Rahu & Ketu: The Journey Within

Rahu and Ketu are known as shadow graha’s or planets in Vedic Astrology and are a part of the Navagrahas or the nine planets which form the basis and cornerstone of predictive astrology. In fact neither is a planet in the astronomical sense of the word but are nodes or points where the moon’s orbit intersects the sun’s solar path.

According to mythological reference, it is said that once the Devtas (Gods) and the Asuras (Demons) formed an alliance to look for the immortality potion or Amrit. The Samundra Manthan of the Ksheera Sagar or the Ocean of Milk began with Mount Meru as the pivot stone and Vasuki the King of Serpents as the churning rope. Various objects emerged from the ocean, one of which was the Amrit Kalasa containing Amrit. Seeing the Amrit fierce fighting ensued between the Asuras and the Devtas. The Devtas appealed to Lord Vishnu to come to their aid and he appeared in the Mohini avatar - the ultimate seductress or mayavi for mand enchanted the Asuras in agreeing to wait for their turn to drink the Amrit and started distributing it to the Devtas. One of the Asuras, Rahu was able to see through Mohini’s trick so he disguised himself as a Devta and went and quietly sat amongst the Devtas to partake his portion of the Amrit. The Sun and Moon gods who were seated near him recognized his Asura qualities and alerted Lord Vishnu. Lord Vishnu immediately used the Sudarshan Chakra to severe Rahu’s head from his body- however, it was not fast enough for Rahu had already tasted the Amrit ….however the Amrit had not reached below his neck, so his head has immortality and is called Rahu while the body to which the Amrit had not reached is known as Ketu. Rahu is referred in western astrology as the Dragon’s Head while Ketu is known as the Dragon’s Tail. Sun and Moon are their sworn enemies and whenever the Solar or Lunar eclipse occurs, it is said thus mythological to explain the concept of an eclipse.

In traditional sculptures and paintings, Rahu is depicted as a serpent with a gaping mouth and nobody riding a chariot drawn by eight black horses. He is considered to be the legendary master of deception and signifies cheaters, pleasure-seekers, drug or poison dealers, immoral acts, indulgence, and obsession. Rahu is said to be the giver while Ketu is the taker in reality Rahu is a giver in the same manner as an addiction which is designed to addict us and become a need that leads to one’s self-destruction. Snakes encountered in dreams are said to be a manifestation of Rahu. He rules the South West direction and the age of 42 years is the time when Rahu comes to full fruition. The color black or smokey grey is associated with Rahu. Ketu on the other hand is depicted headless but there are a few renditions of him both in art and sculpture where he is shown with the head of a snake and an Asuras body. His vahana is the mighty eagle. He is the karaka of detachment, enlightenment of the soul and salvation - the ultimate moksha. However this path of moksha does not come easily, to achieve it, a person is tested with difficulties, obstacles, mental agony, hidden enemies, rifts, and tragedies in the family. Ketu is said to be spiritually benefic and materialistically malefic. He tests in the material world before leading man towards God and spirituality. Ketu gives proficiency in foreign languages, artificial languages (computers) psychic abilities, a pull towards occult and religious practices and esoteric learning. Rahu is the Karmic Enticer giving us material opulence and pulling us deeper and deeper into the web of Karma and is true to his name of being the “Ultimate Giver” he gives us excess karmic baggage taking us further and further away from Moksha while Ketu is the Karmic Renunciator and throws in our life path severe obstacles and testing times and through this leads us towards the path of Spirituality and Moksha.