Rahu

Rahu
Rahu: Head of Demon Snake, sculpture, British Museum
North Lunar Node
Devanagari	राहु
Affiliation	Graha,Asura
Mount	Blue/Black Lion

In Hindu mythology, Rahu is a snake that swallows the sun or the moon causing eclipses. He is depicted in art as a dragon with no body riding a chariot drawn by eight black horses. Rahu is one of the navagrahas (nine planets) in Vedic astrology. The Rahu kala is considered inauspicious.

According to legend, during the Samudra manthan, the asura Rahu drank some of the divine nectar. But before the nectar could pass his throat, Mohini (the female avatar of Vishnu) cut off his head. The head, however, remained immortal. It is believed that this immortal head occasionally swallows the sun or the moon, causing eclipses. Then, the sun or moon passes through the opening at the neck, ending the eclipse.

Astronomically, Rahu and Ketu denotes the two 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 Sun and Moon are at one of these points gives rise to the myth of the swallowing of the Sun.

In Buddhism Rahu is one of the krodhadevatas (terror-inspiring gods).

Myth of Shiva and Rahu

There is another lila of Shiva and Rahu probably taken from Shiva Purana which is paraphrased by Joseph Campbell in his book The Power of Myth. Ganna Chakra also paraphrases this myth:

In the myth of the Daitya king Jalandhara, Jalandhara sends Rahu with a message to Shiva, demanding that he surrender Parvati to Jalandhara. Shiva was angry at this message, and this anger took the form of a terrible creature which sprang from his brow. It had the face of a lion, flaming eyes, a body which was dry and rough to the touch, long arms and a tongue which lolled with anger. The creature rushed at Rahu, ready to devour him. Shiva apparently said something along the lines of "we don't shoot the messenger" whereon the gana pleaded to Shiva that it was tortured by hunger. Shiva told the gana that if it were so hungry, it should eat its own flesh. This the gana did, until only its head was left. Shiva, pleased with such devotion, appointed the gana as his door-keeper, ordering that it create terror for all wicked people. Shiva also ordained that the gana be worshipped along with his worship, and gave it the name Kirtimukha.^[1]

Hanuman and Rahu

Hanuman during his childhood days flew towards sun, as it appeared to be a big fruit. Little innocent child as on reaching surya, who is riding his chariot which is guided by seven horses together tried to swallow sun. The day was solar eclipse day, where rahu used to swallow sun for a while. Obviouslly rahu arrived and tempted to see hanuman trying to swallow sun before him. Little Hanuman on seeing rahu, simply a head alone flying in space got attracted and caught rahu's head. Rahu unable to escape from the clutches of hanuman cried for the help, as per Surya deva's words hanuman released rahu who ultimately brought Indra to spot by complaining to him.

Another occasion, during the Rama - Ravana war, where ravana collared navagraha as prisoners. Hanuman who came to save and release navagrahas from ravana's clutches. Thankful to him navagrahas blessed hanuman with people devoted to you are blessed by us. Individually all graha blessed hanuman. Thus Rahu's negative influence will be reduced when we worship Lord Hanuman.

