Comparison of Rahu & Ketu Vs Saturn & Mars

Date : 25-May-11

Classics says Shani vad Rahu Kuja vad Ketu, meaning Rahu is like Shani and Ketu is like Mars.
How does this comparison hold in charts or what exactly does it mean is a common confusion
among the students of Jyotisha.

If we analyse the traits of these entities, we find a lot of differences between Rahu & Saturn and
Ketu & Mars. Then why did classics give a direct comparison?

It is important to understand this fundamental principal before going deeper.

It is also important to understand that fundamental principles are like studying the alphabets of
language before starting on the grammer, writing sentences and them poems or prose. Just like
one knows how to write a good poem, cannot ignore the alphabets, one cannot forget the basic
principles of Jyotisha even if he is expert in analysis and prediction. In fact it is the strong
knowledge of fundamental principles, when and where to apply then, that differentiate a novice
from an expert.

As we know Jyotisha revolves on 12 signs, 9 planets, 27 nakshatras, and a few other permutation
and combination of these, there is and has to be multitude layers upon which every thing is
defined, right from inner most traits of a person to what is displayed outside, and several other
aspects of life. How results manifest, where and when etc. Involvement of different planets, signs
etc change or define these matters.

Traits of planets, signs and nakshatras define all of the above individually, sometimes a
collective effect. To understand this a little further, we know that 7 colors collectively makes the
color white. If we add different color to a can of white plaint, we can make any other color. It
takes expertise to predict the resultant color when base colors are mixed. Similarly, it takes a lot
of experience to predict the result of yogas in Jyotish too.

In jyotish, one of the most important factor attributed to planets are “GUNA” Ie: Satwic, Rajasic
& Tamsic Guna. All the planets come under this basic GUNA and their mixture. These GUNA
are not definitive in nature and mostly they are a mixture. This is also clearly stated by Shree
Krishna in Bhagavath Geetha. As far as living beings are concerned and particularly regarding
Human beings (we are mostly concerned with them), these GUNAS also manifest in two ways
(mostly). (1) deep inner trait (2) what is exhibited outside. So a person can be different from he
display for the outside world (mostly are).

Similarly planets also have different layers too.

Saturn & Rahu are clubbed together because they are of Tamasic Guna while Mars & Ketu are
clubbed together because they have Rajasic Guna.

Again Saturn & Rahu clubbed together because they are Vayu Tatwa while Mars & Ketu are
clubbed together because of their agni tatwa.
Saturn & Rahu are cold planets while mars & ketu are hot planets.

Saturn is lord of Shishir Ritu while Mars is the lord of Greeshma Ritu. If we analise the illness
attributed to Rahu & Ketu are also linked to Saturn and Mars (Shishir & Greeshm).

These are some of the basic reasons and important too for clubbing these planets together.

Then are other factors like co-owning of certain signs in the rashi chakra. I am not giving this
factor too much importance (than the basic nature) due to conflicts among the rishis themselves
regarding their lordship, exaltation, moolatrikona signs etc. Secondly these affect only the signs
of Aquarious and Scorpio, while we are focusing on a general phenomena.

In fact it is stated that Rahu & Ketu takes the attributes of those planets they are with or the sign
they are in or of the aspecting planets. This is an adaptive quality. We know that some insects
and animals adapt in looks to the surroundings it is living. Even some of the snakes exhibit these
qualities. Some have scales/skin that looks like the fallen leaves and cleverly hides among them.
This is an adaptive quality. One also adapts to the living condition, food, fighting spirit etc that is
demanded by the surrounding and the kind of other population that it has deal with in its life time
to survive.

Similar traits could be seen human beings too. Those who live in mountains shall have a
different constitution from those who live near sea. Those who live in Jungles shall develop
certain traits adaptive to those environment, different from those who live in cities. They need
different skills, knowledge and capacity to survive. These gets developed and are transferred
from generation to generation. The chart of these person shall also include this information. But
it depends on the knowledge of the Jyotishee to distinguish between these two different persons
and their qualities, strengths, weakness etc. One is made to live in harsher environment while the
other is not (Some may say cities are much harsher than jungles too). So when one like and is
attracted by a certain type of land and environment other may like a different place to live in. so
a Brahmin prodigy may like an open and pleasant atmosphere, grand child of a Nishada may find
that he is better and in peace near a jungle. We can see the inner traits working here. Those who
are born in Jala rashi or with Venus / Moon in Kendra and particularly influencing the lagna or
the 4th, shall some how like to live near water bodies, even if they are forced to live at different
places. In the least case, they shall try to keep a water tank disguised as fish tank etc in their
house.

Coming back to the specific issue that we are focusing on, I have already explained the
similarities. I shall now explain the differences too.

While Saturn and mars are of more stable nature, Rahu & Ketu are considered as Chara grihas.
This is because Rahu by nature (snakes) doesn’t stay at any one place for long. It is always on
the move and never likes to be fixed at any particular place. We cannot however compare the
planetary motions since both Rahu & ketu has the same 1 ½ years while Saturn & Mars differ
too much. Hence even though Saturn & Rahu are said to alike, those influenced by Rahu would
like to travel more than the one influenced by Saturn.
While Saturn could be compared to a round boulder in the path of the native, Rahu could be
compared to a boundary of ropes. Mars could be a spear while Ketu is like whiplash. Ie: Rahu &
Ketu are of more flexible and slightly more of unpredictable nature.

