View source for Ketu mythology

{{short description|Hindu deity representing descending lunar node}}
{{EngvarB|date=October 2019}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2017}}
{{Infobox deity
| type = Hindu
| image = Ketu graha.JPG
| alt = Ketu
| member_of = [[Navagraha]]
| caption = Ketu upon his mount
| name = Ketu
| Sanskrit_transliteration = केतु
| affiliation = [[Graha]], [[Asura]], [[Svarbhanu]]
| god_of = [[Lunar eclipse]]s, South [[Lunar Node]]<br/>Body of [[Svarbhanu]]
| abode = Ketuloka
| mantra = {{IAST|Oṃ Viprachitti Putra Simhika Putra Om Navagraha Ketave Namaḥ}}
| weapon = Spear
| mount = Vulture
| number =  7,16 and 25 
| planet = 
| parents = [[Viprachitti]] (father), [[Simhika]] (mother)
| siblings = [[Rāhu]]
| consort = [[Chitralekha (Hinduism)|Chitralekha]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.eastern-spirituality.com/glossary/spirituality-terms/c-definitions/chitralekha-deity | title=Chitralekha (Deity) Consort of Ketu }}</ref>
}}

'''Ketu''' ([[Sanskrit]]: [[wiktionary:केतु#Sanskrit|केतु]], [[IAST]]: {{IAST|Ketú}}) ([[File:Descending_node_(bold).svg|16x16px|☋]]) is the descending (i.e. 'south') [[lunar node]] in [[Vedic]], or [[Hindu astrology]].<ref>{{cite web |title=The less known story of Rāhu and Ketu! |url=https://www.speakingtree.in/allslides/the-lesser-known-story-of-rāhu-and-ketu/266298 |publisher=speakingtree.in}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Role Of Ketu in Astrology |url=http://www.shrivinayakaastrology.com/Planets/roleofketu.html |publisher=shrivinayakaastrology.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Ketu Astrological significance |url=https://www.heerejawharat.com/astrology/planets-significance/ketu.php |publisher=heerejawharat.com}}</ref> Personified as a deity, [[Rāhu]] ([[file:ascending node (bold).svg|16px|☊]], the ascending (i.e. 'north') lunar node) and Ketu are considered to be the two halves of the immortal [[asura]] (demon) [[Svarbhanu]], who was beheaded by the God [[Vishnu]].

As per Vedic astrology, Rāhu and Ketu have an orbital cycle of 18.6 years and are always 180 degrees from each other orbitally (as well as in the birth charts). This coincides with the precessional orbit of moon or the 18.6-year rotational cycle of the lunar ascending and descending nodes on the earth's ecliptic plane. Ketu rules the [[Virgo (astrology)|Virgo]] zodiac sign together with [[Budha]] (traditional ruling planet; [[Mercury (planet)|Mercury]] in Western astrology).

Astronomically, Rāhu and Ketu denote the points of intersection of the paths of [[Surya]] (the Sun) and [[Chandra]] (the Moon) as they move on the [[celestial sphere]], and do not correspond to a physical planet.<ref name=":02">{{Cite book |last=Santhanam |first=R. |url=http://archive.org/details/BPHSEnglish |title=Brihat Parashara Hora Shastra (vol. 1) |pages=24}}</ref> Rāhu and Ketu are respectively names of the north and the south lunar nodes. [[Eclipse]]s occur when the Sun and the Moon are at one of these points, giving rise to the story that the these are being swallowed by the Rāhu/ Ketu. Ketu is believed to be responsible for causing the [[Eclipse of the Moon|lunar eclipse]].<ref name=":02" />

