☿ Ketu (South Lunar Node) in Vedic Astrology
Ketu (South Lunar Node) is the tail of the celestial serpent in Vedic astrology. As a shadow planet, Ketu represents spiritual liberation, detachment, and karmic completion. Ancient Vedic texts provide detailed observations about Ketu's manifestations as comets and their various phenomena that were believed to influence earthly events.
Ketu's position and movements were carefully studied by ancient astrologers to predict events affecting kingdoms, wars, famines, and the welfare of people. These observations form an important part of classical Vedic astrological texts.
Understanding Ketu
Having comprehended the peculiarities of Ketu's transit as treated of by sages Garga, Parasara, Asita, Devala and many others, the ancient texts expound the same in the most unambiguous manner.
It is not possible to find out by calculation the rising or setting of Ketu, inasmuch as there are three sorts of Ketus: celestial, atmospheric and terrestrial.
In places where, though there is no fire, there is still an igneous appearance, Ketu's presence is recognised except where there are glow-worms, phosphoric lights on graves, gems, jewels and the like.
Types of Ketus
Atmospheric Ketus
Seen on flagstaffs, weapons, houses, trees, horses, elephants and the like.
Celestial Ketus
Those that are seen among the asterisms.
Terrestrial Ketus
Those that do not belong to the above two categories.
Number of Ketus
According to Parasara: 101 Ketus. According to Garga: 1000 Ketus. According to Narada: One Ketu appearing in manifold forms.
Ketu's Effects and Duration
The effects of Ketu will last for as many months as the number of days during which it is visible. In the same way the number of years can be guessed from the number of months during which it is visible.
The effect in all cases commences after the first three fortnights of its appearance.
Auspicious Ketu
If Ketu is short, slender, clear, glossy, straight, appearing but for a short time, white, and if there be a shower closely following its appearance, it brings abundance and happiness.
Inauspicious Ketu (Dhumaketu)
If its form be quite the reverse of what has been stated above, it is the comet Dhumaketu and will not prove auspicious, especially when it resembles the rainbow or has two or three crests.
Classification of Comets (Ketus)
25 Kiranas (Pearl Necklace)
Sons of the Sun. Appear in East and West. Indicate strifes among sovereigns.
Many Fire Comets
Appear in South-east, resemble parrots, fire, flowers, lac or blood. Productive of danger from fire.
Dark Rough Ketus
Appear in South with crooked crests. Portend pestilence to people. Sons of Death.
22 Round Comets
Appear in North-east, resemble water or oil. Threaten with famine. Children of the Earth.
3 Moon Comets
Appear in North, resemble moonlight, silver, hoar-frost, white lotus or jasmine. Bestow plenty of food.
Brahmadanda
Single comet with three crests and colours. Son of Brahman. Foretells the end of the world.
84 Venus Comets
Rise in North and North-east. Large and white stars with soft brilliance. Produce untoward effects.
60 Saturn Comets (Kanaka)
Glossy and lustrous with two crests each. Golden comets. Appear anywhere. Produce dire results.
65 Jupiter Comets (Vikacha)
Hairless, white single star appearance. No crest. Rise in South. Glossy. Produce malefic effects.
51 Mercury Comets (Taskaras)
Thieves - Faint, very slender, long and white. May rise in any direction. Produce evil effects.
60 Mars Comets
Deep-red like blood and fire with three crests. Quartered in North. Prove malefic when they appear.
33 Rahu Comets (Tamasa-Keelakas)
Sons of Rahu. Seen on discs of Sun and Moon. Effects described in Ravi-chara chapter.
120 Fire Comets (Viswarupas)
Born of Agni, endowed with rows of flames. Threaten mankind with serious outbreaks of fires.
77 Wind Comets (Aruna Ketus)
Born of wind, dark-red in colour, without discs, rough, form of chowries. Cause misery to people.
8 Brahma Comets (Ganakas)
Form of cluster of stars. Produce only malefic effects.
