Planet Ketu: Understanding Its Impact on Life and Destiny

Ketu, a shadow planet in Vedic astrology, holds significant importance as it is believed to be the lower part of the celestial snake. Its placement in a zodiac chart can have a profound impact on a person’s life, affecting their spiritual tendencies and attachment to worldly desires. In this article, we will also discuss the importance of Ketu in horoscopes and provide information on various remedies that can be used to manage its influence, including Ketu grah shanti puja, mantras, and Rudraksha.

What is Ketu

Ketu, known as the Lord of Descending node, is believed to be the tail of the Demon Snake and is considered to have a significant impact on human lives and the entire universe. Ketu is a Tamasic entity that represents otherworldly forces. Ketu is considered a shadow planet in Vedic astrology, along with the Rahu planet.

Story of Ketu

In Hindu mythology, the story of the origin of Ketu is related to the churning of the ocean of milk by the Devas and Asuras (demons) to obtain Amrit (nectar of immortality). According to the legend, a demon named Swarbhanu disguised himself as a god and drank the Amrit along with the Devas. But the Sun and Moon gods recognized the demon’s disguise and reported to Lord Vishnu, who used his Sudarshan Chakra to behead the demon.

However, since the demon had already drunk the Amrit, he could not be killed and his head and torso became separate entities. The head became Rahu and the torso became Ketu. As per the mythology, both Rahu and Ketu are responsible for causing eclipses of the sun and the moon, due to their involvement in drinking the nectar of immortality.

Significance of Planet Ketu

Ketu is known for bestowing spiritual tendencies and detachment from worldly desires, which leads to liberation from the cycle of birth and death. Accepting and understanding the divine plan that is part of our destiny and recognizing Ketu’s role in producing enlightenment is very important. Ketu is recognized in Vedic astrology as a ‘Chaya Grah’ which gives results according to its position and the planets that are sitting with it in a native’s horoscope.

Importance of Ketu in Vedic Astrology

Planet Ketu is considered an important planet in Vedic astrology because it has a significant impact on a person’s life according to its placement in the birth chart. While it is often viewed as an inauspicious planet, its effects are complex and depend on several factors. Ketu is associated with spirituality, disinterest, and salvation. It is said to represent the fire element in a person’s nature, which can make them hot-tempered and aggressive. However, some astrologers also believe that Ketu’s influence can lead to spiritual enlightenment and detachment from worldly desires.

Association of Ketu with Constellations

In Vedic astrology, Ketu is the lord of three constellations or nakshatras, namely Ashwini, Magha, and Mool. These constellations are considered to be very important in Indian astrology and have a great influence on a person’s life. The Ashwini constellation is ruled by Ketu and is associated with healing, medical treatment, and the initiation of new ventures. Magha is ruled by Ketu and is associated with power, authority, and leadership. The Mool constellation is also ruled by Ketu and is associated with spiritual pursuits and inner transformation.

Impact of Ketu on Human Life

Ketu represents spirituality, disinterest, and salvation science in Vedic astrology. It is associated with the fire element, and its influence can make a person aggressive and hard-natured. Ketu’s presence in the first house or the ascendant in the birth chart. It is said to make the person inclined towards spirituality and detachment from worldly pleasures. Such people tend to become monks or spiritual leaders. However, its presence in other houses can have different effects.

If Ketu is present in the third, fifth, sixth, ninth, or tenth house, the native may experience positive results. If Ketu is located in the third, fifth, sixth, ninth, or tenth house of the horoscope, the native can experience positive outcomes. For instance, a combination of Ketu with Planet Jupiter can make the person live a life like a king, while its combination with Planet Mars can give them courage. On the other hand, if Ketu is weak in the birth chart, the person may struggle with anger and face obstacles in achieving success.

The position of Rahu and Ketu in the birth chart also creates a dosha called “Kaal Sarp Dosha,” which is considered inauspicious in Vedic astrology. It can cause significant problems and delays in a person’s life.

It is believed that if Ketu is present in any of these constellations – Ashwini, Magha, and Mool in a person’s birth chart, then that person will have a strong influence of Ketu in their life. The qualities associated with Ketu, such as spirituality, detachment, and mysticism, will be prominent in their personality. Additionally, if Ketu is present in these nakshatras, it can also indicate a person’s past life karma, which can affect their present life. Therefore, the association of Ketu with these constellations is an important aspect of Vedic astrology.

Remedies for Ketu in Vedic Astrology

Worshipping Lord Ganesha

Worshipping Lord Ganesha and offering him Durva grass, which is his favourite, and reciting Shri Ganapati Atharvashirsha Stotra is another way to boost Ketu. Another deity that can be worshipped for this purpose is Matsya, the fish avatar of Lord Vishnu.

