Ketu Graham (the South node)

The progression in the world is measured in Materialistic and in Spiritual manner. The societal living provides ample opportunities to progression from scratch to visibly identifiable proportions be Materialistic or Spiritual.  It is a general tendency amongst humans to amass huge money in form of currency, properties, shareholdings, expensive metals, gems, running business, within one’s state as well in certain cases, itis spread through the globe.  In case of materialistic progression these are quite visible, to create further awareness, there are platforms available both in corporate and social medias. Whereas the spiritual growth, progression and development does take place on a pedestal orientated totally different in all aspects as exist materialistically though both co-exist in a Society.  Spiritualism is an individual testament, and the seeker may explore it alone or in groups under the tutelage of a master who is a realized soul.

Whenever the spiritual aspects are discussed, an inevitable, indomitable and inescapable Planet surfaces but not visible, ensuring the tenets of the subject matter dealt is expeditiously/truthfully permeate in the faculties of those present.  These attributes are displayed vigorously and ceaselessly by “Ketu” also termed as the South node.  Ketu is a serpent Headless and body of a demon.  This body is representative of the fact that truth prevails through spiritualism as there is no head to assess, analyze and all that is prevalent/present Is pure consciousness.

Ketu has Jaimini gothram. Ketu has a mahadasa of 7 years. Ketu only orbits retrogradely and doesn’t have forward motion.  It orbits keeping 180 degrees at all times with Rahu.  It moves from one Zodiac sign to other in 1 year and 6 months, 18 months. The gemstone of Ketu is “Cat’s eye” and Pulse is “Horse Gram”.   Astrologically when generalized, Ketu is beneficial when placed in 3,6 or 11^thHouse in horoscope. The Ketu has 3 dedicated stars namely, Ashwini Magha and Moola. Natives born under these stars have ketu mahadasha from the time of birth for a maximum period of 7 years. Astrologically in consonance with spiritual, esoteric Calculations, it is believed, all the above 3 stars are interwoven with great levels of spiritual consciousness that trigger the native towards attaining Moksha (Liberation from the cycle of birth and rebirth).  

The formation of ketu as illustrated in our treatise after being beheaded by Lord Vishnu and since the nectar has been consumed, both the head and body became immortal, the head forming Rahu and the body formed as Ketu.  By dint of very hard penance of Lord Shiva Ketu got a place in Graha Mandala. Ketu doesn’t have an identifiable zodiac sign of its own, wherever it sits, that Zodiac sign is ruled by Ketu.

In Vedic astrology the strength and the weakness of ketu is determined by the placement, the conjunction with other planets and the aspecting abilities of other planets.  Generally, ketu represents a natives intuitive, sharp analytical a bilities, spiritual inclinations, sudden luck, winning lottery, sudden gains through ancestral properties, precious metals/gems, company/benedictions of masters in path of spiritualism, construction of holy places like temples, and other spiritually oriented tasks.  Similarly, when ketu is not beneficially placed in the horoscope of a native, can cause severe anxiety, weak analytical abilities, morbid fear, unknown fear, fear of darkness, sudden illness necessitating hospitalization, confusion, detachment, lack of direction, rashes and other skin related ailments.

Considering the profoundness of Ketu Sage Vyasa gave the following Mantra: -

(meaningof Mantra given below)

पलास पुष्पा संकासम - तारकग्रह मस्तकाम्                                                            

रौध्रामरौध्रथमाकमगोरम - थम केथुम प्रणामम् याहं॥

PhalasaPushpa Sankaasam Taaraka Graha Mastakham

RodramRodratmakham Ghoram Tam Ketum Pranamamyaham

I offer my obeisances to the violent and fearsome Ketu, who is endowed with the potency of Lord Shiva. Resembling in his complexion the flower of a palasa plant, he serves as the head of the stars and planets.

Brahma Shri Muthuswamy Dikshitar wrote following Ketu Graha Kirtana(meaning at the bottom) :-

महा सुरं केतुम् - रागं चामरम् - ताळं रूपकम्

पल्लवि
महा सुरं केतुमहं भजामि
छाया ग्रह वरम्

अनुपल्लवि
महा विचित्र मकुट धरं
मङ्गळ वस्त्रादि धरं
(मध्यम काल साहित्यम्)
नर पीठ स्थितं सुखं
नव ग्रह युतं सखम्

चरणम्
केतुं-कृण्वन्-मन्त्रिणं
क्रोध निधि जैमिनं
कुलुत्थादि भक्षणं
कोण ध्वज पताकिनम्
(मध्यम काल साहित्यम्)
गुरु गुह चामर भरणं
गुण दोष जिताभरणं
ग्रहणादि कार्य कारणं
ग्रहाप-सव्य सञ्चारिणम् 

I worship Ketu, the prominent Asura, the superior shadowy planet. Ketu is the one bearing a very atypical crown, the one wearing auspicious garments, the one well seated on human being, the newly created planet and friend of Rahu.  Ketu mantra begins with “ketumkrinwan”, the descendant of Jaimini, known as the storehouse of anger, the one who eats horse gram, the one with a triangular flag, the fly swatter-bearer of guruguha, the jewel among those that have conquered the good and evil, the cause of effects like eclipse, the one who orbits counter to other planets.

We can propitiate Ketu with following Mantras: -

Ketu Bija Mantra

ॐ श्राँ श्रीं श्रौं सः केतवे नमः

Om. I bow to Ketu, the mystical revealer of karmic truth,through the sacred syllables Śrāṁ,Śrīṁ, and Śrauṁ that invoke his power of detachment, grace, and spiritual transformation.

अनेकरूपवर्नेश्च शत शोदा सहस्राहा

उत्पादारूपो जगधां पीडं हरोतु मेतमहा

Ketu Gayatri

ॐ अश्वध्वजाय विद्महे
शूलहस्ताय धीमहि
तन्नो केतः प्रचोदयात्

Meaning of above Sloka

Om. We contemplate the one whose banner bears a horse.  We meditate on the one who holds a trident in his hand. May that Ketu inspire and guide our intellect.

Based on the premise of Chaturvidha Purushartha of Dharma, Arth,Kama, Moksha, Ketu being “Mokshakaraka” a native through spiritual and esoteric paths after successfully upholding the 3 paths finally concludes with Mokshai.e. the point of estuary where life meets with the “ultimate”.

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