204 Brahma Comets (Chaturasras)
Offspring of Brahma. Produce only malefic effects.
32 Varuna Comets (Kanka)
Sons of Varuna. Appearance of cluster of bamboos. Shine like the Moon. Cause malefic effects.
96 Time Comets (Kabandha Ketus)
Sons of Kala. Resemble headless bodies. Good to Pundras. Without distinct discs.
9 Intermediate Comets
Having one broad and white star. Born out of intermediate directions.
Notable Named Ketus
Vasaketu
Elongated body stretched towards north. Glossy form, rising in west. Fatal diseases break out. Abundance of food.
Asthiketu
Same characteristics as Vasaketu. Rough. Harbinger of famine.
Sastra Ketu
Glossy appearance, visible in East. Causes war and pestilence.
Kapalaketu
Appears on Amavasya day in eastern direction. Smoky crest. Causes famine, pestilence, drought and diseases.
Raudra Ketu
Crest shaped like Sula (trident). Grey, rough and red flame. Travels third part of sky.
Chalaketu
Moveable comet rising in west. Crest turned to south. Destroys regions from Prayag to Ujjain and beyond.
Sweta Ketu
Visible in eastern direction at mid-night. Clear and glossy. Augurs good and plenty. If visible more than 7 days: war for 10 years.
Rasmi Ketu
Seat near asterism Krittika. Ashy-coloured west. Similar effects to Sweta Ketu.
Dhruva Ketu
Rate of motion, colour, magnitude and form not regular. Travels everywhere. Soft and clear. Gives auspicious effects.
Kumuda Ketu
Crest stretched in east with white lustre. Observable in west for one night. Brings unique peace and plenty for 10 years.
Mani Ketu
Tiny little star appearing in west. Observable for 3 hours. White straight crest. Brings plenty of food for 4.5 months.
Jalaketu
Appears in west. Spotless form. Crest slightly higher inclined towards west. Causes peace and abundance for 9 months.
Bhava Ketu
Appears for one night in east. Tiny glossy star. Crest turned to right like lion's tail. Unprecedented abundance of food.
Padmaketu
Appears only for one night in west. White like lotus stalk fibre. People enjoy happiness for 7 years.
Avartha Ketu
Appears at mid-night in west. Crest turned to south. Glossy and red. Peace and plenty for as many months as visible Muhurtas.
Samvarta Ketu
Appears at sunset in west. Smoky and coppery crest. Occupies third of sky. War and strife among kings for as many years as visible Muhurtas.
Ketu's Effects on Rulers
When a malign Ketu eclipses or touches various asterisms, different rulers and regions are affected:
- Aswini: Chief of the Asmakas will die
- Bharani: Kirata king will be killed
- Krittika: Kalinga chief will perish
- Rohini: Head of Surasenas will meet death
- Mrigasira: King of Useenaras will be killed
- Ardra: Chief of fishermen will be killed
- Punarvasu & Pushya: Chiefs of Asmakas and Magadhas will meet their end
- Aslesha: Head of Asikis will be killed
- Magha: Ruler of Magadhas will die
- Purvaphalguni: King of Pandya kingdom will exit
- Uttaraphalguni: Chief of Ujjain will die
- Hasta: Lord of Dandaka country will be affected
- Chittra: Chief of Kurukshetra will exit
- Swati: Kings of Kasmira and Kamboja will cease to exist
- Visakha: Chiefs of Ikshvakus and Alakas will become extinct
- Anuradha: Head of Pundras will die
- Jyeshta: An emperor will meet his end
- Moola: Chiefs of Andhra and Madraka countries will be killed
- Purvashadha: King of Kasi will perish
- Uttarashadha: Kings of Yaudheya, Arjunayana, Sibi and Chedi will be destroyed
- Sravana onwards: Lords of Kekayas, Panchanadas, Simhala, Vangas, Naimisha and Kiratas
Auspicious Signs
A comet whose crest has been hit by an Ulka (meteor) will prove auspicious. If there be rain as soon as he is risen, it will be still more auspicious.