While Saturn is blunt in its talks or seldom does, Rahu is more hissing and sharp.
While Saturn kills by force, rahu will do with a sting (poison - a person may not even know what
hit him) , etc. In case of Mars, it shall be wounds , weapons, while Ketu shall be ulcers, boils,
gangerous cancers, cysts etc. Saturn creates tumors, swellings, Rahu numbs the area and creates,
thrombosis, fibrosis etc (Hardening of muscle fibers).

While Saturn or Mars need not have a inner fear, Rahu & ketu (particularly rahu) shows a kind
of fear that is deep inside, though one may put up a great show for the others.

Though all the 4 are good for rheumatism, the nature differs. The one indicated by Saturn &
Rahu shall be inner and that of Mars/Ketu shall be external.

Deeper we go, we shall find more & more finer differences between these entities. This doesn’t
undermine the classical adage of Sanivad Rahu & Kujavad Ketu as these are basic traits upon
which all other qualities are built.

One of the difference between Saturn & Rahu are in appearance too. While Saturn gives smooth
luster, Rahu gives a broken skin or with pimple like holes and lacks that shiny luster. Saturn also
gives a strong body while rahu is skinny nature in terms of appearance. Here we can see minute
difference or the way each manifest. A firm bodied person can have a long face with pimple
holes (like that of person who had chiken pox or similar). His skin could be of scaly nature too
like psoriasis nature. Feature of mars are sharp and gives a kind of sensual attraction while Ketu
is distraught and difficult to pinpoint. It is like chameleon that changes its color. Only those who
have trained themselves to recognize the traits shall be able to properly identify the planet that
influences a person. When more planets do, it shall be to difficult also. Dasa of planets also
changes the appearance (Chaya) of person during their respective period. This helps an
astrologer to understand the problem if and when he visits them in person. This is one of the
factor that is grossly negative in the exchange on internet or mails.

While we think about the changes that Rahu & Ketu acquires, we also have to think about
Mercury which do have more or less similar trait. Here one of the difference is Rahu & Ketu are
slow moving when compared to Mercury which is the next fastest to moon in motion. But Rahu
is termed as chara griha due to its nature while Mercury is fast due to its motion. This gives an
idea how the traits are defined in Jyotisha.

While thinking about the negative traits of these planets, both Mars & Saturn are considered as
thieves etc. Saturn could be a ordinary thief that operates in the night while Mars could be
goonda who operates in the day light. Rahu is a cheater hence cannot exactly be termed a thief.
He could pose a gentleman, but if one is not careful, he shall stuck at inappropriate occasions and
places. The nature of ketu is difficult to define here as he could take any form from mild to over
aggressive.
Saturn is like a mule (steadfast and unmoving or reluctance to move / change) while Rahu is of
different kind. It’s lack of movement could just be because of it intense concentration on the
prey. This is one of the qualities of Rahu that is different from that of Saturn. Saturn could either
be devoid of thoughts or full of different ones than that is necessary for the issue at hand. Rahu
on the other concentrates only in the front of it. It doesn’t even be aware of what is happening at
its back. This is also why snake catchers wave something in the front of a snake while catches it
from the back. When a human being is influenced by Rahu, his thoughts or attitude or focus
could be only in one area and ignores the surroundings. This is may not bring good in a family &
social atmosphere or even in line of work. There are lot of chances that either he becomes the
cheater (due to its changing characteristics) or be cheated by others. While Saturn’s dasa could
bring miseries due to hurdles, the one who is going through Rahu period shall find extremely
difficult to honor his word / promise even though it may not be his fault, thus risks his reputation.

Think of blunt blockage with regard to Saturn, a kind of fibrotic movement with regards to rahu,
hot with regard to mars and corrosive heat (sort of acidic) with regard to ketu. While Saturn
effects the leg (typically termed as limping) rahu effects the head and vs versa for Mars (head)
and Ketu for feets). These characteristic is because of the prime lordship of Saturn & Mars over
the Kalapurusha Kundalee and Rahu / Ketu due to its split nature (head & tail).

So we can see different layers paying their parts in the formation of characteristics of any entity
be it humans or others.

In Jyotisha study there are two kinds of indicatios. One is called “Prathyaksha Pramana” or the
principles / theories / indications provided by rishis of the yore and “Anumaana” or assumption
that is based on those Prathyaksha Pramanas. In Tarka shastra, Anumana should always align
with or confirm to the basic principles. One cannot use or arrive at wild conclusions since it will
not do any good in the long run. A wild guess may be suitable or work in a few situations, But
when faced with serious issues that needs finer differentiation of traits, properties and attributes,
we need to stick to the proven rules and built our assumptions on them. Many a new comer who
find a sudden urge for fame have presented new and radical theories but all of them have
practically failed in the real jyotish world. While the advent of Computers and Internet has surely
sparked a new interest in the study & research of Jyotish, one must never forget the foundations
on which it stands and the need for a strong conviction to adhere to the fundamentals. It is wrong
to think that what is written in classic works is practically obsolete in today’s world. Rather one
should focus how those principles are and could be applied in the changing scenario. That is the
very essence of Jyotish and its usefulness.

Only an expansion of the principles and getting to know where and how they apply will find
success.

A.G.Suresh Babu Shenoy.