Rahu & Ketu - Sarpa Dosha

Eclipse - Solar Eclipse & Lunar Eclipse

The sun and the moon are the celestial spheres rules over the life on earth. The sun with its bright rays illuminate the world being the primary source of life and mobility. The moon along with stars bring life to the dark sky. She inspires poets and lovers to bring creative air for humans with their movement, they determine the destiny of individuals. Religion regards them as Gods. Fear preoccupies our minds to visualize the changes in the sky. The lunar and solar eclipses are viewed as bad omens. To unravel the mystery behind them is part of our aim.

A ‘lunar eclipse’ and a ‘solar eclipse’ refer to events involving three celestial bodies: the Sun (solar) and the Moon (lunar) and the Earth. A lunar eclipse occurs when the earth passes between the moon and the sun and the earth’s shadow blocking the moon. The solar eclipse occurs during the day and a lunar eclipse occurs at night. A lunar eclipse occurs when the moon is directly opposite to the sun in the sky – a full moon. The solar eclipse was thought to be the dragon coming to eat the sun according to ancient China. The scientists eagerly wait to gather more knowledge about the sun and its position during the solar eclipse.

An eclipse is a natural phenomenon. The solar eclipses are regarded as bad omens in the ancient and modern cultures. A total solar eclipse can be frightening to people who unaware of its astronomical explanation, as the sun seems to disappear during the day and the sky darkens in a matter of minutes. Several cultures have myths related to lunar eclipses. The Egyptians saw the eclipse as a sow swallowing the moon for a short time; other cultures view the eclipse as the moon being swallowed by other animals such as a jaguar in Mayan tradition or a three legged toad in China. Others thought it was a demon swallowing the moon and that they could chase it away by throwing stones and curses at it.

How Rahu/Ketu born?

Hindu mythology believes in the existence of Rahu and Ketu as Chaya grahas (Shadow planets), though they are not real planets. Sarpa dosha and kala sarpa dosha are indicated by Rahu or Ketu position in a horoscope. This is a myth woven around Rahu and Ketu. There was a great war between the Asuras (demons) and Devatas (Gods). Lord Brahma advised Devatas to churn the ocean. Thereby they could get Amrit (nectar) which inturn could change them as immortal and omnipotent. Devatas sought the help of the Asuras to churn the ocean. The king of the serpants Vasuki was to be the rope, while a hill named Mandrachal to be the pivot. Lord Vishnu, in the guise of tortoise be the base and thus the churning began.

The devatas held the tail of Vasuki and the Asuras held the head. Various things came out during the churning. There was a pot of Vish (poison) which created havoc in all the three worlds. Lord Shiva drank it upto his neck to save the world.

At last Dhanvantari came out with a pot of Amrit. There was a cry and hoopla over eating it among the devatas and asuras.

Seeing this, Lord Vishnu in the garb of Mohini (a beautiful dancer) came out to settle down the dispute amicably. She asked them to sit in two different rows, but offered the Amrit to devatas only. It was smelt and outwitted by one of the asuras – Vasuki, the serpant king. The moment Chandra (moon) and Surya (sun) who were sitting besides the Vasuki noticed him drinking amrit informed Mohini. Lord Vishnu appeared in his real form and shot out the Sudharsana Chakra (wheel) at the asura. His neck was separated from the body, but didn’t die, as he became immortal. His head was called ‘Rahu’ and his torso ‘Ketu’. They wreak a havoc on the moon and the sun by swallowing them during eclipse.

Sarpa Dosha Varieties

In a horoscope Rahu or Ketu indicates previous Karmas. When Rahu and Sun are placed together in a house it indicates pithru dosha and it affects father of the horoscope. Ketu with moon, creates worries. It casts a shadow on mother. When the mars comes along with them it affects brothers. There will be accidents to be met with. If Budha (Mercury) sits with them it affects Uncle’s health. The outcome may be crime. If they go along with Guru, it affects children. Sukra’s combination affect marital life. Saturn’s conjunction may affect health and longevity.

Kala Sarpa Dosha

When all the planets in a horoscope are locked up between Rahu and Ketu, it is called ‘Kala Sarpa Yoga’. The planets when they are in close proximity to Rahu/ketu, they are freezed and deactivated. Kala means time, sarpa means serpent, yoga means combination. Kala sarpa yoga means that the soul is caught by the serpent of time within the axis of Karma. It reflects unusual and unexpected life situations, experienced by a person on the basis of his karma of the previous birth.

Impact of Rahu/Ketu in 12 Bavas

From the lagna, where Rahu and Ket are located will affect the role of the two opposite houses. Rahu or Ketu in the first house (lagna) affects health and marriage (1 & 7). Family life and longevity will be impinged on, when in the second house. Brothers and ancestral properties will be under trouble in the third house. The toll on the fourth house will have an impact on house and business. In the fifth house, the kids and earnings will be affected. In the sixth house, there is success and loss of sleep.

In kendras, the adverse effect of kalasarpa yoga is greater. In the thrikona, the good effects of it will be predominant. Depending upon the movement of the planets either towards Rahu or Ketu, the yoga is named either as kalasarpa or kalamrita yoga (a reverse form of kalasarpa with ketu first and Rahu last).

* Seek astrologers for the remedies.