Understanding Rahu and Ketu
by Vijayakumar Alagappan www.iksacademy.com
by Vijayakumar Alagappan www.iksacademy.com
Rahu and Ketu, the North and South Nodes of the Moon, are the most interesting and mysterious planets in Indian Astrology. In the group of planets referred to in Indian astrology, rahu and Ketu are considered as the only two planet is not worshipped as a god in Indian mythology. They do not own any signs, but they do own nakshatras.
In Indian astrology the lunar nodes, known as Rahu and Ketu, have special powers in a chart. Often referred to as our karmic destiny, they indicate our greatest gifts and our darkest issues. In prediction they are where the annual eclipses fall, and indicate the areas of our life that involve the most transformation for that year. When the lunar nodes are combined with another planet they take on the quality of that planet. Each combination will produce very different results.
The Moon’s orbit around the Earth intersects the ecliptic at two points. These two points are the nodes of the Moon. The north node of the Moon (Rahu) is where the Moon crosses from south to north, called the ascending node. This symbolizes the birth into the material manifestation. The south node (Ketu) is where the Moon crosses from north to south, called the descending node. This symbolizes our leaving the material plane for the spiritual realm. So Rahu takes us into the physical world and Ketu takes us out of it.
Actually in reality, the so called North Node Rahu and South Node Ketu are the North and South Poles of our Earth only, respectively. We are all the inhabitants of the planets Rahu and Ketu only.
All this represents the cycles of birth and death into and out of this world. Rahu and Ketu are the indicators of destiny and fate, symbolizing our entrapment in this physical plane. These shadow planets control us by our desires. Our desires are our karmas. Our destiny is to release the chains this world has cast upon us. It is like the serpent’s bite. The poisonous venom intoxicates us into this world. Rahu takes us under its spell with the illusions of this world, the promise of happiness, leaving us with a sense of wanting: “If I could only have more of the things that give me pleasure”. But of course, this only leads to insatiable desires. We can never have enough. This is the venomous bite of Rahu. Conversely Ketu strips us of the objects of our desires, revealing that nothing in this world gives us security and permanence. It is essentially the process of enlightenment, when we come to realize that ultimately, it is all an illusion. Nothing of this material world lasts, therefore; it is all an illusion or Maya. Ketu is the bringer of enlightenment through the realization of this truth. Ketu is the release of this world.
The strength of Rahu and Ketu when compared to other planets is very high by 1ØØØØØØ times or more.
If Rahu is well-placed in a horoscope, it will bring power and material success. If it is not well-disposed, it can cause alot of problems. One may expect professional setbacks, loss of work and friends, and the possible break-up of a marriage during its major and sub-periods. Rahu is said to give similar effects as Saturnn. If Ketu well-placed, it will works towards providing knowledge and moksha, the final liberation from cycle of birth and death. A poorly disposed Ketu can also create total chaos. There may be monetary setbacks,personal unhappiness or a feeling of alienation, which can even result in withdrawal from materialistic life. It is said to produce the same effects as Mars.
Rahu and Ketu from Scientific View
The nodal points of the Moon, what we call Rahu and Ketu, are infact, clubs of magnetic and
gravitational forces of two celestial bodies, the Moon and Earth and hence are very influential upon
the life of mankind. These points Affect our central nervous system as well as sympathetic and para
sympathetic nervous system, which work on the principles of electromagnetic systems. Consequently, they have direct impacts on the generation of signals of information in neurons and
neurotransmitters and thier movement from brain to various parts of our body and back to the brain.
In this way, these nodal points (Rahu and Ketu) are psychosomatic, which govern not only stress
level of our mind, but also the activities of hormones, blood circulation and function of the heart.
gravitational forces of two celestial bodies, the Moon and Earth and hence are very influential upon
the life of mankind. These points Affect our central nervous system as well as sympathetic and para
sympathetic nervous system, which work on the principles of electromagnetic systems. Consequently, they have direct impacts on the generation of signals of information in neurons and
neurotransmitters and thier movement from brain to various parts of our body and back to the brain.
In this way, these nodal points (Rahu and Ketu) are psychosomatic, which govern not only stress
level of our mind, but also the activities of hormones, blood circulation and function of the heart.
