View source for Rahu

{{Short description|Hindu deity representing ascending lunar node}}
{{Other uses}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2015}}
{{Use Indian English|date=December 2015}}
{{Infobox deity
| name = Rahu
| other_names = 
| type = Hindu
| image = Rahu graha.JPG
| alt = Rahu
| caption = Depiction of Rahu from the 1842 book ''The Complete Hindoo Pantheon'' by E. A. Rodrigues
| deity_of = [[Solar eclipse]]s and North [[Lunar Node]]; <br />Head of [[Svarbhanu]]
| member_of = [[Navagraha]]
| Devanagari = राहु
| Sanskrit_transliteration = rāhu (The point of intersection of ascending node of lunar orbit with the elliptic plane of Earth's orbit)
| affiliation = [[Graha]], [[Asura]],<ref name=dalalrahu/> [[Svarbhanu]]
| abode = [[Rahu kala|Rāhu Kāla]]
| mantra = {{IAST|Om Viprachitti putra Simhika putra Om Navagraha Rahuya Namah}}
| weapon = Sceptre
| day = Saturday, Rāhu Kāla
| festivals = Amavasya or Rāhu Kāla
| number = 4, 13, 22, 31
| mount = Black Lion
| consort = Nāgavalli and Nāgakanni or Karali<ref>https://hinduism.stackexchange.com/questions/62109/do-mangala-rahu-and-ketu-have-consorts</ref>
| mother = [[Holika|Simhika]]<ref name=dalalrahu/>
| father = [[Viprachitti]]<ref name=dalalrahu/>
| siblings = [[Ketu (mythology)|Ketu]]
}}
[[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]]]]
'''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 [[meteor]]s.<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 to as the north [[lunar node]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://astrosapient.com/rahu/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230530184635/https://astrosapient.com/rahu/ |url-status=usurped |archive-date=30 May 2023 |title=Rahu Holds Immense Significance In Vedic Astrology|date=30 May 2023 |publisher=AstroSapient}}</ref> and along with [[Ketu (mythology)|Ketu]], is a "shadow planet" that causes [[eclipse]]s. Despite having no physical existence, Rahu has been allocated the status of the planet by ancient [[divination|seers]] owing to its strong influence in [[astrology]].

Rahu is usually paired with Ketu, the south lunar node. 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>

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]] (traditional ruling planet).

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 the personification in Hindu astrology of 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. When the sun conjoins either node on the ecliptic, the new moon will obscure sunlight causing a solar eclipse, and the full moon's light will be blighted by the earth's shadow causing the lunar eclipse.

Nakshatras ruled by Rahu are Ardra, Swati, and Shatbhisha.

== Legends ==
{{expand section|date=February 2018}}

{{main|Samudra Manthana}}

Rahu is mentioned in the [[Puranas|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 [[Deva (Hinduism)|deva]]s and [[asura]]s 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 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 his discus, the [[Sudarshana Chakra]]. Svarbhanu, henceforth referred to as Rahu and Ketu, could not die, but his head was separated from his body; his head came to be known as Rahu, while his body came to be known as Ketu. Following this event, Rahu and Ketu gained the status of planets, and could influence the lives of humans on [[Earth]].<ref name="Dimmitt2012p347" /> Rahu and Ketu became bitter enemies with [[Surya]] (Sun) and [[Chandra]] (Moon) for exposing his deception and leading to his decapitation.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=iHdFAQAAIAAJ&q=rahu&pg=RA2-PA90 |title=The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa Translated Into English Prose: Adi parva (1893). Sabha parva (1899) |date=1883 |publisher=Bhārata Press |page=82,90 |language=en}}</ref> For this, Rahu pursues them and attempts to consume the Sun and Moon.<ref name=":2">{{Cite book |url=http://archive.org/details/menon-ramesh-the-complete-mahabharata-volume-1-12 |title=The Complete Mahabharata Volume 1 to 12 |language=English |chapter=CANTO 19}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Sinha |first=Pürnendu Narayana |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=GIBBAAAAYAAJ&q=rahu&pg=PA169 |title=A Study of the Bhagavata Purana: Or, Esoteric Hinduism |date=1901 |publisher=Freeman & Company, Limited |language=en}}</ref> Since Rahu is the head without the body, the Sun and Moon exit from his throat when he tries to swallow them.<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Shylaja |first1=B. S. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=OQo37jub5TcC&dq=Swarbhanu&pg=PA2 |title=Eclipse: A Celestical Shadow Play |last2=Madhusudan |first2=H. R. |date=1999 |publisher=Universities Press |isbn=978-81-7371-237-1 |page=2,3 |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite journal |last=Kochhar |first=Rajesh |title=Rahu and Ketu in mythological and "astronomological" contexts |url=https://www.academia.edu/767173}}</ref> This recurring cycle creates the [[grahana]], an eclipse of the Sun and the Moon, which represents the temporary revenge of Rahu.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":2" /><ref name=":1" />

