Rahu & Ketu: The Mystery of the North & South Nodes

Rahu and Ketu are not planets. They are actually the intersection points of the orbit of the Moon and the elliptic. The intersection points in the north is called Rahu or the north node or the dragon's head and the intersection points in the south is called Ketu or the south node or the dragon's tail. Indian rishis have given them the status of planets since these points have great influence on the lives of individuals and are called Karmic planets.Rahu and Ketu are responsible for certain bad yogas in the horoscope of individuals.

These yogas are as under:

Kaal Sarpa Yoga: Whenever all the planets (Uranus, Neptune and Pluto are excluded) are between Rahu and Ketu axis, this yoga is formed. General interpretation of such a yoga is obstruction in the path of progress and at times sudden reversals.

Shrapit Yoga: Whenever Rahu and Saturn (Shani ) are together this yoga is formed. This yoga also gives tremendous difficulty in life and the whole life goes without any meaningful progress.

Pitru Dosha: This yoga is formed when Rahu and Ketu are with any of the Luminaries and are placed in the 6th, 8th and the 12th house. Many a times, this yoga is also formed in the 5th house and if other planets do not show any beneficial aspects, this yoga does not allow a person to progress at all. There can be hospital stay and / or confinement.Indian rishis suggest poojas (rituals) to be performed to ward off the evil effects of these yogas. One of them is Narayan Nagbali Pooja. This pooja gives relief to a great extent.

This pooja is performed at a few prescribed Indian locations such as: (1) Trambakeshwar in Nashik, (2) Chandod near Vadodara in Gujarat, (3) Kala Hasti in Tamil Nadu and at (4) Haridwar. It is very important to note that these poojas have to be performed at the places mentioned. Trambakeshwar has the pride of place as mentioned in our Puranas. The priests available at Tranbakeshwar are highly organised and perform the pooja very nicely. The Pooja lasts for 3 days. It is stated in the ancient text that Pitru Dosha occurs if any ancestors up to the 7th generation on the father’s side and up to the 4th generation on the mother’s side have expired at an early age or have had an unnatural death. If such is the situation, my humble request would be that this Pooja should be performed. This pooja has given relief to many and I have first hand experience in this effect.

Brief History of Rahu / Ketu:
In the Hindu Mythology it is stated that DURING SAMUNDRA MANTHAN or Churning of the Ocean when nectar came out of the ocean and was being distributed by Lord Vishnu in the form of Mohini, Rahu realized that the Rakshashas will not get the nectar and it will get over before their turn comes. He therefore disguised himself as Deva and sat in their company and drank the Nector/Amrut. The Devas i.e. Suryadev and Chandradev recognized Rahu and informed Lord Vishnu who used his weapon, Sudershan Chakra to cut off Rahu's Head. However since Rahu had drank the Nectar, he was immortal and then from that time onwards the head is known as Rahu and the tail is known as Ketu. Indian sages-Ancient Rishes have woven this fact in the mythology to give a meaning that Rahu gives, but at a cost of losing the body. Ever since that time onwards Rahu and Ketu are bitterest enemies of Sun and Moon. This mythology gives us the knowledge that whenever these Chhayaa Graha are with Sun or Moon, they give inauspicious results. There are exceptions, but those are assessed by experienced astrologers.

Vedic Astrology

Vedic Astrology

The Power of Mars - the fiery planet of energy

In this brief write-up, the energy of the fiery planet Mars is examined for the benefit of the believers of vedic astrology.

Mars is the planet of emotional excitability, which can become violent. Mars holds a very important place in our horoscopes, governing our action which is our ability to project emotions. Its nature is that of a brave warrior, one who is also ruthless. A correct balance of Martian energy is the most desirable in all lives - but unfortunately, only a lucky few possess this dynamic balance.Generally speaking, Venus is the planet of emotional sensitivity, which can become refinement while Mars represents the malefic side of our emotions. On the positive side, a strong Mars is necessary to give us the energy, independence, will and self-confidence to carry out our endeavors. Without this we would have no real interest, passion or motivation to carry out anything to an end and accomplish its objective. On the negative side, the same aggression brings about competition, argument and conflict - which, if unchecked can leadto domination, violence and injury.Mars indicates premature death; as with loss of partner, particularly so when Mars is afflicted by "Kuja Dosha".

This affliction of Mars in a chart commonly makes the horoscope to be known as a Manglik horoscope. It is caused by placement of Mars in the 1st, 4th, 7th, 8th, 12th house of a natal chart. There are of course conditions when this affliction of "Kuja Dosha" is reduced to some extent.

These are:-
Mars in 1st House is in Aries-
Mars in 4th House is in Scorpio-
Mars in the 7th House is in Capricorn or Pisces-
Mars in the 8th House is in Cancer-
Mars in the 12th House is in Sagittarius

Apart from this for Cancer and Leo ascendant Mars is an yoga Karaka planet and hence in those horoscope Kuja Dosha does not take place or is treated as an exception. When Mars is aspected by Jupiter then also the Kuja Dosha is mitigated. The best is to consult a good astrologer for this. The very obvious and only means to cancellation of "Kuja Dosha" or malefic effect of a Manglik horoscope is that the person with such a horoscope marries another with a similar affliction. Recourse to divinity, especially to Lord Hanumaan is said to be an effective amour against malefic effect of "Kuja Dosha". Recitation of Mantra for Mangal also wards off the evil effect.

The Mantra is as Under: "Dhani garbha Sambutam, Vidhyut Kaanti Samprabham; Kumaaram Shaktihastam, Tam Mangalam Pranmaamyaham."

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