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<div>{{short description|Hindu deity representing descending lunar node}}<br />
{{More citations needed|date=November 2021}}<br />
{{EngvarB|date=October 2019}}<br />
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2017}}<br />
{{Infobox deity<br />
| type = Hindu<br />
| image = Ketu graha.JPG <br />
| alt = Ketu<br />
| member_of = [[Navagraha]]<br />
| caption = Ketu Dev: Tail of Demon Snake. When Moon moves from North to South in its orbit and crosses Sun's path – the incision point is called Ketu<br />
| name = Ketu <br />
| Sanskrit_transliteration = केतु<br />
| affiliation = [[Graha]], [[Asura]], [[Svarbhanu]]<br />
| god_of = [[Lunar eclipse]]s, South [[Lunar Node]]<br/>Body of [[Svarbhanu]]<br />
| abode = Ketuloka<br />
| mantra = {{IAST|Oṃ Viprachitti Putra Simhika Putra Om Navagraha Ketave Namaḥ}}<br />
| weapon = Bhaala<br />
| mount = Eagle<br />
| number =<br />
| planet = <br />
| father = [[Viprachitti]] <br />
| mother = [[Holika|Simhika]]<br />
| siblings = [[Rahu]]<br />
}}<br />
<br />
'''Ketu''' ([[Sanskrit]]: [[:wikt:केतु#Sanskrit|केतु]], [[IAST]]: {{IAST|Ketú}}) ([[File:Descending node (bold).svg|16px|☋]]) is the descending (i.e. 'south') [[lunar node]] in [[Vedic]], or [[Hindu astrology]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ganeshaspeaks.com/predictions/astrology/ketu-the-planet-of-detachment/ |title=Rise above the mundane...and material..says Ketu, the planet of detachment! |publisher=ganeshaspeaks.com }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.speakingtree.in/allslides/the-lesser-known-story-of-rahu-and-ketu/266298 |title=The less known story of Rahu and Ketu! |publisher=speakingtree.in }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.shrivinayakaastrology.com/Planets/roleofketu.html |title=Role Of Ketu in Astrology |publisher=shrivinayakaastrology.com }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.heerejawharat.com/astrology/planets-significance/ketu.php |title=Ketu Astrological significance |publisher=heerejawharat.com }}</ref> Personified as a deity, [[Rahu]] and Ketu are considered to be the two halves the immortal [[Asura]] (demon) [[Svarbhanu]], who was beheaded by the god [[Vishnu]].<br />
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As per Vedic astrology, Rahu and Ketu have an orbital cycle of 18 years and are always 180 degrees from each other orbitally (as well as in the birth charts). This coincides with the precessional orbit of moon or the ~18-year rotational cycle of the lunar ascending and descending nodes on the earth's ecliptic plane. Ketu rules the [[Scorpio (astrology)|Scorpio]] zodiac sign together with [[Mangala]]<br />
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Astronomically, [[Rahu]] and Ketu denote the points of intersection of the paths of the [[Sun]] and the [[Moon]] as they move on the [[celestial sphere]], and do not correspond to a physical planet.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book|last=Santhanam|first=R.|url=http://archive.org/details/BPHSEnglish|title=Brihat Parashara Hora Shastra (vol. 1)|pages=24}}</ref> Therefore, Rahu and Ketu are respectively called the north and the south [[lunar node]]s. [[Eclipse]]s occur when the Sun and the Moon are at one of these points, giving rise to the mythical understanding that the two are being swallowed by the snake. Hence, Ketu is believed to be responsible for causing the [[Eclipse of the Moon]].<ref name=":0" /><br />
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==Astrology==<br />
[[File:Planet ketu.JPG|thumbnail|left|A mural of Ketu. Depicted as the body without head. from Jawahar Kala Kendra, Jaipur]]<br />
Since Rahu and Ketu are two opposite lunar nodes, they always appear in diametrically opposite [[House (astrology)|house]]s ([[Bhāva]]) of [[Horoscope|horoscopes]].<br />
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In [[Hindu astrology]] Ketu represents karmic collections both good and bad, spirituality and supernatural influences. Ketu signifies the spiritual process of the refinement of materialisation to the 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. He grants good health, wealth and cattle to his devotees. Ketu is the lord of three [[nakshatra]]s or lunar mansions: [[Ashvini]], [[Magha (nakshatra)|Magha]] and [[Mula (astrology)|Mula]].<br />
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Ketu is considered responsible for ''[[moksha]]'', ''[[sannyasa]]'', self-realization, ''[[Jnana|gnana]]'', a wavering nature, restlessness, the endocrine system and slender physique.<br />