=== Solar Eclipse and Atri's sons ===
The [[Rig Veda]] mentions that during a solar eclipse, the sons of [[Atri]] were conflicted and succeeded in freeing Surya.<ref>{{Cite web |last=www.wisdomlib.org |date=2021-08-27 |title=Sukta 40 [English translation] |url=https://www.wisdomlib.org/hinduism/book/rig-veda-english-translation/d/doc833204.html |access-date=2024-10-31 |website=www.wisdomlib.org |language=en}}</ref>

=== Jalandhara ===
{{Main|Jalandhara}}
Following his ascent to power, the asura Jalandhara was advised by the great sage [[Narada]] to seek out a consort. Narada hinted that the beautiful [[Parvati]], consort of [[Shiva]], would be an excellent choice.<ref name=":3">{{Cite book |last=J.L.Shastri |url=http://archive.org/details/SivaPuranaJ.L.ShastriPart2 |title=Siva Purana - English Translation - Part 2 of 4 |date=1950 |pages=412–422}}</ref> Infatuated with her beauty and impaired in his judgment, Jalandhara summoned his emissary Rahu, and sent him to the mountain [[Mount Kailash|Kailasa]], to demand that Shiva give up his wife to Jalandhara. Rahu delivered the message informing Shiva that being a humble [[yogi]] who lived in the cremation grounds and the jungle as a naked ascetic, he was unworthy of the fairest goddess.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Zimmer |first=Heinrich Robert |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=PTfNMQP81nAC&q=rahu |title=Myths and Symbols in Indian Art and Civilization |date=1946 |publisher=Princeton University Press |isbn=978-0-691-01778-5 |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":3" /> He added that since Jalandhara was the powerful new lord of the heavens, the underworld, and the Earth, he was more worthy of her.<ref name=":3" /><ref name=":4">{{Cite book |url=http://archive.org/details/skandapurana0054unse |title=The Skanda-purāṇa |date=1993 |location=Delhi  |publisher= Motilal Banarsidass Publishers |isbn=978-81-208-1984-9 |pages=136–138}}</ref> Upon hearing these insults, Shiva produced a thunderous sound and a great lion-like monster from his brow named [[Kirtimukha]]. The monster chased and seized Rahu with the intention of devouring him. Rahu pleaded with Shiva for his life and retracted his claims, instead praising Shiva and seeking protection and refuge with him. In response, Shiva called off Kirtimukha’s attack and set Rahu free to relay these events back to Jalandhara.<ref name=":4" /><ref name=":3" />