==Astrology==
[[File:Planet ketu.JPG|thumbnail|left|A mural of Ketu. Depicted as the body without head. from Jawahar Kala Kendra, Jaipur]]{{Section rewrite|date=October 2024}}
In [[Hindu astrology]], Ketu represents karmic collections both good and bad, as well as spirituality and supernatural influences. Ketu signifies the spiritual process of the refinement of materialisation to the spirit and is considered both malefic and benefic: this process causes sorrow and loss, and yet at the same time turns the individual to God. In other words, it causes material loss in order to force a more spiritual outlook in the person. Ketu is a ''karaka'' or indicator of intelligence, wisdom, non-attachment, fantasy, penetrating insight, derangement, and psychic abilities. Ketu is believed to bring prosperity to the devotee's family, and removes the effects of snakebite and illness arising out of poisons. He grants good health, wealth and cattle to his devotees. Ketu is the lord of three [[nakshatra]]s or lunar mansions: [[Ashvini]], [[Magha (nakshatra)|Magha]] and [[Mula (astrology)|Mula]].

Ketu is considered responsible for ''[[moksha]]'', ''[[sannyasa]]'', self-realization, ''[[Jnana|gnana]]'', a wavering nature, restlessness, the [[endocrine system]] and a short, fat physique.

The people who come under the influence of Ketu can achieve great heights, most of them spiritual.

[[Rāhu]], being a karmic planet, shows the necessity and urge to work on a specific area of life where there had been ignorance in the past life. To balance the apparent dissatisfaction one has to go that extra mile to gain a satisfactory settlement in the present lifetime. Rāhu can remove all negative qualities of every planet, while Ketu can emphasise every positive quality of the planet.

Ruler: According to the popular astrology text Brihat Parashara Hora Shastra (BPHS), if looking for solutions regarding Ketu, consider working with [[mantra]] of [[Ganesha]] & [[Matsya]].

[[Exaltation (astrology)|Exaltation]] and Debilitation: This has been a debatable point in astrology, as per BPHS Ketu is exalted in the sign of [[Scorpio (astrology)|Scorpio]] and debilitated in [[Taurus (astrology)|Taurus]]. However, many astrologers have disputed this and most modern astrologers now seem to agree that Ketu is exalted in [[Sagittarius (astrology)|Sagittarius]] and debilitated in [[Gemini (astrology)|Gemini]]. This stands to logic as Ketu is a [[torso]] and a prominent part of Sagittarius is a big horse torso attached to a male upper body, although Kujavat Ketu is the popular saying, Kuja denoting Mars so it's still held that a Scorpio placed Ketu is dignified.

Negative Significations: Ketu is considered malefic and has been mostly associated with negative things. Most people consider it a difficult planet as it manifests as obstacles on the material plane. However Lord [[Ganesha]] mantras can help remedy those issues because Ganesha is the presiding deity of Ketu. Ketu often brings a sense of complete detachment, losses, mindlessness, wandering, and confusion in one's life. 

Positive Significations: There is a much deeper side to Ketu and it has been called the most spiritual of all planets. Ketu has been considered the planet of enlightenment and liberation. It is the one who has “lost his head (worldly senses = [[Tattva (Ayyavazhi)]])”, being a personification of renunciation (torso without a head who needs nothing). Ketu is the [[ascetic]] that wants to go beyond the mundane life and achieve the final liberation.

Friendly Planets: Ketu is a friend of Jupiter ([[Brihaspati]]), Saturn ([[Shani]]) ; neutral with Venus ([[Shukra]]) and acrimonious with Mercury ([[Budha]]), Moon ([[Chandra]]), and Mars ([[Mangala]]).

Nakshatras (Ashwini, Magha, Mula) are ruled by Ketu in Vedic Astrology.

==See also==
*[[Hati Hróðvitnisson]]
*[[Sköll]]

== References ==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
*{{Commons category-inline}}

{{Navagraha}}
{{Jyotish Vidya}}
{{Hindu deities and texts}}

[[Category:Asura]]
[[Category:Danavas]]
[[Category:Navagraha]]
[[Category:Sun myths]]
[[Category:Moon myths]]
[[Category:Eclipses]]