Rahu (Dragons Head)

Rahu is God of the Ascending / North lunar node. Rahu is the head of the demonic snake that swallows the sun or the moon causing eclipses, according to Hindu scriptures. He is depicted in art as a dragon with no body riding a chariot drawn by eight black horses. He is a Tamas Asura who does his best to plunge any area of one's life he controls into chaos. The rahu kala is considered inauspicious.

According to legend, during the Samudra manthan, the asura Rahu drank some of the divine nectar. But before the nectar could pass his throat, Mohini (the female avatar of Vishnu) cut off his head. The head, however, remained immortal and is called Rahu, while the rest of the body became Ketu. It is believed that this immortal head occasionally swallows the sun or the moon, causing eclipses. Then, the sun or moon passes through the opening at the neck, ending the eclipse.

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 story of the swallowing of the Sun and the Moon.

Rahu is regarded as similar to Saturn in its effect. Smoky blue is its color, instinctual and animalistic its nature. Rahu is interested only in achieving all that gives pleasure, and even if it achieves all it wants, it is never satisfied (which is true of our animalistic nature).

Although Rahu rules no sign of the zodiac, the zodiacal sign Virgo is its sign. Virgo is in fact assigned to Mercury, but Rahu being akin to Saturn and Mercury being a friend of Saturn, Rahu thus has authority over Virgo. Friendly signs are Gemini, Virgo, Libra, Sagittarius, and Pisces. Cancer and Leo are its enemy signs. Mercury, Venus, and Saturn are friendly planets. Rahu is an enemy of Sun, Moon, and Mars. Rahu gives auspicious results in Taurus and Libra.

Effects of Rahu

Rahu is capable of giving power when rightly posited or exalted, and it gives fame, success in politics, money, and physical beauty (i.e., attraction).

The planet Rahu relates to mind, insanity, Epilepsy, fights and trifles, and fruitless wonderings many a times.

Gemstone for Rahu (Dragons Head)

The navratna gemstone for Rahu is Hessonite Garnet (Gomed), one must wear Hessonite Garnet or Gomed in middle finger on Saturday, the ring should be made of Silver or Five Metals (Panch Dhatu), one must donate Five Hessonite Stones along with money to poor or drop the same in river or other water body (Sea, Ocean, Pond etc). People with Grahan Yog must not wear Gomed or Hessonite Garnet.

How to get rid of negative effects of Rahu, when Rahu is vakri, when Rahu is neech

The ill effects of Rahu can be minimized and the good effects can be increased according to Indian mythology by doing the following tasks. Any or all of these, one can select as per one's convenience.

• Donation in charity, a piece of cloth of cola colour or blue cloth to some needy person on any Saturday, will gain favours of Rahu.
• Donating in charity if possible Gold or Lead also appeases Rahu.
• Distributing Til (sesamum seeds) and mustard oil on any Saturday is another proposition to please the Rahu.
• Offering Black Flowers in Hawan (Fire Sacrifices) will go a long way to appease Rahu.
• Charity of black/Cola colour blanket in winter and also using black/Cola Colour blankets for self brings favour of Rahu.

Remedies for Malefic Rahu

Bathe Using the Products Related to Rahu: Dasha of Rahu is said to be the Dasha of mental sufferings. When the planet is not giving favorable results during transit, you should bathe with its products. Put Guggul in the bathing water and bathe with it. Meditate on the lord Rahu at the time of bathing. Bathe with the normal water after this. If you perform this remedy regularly then you will be free from malefic influence of Rahu. The remedy also arouses interest in worship and religious activities.

Donate Products of Rahu: You can donate copper or black sesame on Saturday for the auspiciousness of Rahu. You can donate these products in a temple or to a person in need. Buy and donate the products as per your capability.

Mantra of Rahu: Chanting Vedic Mantra of Rahu and reciting Durga Shlok will be beneficial for you. The Mantra of Rahu is Om Kayanakshachitra Aabhuv Dooni Sada Budhah Sakhah Kaya Shachishthya Vrata. Reciting the Mantra of Rahu during transit helps you reap positive fruits. Chant the Mantra on a fixed time when you can do it comfortably. You should recite only one Mantra in a day. You can start reciting after fixing time and place for chanting. Recite one Mantra for 108 times or more than 108 times in a day.

Yantra of Rahu: Wearing or worshiping Rahus Yantra reduces the malefic effect of Rahu during Dasha or transit.

108 Names of Rahu