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Raahu
Read also  Ketu   after reading this
Related Articles    Raahu in Astrology

According to Hindu mythology there are two planets called Raahu and Ketu in Indian astrology. These two have no counterparts in western astrology. These two are neither gods, nor demons, nor planets. They are called shadow planets, it means that they not physically seen from the naked eye. In truth they are only imaginary planets.

He has no aura of his own as he is considered a "Chhaayaa Grah". At the intersecting points of lunar and solar circumferences, there are two dots. The northern dot is called Raahu or the dragon headed and the southern dot is referred to as dragon's tail.

Raahu was the son of Viprachitti (son of Kashyap and Danu) and Sinhikaa (daughter of Kashyap and Diti and sister of Hiranykashyap). There are several brothers to Raahu, in fact they were 100 - Shalya, Nabh, Vaataapi, Ilval and Namuchi. Among the 100 brothers, Raahu was the eldest. He also had a sister by name Maahishmatee.

At the time of churning Ksheer Saagar (Milky Ocean) when Amrit came out of the Saagar, all Daitya and Devtaa became very happy. Both were the equal candidates for it but Vishnu was not going to give Amrit to Daitya. Since Daitya were still powerful, they snatched the pitcher of Amrit from Dhanvantari and ran away to a place where they could drink Amrit comfortably.

Seeing this Devtaa got worried. At the same time all saw a very beautiful woman coming to them. All stopped and started looking at her. They had never seen such a beautiful woman before. Daitya got mesmerized seeing her. She was Mohinee - Avataar of Vishnu. She came to them and starting playing with Daitya, she took the pitcher from Daitya and asked all of them to sit on either side of her in a line so that she could distribute Amrit to both. They obeyed her and sat down - Devtaa on one side and Daitya on the other side. Now she started dancing before them giving Amrit to Devtaa and Suraa (liquor) to Daitya. Daitya were enchanted with her look and Devtaa were happy with her trick.

Soorya and Chandramaa were sitting together in Devtaa's line. Raahu was a Daitya and so he was sitting in Daitya's line. All Daitya were busy in seeing Mohinee's dance, but he noticed her trick that she was giving Amrit to Devtaa and Suraa to Daitya. He got very angry at this and sat between Soorya and Chandramaa assuming Devtaa's form unnoticed by all.

As Mohinee was giving Amrit to Devtaa, she gave some to Raahu too. As he gulped it, Soorya and Chandramaa recognized him as Daitya and shouted that he was a Daitya not Devtaa. At the same moment Mohinee cut his head with Her Chakra (Divine disc). Since he had already gulped Amrit, he did not die, rather his both body parts lived for ever. His head was called Raahu and his body was called Ketu (tail).

Since Soorya and Chandramaa complained about him, he always runs after them to eat them. He catches Soorya on Amaavasyaa (New Moon day), that is why we have Soorya Grahan (Solar eclipse) on that day; and Chandramaa on Poornimaa (Full Moon day), that is why we have Chandra Grahan (Lunar eclipse) on that day.

Recently these two have been given names in astrology as 'Dragon's Head' for Raahu and the 'Dragon's Tail' for Ketu.

Raahu in Astrology
Raahu and Ketu, like other planets do not preside over particular zodiac sign. Raahu Dashaa (Period) is of 18 years in the life span of 120 years in human life. Normally these shadow planets will give the effect of that planet who owns the house in which he is placed. If a shadow planet is placed along with another planet, it may give the effect of the associated planet. Raahu placed in the 5th house is considered as Sarp Dosh and affect birth of offsprings.

By nature Raahu is 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, Raahu can elevate one to positions of great wealth and power and confer public influence over the masses. Raahu is associated with serpents, fear, Kaarmik retribution, and un-virtuous characters.

