Navagraha · राहुः
Rahu: mantra, gemstone and remedies
Rahu is not a body in the sky but a point: where the Moon’s path crosses the Sun’s path going north. It is called a chhaya graha (shadow planet), moves backwards through the signs (the true node turns direct for short spells) and is always opposite Ketu. In the old story of Swarbhanu, Rahu is linked with eclipses.
Where Rahu is today
27/10/2026, 6:00 am IST
- Rashi
- Kumbha कुंभ (Aquarius), 2°05′
- Nakshatra
- Dhanishta, pada 3
- Motion
- Always retrograde
- Next sign change
- Into Makara (Capricorn) on 05/12/2026
All nine grahas are on planet positions today; this year’s sign changes are on planet transits and the retrograde periods on retrograde planets.
Rahu at a glance
| Names | Sanskrit: राहुः · Hindi: राहु · English: north node of the moon · also called Swarbhanu, the north lunar node |
|---|---|
| Signifies (karaka) | ambition and strong wants; foreign lands and travel abroad; the new, the unusual and technology; sudden events and quick change; in-laws, in Lal Kitab |
| Signs it rules | Texts differ, so none is given here |
| Exalted in | Texts differ, so none is given here |
| Debilitated in | Texts differ, so none is given here |
| Friends and enemies | The classical table of natural friendship covers the seven planets; Rahu and Ketu are not in it |
| Nakshatras it rules | Ardra, Swati, Shatabhisha |
| Weekday | None of its own; in numerology, number 4 (Rahu) takes Saturday |
| Number | 4 |
| Colour | Blue, grey |
| Ratna (gemstone) | Hessonite, गोमेद (Gomed) |
| Vimshottari mahadasha | 18 years (6 of 9 in the dasha order) |
| Lal Kitab | Pakka ghar 12; stands for in-laws, sudden events, electricity and the unknown |
What Rahu signifies
- ambition and strong wants
- foreign lands and travel abroad
- the new, the unusual and technology
- sudden events and quick change
- in-laws, in Lal Kitab
Rahu mahadasha (18 years): Ambition, the unusual and the foreign. A period of big wants and fast change that asks for clear judgement. Find your running dasha with the dasha calculator.
Rahu mantra
Rahu beej mantra
ॐ भ्रां भ्रीं भ्रौं सः राहवे नमः
Romanised: Om bhrāṃ bhrīṃ bhrauṃ saḥ rāhave namaḥ
Meaning: Om, the seed sounds of Rahu, salutations to Rahu.
Rahu verse of the Navagraha stotra
अर्धकायं महावीर्यं चन्द्रादित्यविमर्दनम्।
सिंहिकागर्भसंभूतं तं राहुं प्रणमाम्यहम्॥
Romanised: ardha-kāyaṃ mahā-vīryaṃ candrāditya-vimardanam /
siṃhikā-garbha-sambhūtaṃ taṃ rāhuṃ praṇamāmyaham
Meaning: I bow to Rahu, the half-bodied one of great strength, who eclipses the Moon and the Sun, born of Simhika.
The Navagraha stotra is traditionally ascribed to the sage Vyasa and has one verse for each graha.
Japa count (commonly suggested): 18,000. Commonly suggested total for a full japa (anushthan), completed over several days in rounds of 108 on a mala. For daily practice, one round of 108 is the usual suggestion. Some manuals give other totals; follow the count your pandit or astrologer gives.
Tradition suggests learning the pronunciation from a teacher or priest. A mantra is a practice of faith and focus, not a guarantee of any result.
Simple remedies for Rahu (commonly suggested)
These are practices commonly suggested in the tradition. Whether a graha needs attention in your chart is decided from the whole Kundli.
- Recite the beej mantra 108 times, commonly on Saturdays.
- Give a blanket or black sesame in charity.
- Keep good relations with your in-laws.
- Stay away from intoxicants, shortcuts and dishonest deals.
Gemstone: the ratna of Rahu is Hessonite, गोमेद (Gomed); commonly suggested substitutes are Orange Zircon. Wear a gemstone only after Namieta has checked your Kundli. A ratna strengthens its planet, and a planet that is weak or troublesome in your chart can make a stone unsuitable even when it matches your Mulank. Crystals are a gentler choice to keep at home or work. The gemstone calculator shows the stone of your Mulank.
Lal Kitab: the Lal Kitab remedies for Rahu are on Lal Kitab remedies.
← Shani · All nine grahas · Ketu →
Questions about Rahu
What is the Rahu beej mantra?
ॐ भ्रां भ्रीं भ्रौं सः राहवे नमः (Om bhrāṃ bhrīṃ bhrauṃ saḥ rāhave namaḥ). Om, the seed sounds of Rahu, salutations to Rahu.
How many times should the Rahu mantra be chanted?
One round of 108 on a mala is the usual daily suggestion. For a full japa the total commonly given is 18,000, completed over several days. What suits you depends on your chart.
Which gemstone is for Rahu?
Hessonite, गोमेद (Gomed); commonly suggested substitutes are Orange Zircon. A ratna strengthens its planet, so wear one only after your Kundli has been checked. The gemstone calculator shows the stone of your Mulank.
How long is the Rahu mahadasha?
18 years in the Vimshottari dasha. Ambition, the unusual and the foreign. A period of big wants and fast change that asks for clear judgement.
Is Rahu a bad planet?
No graha is simply good or bad. Among other things, Rahu stands for ambition and strong wants, and for foreign lands and travel abroad; how it works for you depends on its sign, house and strength in your own Kundli, and on the running dasha.