Rahu and Ketu from Spiritual View
Rahu is the immature child with in us, he want everything which he like. He is our deepest subconscious material desire. Rahu is obsession over the things that we need to learn a soul lesson in this life, so that eventually we are free of them, but usually through many painful mistakes and subconscious imagined fears, hypnotic attachments. Ketu is the inner parents who knows everything. Ketu
is our past life experience which we already know. This is why Ketu brings doubt and sharp criticism to the areas of life where he sitting in the birth chart. He is eternally unsatisfied, he only observe what missing. Both Nodes are the illusion of what we don't know and what we know. It is the push and
pull of Rahu obsession and Ketu doubt teaches us the lesson of life so that we can liberate from this world and be one/merge with universes.
is our past life experience which we already know. This is why Ketu brings doubt and sharp criticism to the areas of life where he sitting in the birth chart. He is eternally unsatisfied, he only observe what missing. Both Nodes are the illusion of what we don't know and what we know. It is the push and
pull of Rahu obsession and Ketu doubt teaches us the lesson of life so that we can liberate from this world and be one/merge with universes.
If Rahu or Ketu is in the lagna, 2nd, 5th, 7th, 8th or 11th house, it is generally said that Naga dosha accrues.
- Ketu in lagna called Mangalya Naga dosha causes delay in marriage
- Ketu in the 2nd house called Aayurbhava Naga dosha creates longevity problems.
- Ketu in the 11th house called Putra bhava Naga dosha causes progeny-related problems.
Impact of Naga Dosha
Sociological impact
- Early curtailment of wedlock, by death of spouse or divorce
- Delay in progeny or no progeny
- Unexpected accidents.
Psychological impact
- Inclination to change of faith or religion
- Procrastination of one’s duties
- Fear of death
- Averse to sensual pleasure
Biological impact
- Susceptible to insect-bites.
- Lingering skin disease
- Problem in uterus or prostate gland
Worship of Nagaraja is particularly important for those who have been named after Nagaraja for e.g., Nagaraj, Nagendra, Nagaletchumi, Nagaratnam, Nagappa, Naga sundram and so on. You can also chant his mantra for 1Ø8 times ‘Hmmm(Om) Nagarajaya Pothri’.
It is said that one's present wealth, fame, health, confidence and merits will improve, obstacles and sickness will be eliminated, one will always meet good friends and masters, and have a happy harmonius family with pleasant looking and intelligent children when worship Lord Nagaraja.
Remedial Measures for Naga Dosha
- Donate a small Silver snake to a priest at Lord Muruga or Nagaraja temple with some money. This will reduce the affliction of Naga dosha
- Nagaraja is the deity bestowing progeny and family welfare. Perform Nagaraja pooja in your home by some learned priests.
- Visit Rameshwaram, Devipattinam or the Navagraha temples around Kumbakonam with your spouse and offer prayers to the devatas.
- Observee fasting on Naga-Panchami day and recite Nagamatha mantra 108 times ‘ Hmmm (Om) Nageswariyai Namaha
- Regular worship to Lord Ganesha, especially on Sundays and Tuesdays can please Lord Ketu.
- Worships of Goddess Durga by lighting lemon lamps during Rahu kala, especially on Tuesdays has a great effect, which wards off evil caused by the malefic planets.
Rahu Kala Time
In India - on Tuesday 3 p.m. to 4.3 p.m.
In Singapore and Malaysia - on Tuesday 4.3Ø p.m. to 6.ØØ p.m.
Pariharasthalam - Sacred Shrines of Rahu and Ketu
Worship at any of the temples mentioned below can definitely reduce the intensity of the problems arise from Naga dosha
- Sri Nageshwara temple, Thirunagesswaram
- Sri Kalahasti, Pancha Bootha sthala
- Mannarsala in Kerala
- Kukke Subramanya temple, Karnataka
- Nagaraja temple at Nagercoil, Tamil Nadu
Ardhanareeswarar temple in Tiruchengode, Tamil Nadu
- Neeladakshi temple in Nagapattinam, Tamil Nadu
Keezha perumpallam, Tamil Nadu
The best days on which the remedies for Naga dosha be performed are Nagapanchami day, the day before the Maha Shivaratri. Amavasai (New Moon) day on which the star Arudra, Swati or Satayam fall, tha Amavasai or Pournami (Full Moon) which falls on a Wednesday forming the Kalasarpa Yoga in transit, at the time of Solar or Lunar eclipse.
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