The Role of the Nodes - Rahu and Ketu in K.P.

Astrology
Rahu and Ketu are considered as chaaya grahas or shadow planets. They do not hav
e a physical body and hence more of a metaphysical concept. Therefore, these pla
nets (although we refer to them as planets, it is not true in the physical sense
) are not allotted the ownership of any sign in the zodiac. There are differing
explanations given about rahu and ketu in classical Vedic astrological literatur
e. Some do not allot any ownership or characteristics to them, but some consider
them equivalent to Mars and Saturn respectively.
Considering what Guruji has taught the students of K.P.Astrology, it should be u
nderstood as follows:
a) Rahu and Ketu are nodes and do not have any ownership of the signs (rasis).
b) However, in effects, they are more powerful than other planets and when they
compete for importance with other planets; one should prefer the nodes in place
of the other planets. If a node represents a planet, then the node is considered
instead of the planet in judging the results.
c) Rahu and Ketu in the first place, give the results of the planet they are con
joined with. There is a controversy even in K.P. Astrology as to what such a con
junction means - is it merely occupying the same sign as another planet, or do w
e take the orbs into consideration? There are people who support both views, but
a majority feels that if rahu or ketu occupies the same sign as another planet,
one should consider them as being in conjunction with the other planet.
d) If Rahu and Ketu are NOT conjoined with any planet, then they will give the r
esults of the planet who aspects them. For this purpose, again, there are differ
ent views - some say that only the special aspects ascribed to the three planets
Mars, Jupiter and Saturn need to be considered and the 7th aspect common to all
planets should not be considered. This view is probably there because, if we lo
ok at any chart, rahu and ketu are always 180 degrees apart. Therefore, if one o
f them is aspected by any planet by the 7th aspect, then the other node will be
deemed as being in conjunction with the planet and according to rule 1, the node
should give the result due to conjunction more strongly rather than aspect. Log
ically speaking, this appears to be correct. However, Jyotishya Deepika Ultimate
does not assume this rule and thereby simply presents the data to you as it is.
It is left to you to make a decision regarding the results ascribed to Rahu and
Ketu.
e) Guruji, in his 3rd Reader has clearly mentioned that, "if Rahu and Ketu are n
either conjoined nor aspected by any planet, then the node should offer the resu
lts of the lord of the constellation in which the node is deposited." This form
of representation takes precedence.
f) Lastly, Rahu and Ketu will offer the results of the lord of the sign in which
they are posited.
Therefore, we can summarize the effects of Rahu and Ketu as:
1.
2.
3.
4.

Primary Results - offered are that of the planet conjoining the node,
Secondary Results - offered are that of the planets aspecting the node,
Tertiary Results - offered are that of the star lord of the node,
Quarternary Results - offered are that of the sign lord of the node.

Also, Guruji has time and again mentioned that Rahu or Ketu gives the results to
a much greater degree than the planet it represents. Therefore, Rahu or Ketu ar
e considered as agents of the planet under consideration and they even wholly re
place the planet under consideration.

The last aspect to consider in this article is, what happens to a planet who is
in the star of Rahu or Ketu - what results should that planet give?
If any planet is in the star of Rahu or Ketu, then that planet,
1) Will signify the matters of the house occupied by the node,
2) Will indicate the matters of the house occupied and owned by the star lord of
Rahu or Ketu,
3) Will indicate the matters of the house occupied and owned by the sign lord of
Rahu or Ketu.
Thus the effects of Rahu and Ketu should be judged in any chart
atal) chart or a horary (prashna) chart.

be it a birth (n