=== Hanuman ===
{{Main|Hanuman}}
When Hanuman was an infant, he was once left unattended by his earthly mother and father. He became hungry, and when the Sun rose, he believed it to be a ripe fruit. So, Hanuman leapt up towards the Sun with extreme speed. [[Vayu]], the wind god and his celestial father, blew cold wind on him to protect him from the burning Sun.<ref name=":5">{{Cite book |last=Lutgendorf |first=Philip |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=fVFC2Nx-LP8C&q=rahu&pg=PA31 |title=Hanuman's Tale: The Messages of a Divine Monkey |date=2007-01-11 |publisher=Oxford University Press |isbn=978-0-19-804220-4 |pages=131–132 |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":6">{{Cite book |last=Manmatha Nath Dutt |url=http://archive.org/details/Valmiki_Ramayana_English_Prose_Translation_7_volumes_by_Manmatha_Nath_Dutt_1891_to_1894 |title=Valmiki Ramayana English Prose Translation in 7 volumes by Manmatha Nath Dutt 1891 to 1894 |pages=144–148 |language=English}}</ref> Coincidentally, Rahu was meant to swallow the Sun and eclipse it that day. As Rahu approached the Sun, he saw Hanuman about to eat it. Hanuman saw Rahu and thought Rahu to be a fruit as well, so he attempted to eat him too. Rahu fled to the court of the king of the devas, [[Indra]], and complained that while he was meant to satisfy his hunger with the Sun, there was now a bigger Rahu who tried to consume the Sun and himself.<ref name=":6" /><ref name=":5" /> Indra set out on [[Airavata]], his divine elephant, to investigate alongside Rahu, who retreated once more when he saw how enormous Hanuman had grown. Hanuman was playing with the Sun's chariot and reached for Rahu again. As Rahu cried out to Indra for help, Hanuman saw the Airavata and mistook it for yet another fruit.<ref name=":6" /> When he approached in his giant form, Indra struck his left jaw with a thunderbolt and injured him. Hanuman began falling back towards the Earth when he was caught by Vayu. Furious over his son's injury, Vayu withdrew all the air from the universe until all the devas, the asuras, and men began to suffer and suffocate. They appealed to [[Brahma]], who revealed the cause of their distress and accompanied them to the wind god in order to appease him. Brahma revived Hanuman, and the other deities took turns bestowing different blessings, boons, and powers upon him.<ref name=":6" /><ref name=":5" /> 

=== Reincarnation during Mahabharata ===
During the events of Mahabharata, Rahu himself took incarnation as a king, Kratha.

== Astrology ==
'''Rāhu''' ([[Sanskrit]]: [[:wikt:राहु#Sanskrit|राहु]], [[file:ascending node (bold).svg|16px|☊]]) is one of the nine major celestial bodies ([[navagraha]]) in [[Hindu]] in astrology. 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.

Due to the obscuration caused by eclipse phenomena, Rahu in [[Hindu astrology]] may be associated with themes such as deceit, delusion, corruption, impiety, materialism, hedonism and toxicity. Rahu is associated with swindlers, jokers, criminals, and afflictions such as addiction and trauma. In more favorable configurations Rahu may signify elements of science, technology, ecology, entertainment, counterculture, humor and craft.<ref> https://mountainastrologer.com/archives/44607#:~:text=In%20the%20words%20of%20Freedom,or%20the%20swindler's%20conniving%20win.</ref> Like Ketu, Rahu is also an enemy of 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.

Rahu rules the zodiac sign of [[Aquarius (astrology)|Aquarius]] together with [[Shani]] (traditional ruling planet). He is exalted in the astrological sign of Gemini, finds itself comfortable in Virgo, Taurus, Libra and Capricorn. In Jyotish techniques of Vimshottari Dasha, Rahu has rulership over the Nakshatra of Ardra, Swati, and Shatabhisha.


[[Jyotisha]], the Hindu astrology, 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]]).

== Buddhist culture ==
[[File:Rahu, Lord of the Planets LACMA AC1999.58.1 (1 of 21).jpg|thumb|Metal icon of Rahu from the Densatil Monastery in [[Tibet]], circa 1400 CE]]
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'']{{Dead link|date=January 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

== Gallery ==
<gallery>
File:Pharahu in Thailand.JPG|Phra Rahu in Thailand
File:BritishmuseumRahu.JPG|Rahu statue at The British Museum
File:วัดพระลอย อ.เมือง จ.สุพรรณบุรี (9).jpg|Rahu eclipsing the Moon statue in Thailand
</gallery>

==See also==
*[[Nuwa]] 
*[[Hati Hróðvitnisson]]
*[[Kirtimukha]]
*[[Svarbhanu]]
*[[saros (astronomy)|Saros]]
*[[Orbital node]]
*[[Batara Kala]]
*[[Sköll]]

==Notes==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*{{Commons category-inline|Rāhu}}

{{Navagraha}}
{{Hindu astrology}}
{{HinduMythology}}

[[Category:Hindu gods]]
[[Category:Asura]]
[[Category:Danavas]]
[[Category:Navagraha]]
[[Category:Sun myths]]
[[Category:Moon myths]]
[[Category:Eclipses]]
[[Category:History of astrology]]
[[Category:Dharmapalas]]
[[Category:Buddhist gods]]
[[Category:Thai Buddhist deities]]