Astronomy:
Rahu and Ketu have been considered as
Grahas in
Vedic astrology.
They have no physical identity but only mathematically calculated
sensitive points having immense influence on the natives of earth.
Moon in its orbit, on a northerly course from South
to North, crosses the ecliptic (the apparent path of Sun). This point
of intersection is known as Rahu or Dragons head. 180 degrees away
from this point, Moon on its southerly course crosses the ecliptic.
This point is called the dragon’s tail or Ketu.
Rahu and Ketu are unique to our system or astrology.
Why so much stress on the point of intersection of the ecliptic is
given has to be understood. While sun is the body and Moon is the
mind the intersection is bound to give immense effect.
Rahu and Ketu are not stationary in space but have
a mean motion of about 19 degrees and 30 minutes in a year. It means
it takes about 18 years and 6 months to make a revolution around
the Earth. This motion is retrograde. There is a concept of Mean
Rahu and True Rahu. In Hindu astrology we take the true position
of Rahu and Ketu.
Mythology:
This story relates to the great churning of the
ocean by the
Devas and the
Asuras to take out
Amrita.
Lord Vishnu with the intention of preserving good made it a
point that the Amrita should not go to the
Asuras. To ensure
this he took the form of
Mohini. Mohini so maneuvered the
sitting arrangement that she got to the
Devtas first. The
Asura to
understand this trick was
Swarbhanu. He took the form of
Devas and
positioned himself in between Sun and Moon. When his term came he
also received Amrita from the disguised Lord Vishnu. Before
Swarbhanu could
drink the Amrita Sun and Moon identified it. Lord Vishnu severed
off his head with his
Sudarshan Chakra. However, some drops
of Amrita had gone down hence both the head and body became immortal.
The head represents Rahu and Tail is Ketu.
The severed head was taken by
Simihika the
mother of
Asura Swarbhanu and nursed patiently. The head
over a period of time got the body of Serpent and he was named Rahu.
A Brahmin named Mini took the body. He brought up this body as his
own son. To this body Lord
Vishnu granted a serpents head.
This became Ketu who in the due course of time became a saintly and
revered seer.
Rahu and
Ketu have not forgiven
Sun and Moon for exposing them and they cause Eclipse.
Astrological Significance:
Rahu:
Rahu is the significator of the following as per
Uttara
Kalamrita.
a) Faulty Logic b) Harsh speech c) Outcaste d)
an irreligious person e) going to a foreign country f) Unclean g)
Bones h) abdominal ulcers i) Falsehood j) South western direction
k) serpents l) Old age m) Maternal grand father n) Worship of Vana
Durga o) Writing Urdu or Persian (Because these two languages start
from right hand side, written in reversed manner, like Rahu and Ketu’s
movement in Zodiac, which is retrograde or
Apsavya move. p)
Breathing q) Acute duodenal pain.
It is observed that a strong
Rahu is good
for the above mentioned significations and weak
Rahu shows
just the opposite.
Ketu:
Ketu is the significator of following as per
Uttara
Kalamrita
a) Worship of
Chandi, Ganesh and others
b) Medical practitioner c) Vultures d) Final emancipation e) Consumption
f) Painful fevers g) Bath in
Gangesh h) Great penance i)
Wind complaints j)
Mantra Shastra k) Instability of mind
l) Diseases of the stomach and eye m)
Vedanta n) Grandfather
o) Small pox or boils p) A servant of Shiva q) Association with foreigner
or
Shudras.
It is observed that a strong Ketu generally gives
good result and a malefic Ketu creates lots of hindrances in life.
Other Astrological Considerations:
Rahu:
Rahu is in own house in
Kanya Rashi. It
is exalted when placed in
Vrishabha Rashi while it is debilitated
when placed in
Vrischik Rashi. However, there are divergent
views on this. Some authorities take the Exaltation and Debilitation
points as
Mithuna and
Dhanu respectively. It is
said that Rahu gives
Yogkaraka result if placed in Cancer
Karkata Rashi.
However, it has to be noted that being a
Chhaya Grah it
gives results based on the planetary influences. It is generally
observed that with a benefic or in benefic influence it gives very
good result. It is generally considered as a good planet for worldly
comforts. However, there is lots of Maya attached with Rahu. In modern
times Rahu represents Computers, Internet and Mass Media.
Rahu is friendly to Jupiter, Venus and Saturn.
It considers Sun and Moon as its enemy and towards Mercury it is
Neutral.
Ketu:
Ketu is exalted when it is placed in Scorpio
Vrischik rashi
and debilitated when placed in the
Vrishabha Rashi. However,
some authorities have given the Exaltation and Debilitation point
as
Dhanu and
Mithuna respectively. It has to be
said that Ketu is more towards spiritual side and is the Karaka for
final emancipation whereas Rahu is more towards worldly pleasures.
Again it has to be said that being a
Chhaya Graha gives
results according to associations.
However, in spite of having number of ancient texts
extensively dealing with various signs of exaltation and debilitation
of
Rahu and
Ketu there exists significant amount
of controversy over the same.
Ketu is friendly to Mars, Venus and Saturn. It
considers Sun and Moon as his enemies and towards Mercury and Jupiter
it is Neutral.
