Vedic Astrology is based upon the 9 grahas , 12 bhavas , 16 vargas or divisional charts and 27 nakshatras or constellations. In the magnum opus Brihat Parashara Hora Shastra, Parasara Muni states

“Jeevanam Karmaphalado Graharupo Janardana ” which means

Lord Vishnu himself incarnated as the 9 grahas to bestow the effects to living beings as per their own karma . So , essentially the 9 grahas assume good or bad positions based upon the individual karmas from past life and certain good or bad yogas are formed and when they will be experienced is examined by the dasha system.

In vedic astrology , Dragon’s Tail or Ketu is regarded as a spy and form the planetary army ,is considered an outcast and is equal in strength to the Moon. Today we will study about the importance and effects of Rahu in jyotish. Below are the attributes associated with him.

Name  –  Ketu

Gender – Male

Owns – None

Exalted – Scorpio (as per Saravali)

Debilitated  – Tauras (as per Saravali)

Mulatrikona – None (as it does not lord any zodiacal sign)

Gemstone – Lehsunia (Chrysoberyl Cat’s Eye)

Metal – Bronze

Colour – Grey

Element – Air

Chakra – Anahata

Direction – West

Tanmatra – Touch

Dhatu – None

Type – Dhatu

Time – 8 months

Drishti – None

Rashmis – None

Guna – Tamasic

Abode – Forests

Status – Spy

Food – Black Lentils

Rudraksha – 7 Mukhi

The BPHS states that Ketu is akin to Rahu and  has a smoky appearance (ethereal) , blue mix in complexion. He resides in the forests and is horrible (ugly or dreadful to look at). He is windy in temperament and is intelligent.

Ketu makes a person extremely spiritual , aloft from wordly matters , highly intelligent and wise and also endowed with some kind of ESP.Malefic or inauspicious Ketu will make the native violent , rash , given to poisons and addictions , endless sexual urges and mentally unstable.

Vata or Windy problems , cancers , mental illnesses and addictions  are common for those suffering from malefic Ketu , especially when it associates with lagna or lagnesha.Ketu being the natural karaka for spirituality and moksha, a benefic Ketu makes the person saturated and content on a soul level, whilst a malefic aspect makes the person always given to hardship , troubles , obstacles , anger , disappointments and fear of unholy dimensional beings and spirits.

Ketu co- rules the weekday Tuesday and fasting on this day without salt is a very effective , time-tested and proven remedy. The Agni purana specially mentions the fasts for all 9 grahas and donation of black urad lentils is most effective and recommended. The navagraha stotra for Ketu as taught by Maharshi Ved Vyasa in the Mahabharat is :-

“Palaasha Pushpa sankaasham , taaraka graha mastakam”

“Roudram roudratmakam ghoram , tam ketum pranamaamyaham”

which means , I salute the one who is resembling the hue of the palash flower, shines like a jewel in the crown amongst all the grahas, is fiercer than the fiercest and is extremely dreadful ,  to such a Ketu I pay for peace and well being !!

Reading this everyday for minimum 108 times is very helpful , especially in the mahadasha and antardasha of Ketu.