Rahu Puja (Anushthana)
Rahu and Ketu are considered to be shadowy planets but these are so powerful that the Sun, which combusts other planets due to its luminescence, is eclipsed by coming within 14 degrees from Rahu or Ketu and a solar or lunar eclipse results.
Among Rahu and Ketu, Rahu is considered to be the mouth and the planets, which are taken in from this mouth or Rahu, if they are placed before Ketu (tail), then Kalsarp yoga results and thew concerned planet is unable to give its assigned results properly. Today, when there are a lot of misconceptions regarding Kalsarp yoga, we have explained in our astrological research article, "Misconceptions Regarding Kalsarp Yoga" the nature and effects of this combination.
Astronomically, Rahu is the northern node of the Moon, which means the mathematical point in the north where the orbits of earth and Moon intersect and which moves back in a retrograde fashion and completes one circle of the zodiac in 18 years.
In astrology, Rahu represents travel, death, snakes, night, lost articles, hidden wealth and gambling. On the same hand, black magic is also possible during the periods of Rahu and Ketu. In medical astrology, Rahu rules gas related problems.
The Rahu and Ketu are shadowy planets and hence do not rule any particular signs and instead are thought to give results in accordance with the ruler of the sign in which they are placed in a horoscope. Although, some texts say, that Rahu rules over Gemini and Virgo and Ketu rules Sagittarius and Pisces. Rahu is thought to be exalted in Gemini and debilitated in Sagittarius and conversely Ketu gets exalted in Sagittarius and debilitated in Gemini. Some scholars also believe that Rahu gets exalted in Taurus and debilitated in Scorpio and conversely Ketu gets exalted in Scorpio and debilitated in Taurus.
As based on the horoscope the malefic or benefic effect of Rahu is determined astrologically and not merely on the basis of exaltation or debilitation because under certain conditions even a debilitated Rahu can give beneficial effects whereas based on its position and degrees in the horoscope even an exalted Rahu can sometimes give malefic effects.
As we have explained in our astrology research article " What is Mantra" Mantras can be classified under two broad categories: -
1. Tantrik Mantras ( Beeja Mantras)
2. Vedic Mantras
Therefore, chanting of Tantrik or Vedic Mantra of the concerned planet 1,25,000 times or its half, 62,500 times reduces the malefic effects of that planet. In Panchangas, this number of times for the chanting of mantra for the Dragon's Head is given as 7,000 when by chanting only 7,000 times the Mantra of the Dragon's Head nothing substantial can be achieved and it is 1,25,000 times chanting alone which can give proper results.
The Tantrik Mantra of the Dragon's Head: -
"Om Bhraang Bhreeng Bhroung Sah Rahuve Namah "
The Vedic Mantra of the Dragon's Head: -
Om Kayanashchitraa Aabhuvduti Sadavridhah SakhaKayashchishthayaavritaa Rahuve Namah
Rahu can be propitiated from either kind of mantras but among these Tantrik Mantras (Beeja Mantras) are more popular. By undertaking this "Anushthana" (Puja & Homa {Ritual of Chanting of Mantras}) one can remove the malefic effects of Rahu especially when performed in the Major Period (Mahadasha) or Sub-Periods (Antar Dashas) of Rahu.