Evil Planets

Evil Planets

The legend of Rahu appears in the Srimad Bhagavata Maha-puranam: Canto VIII, Chapters 5-9 (approximately 3,000 BC).

First a brief background of this ancient history. 

At the beginning of creation, Lord Vishnu, the eternal Supreme Being, entered His own unmanifested material nature (Prakriti); from His navel was born the first being, Brahma (the four-faced), who is the empowered material creator; from Brahma's third eye, in anger, appeared the great Lord Shiva (destroyer of the cosmos), along with the demigods (devas) and the demons (asuras).

At this time there was a great attempt by the demigods and demons to churn the ocean of milk (primordial soup) to obtain the nectar of immortality. Lord Vishnu incarnated Himself as Kurma-avatar (the tortoise incarnation) to act as support of the churning rod, which was the cosmic Mount Mandara (center of the Universe); and the celestial serpent, Vasuki, was to be the churning rope. The demigods, being humble by nature, took hold of the tail of Vasuki, while the demons, who are always proud, took the fiery head; and thus the churning began.

During the churning process many wonderful things were produced, until finally the "amrita" or immortal nectar appeared. Immediately there was a fierce struggle and the demons forcefully took possession of the nectar. At that time, to help the demigods, Lord Vishnu, expanded Himself into Mohini-murti, the most enchanting of all beautiful goddesses. The demons were completely love-struck allowed the Goddess to have the nectar, which she began to distribute amongst the demigods.

At that time, the great demon, Rahu, disguised as a demigod, entered the line of eager devas, between the Sun and Moon gods. As soon as the nectar was tasted by Rahu, he was exposed by the Sun and Moon gods, and Lord Vishnu, in his Mohini form, immediately severed Rahu's head with His Sudarshan Chakra (discus). Because Rahu had tasted the amrita his head became immortal, while his body fell away dead. Seeing this wonderful event, Lord Vishnu, then awarded Rahu the exalted post of Graha (planetary deity) as the malevolent North Node of the Moon and Ketu with a human head and a snake's body are regarded as celestial bodies - shadow planets, or the node positions at which eclipses are caused. Rahu is the ascending node while Ketu is the descending node. Popular belief has it that eclipses are caused when Rahu or Ketu swallow the moon or the sun. 

Rahu is believed to have worshipped Shiva at Tirunageswaram near Thanjavur-Tamil Nadu, and is enshrined there. Ketu is believed to have worshipped Shiva at Perumpallam near Mayiladuturai (Chidambaram - Tamilnadu) and is enshrined there. Sri Kalahasti near Tirupati in Andhra Pradesh enshrines Shiva who was worshipped by both Rahu and Ketu. Special worship services are carried out in all these temples during eclipses.

Rahu still hates the Sun and Moon gods for the destruction of his body from the neck down, and he attacks the Sun and Moon out of revenge, following a schedule of eclipses, which are predicted and recorded to this day by astronomers and astrologers.

Astrological influence: Rahu is by nature a malevolent planetary influence which can cause personal frustration, sacrileges habits, abuse of alcohol and drugs, possession of ghosts and demons, and infectious diseases. However, when located in a powerful spot in one's horoscope, Rahu can elevate one to positions of great wealth and power and confer public influence over the masses. Rahu is associated with serpents, fear, karmic retribution, and un-virtuous characters.

Persons with Rahu exalted are wealthy and fortunate. But those who have a weak or afflicted Rahu in their horoscope have a tendency to suffer from fear of supernatural phenomena and suicidal impulses. Ultra-violet is the cosmic color transmitted by Rahu through hessonite and other orange gems. Ultra-violet color waves are the coldest of all the cosmic rays and should only be used for ailments caused by extreme over-heating, i.e., high fever, hyper-acidity, indigestion, hyper-sexuality, insomnia, and during child birth. Rahu astral talismans may also help divert disasters, prevent insanity, counteract poisons, and protect one from demoniac influences. Rahu is particularly associated with scientific genius and the ability to deal successfully with people of lower status, such as servants, employees, and underworld characters.

Gemstones governed by Rahu include hessonite, spessartite, zircon (hyacinth), and other natural gems of golden-orange to brownish-orange hues. Only flawless (eye-clean) stones transmit beneficial Rahu energy.

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 a karaka or indicator of worldly fame, greed, high intelligence, manipulation, obsessive behaviour, foreigners, mass disease, dementia and inertia. However, if used the right way, Rahu can be instrumental in strengthening a person's power and converting even the strongest enemy into a friend.

Rahu is lord of three nakshatras or lunar mansions: Ardra, Svati and Shatabhisha or Shatataraka. 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.

Ketu is generally referred to as a "shadow" planet. It is believed to have a tremendous impact on human lives and also the whole creation. In some special circumstances it helps someone achieve the zenith of fame. Ketu is often depicted with a gem or star on his head signifying a mystery light.

Astronomically, Ketu and Rahu 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 Sun and Moon are at one of these points gives rise to the mythology of the swallowing of the Sun by the Moon.

Ketu represents karmic collections both good and bad, spirituality and supernatural influences. Ketu rules over the sign Vrischika (Scorpio) (Along with Mangala) in Vedic astrology. Ketu signifies the spiritual process of the refinement of materialization 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. Ketu grants good health, wealth and cattle to his devotees. Ketu is the lord of three nakshatras or lunar mansions: Ashvini, Magha and Mula.

The best remedies for Rahudev is reciting the first chapter of Durga Saptsati , Rahudev mantra or do pooja of Goddess Durga on Tuesday at the time of RahuKaal will get protection from ill effect and a very good remedy for Ketudev is the reciting of Shiva Panchakshari Stotra and perform pooja of Goddess Durga on Tuesday and Ketudev mantra.