What is the Difference Between Rahu and Ketu?
🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚Rahu and Ketu are known as the lunar nodes in Hindu astrology. They are considered shadow planets and have distinct characteristics. The main differences between Rahu and Ketu are:
- Position: Rahu is the North Node, while Ketu is the South Node of the Moon.
- Nature: Rahu is associated with materialism, worldly desires, ambition, and power. Ketu, on the other hand, is associated with spirituality, detachment, renunciation, and liberation.
- Effects: Rahu is considered malefic and can cause enticement, leading individuals towards self-destruction to test their abilities. Ketu is also considered malefic but can cause enlightenment and spiritual growth by bringing in past life knowledge and encouraging detachment.
- Mythology: In Indian mythology, Rahu is the head of the serpent that tried to drink the nectar of immortality, while Ketu is the lower part of the serpent.
- Periods: Rahu has an 18-year period, while Ketu has a 7-year period in the planetary life cycle.
- Appearance: Rahu is of a dark color, while Ketu sports a mixed color.
In summary, Rahu and Ketu represent the karmic axis in a Vedic astrology chart and influence different aspects of an individual's life. Rahu is associated with materialism and worldly desires, while Ketu is linked to spirituality and detachment.
Comparative Table: Rahu vs Ketu
Rahu and Ketu are the two shadow planets in Vedic astrology, representing the north and south nodes of the moon, respectively. They are critical points in a birth chart, paving the way for karmic analysis and judgment. Here is a table highlighting the differences between Rahu and Ketu:
Feature | Rahu | Ketu |
---|---|---|
Direction | North Node | South Node |
Purpose | Shows your purpose and passion | Represents where you have come from |
Karma | Indicates the types of karmas coming into a person's life | Shows the past life knowledge that is coming into a person's life |
Material vs. Spiritual | Rahu is involved in material and earthly matters | Ketu is more concerned with bringing in past life knowledge and is associated with renunciation, liberation, and ultimate freedom from worldly affairs |
Desire | Rahu represents power and wealth, and can cause material gratification | Ketu represents the soul and can lead to non-attachment and ultimately moksha or liberation |
Energy | Rahu is dark in color and represents the confusion of ignorance | Ketu has a variegated color and represents the confusion of certainty, with the capacity to shine a light on you suddenly and bring about enlightenment |
In summary, Rahu is associated with material desires, power, and wealth, while Ketu is connected to spiritual growth, renunciation, and liberation from worldly affairs.
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