Chanting mantras

Reciting mantras dedicated to Ketu is believed to be a powerful remedy.

Powerful Mantras for Ketu

Ketu Beej Mantra

ॐ श्रम श्रीं सरं सह केतवे नमः ||

ॐ केम केतवे नमः ||

ॐ हम केतवे नमः ||

Chanting Ketu Beej Mantra will increase your interest in the ashram, knowledge and mental things. Ketu Mantra will also keep you away from discrimination and similar factors and help you in spiritual enlightenment. It helps you to differentiate between what is wrong and what is right, aiding you in proper decision-making skills. Furthermore, it makes you an expert in Tantra and the occult sciences. With an inclination towards these areas, you also gain the power to use these skills wisely.

Ketu Gayatri Mantra

ॐ चित्रवर्णय विद्माहे, सरपरूपाय धिमहि, तन्नो केतु प्रचोदयात॥

ॐ पद्म-पुत्राय विदमहे अमृतेशाय धीमहि तन्नो केतुः प्रचोदयात्॥

ॐ गद्दाह्स्ताय विद्महे अमृतेशाय धीमहि तन्न: केतु: प्रचोदयात॥

ॐ अश्वाध्वजाय विद्महे शूलाहस्ताय धीमहि तन्नो केतु: प्रचोदयात॥

This mantra is helpful for those who are in adverse Mahadasha of Ketu. You will stay away from troubles and adversities during this time. Chanting this mantra regularly will help you attract courage and fame in life.

Ketu Puranokta Mantra

पलास पुष्पा संकासम – तारकग्रह मस्तकाम्

रौध्राम रौध्रथमाकम गोरम – थम केथुम प्रणामम् याहं॥

Regularly chanting the Ketu Puranokta Mantra can help in acquiring wealth and develop a natural sense of discrimination. The mantra can enable one to differentiate between what needs to be done and what needs to be avoided. Recitation of the Ketu Mantra helps in attaining higher levels of knowledge and spiritual enlightenment. He stops one’s preoccupation with material possessions and helps them see beyond the satisfaction of immediate needs.

Donation

Vedic astrology suggests that donation is the best way to alleviate the negative effects of planets, and for Ketu, items such as sesame seeds, bananas, and black blankets can be donated. To obtain favourable outcomes, you can also use a Ketu yantra, which is a symmetrical diagram that has the same effects as mantras.

Feeding Dogs

One of the commonly suggested remedies for mitigating the negative effects of planet Ketu is to offer food and shelter to street dogs, as it is believed that Ketu resides in them.

Yantra and the gemstone for Ketu

Ketu Yantra helps in reducing the negative effects of Ketu and increasing its positive effects. The Ketu mantra “Om Kem Ketave Namah” should be recited daily to reduce the negative impact of Ketu. Gemstone for Ketu is Cat’s Eye or Lehsunia, which helps to counter the negative effects of Ketu.

Rudraksha for Ketu Planet

9 Mukhi Rudraksha is blessed by Goddess Durga and associated with her nine forms. It is believed to remove the malefic effects of Ketu. The Rudraksha is said to bring peace, prosperity, and success to the wearer, while also providing protection from negative energies, helping to overcome obstacles, and enhancing spiritual growth.

Ketu Graha Shaanti Puja

Those who want to do Puja to reduce the adverse effects of Ketu. Rudralife can help you in organizing a personal Ketu Graha Shanti Puja. This puja is a special worship ceremony dedicated to Planet Ketu and is believed to bring blessings and reduce the negative effects of its influence.

Devi Durga Maha Puja

Rudralife has organized Devi Durga Maha Puja with Sampurna Saptshati Path on May 2, 2023, at 12:40 PM (IST), Amrut Muhurat. This puja was conducted by 5 Vedic pundits.

Benefits of Devi Durga Maha Puja:

• It brings immense merits and the blessing of Devi Jagdamba. 
• She confers strength, courage, victory over adversaries and protection from malefic energies. 
• For success, authority, power, fortune and health. For bestowing Bhoga and Moksha. 
• This Puja also helps tone down the malefic effects of Planet Ketu, the year 2023 is the year of Ketu and having the blessings of Devi Durga is highly auspicious.

Puja Description: Swasti Vaachan, Sankalp, Kalash Pujan, Gauri and Ganesh Pujan, Navgrah Pujan, Rudra Pujan, Pradhan Devi Mahakali, Mahalakshmi, Mahasaraswati Shodashopchar Pujan, Mahabhishek, Sampurna Saptashati Path, Mahamangal Aarti and Pushpanjali, Visarjan