1) Effects of Rahu in Various houses –2)Results of Rahu Mahadasha and 3) Effective Remedies for Malefic Rahu

1)   Effects of   Rahu in Various  Houses –2) Results of  Rahu Mahadasha and  3) Effective Remedies for Malefic Rahu 

Rahu and Kethu as  Planets in Vedic Astrology:-

Rahu the North node of the Moon, known as dragons head is treated as a planet in Vedic astrology. The nodes Rahu and Kethu have been given the status of planets in Vedic astrology and  when calculating the operating  periods of the planets according to the constellation of the moon at the time of birth of an individual ,these shadow planets have been given equal status of other major planets like Jupiter Saturn, Mercury Etc.

It is interesting to observe that Rahu,  has been assigned almost equal number of years, a long as 18 years under the Vimshothari (Means 120) Dasa system like  that of Saturn, that has its ruling period as 19 years . This prove that the sages after due research  had come to the conclusion that the effect of these shadowy planets is no less than the other major planets. As per the astrological dictums   Rahu behaves like Saturn and kethu like Mars.(Kujavath Kethu and Sanivath Rahu)

Placement  in Various Zodiacal Signs:-

As indicated   above, one may not ignore the effect of these shadowy planets, whether in transits or in the  natal chart. As indicated , since Rahu behaves like Saturn and kethu like Mars, both these planets are considered as malefic . It would be worthwhile to discuss the characteristics of these planets before we proceed to analyse the effect of Rahu in various houses. It would  also be appropriate to explain astronomically, what Rahu and kethu means. Moon in its orbit from South to North crosses the ecliptic . This point of intersection is known as Rahu. Diametrically opposite to this point, Moon  crosses the ecliptic during its moment from north to south and that point is called the dragons tail or Ketu. One needs to be aware that these points are not stationary and they have a mean motion of 19° and 30 m in a year which is why in Vedic astrology the time to complete one  orbit of  the 12 zodiac by these planets  is taken as 18 years. From the above it is clear that Rahu and kethu do not have physical identities but they are only calculated points. The Vedic astrology takes only the true position of Rahu and not the main position. It is worth mentioning that the ancient Hindu astrologers were the first to mention about this point, which helped for deducing eclipses. Having come to understand what Rahu and kethu means both astronomically as well as astrologically let us examine the characteristics of these shadow planets and how it affects the life of human beings that  incarnate on Earth.

The Characteristics of Rahu as per Vedic Astrology:-

In Vedic astrology Rahu is considered as a first rate malefic planet where as kethu though  a malefic, is considered  to be a planet with  spiritual qualities. It is considered as extremely cruel, a cheater, poisonous, a dealer of drugs and poison, a schemer, and one who represents all mysterious diseases that cannot be diagnosed. It also denotes a person of harsh speech, unclean, outcast, a foreigner, one who dwells in un clean place and does illegal activities. One may find that all the above qualities are negative in nature and how one could predict anything good by the placement of the planet anywhere in the zodiacal signs? But the fact is otherwise. It could be very beneficial for many people depending upon its placement and the influence it has from other planets. It is an unresolved puzzle in Vedic astrology, which is the own house and exaltation house of this planet. There are various schools of thought with regard to the own house and exaltation houses of Rahu. This author prefers to follow the Parasara school of thought. As per Parasara, the exaltation house of Rahu is Taurus and its own house is Aquarius. Rahu is also beneficial in the house of Mercury that is both in Germany and in Virgo. It would not harm if it is placed in the house of Moon, that is in cancer and also in the house of Saturn that is Capricorn and  Aquarius . It also represents uncontrolled desire of material gains depending on its placement. The uncanny desire of Rahu is because of its craving for a body which it has lost, similarly Kethu always craves for spiritual advancement and knowledge as Kethu does not have a head. Although these representations are for easy understanding, the fact remains that during  the period of Rahu one gets greedy and also used to get tempted for all illegal and unnatural activities for the sake of material gains. One could observe that many a liquor baron and speculator, casino players, and people of other illegal or dubious business make big fortune only to lose it later at the same speed during the main period.

Rahu in Eastern and Western Astrology:-

As Rahu represents serpent, the poisonous creature, its affinity and connection to poisonous substances of the universe is well known. In terms of illness it indicates all types of skin disease, cancers, Tumours, and all other difficult to diagnose diseases of the human beings. It  is the major indicator of the dreaded disease cancer and other fatal eruptions on the body. It also denotes epidemics contagious diseases and diseases of unclean origin. However if Rahu is in  the house of most benefic planets like Jupiter Venus or Mercury it bestows the owner with good health during its period but for the trouble connected with the part which is represented by the dispositor of Rahu, an irony, which the students of astrology, need to ponder over. Rahu might also do well in the house of Saturn, provided Saturn is well placed and is fairly strong. Western astrology considers this planet as a benefic planet that bestows unprecedented benefit for the individual. This might be due to the fact that Rahu being a planet craving for material gains without any spiritual bend of mind, would grand immediate gains by dubious means. If the only consideration for an individual is materialistic gains, then Rahu could be considered as a benefic planet. However the Vedic astrology and the Hindu philosophy of life do not value materialistic gains as supreme. On the other hand wisdom, virtues, sacrifice, detachment, spiritualism etc. are considered as the  most valuable and cherished  qualities in life. The difference in the treatment of this planet  in the Western Astrology and in the Eastern Astrology might be due to this difference in perception and approach to life, by the two distinct civilizations.

To be continued……….