© Sri Jagannath Vedic Center (2000) LESSON # 9

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Rath’s Lectures Compiled by J Sarat Chander, Jyotish Guru,

SJVC

KETU AND THE VARIOUS FORMS Rahu & Ketu, we all know, are the two nodes. These two nodes are very difficult

to understand. Sometimes they are good and sometimes they are bad. Their natures are so deceptive that predictions become really dicey. One who has understood them properly will be blessed with good and accurate knowledge as a Jyotisha.

Hindu literature is very clear about what exactly are Rahu and Ketu. Maharishi Ved Vyas, the Paramaguru of Jyotish Shastra, has clearly explained the nodes in his immortal work – “Srimad Bhagavatam”. The story of Rahu and Ketu is also detailed elaborately in Vishnu Puran etc., linking these two to the Mohini Avatar of Bhagwan. Relevant quotes could be found in Srimad Bhagavatam etc.

Let me explain the traditional scripture a little for the benefit of understanding these nodes. It so happened that Sukracharya (Venus) was blessed with the knowledge of “Sanjivani Mantra”1 after great tapasya for the benefit of all people (universal benefit). Armed with this knowledge, Sukracharya could now revive all the dead people. However, Asuraguru as he was, he chose to use the knowledge for the benefit of the Auras contrary to the purpose for which he was blessed with this mantra. Armed with the powers of Sukracharya, the Asuras attacked Devaloka. Sukracharya would revive all the dead Asura soldiers while those on the Devaloka were getting killed. Eventually, being hugely outnumbered, Indra lost his kingdom to the Aruas.

When the defeated Devas approached Lord Vishnu for his protection, he advised them to perform “Sagar Manthan”2 to attain Amrit3 consuming which would make

1 Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra is called the “Sanjivani Mantra”. The strength of this mantra is so tremendous that it can cure all diseases. Sukracharya, is said to have been blessed with this mantra by Lord Shiva after akhand tapasya and with his ‘tapobal’ and siddhi he had attained powers to revive even the dead. 2 Churning of the ocean. Kurma Avatar of Lord Vishnu is associated with Sagar Manthan. The churning (manthan) was done with the help of Mandara Mountain and Vasuki (the serpent on which Lord Vishnu rests) when Lord Vishnu supported the sinking mountain at its base under ocean in the KURMA AVATAR.

© Sri Jagannath Vedic Center (2000) LESSON # 9

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them immortal. After all the churning, when the pot of Amrit was finally obtained, the Devas and Asuras wanted their due share. Sensing a danger in the immortality of Asuras, Lord Vishnu assumed the Mohini Avatar and enchanted the Asuras into submission to accept the distribution of Amrit as Mohini would decide.

Swarbhanu, the most cunning and trusted assistants of Sukracharya sensed a trick in the scheme of things and changed his form to look like a Deva and mingled with the Devas. When he was served with his cup of Amrit, Surya detected him and his disguise was blown up. Surya intimated the matter to Chandra (Moon) who instantaneously reported it to Lord Vishnu (Mohini) who severed his head with his Sudarshan Chakra. But, by that time Swarbhanu had already consumed the Amrit. As a result, he had attained immortality, but having been severed by the Sudarshan Chakra the head and body remained separated, which, eventually became Rahu – the head, and Ketu – the body of Swarbhanu.

EXALTATION

Thus, Rahu always longs for the physical body while Ketu, the headless one, always longs for the head where the Dhi Shakti (supreme intelligence) is present. This is also one of the reasons why the two nodes attain exaltation in Mithuna/Gemini (Rahu) – the natural 3rd house that rules the physical desires, and Dhanu/Sagittarius (Ketu) – the natural 9th house ruled by Jupiter who is symbolic of Dhi Shakti and overlords the department of Moksha. It is also because of this reason that Ketu is known as the Naisargika Moksha Karaka.

GANESHA – KETU – AND MOKSHA

The traditional literature also explains the reason why Ketu is said to represent Lord Ganesha4 and is associated with the department of Moksha as its karaka.

Goddess Parvati created a clay model of a baby boy and infused life into it. She then ordered him to stand guard while she had her ablutions. Lord Shiva who returned home was stopped by this boy from entering the house. Infuriated with this act, Lord Shiva killed the boy by severing his head with his Trishul5, without realizing that after all the boy was his own son as it was Goddess Parvati who had created him out of clay and infused life in him. When Goddess Parvati learnt of her son’s death, she demanded that the boy be brought back to life. Lord Vishnu then ordered that the head of the first visible living being be brought for bringing back the life in the

Lord Shiva consumed the poison spewed by Vasuki, thus, saving the universe. This poison, which was arrested right in his throat, left a blue mark due to which Lord Shiva is also known as ‘NEELKANTH’. 3 Nectar, which bestows immortality or Amaratva.4 Reference can be made from Shiv Puran etc. 5 Trident held by Lord Shiva

© Sri Jagannath Vedic Center (2000) LESSON # 9

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child. The first available living being was Iravata6, a white elephant, whose head was severed and brought back to revive the dead child of Parvati, and is thus also called Gajapathy. Lord Vishnu placed the head of the elephant and revived the child back to life and named him Ganesha.

