Rāhu
deity figure · 6 works · 16 mentions · 20 anchored passages
Rāhuḥ · sighting of Rāhu · son of Siṃhikā
in the texts
Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa
Mythic eclipse-demon referenced as the moon's enemy in a simile.
Like Rohiṇī, the beloved wife of the enemy of Rāhu — though radiant with splendor — oppressed and afflicted by a planet that had risen against her.
Seeing them flee, Khara turned them back in fury, then himself rushed directly at Rāma, as Rāhu rushes at the moon.
"Then, once those two have gone away and the place is empty, I shall carry off Sītā at my ease without hindrance, as Rāhu seizes the moon's radiance.
Vīramitrodaya
The mythological seizer whose swallowing of the sun or moon constitutes an eclipse
'In the impurity of Rāhu (*Rāhu* (राहु))' = in the eclipse.
And at an eclipse (*uparāge* (उपरागे)), an ancestral rite (*śrāddham* (श्राद्धम्)) is obligatory.
> When Rāhu eclipses the moon and sun at twilight, one should not eat on that day, nor ever at night.
Paramārthasāra
The mythological eclipse-demon, invoked as a simile for invisible reality becoming visible through a medium.
Just as Rāhu, though invisible [in himself], becomes manifest when he rests upon the disc of the moon, so this Self, though all-pervading, [becomes manifest] in the mirror of the intellect by taking on objects.
Paramārthasāra
Mythological eclipse-demon invoked as a simile for the Self's apparent manifestation.
As Rāhu, though [himself] invisible, becomes manifest to the world when [he] stands upon the disc of the moon, so the {{ātman / paramātman|Self}}, though all-pervading, comes into view when [reflected as] resident in the intellect (buddhi).
Parāśara Smṛti
The demon whose seizing of the sun or moon causes eclipses, repeatedly invoked as the occasion permitting night rites.
Bathing at night is not praised, except for the sighting of Rāhu (an eclipse).
All water is equal to the Gaṅgā when the sun is seized by Rāhu (a solar eclipse).
Bathing, charity, recitation, and fire offerings should be performed at the sighting of Rāhu.
Viṣṇu Smṛti
The demon associated with eclipses in Indian mythology; his 'sighting' denotes an eclipse, treated as a special auspicious occasion for śrāddha.
/ > But it should be performed even at those times, if there is a sighting of Rāhu (an eclipse).