In Hindu mythology, Rahu is a snake that swallows the sun or the moon causing eclipses. He is depicted in art as a dragon with no body riding a chariot drawn by eight black horses.

According to legend, during the Samudra manthan, the asura Rahu drank some of the divine nectar. But before the nectar could pass his throat, Mohini (the female avatar of Vishnu) cut off his head. The head, however, remained immortal. It is believed that this immortal head occasionally swallows the sun or the moon, causing eclipses. Then, the sun or moon passes through the opening at the neck, ending the eclipse.

Rahu is one of the navagrahas (nine planets). The rahu kala is considered inauspicious.

In Buddhism Rahu is one of the krodhadevatas (terror-inspiring gods).

Astronomy

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Astronomically, Rahu and Ketu denotes the two points of intersection of the paths of the Sun and the Moon as they move on the celestial sphere. Therefore, Rahu and Ketu are respectively called the north and the south lunar nodes. The fact that Eclipses occur when Sun and Moon are at one of these points gives rise to the mythology of the swallowing of the Sun.

See also

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• Ketu
• Navagraha

External links

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• Article on Rahu with Yantra
• Rahu in Vedic Astrology

Asura | Graha | Sun myths | Moon myths | Eclipses | Râhu | ラーフ | Rahu