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The people who come under the influence of Ketu can achieve great heights, most of them spiritual.<br />
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Rahu, being a karmic planet would show the necessity and urge to work on a specific area of life where there had been ignorance in the past life. To balance the apparent dissatisfaction one has to go that extra mile to provide a satisfactory settlement in the present lifetime. Rahu can remove all negative qualities of every planet while Ketu can emphasise every positive quality of the planet.<br />
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Ruler of Ketu: According to the most popular astrology text Brihat Parashara Hora Shastra, (BPHS) Ketu is related to Matsya.<br />
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Exaltation and Debilitation: This has been a debatable point in astrology, as per BPHS Ketu is exalted in the sign of Scorpio and debilitated in Taurus, however, many astrologers have disputed this and most modern astrologers now seem to agree that Ketu is exalted in Sagittarius and debilitated in Gemini {{Citation needed|date=September 2017}}. This stands to logic as Ketu is a [[torso]] and a prominent part of Sagittarius is a big horse torso attached to a male upper body.<br />
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Negative Significations: While Ketu is considered malefic and has been mostly associated with negative things. Most people consider it a difficult planet as it brings lot of troubles on the material plane. It often brings a sense of complete detachment, losses, mindlessness, wandering, and confusion in one's life.<br />
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Positive Significations: There is a much deeper side to Ketu and it has been called the most spiritual of all planets. Ketu has been considered the planet of enlightenment and liberation. As the one who has “lost his head (worldly senses)” Being a personification of renunciation (torso without a head who needs nothing). Ketu the ascetic that wants to go beyond the mundane life and achieve the final liberation.<br />
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Friends Planets: Ketu is a friend of Mercury, Venus, and Saturn. Jupiter is neutral in friendship. Sun, Moon, and Mars are Ketu's enemies.<br />
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==Astrology and navagraha worship ==<br />
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[[Jyotisha]] is Hindu astrology, which entails concept of [[Nakshatra]] (see also [[List of Natchathara temples]]), [[Navagraha]] (see also [[Navagraha temples|List of Navagraha temples]] and [[Saptarishi]] included in the [[list of Hindu deities]] whose [[List of Hindu temples|dedicated temples]] are found at various [[Hindu pilgrimage sites]] to which Hindus take pilgrimage [[yatra]].<br />
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==See also ==<br />
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* [[Navagraha]]<br />
* [[Nakshatra]]<br />
* [[Jyotisha]]<br />
* [[Saptarishi]]<br />
* [[Orbital node]]<br />
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== References ==<br />
{{Reflist|30em}}<br />
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==External links==<br />
*{{Commons category-inline}}<br />
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{{Navagraha}}<br />
{{Jyotish Vidya}}<br />
{{Hindu deities and texts}}<br />
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Ketu (Mythology)}}<br />
[[Category:Asura]]<br />
[[Category:Danavas]]<br />
[[Category:Navagraha]]<br />
[[Category:Planetary deities]]<br />
[[Category:Sun myths]]<br />
[[Category:Moon myths]]<br />
[[Category:History of astrology]]<br />
[[Category:Eclipses]]</div>2405:201:402D:904B:E946:1EE4:162F:12ABhttps://en.bharatpedia.org/w/index.php?title=Rahu&diff=378537Rahu2022-12-13T09:18:12Z<p>2405:201:402D:904B:E946:1EE4:162F:12AB: robot: Create/update articles in Category:Hindu gods.</p>
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<div>{{Short description|Hindu deity representing ascending lunar node}}<br />
{{For|the ascending lunar node Rahu|Lunar node}}<br />
{{Other uses}}<br />
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2015}}<br />
{{Use Indian English|date=December 2015}}<br />
{{Infobox deity<br />
| name = Rahu<br />
| other_names = <br />
| type = Hindu<br />
| image = Rahu graha.JPG<br />
| alt = Rahu<br />
| caption = <br />
| deity_of = [[Solar eclipse]]s and North [[Lunar Node]]; <br />Head of [[Svarbhanu]]<br />
| member_of = [[Navagraha]]<br />
| Devanagari = राहु<br />
