Astrological Mythology The Meaning of ... - Mandhata Global
Astrological Mythology The Meaning of ... - Mandhata Global
Astrological Mythology The Meaning of ... - Mandhata Global
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anew. Lord Krishna kills demons and destroys asuric tendencies. Lord Rama<br />
slays the great asura Ravana. So too, dark blue Rahu destroys all<br />
materialistic desires <strong>of</strong> the human individual. <strong>The</strong> huge mountain <strong>of</strong><br />
blackness attributed to Rahu points to its gigantic dimension. <strong>The</strong> realm <strong>of</strong><br />
its operation stretches from the lowest physical to the highest spiritual. In<br />
order to create the necessary effect, Rahu is almost demonic in its operation.<br />
Its long-term impact is to spiritualize the individual. <strong>The</strong> determination in<br />
carrying out its objectives is symbolized by the three arms <strong>of</strong> Rahu holding<br />
various weapons. When Rahu strikes, it is ruthless. Yet when Rahu shields a<br />
person, none can harm him. <strong>The</strong> strength <strong>of</strong> Rahu in giving protection is<br />
supremely godly, but its savageness in the attack is intensely demonic as<br />
well.<br />
Vedic hymns invoke Rahu as "adorned with sandal paste, flowers and an<br />
umbrella, <strong>of</strong> blue color, armed with a sword and shield, seated facing south<br />
on a throne and surrounded by all siddhis." Naga or serpent is also one <strong>of</strong> the<br />
names <strong>of</strong> Rahu, and the name in the Hindu pantheon <strong>of</strong> the Dragon Spirit<br />
who inhabits the nether-world, Patala Loka. He is an ever wise deity<br />
endowed with extraordinary magic power. He is the presiding spirit <strong>of</strong> the<br />
god <strong>of</strong> the five regions (the four directions <strong>of</strong> the compass and the center as<br />
the fifth point). <strong>The</strong> principal function <strong>of</strong> Rahu is to arouse spiritual<br />
awareness by making the individual aware <strong>of</strong> his immeasurable latent<br />
faculties. Until this understanding dawns the individual is troubled by the<br />
influence <strong>of</strong> the planet.<br />
In order to produce the spiritual power that bestows wisdom and<br />
enlightenment, Rahu functions under the command <strong>of</strong> the spiritual hierarchy,<br />
which in turn functions according to the guidance <strong>of</strong> Dakshinamurti, the<br />
sage who resides near the Tropic <strong>of</strong> Capricorn in the south. Rahu facing<br />
south refers to its constant contact with this seat <strong>of</strong> spiritual power from<br />
which derives its spiritual influence to bestow on those it favors.<br />
Rahu rides on a chariot drawn by eight horses that are black in color and<br />
eternally yoked to it. Rahu has thirty-two sons called Ketus, implying<br />
thereby that they are like comets. This description <strong>of</strong> the shadowy planet<br />
presents it in its creative role. <strong>The</strong> chariot represents the whole personality <strong>of</strong><br />
the being as an expression <strong>of</strong> the aura radiating at the super-physical level.<br />
<strong>The</strong> chariot is a status symbol <strong>of</strong> the being who rides it, and in the same way<br />
the physical body <strong>of</strong> the person is an expression <strong>of</strong> the soul within it. <strong>The</strong><br />
soul is royal, as is the rider in a chariot. Rahu being the person seated in the<br />
chariot refers to the inner planetary ruler affecting the inner man. Rahu<br />
seated in the chariot signifies the important position it is assigned among the<br />
planets. A similar status is indicated by assigning to it an umbrella <strong>of</strong>