Story Behind Rahu and Ketu: How an Asur became immortal

As per the Puranas, Rahu and Ketu are believed to have originated from the beginning of time. One of the most significant occasions in the history of Hindu culture is thought to have been "Samudra Manthan." The eclipses of the sun and moon are also connected to "Samudra Manthan."
 
"Amrit" evolved when the Asuras and Devas churned the sea. In order to recover the Amrit that the Asuras had stolen, Lord Vishnu took the form of the gorgeous damsel "Mohini" and made an effort to appease and divert the Asuras. Mohini came to the Devas after obtaining the Amrit and gave it to them.
 
To get a piece of the Amrit, one of the asuras, "Svarbhanu," transformed into a deva. But Surya (the Sun) and Chandra (the Moon) saw that Svarbhanu was not a deva; rather, he was an Asura. With the knowledge of this, Lord Vishnu used his discus, the Sudarshan Charka, to cut off Svarbhanu's head.
 
His head and body got separated though; he was alive because he was able to sip one drop of Amrit's nectar before his head was cut. Later his head is referred to as Rahu, while the headless body is called Ketu

Since then, Rahu and Ketu have been chasing the Sun and the Moon nonstop in revenge for splitting Asura Svarbhanu's head and body apart. It's a common misconception that when they manage to capture the Sun and Moon, they swallow them, resulting in a solar or lunar eclipse. However, they are unable to hold onto the Sun and Moon for very long, and since they are immortal and have the benefit of nectar, they eventually emerge unhurt.
 
In terms of science, Rahu and Ketu stand for the two locations where the Sun and Moon's orbital paths cross. For this reason, Ketu and Rahu are referred to as the North and South Lunar nodes, respectively. Eclipses can occasionally be produced when the Moon precisely lines up with the Earth and the Sun after passing these nodes.
 
The idea of the Sun being swallowed originated from the fact that eclipses happen when the Sun and Moon are at one of these places. They are not stationary since the transit is moving retrogradely, in opposition to all other planets. In Jyotish-Shastra, the Hindu astrology, these Rahu and Ketu cycles are well recognized. Still, Rahu and Ketu were largely mysterious, unknown and dark figures because of their connection to eclipses.
 
According to Vedic Astrology, Rahu and Ketu are two powerful planets even though they are not real according to astronomy. Rahu and Ketu play a major role in Jyotish Shastra since it is thought that they have a significant effect on our lives. In Vedic Astrology, they are represented as mathematical points during computations. The main reason is that the Sun represents the body and the Moon represents the mind. As a result, the energies of these two physical parts are greatly impacted by these incision sites.

Astrology usually says that Rahu is the sign of greed. Rahu's bad effects include mental health conditions, theft, losses, family member deaths, trouble with the law, etc. It also stands for illnesses including leprosy, skin conditions, respiratory issues, ulcers, etc. Rahu is also responsible for a person's sudden success or failure. Rahu, however, can grant fame and courage to the native if it is situated correctly.
 

The negative impacts of Ketu can result in lung diseases, ear issues, brain difficulties, intestinal issues, and other conditions. It stands for mystical pursuits, injuries, pain, unpleasant company, arrogance, etc. In addition, Ketu represents moksha, unexpected wealth, a desire for logical and spiritual activities, etc.

Because to Rahu and Ketu's placements, there are a lot of dos and don'ts. Therefore, Vedic Astrology (Jyotish Shastra) promises to provide practical solutions for any issue arising from the impacts of planets in our life.

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