| Sanskrit_transliteration = rāhu (The point of intersection of ascending node of lunar orbit with the elliptic plane of earth's orbit)<br />
| affiliation = [[Graha]], [[Asura]],<ref name=dalalrahu/> [[Svarbhanu]]<br />
| abode = [[Rahu kala|Rāhu Kāla]]<br />
| mantra = {{IAST|Om Viprachitti putra Simhika putra Om Navagraha Rahuya Namah}}<br />
| weapon = Sceptre<br />
| day = Friday, Rāhu Kāla<br />
| festivals = Amavasya or Rāhu Kāla<br />
| number = <br />
| mount = Black Lion<br />
| mother = [[Holika|Simhika]]<ref name=dalalrahu/><br />
| father = [[Viprachitti]]<ref name=dalalrahu/><br />
| siblings = [[Ketu (mythology)|Ketu]]<br />
}}<br />
[[File:The Planet Rahu and other Astral Figures.jpg|thumb|''The Planet Rahu and other Astral Figures'', painting by the [[Mahesh of Chamba]] ([[floruit|fl.]] c. 1730 - 1770). [[Rietberg Museum]]]]<br />
'''Rāhu''' ([[Sanskrit]]: [[:wikt:राहु#Sanskrit|राहु]], [[file:ascending node (bold).svg|16px|☊]]) is one of the nine major celestial bodies ([[navagraha]]) in Hindu texts and the king of meteors.<ref name=dalalrahu>{{cite book|author=Roshen Dalal |title=Hinduism: An Alphabetical Guide|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DH0vmD8ghdMC |year=2010|publisher=Penguin Books |isbn=978-0-14-341421-6|page=324 }}</ref> It represents the ascension of the moon in its precessional orbit around the earth, also referred as the north lunar node, and along with [[Ketu (mythology)|Ketu]], is a "shadow planet" that causes eclipses. Despite having no physical existence, Rahu has been allocated the status of the planet by ancient seers owing to its strong influence in astrology.<br />
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Rahu is usually paired with [[Ketu (mythology)|Ketu]], another shadow planet. The time of day considered to be under the influence of Rahu is called ''[[Rahu kala|Rāhu kāla]]'' and is considered inauspicious.<ref>{{cite book|title=India through the ages|url=https://archive.org/details/indiathroughages00mada|last=Gopal|first=Madan|year= 1990| page= [https://archive.org/details/indiathroughages00mada/page/77 77]|editor=K.S. Gautam|publisher=Publication Division, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India}}</ref><br />
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As per Hindu astrology, Rahu and Ketu have an orbital cycle of 18 years and are always 180 degrees from each other orbitally (as well as in the birth charts). This coincides with the precessional orbit of the moon or the ~18 year rotational cycle of the lunar ascending and descending nodes on the earth's ecliptic plane. This also corresponds to a [[saros (astronomy)|saros]], a period of approximately 223 synodic months (approximately 6585.3211 days, or 18 years, 11 days, 8 hours), that can be used to predict eclipses of the Sun and Moon. Rahu rules the zodiac sign of [[Aquarius (astrology)|Aquarius]] together with [[Shani]].<br />
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Astronomically, Rahu and Ketu 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 node]]s. [[Eclipse]]s occur when the Sun and the Moon are at one of these points, giving rise to the understanding of swallowing of the Sun and the Moon by the snake. Rahu is responsible for causing the [[Eclipse of the Sun]].<br />
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== Legends ==<br />
{{expand section|date=February 2018}}<br />
{{main|Samudra Manthana}}<br />
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Rahu is mentioned in the Puranic texts.<ref name="Dimmitt2012p347">{{cite book|author=Cornelia Dimmitt|title=Classical Hindu Mythology: A Reader in the Sanskrit Puranas|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=re7CR2jKn3QC |year=2012|publisher=Temple University Press|isbn=978-1-4399-0464-0|pages=75, 347–349}}</ref> The tales begin in the "remotest periods of the earliest of time, when the devas and asuras churned the [[Kshir Sagar|ocean of milk]] to extract from it the [[amrita]], the elixir of immortality."<ref>Heinrich Zimmer, ''Myth and Symbols in Indian Art and Civilisation.'' New York: Harper Torchbooks, 1946, p. 176</ref> [[Mohini]], the female avatar of [[Vishnu]], started distributing amrita to the [[Deva (Hinduism)|devas]]. However, one of the asuras, [[Svarbhānu|Svarbhanu]], sat in the row of devas and drank the amrita. Surya and Chandra noticed him and they informed Mohini; however, by that time, Svarbhanu had already become immortal. Vishnu, as Mohini, cut off Svarbhanu's head with the [[Sudarshana Chakra|Sudarshana]] Chakra. Svarbhanu, henceforth referred to as Rahuketu, could not die, but his head was separated from his body and his head came to be known as Rahu, while his body came to be known as Ketu. Following this event, Rahu and Ketu were given the responsibility to influence the lives of the humans on [[Earth]].<ref name="Dimmitt2012p347" /><br />