Among Raahu's Beneficial effects are - Raahu placed alone in a Sign will give the effect of the planet who owns it. But if he is placed with some auspicious planets, then in general Raahu will provide good effects. Raahu may bring sudden gain of wealth and properties, command over foreign languages, courage, research, social service, interest in magic sciences. Among his malefic effects, Raahu may bring - the first and foremost is the compelling nature and arguments in behavior. If Raahu is placed in 7th house, the boy or girl are found with their own views about the partner, mental tension, misuse of power, lack of interest, evil thoughts, bad dreams, loss of money in vices, ill health, fear of thieves, legal hassles, possession of evil spirits to mention a few.

Persons with Raahu exalted are wealthy and fortunate. But those who have a weak or afflicted Raahu in their horoscope have a tendency to suffer from fear of supernatural phenomena and suicidal impulses. ULTRA-VIOLET is the cosmic color transmitted by Raahu 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. Raahu astral talismans may also help divert disasters, prevent insanity, counteract poisons, and protect one from demoniac influences. Raahu is particularly associated with scientific genius and the ability to deal successfully with people of lower status, such as servants, employees, and underworld characters.

To pacify Raahu, black gram should be given away. Caldera flowers, black lilies are used in his worship. Raahu Kaal Poojaa may please him. He is a planet who gets pleased very easily. Mrityunjaya Mantra Jap is also considered to be highly efficacious to pacify Raahu. Other suitable remedy for this Dosh is suggested worshipping at a Raahu temple. Tirunageswaram near Kumbaakonam (Tamilnaadu) is suggested by Astrologers in Tamilnaadu. Sooryaarkoil in Kumbaakonam or any Temple with Nava Graha is ideal for Raahu worship. In Kerala Mannarsala, Veettikode and Ameda, Pampummekkadu are famous Sarp temples. Worshipping in those temples is suggested by Astrologers in Kerala. Kaalaa Hastee in Andhra Pradesh is also known for its Raahu worship. Noorum Palum is one of the famous offering in these temples during Aayilyam star on every month.

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

The fierce face of Rahu adorns a crown and a garland runs round his neck. He is clad in black and he sits on a lion. As the faint trace of nectar made him immortal, Lord Brahmaa conferred upon him the status of a planet. The presiding deity of Raahu is Yam and Soorya in his Pratyadhi Devtaa.

Raahu Kaal - Every day for about one and a half hour are allotted to Raahu. This period is called Raahu Kaal. The Raahu Kaal is considered inauspicious. It is preferable that very important things should not be performed during Raahu Kaal. Raahu Kaal in general from Monday to Sunday is easily remembered by the following sentence MOTHER SA FATHER WEARING THE TURB ON SUNDAY.

Mother     - Monday 7.30 - 9 AM
Sa             - Saturday 9 -10.30 AM
Father       – Friday 10.30 - 12 AM
Wearing    – Wednesday 12 PM - 1.30 PM
The           - Thursday 1.30 - 3 PM
Turb on     - Tuesday 3 - 4.30 PM
Sunday      - Sunday 4.30 - 6 PM

In fact the rule to calculate the Raahu Kaal is that take the Sunrise time, and take the Sunset time. Divide it in eight sections equally. The first section is normally free from Raahu Kaal. The remaining seven sections of the day are allotted to seven days of the week as given above. Thus Raahu Kaal will be different at Equator In the above example the day is counted from 6.00 AM to 6.00 PM.

Raahu Shlok and Gayatri

Ardhkaayam Mahaaveeram Chandraaaditya Vimardaknam
Sinhikaa Garbh Sambhootam Tam Raahum Pranamaamyaam

This Mantra if recited 108 times daily can confer longevity and fortune. This is the Mool Shlok of Raahu.

Om Naag Dhwajaaya Vidahe Padm astaaya Dheemahi Tanno Raahu Prachodayaat.

A mine of information about Raahu is available in Rig Ved, Mahaabhaarat, Brahm Vaivart Puraan, Bhaagvat Puraan,  Matsya Puraan, and Vishnu Puraan.

Other Mantra for Raahu is
Aum bhraam bhreem bhaum sah raahave namah
direction SW color to be used blue or black (number of Jaap = 18,000' on Saturday) night for starting

 

 

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Created by Sushma Gupta On 5/27/04
Contact:  sushmajee@yahoo.com
Modified on 03/26/13