As it was Lord Vishnu who gave life to Ganesha, the entire focus or Dhyana of Lord Ganesha is on Maha Vishnu. Hence, Lord Ganesha is known to naturally give the gati7 for Moksha to any individual who prays to him. Since the body of the baby boy was made out of clay and later on life infused in it by Goddess Parvati, Ketu is also associated with our physical body. Since Ganesha got the head of an elephant, Ketu, whenever placed in Sagittarius, is known to have assumed the Gajendra Rupa. Similarly, Ketu is said to assume the head of the animal indicated by the respective planet when placed in their respective houses, for example – when placed in the house of Mars it is said to assume the head of Markata or a monkey.

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Brihaspati (Jupiter) rules the Aakasha Tatwa and this Akash Tatwa, in turn has the deity Maha Vishnu in the teachings of Maharishi Parasara. Being the ruler of Pisces, Brihaspati is the overlord of the department of Moksha and as Indra rides Gajendra the elephant. Lord Ganesh who is called Gajapathy due to his elephant head, is the natural karaka for Moksha as he is always in Dhyana of Vishnu. Ketu assumes the Gaja Rupa when placed in Dhanu (Sagittarius) – a rasi owned by Jupiter, and as it represents Ganesha, becomes the natural/Naisargika karaka for Moksha. Therefore, Ketu is a great benefic planet for the purpose of Moksha Gati. Thus, Ketu as Lord Ganesha represents the Aakasha Tatwa so far as Moksha Gati is concerned.

The further divisions of the Tatwa and their relativity with Ketu in its various forms are rendered in the form of the Four Vedas – the Rig Veda, Sama Veda, Yajur Veda and Atharva Veda. In the scheme of the relativity of the Tatwa with the Vedas and the four other forms of Ketu, Sun and Moon being the luminaries – the Atma and Mana respectively, are exempt from consideration. Rahu too is left out as he is responsible for rebirth due to desires and is opposed to Moksha. The further four divisions and the forms are detailed in the following table and the pictures:

6 This Iravata is different from the vehicle/vahana of Indra. There is a puranic story behind why this Iravata was sighted first for its head to be severed and used for reviving Lord Ganesha. This incident was also to liberate Iravata from a curse. This liberation was to come on the orders/advice of Lord Vishnu who was responsible to revive Goddess Parvati’s dead child and rename him as Ganesha. 7 Direction

© Sri Jagannath Vedic Center (2000) LESSON # 9

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VEDA RUPA (FORM) TATWA PLANET SIGNS

All Knowledge (Veda)

Gaja8 Rupa Akash Tatwa

Jupiter All signs

Rig Veda Go9 Rupa (Ketu with Cow head)

Jala Tatwa

Venus Cancer, Scorpio & Pisces (Water signs)

Sama Veda Aja10 Rupa (Ketu with Goat head also called Ajaikapada)

Vayu Tatwa

Saturn Gemini, Libra & Aquarius (Airy signs)

Yajur Veda Haya11 Rupa (Ketu with Horse head also called Hayagreeva)

Prithvi Tatwa

Mercury Taurus, Virgo & Capricorn (Earth signs)

Atharva Veda

Markata12 Rupa (Ketu with Monkey head like Hanuman)

Agni Tatwa

Mars Aries, Leo & Sagittarius (Fire signs)

RAHU – KETU AND ASPECTS

From the above, it is clear that Rahu has the head and Ketu has no head to cause aspect or drishti. Maharishi Parasara has clearly explained this in BPHS, from which we get to understand aspects of all the planets, including the special aspects of Mars, Juptier, Saturn (being the outer planets) and that of Rahu. Rahu, in addition to the normal 7th house aspect, also aspects the 5th, 9th and the 12th from its placement. The 5th and 9th house part of the aspects are in opposition to the aspects of Jupiter who too aspects these houses in addition to the normal 7th house aspect. This is because, Rahu is always opposed to the Devaguru Brihaspati and does exactly the opposite of what Brihaspati does. Thus, while Brihaspati aspects the 5th and 9th houses for ‘Poorva Punya’ and ‘Bhagya’ (fortune) respectively, Rahu aspects the same houses to damage them due to ‘Poorva Paapa’ and ‘Daridra’ or misfortune respectively. In addition, however, Rahu also has the 12th house aspect because of which it gives him the powers (sixth sense) to see through shadyantra/scheming.

As for the results from the placement of the nodes in different Rasis, houses and Arudas standard texts may be referred.

OM TAT SAT

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