© Sri Jagannath Vedic Center (2000) LESSON # 9 1

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.

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© Sri Jagannath Vedic Center (2000) LESSON # 9 2

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

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© Sri Jagannath Vedic Center (2000) LESSON # 9 3

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

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© Sri Jagannath Vedic Center (2000) LESSON # 9 4

VEDA RUPA (FORM) TATWA PLANET SIGNS

All Gaja8 Rupa Akash Jupiter All signs
Knowledge Tatwa
(Veda)
Rig Veda Go9 Rupa (Ketu with Jala Venus Cancer, Scorpio
Cow head) Tatwa & Pisces (Water
signs)
Sama Veda Aja10 Rupa (Ketu with Vayu Saturn Gemini, Libra &
Goat head also called Tatwa Aquarius (Airy
Ajaikapada) signs)
Yajur Veda Haya11 Rupa (Ketu with Prithvi Mercury Taurus, Virgo &
Horse head also called Tatwa Capricorn (Earth
Hayagreeva) signs)
Atharva Markata12 Rupa (Ketu Agni Mars Aries, Leo &
Veda with Monkey head like Tatwa Sagittarius (Fire
Hanuman) 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
th th th th
addition to the normal 7 house aspect, also aspects the 5 , 9 and the 12 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 7 th 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 5 th
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.

O M TAT S AT


Gaja -Elephant
9
Go – meaning cow
10
Aja – meaning goat
11
Haya – meaning horse

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