.
- Helping old and needy people also help to reduce its ill-effects.
These are the effects of Rahu and Ketu on astrological charts and sometimes these shadow planets also showers immense blessings on the natives which can be well understood after a detailed talk with the astrologer. So, in order to pacify or take the optimum benefits an astrologer must be consulted.
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