Rahu
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In Hindu mythology, Rahu is a snake that swallows the sun or the moon causing eclipses. He is depicted in art as a dragon with no body riding a chariot drawn by eight black horses.
According to legend, during the churning of the ocean of milk, the asura Rahu drank some of the divine nectar. But before the nectar could pass his throat, Mohini (the female avatar of Vishnu) cut off head. The head, however, remained immortal. It is believed that this immortal head occasionally swallows the sun or the moon, causing eclipses. Then, the sun or moon passes through the opening at the neck, ending the eclipse.
Rahu is one of the navagrahas (nine planets). The rahu kala is considered inauspicious.
In Buddhism Rahu is one of the krodhadevatas (terror-inspriring gods).
Astronomy
Astronomically, Rahu, alongwith Ketu, denotes the point of intersection of the path of the Sun and the Moon as they move on the celestial sphere. Therefore, Rahu and Ketu are respectively called the north and the south lunar nodes. The fact that Eclipses occur when Sun and Moon are at one of these points gives rise to the mythology of the swallowing of Sun.
See also
External links
Article on Rahu with Yantra (http://www.rudraksha-ratna.com/rahuyantra.htm)fr:Râhu