Rahu mantras

Rāhu-stotra

अर्धकायं महावीर्यं
चन्द्रादित्यविमर्दनम्।
सिंहिकागर्भसंभूतं
तं राहुं प्रणमाम्यहम्॥

Ardhakāyaṁ mahāvīryaṁ
candradityavimardanam |
siṁhikāgarbhasambhūtaṁ
taṁ rāhuṁ praṇamāmyaham ||

I bow down to Rāhu, who has a half-body form, possesses great strength, torments the Moon and the Sun (by causing eclipses), and who was born from the womb of Siṁhikā.

• Rāhu is a shadow planet (chāyā-graha) in Hindu cosmology, not a physical celestial body but a mathematical point representing the ascending lunar node.
• He is mythologically portrayed as a demon who drank the nectar of immortality and was beheaded by Viṣṇu; his head became Rāhu, and his body Ketu.
• Because of this myth, Rāhu is shown as having only a head or upper body.
• He is said to "devour" the Sun and Moon, causing solar and lunar eclipses, which is poetically described here as "tormenting" them.
• Siṁhikā is named as his mother in various Purāṇas.

Rāhu Gāyatrī Mantra

ॐ नखध्वजाय विद्महे ।
पद्महस्ताय धीमहि ।
तन्नो राहुः प्रचोदयात् ॥

Om Nakha-dhvajāya vidmahe
Padma-hastāya dhīmahi
tanno Rāhuḥ prachodayāt

Om. We contemplate Rāhu, who bears the emblem of a nail (Nakha-dhvaja).
We meditate on the one whose hand holds a lotus (Padma-hasta).
May that Rāhu inspire and guide our intellect.

• Though Rāhu is often associated with eclipses, confusion, and obsession, this mantra emphasizes his divine and transformative aspects — invoking his power to sharpen intellect, dissolve illusions, and inspire insight.

Rāhu Bīja Mantra

ॐ भ्राँ भ्रीं भ्रौं सः राहवे नमः॥

Om Bhrām Bhrīm Bhrāum Saḥ Rāhave Namaḥ

I bow to Rāhu, the shadowy celestial force, through the bija mantras that invoke his transformative and karmic energy.

• Bhrām – Symbolizes the expansive power of Rāhu in the material world.
• Bhrīm – The shakti (energy) aspect, associated with transformation and inner alchemy.
• Bhrāum – The conquering, penetrating force of Rāhu; often linked to his ability to cause eclipses and dissolve illusions.