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== Astrology ==<br />
Since Rahu and Ketu are two opposite lunar nodes, they always appear in diametrically opposite [[House (astrology)|house]]s in [[horoscope]]s. Both nodes are always in retrograde motion.<br />
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In [[Hindu astrology]], Rahu represents materialism, mischief, fear, dissatisfaction, obsession and confusion. Rahu is also associated with politicians and occult sciences. Like Ketu, Rahu is also an enemy against the sun and moon.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://internetlk.com/rahu-kalaya/ |title=Rahu Kalaya {{!}} 2021 August - Daily Rahu Kalaya Sri Lanka |website=internetlk.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210803095800/https://internetlk.com/rahu-kalaya/ |archive-date=2021-08-03}} </ref> It is generally considered as a malefic planet in astrology.<br />
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[[Jyotisha]] is Hindu astrology, which entails the concepts of [[Nakshatra]] (see also [[List of Natchathara temples]]), [[Navagraha]] (see also [[Navagraha temples|List of Navagraha temples)]], and [[Saptarishi]] (included in the [[list of Hindu deities]] whose [[List of Hindu temples|dedicated temples]] are found at various [[Hindu pilgrimage sites]] to which Hindus take [[yatra]]).<br />
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== Buddhist culture ==<br />
Rāhu 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 [[Surya]], the Sun deity and [[Chandra]], the Moon deity before being compelled to release them by their recitation of a brief stanza conveying their reverence for the [[Gautama Buddha|Buddha]].<ref>[http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/sn/sn02/sn02.009.piya.html Candima Sutta]</ref><ref name="Suriya Sutta">[http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/sn/sn02/sn02.010.piya.html Suriya Sutta]</ref> The Buddha responds by enjoining Rāhu to release them, which Rāhu does rather than have his "head split into seven pieces".<ref name="Suriya Sutta"/> The verses recited by the two celestial deities and the Buddha have since been incorporated into Buddhist liturgy as protective verses recited by monks as prayers of protection.<ref>[https://internetlk.com/rahu-kalaya/Access to Insight; see the summary in the ''Devaputta-samyutta section'']</ref><br />
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== In the media ==<br />
[[File:Vijay at the Nadigar Sangam Protest.jpg|thumb|right|[[Vijay (actor)|Vijay]] depicted his role as modern day Rahu avatar in film ''[[Beast (2022 Indian film)|Beast]]''|220x220px]]<br />
Rāhu was depicted by actor [[Vijay (actor)|Vijay]] in the film ''[[Beast (2022 Indian film)|Beast]]'' as Veera Raghavan with bullet deflection and superhuman fighting skills.<ref>{{cite web | last=Shah | first=Hirav | title=Eclipse Superstar Thalapathy Vijay Turns on His BEAST Rahu Mode | website=NewsroomPost | date=June 22, 2021 | url=https://newsroompost.com/entertainment/birthday-predictions-will-thalapathy-vijay-turn-his-beast-mode-on-in-2021/2379740.html | access-date=November 3, 2022}}</ref><br />
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== Gallery ==<br />
<gallery><br />
File:Pharahu in Thailand.JPG|Phra Rahu in Thailand<br />
File:Cambodia Rahu.png|Rahu iconography in Cambodia<br />
File:BritishmuseumRahu.JPG|Rahu statue at The British Museum<br />
File:วัดพระลอย อ.เมือง จ.สุพรรณบุรี (9).jpg|Rahu eclipsing the moon statue in Thailand<br />
</gallery><br />
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==See also==<br />
*[[Ketu (mythology)|Ketu]]<br />
*[[Kirtimukha]]<br />
*[[Svarbhanu]]<br />
*[[saros (astronomy)|Saros]]<br />
*[[Orbital node]]<br />
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==Notes==<br />
{{reflist}}<br />
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==External links==<br />
*{{Commons category-inline|Rahu}}<br />
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{{Navagraha}}<br />
{{Hindu astrology}}<br />
{{HinduMythology}}<br />
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[[Category:Asura]]<br />
[[Category:Danavas]]<br />
[[Category:Navagraha]]<br />
[[Category:Planetary deities]]<br />
[[Category:Sun myths]]<br />
[[Category:Moon myths]]<br />
[[Category:Eclipses]]<br />
[[Category:History of astrology]]<br />
[[Category:Hindu gods]]<br />
[[Category:Dharmapalas]]</div>2405:201:402D:904B:E946:1EE4:162F:12AB