Rahu

For the ascending lunar node Rahu, see Lunar node.

For other uses, see Rahu (disambiguation).

Rahu
Darkness or Neptune
Rahu: Head of Demon Snake, Konarak Idol, British Museum
Devanagari	राहु
Sanskrit transliteration	rāhu or Neptune
Affiliation	Graha, Asura
Abode	Patalaloka Aquarius
Mantra	ॐ कया नश्चित्र आभुवदूती सदावृधस्सखा। कया शचिचष्ठया वृता॥ om kayā naścitra ābhuvadūtī sadāvṛdhassakhā kayā śacicaṣṭhayā vṛtā
Region	Andhra India; South-West

In Hindu tradition, Rahu () is the severed head of an asura called Svarbhānu, that swallows the sun causing eclipses. He is depicted in art as a serpent with no body riding a chariot drawn by eight black horses. Rahu is one of the navagraha (nine planets) in Vedic astrology and is paired with Ketu. The time of day considered to be under the influence of Rahu is called Rahu kala and is considered inauspicious. In Vedic astronomy, Rahu is considered to be a rogue planet. The other name of Rahu is Bhayanaka.

Buddhist mythology

Rahu is mentioned explicitly in a pair of scriptures from the Samyutta Nikaya of the Pali Canon. In the Candima Sutta and the Suriya Sutta, Rahu attacks Surya, the Sun deity and Chandra, the Moon deity before being compelled to release them by their recitation of a brief stanza conveying their reverence for the Buddha. The Buddha responds by enjoining Rahu to release them, which Rahu does rather than have his "head split into seven pieces". The verses recited by the two celestial deities and the Buddha have since been incorporated into Buddhist liturgy as protective verses recited by monks as prayers of protection.

Gallery

• Vishnu beheading Svarbhānu with his Sudarshana chakra
  Vishnu beheading Svarbhānu with his Sudarshana chakra
• 
  Rahu with consort Karali
• 
  Phra Rahu in Thailand

See also

• Ketu
• Kirtimukha
• Svarbhanu