Devotee:
Pranam, Gurudev.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Bless you.
Devotee:
Gurudev, today we would like to hear from Santam-da about the birth of Rahu and the various planetary defects (Graha Dosha) associated with him.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Well, our scriptures speak of two main entities: Rahu and Ketu. They are considered malefic planets. Even the gods, before performing any ritual, must appease them. Without offering prayers to Rahu and Ketu, one cannot even perform the ritual bath of the Goddess. They watch everything from above. To counter their influence during worship, we use four poles called 'Rahu Danda' and encircle them with a thread representing Ketu. In this way, the Goddess is protected from the gaze of Rahu and Ketu. This is according to the scriptures. Now, let Santam-da explain Rahu's birth story in detail.
Santam-da:
To discuss Rahu, we must travel back to the very beginning, delving deep into the ancient Puranas. As I mentioned in a previous video about 'Kaal Sarp Dosha,' we are all children of Brahma; we are atomic parts of the Brahman. Brahma's sons constitute the Saptarishi Mandala (the Seven Sages). These seven sages are Agastya, Atri, Bharadwaja, Gautama, Jamadagni (the father of Lord Parashurama), Vashistha, and Vishvamitra.
Santam-da:
Brahma had other sons as well, such as Pulastya and Pulaha. Another son was Marichi, whose son was the sage Kashyapa. We often hear the name Viprachitti Kashyapa; Rahu is his son. Rahu's mother is the goddess Simhika.
Santam-da:
To understand Rahu's birth, we must go back to Brahma. Brahma's four heads represent the four Vedas: Rig, Sama, Yajur, and Atharva. Sage Vashistha penned these Vedas. The science of astrology was founded by Sage Bhrigu (another son of Brahma) and later expanded upon by Sage Parashara.
Santam-da:
According to the Puranas, Sage Kashyapa and Simhika Devi initially had no children. Simhika Devi was quite indolent and lacked motivation. One day, she approached Sage Kashyapa and said, "My lord, I desire a son. What must I do?" He replied, "A son requires a physical and spiritual union, which has been absent between us. How can I grant you a son?" After much contemplation, Simhika agreed to fulfill her duties and requested a son who would be incredibly powerful—someone whom the heavens, the earth, and the underworld would fear.
Santam-da:
Usually, parents desire humble, religious, and well-behaved children. But Simhika wanted a son whose power would strike terror into all realms. Kashyapa said, "So be it." Consequently, Rahu was born from Simhika's womb. Upon his birth, Brahma, Vishnu, and Maheshwar (Shiva) arrived to bless him. Mahadeva (Shiva) named him Rahu.
Santam-da:
As Rahu grew, we encounter the famous story of the Samudra Manthana (the Churning of the Ocean). It began when Sage Vashistha was walking through a forest in the heavenly realm after finishing his penance. There, he saw the celestial dancer Menaka Devi performing a dance. She held a beautiful garland of flowers.
Santam-da:
Vashistha was drawn to the divine fragrance of the flowers. He approached Menaka, and she asked, "O Sage, what brings you here?" He replied, "The scent of your garland is so exquisite that it drew me to you." Menaka Devi respectfully gave the garland to the sage, and he continued on his way.
Santam-da:
Shortly after, he encountered Lord Indra, the King of Gods, who was out for a ride on his divine elephant, Airavata. Indra bowed to the sage and asked for his blessings for continued success and the preservation of his kingdom and treasures like the Kalpavriksha (wish-fulfilling tree) and Kamadhenu (divine cow).
Santam-da:
Vashistha blessed him and said, "I have nothing else to give you, so take this divine garland." Indra took the garland and placed it on the head of his elephant, Airavata. The elephant, however, shook its head, causing the garland to fall to the ground, where it was trampled under the elephant's feet.
Santam-da:
Vashistha was witness to this. In those days, sages were quick to take offense and issue curses. He approached Indra and shouted, "How dare you! You have insulted the garland I gave you by letting it fall and be trampled. This is an insult to me!"
Santam-da:
Indra realized his mistake and begged for forgiveness, but Vashistha, in his fury, cursed him: "At this very moment, you shall be stripped of your heavenly kingdom. All your treasures—the Kalpavriksha, Kamadhenu, and your divine weapons—shall vanish, and the demons shall rule heaven."
Santam-da:
Distraught, Indra went to Brihaspati, the Guru of the Gods. Brihaspati told him, "This is a powerful curse. I do not have the power to restore your kingdom or your treasures. The demons will now occupy heaven."
Santam-da:
Brihaspati then took Indra to Shukracharya, the Guru of the Demons. Shukracharya said, "Lord Shiva has granted me the title of Shukradev. I have the Sanjivani Vidya to bring the dead back to life, but I cannot restore a lost kingdom."
Santam-da:
Finally, they went to Brahma, the Creator. Brahma directed them to Lord Vishnu, the Preserver. Vishnu listened to the story and concluded, "Only Mahadeva (Lord Shiva) can find a way out of this."
Santam-da:
When they all approached Lord Shiva, he proposed a plan: "If we can bring Mount Mandara to the ocean and churn it, we can obtain the Amrita (the nectar of immortality). By consuming it, the gods will regain their glory and immortality."
Santam-da:
However, the gods alone did not have the strength to churn the vast ocean. Vishnu suggested, "We must seek the help of the Demon King, Bali. If we explain the situation, he might agree. With the combined strength of the gods and demons, this task can be achieved."
Santam-da:
The plan was to share the nectar with the demons as well, making both sides immortal. This was Vishnu's strategic plan. King Bali agreed, and the gods and demons prepared for the great churning of the ocean.
Santam-da:
We will pause the story here for today. I will continue the tale of the Samudra Manthana in the next episode.
Devotee:
Pranam, Gurudev. We look forward to the second part. We will learn more about this in the upcoming segments. Gurudev concludes here for today.