Astrology

Rahu with consort Karali

In Vedic astrology Rahu is seen as an asura or demon who does his best to plunge any area of life he controls into chaos, mystery and cruelty. He is associated with the world of material manifestation and worldy desire; and random, uncontrolled growth without wisdom or understanding. Rahu is supposed to be a mighty and naughty child of Maya (illusory power of nature), and thus has a lot of dualities attached to its Mayavi (illusory) nature. It relates more to the Seventh Ray energy of esoteric astrology as it represents a force displaying all the possibilities within the realm of existence. The various names assigned to Rahu in Vedic texts - the chief; the advisor of the demons; the minister of the demons; ever-angry; the tormentor; bitter enemy of the luminaries; lord of illusions; one who frightens the Sun; the one who makes the Moon lustreless; the peacemaker; the immortal (having drunk the divine nectar); bestower of prosperity, wealth and ultimate knowledge - give a clue to its basic energy and attributes. Rahu can be considered to be the expert among the planets when it comes to scheming and plotting. It is the master of manipulation. Lal Kitab makes an interesting point that if Jupiter and Venus are conjunct in a chart, they can together be treated as Rahu. This relates to the fact that Rahu acts as a bridge between Jupiter who is the preceptor of the Gods, and Venus, who is the preceptor of the Demons. Mining of petroleum also falls under the significations of Rahu according to vedic astrology. The snake charmers and all other people whose lives are very much entwined with that of the reptiles and the snakes could be said under a heavy influence of Rahu. Rahu governs all sorts of poisonous chemicals like fertilizers, pesticides, and disinfectants that are in use in the present times. It also governs all the substances with a strong pungent smell like the sulphur-dioxide gas. In other words Rahu has a role to play whenever a poisonous substance is involved. Gambling and all other forms of speculation is also one of the activities governed by Rahu. It thus rules over casinos and also the stock markets which are nothing but casinos wearing the mask of economics and industrial growth. There is no equal to Rahu when it comes to giving fame, fortune, prestige and authority, which is probably the reason why Western astrologers regard it as the greatest benefic force. The area in which this success is attained usually relates to the significations of the house Rahu is placed. All the electric lights that illuminate our world in the nighttime can be said to be associated with Rahu. Rahu is known as the 'Artificial Sun', a definition that goes well, considering the neon god it has introduced, adding to the illusion and glamour of the modern times. Rahu has in a way created its own artificial Sun for its favoured time, the nighttime.

Rulership, Exaltation, Debilitation & Moolatrikona:-

This is the most controversial territory as many views abound as to the sign rulership of Rahu. The Western system refuses to assign Rahu the rulership of any sign. In Vedic Astrology different systems assign Rahu different signs as regards to rulership, exaltation and debilitation. Before we delve into establishing the rulership, exaltation and debilitation signs of Rahu let's consider the relationship Rahu has with other planets. It is friends with Saturn, Mercury and Venus. It is neutral towards Mars, Jupiter. It is the enemy of Sun and Moon. It is important to note that Rahu is more inimical to Sun as compared to Moon.

Rahu is lord of three nakshatras or lunar mansions: Ardra and Svati . Rahu is associated with the following: its color is smoky, metal is lead and gemstone is honey colored hessonite. Its element is air and direction is south-west.

In the science of astrology Rahu and Ketu are the two intersection points of paths of Earth and Moons travel.

Remedies - Ants are also one of the favoured species of Rahu. In some parts of India feeding ants is considered one of the ways of propitiating Rahu.

Buddhism

A Tibetian depiction of Rahu (Rahula) with 9 heads and a face in his belly, the mouth of which swallows up the moon or sun during eclipses

Rahu is mentioned explicitly in a pair of scriptures from the Samyutta Nikaya of the Pali Canon. In the Candima Sutta and the Suriya Sutta, Rahu attacks Chandra, the moon deity and Suriya, the sun deity, before being compelled to release them by their recitation of a brief stanza conveying their reverence for the Buddha.^[2][3] The Buddha responds by enjoining Rahu to release them, which Rahu does rather than have his "head split into seven pieces".^[3] The verses recited by the two celestial deities and the Buddha have since been incorporated into Buddhist liturgy as protective verses (paritta) recited by monks as prayers of protection.^[4]

See also

• Svarbhānu
• Ketu
• Navagraha
• Apep

Notes

1. ^ http://www.philhine.org.uk/writings/tt_gannas.html (accessed: Friday, 30 March 2007)
2. ^ Candima Sutta
3. ^ ^{a b} Suriya Sutta
4. ^ Access to Insight- see the summary in the Devaputta-samyutta section

References

• Chakra, Ganna (date unknown). The Ganas: Hooligans of Heaven. (accessed: Friday, 30 March 2007)

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Rahu

• Rahu in Vedic Astrology
• Rahu Stotram - Download PDF
• Rahu Kavacham - Download PDF

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