Rahu Kala

In Vedic Astrology, Rahu is ranked no less than a planet and attributed to past deeds and reason to reborn. Besides Jataka (natal horoscopy) Rahu also plays a significant role in mahurtha (election), however, he is not awarded the lordship of weekday (vaara) or planetary hour (hora). But Rahu Kala is factor that no one dare to neglects, especially in Indian subcontinent.

Rahu Kala (also pronounced Rahu Kaal) is the 1/16th part of a whole day (24 hours) or 1/8th part of a day (12 hours). During months of spring and autumn (when day and nights are of equal length) Rahu Kala spreads over about 90 minutes. However, in summer and winter, the Rahu Kala does not remain uniform in elongation on account of difference in timing of sunrise and sunset. Therefore one should not stick to conventional 6am sunrise and 6pm sunset and considering static 90 minutes Rahu Kala.

For finding the accurate Rahu Kala, first calculate the duration of a day i.e. dinmaan (sunrise to sunset) and divide into 8 equal segments. Then compute the respective segment order according to weekday.

The order of Rahu Kala for weekdays is as follows;

Weekday	1/8th of Dinmaan
Sunday	8th segment is Rahu Kala
Monday	2nd segment is Rahu Kala
Tuesday	7th segment is Rahu Kala
Wednesday	5th segment is Rahu Kala
Thursday	6th segment is Rahu Kala
Friday	4th segment is Rahu Kala
Saturday	3rd segment is Rahu Kala

Take Monday, August 3, 2009 Mumbai as an example for computing Rahu Kala. Get the sunrise and sunset timings from Panchanga, almanac or any software.

Sunrise: 6:20 AM (06:20)

Sunset: 7:10 PM (19:10)

Dinmaan = Sunset minus Sunrise = 19:10 – 06:20 = 12:50

Now divide this duration of 12 hours and 50 minutes into 8 equal segments. We get 01:36, i.e. duration of one segment is 1 hour and 36 minutes (you better do this job on Excel spreadsheet or with a scientific calculator). Now cumulatively add this 01:36 into sunrise until sunset.

Kala	Start	End
1st segment	06:20 AM	07:56 AM
2nd segment >>>	07:56 AM	09:32 AM
3rd segment	09:32 AM	11:08 AM
4th segment	11:08 AM	12:45 PM
5th segment	12:45 PM	02:21 PM
6th segment	02:21 PM	03:57 PM
7th segment	03:57 PM	05:33 PM
8th segment	05:33 PM	07:10 PM

The 2nd segment that spans from 7:56 am to 9:32 am, stands here as Rahu Kala for Monday, August 3, 2009, Mumbai.

Now take another example. Wednesday, December 16, 2009, New Delhi

Sunrise: 7:12 AM (07:12)

Sunset: 5:22 PM (17:22)

Dinmaan = Sunset minus Sunrise = 17:22 – 07:12 = 10:10

Since the dinmaan is 10 hours 10 minutes (or 610 mintues). One segment can be obtained by dividing 8.

(10:10)/8 = 610/8 = 76.375 (about 76 minutes) or 1:16:15

Now cumulatively add 1:16 from sunrise until sunset as;

Kala	Start	End
1st segment	07:12 AM	08:27 AM
2nd segment	08:28 AM	09:44 AM
3rd segment	09:44 AM	11:00 AM
4th segment	11:00 AM	12:16 PM
5th segment >>>	12:17 PM	01:32 PM
6th segment	01:33 PM	02:49 PM
7th segment	02:49 PM	04:05 PM
8th segment	04:05 PM	05:22 PM

We find Rahu Kala for Wednesday, December 16, 2009 (New Delhi) from 12:17 pm to 1:32 pm. But if you go to JHora software (top tab >> Miscellany, bottom tab >> Panchanga), you will surprise to know that Rahu Kala spans from 13:11 to 14:41. Why?

In fact, JHora software takes a bit different method for calculating Rahu Kala. It does not bisect the whole day (sunrise to next sunrise) into dinmaan and raatri. But directly divides the whole day into 16 segments of equal length. Therefore the Rahu Kala erected by JHora differs from Rahu Kala of different Panchagas in vogue. Last year, I had requested Narasimharao to add Day/Night option for calculating Rahu Kala and Horas (planetary hours). But I hope requested option in JHora next version.

Rahu is a chahaya graha, i.e. a shadowy planet. Negative significations of Rahu include delusion, misunderstanding, confusion, uncertainity, deception, cheat, chronic disease, exile and sudden set back. Since Rahu Kala is an inauspicious slot of time therefore aforementioned matters are especially feared. This does not implies that one should do nothing and sit idle while Rahu Kala is running. Its a fatalist approach. However, one should try to avoid starting new venture during Rahu Kala.

Here one misconception about Rahu Kala (and unfavourable mahurtha) should keep in mind. Fructification of anything is mainly depended upon two things; first the time of it's initiation, and second potential of natal chart. One can't amend natal horoscope but wisely elect or avoid benefic/malefic mahurtha. So better avoid Rahu Kala for starting new task rather routine work.

Another important correlation is observed between Rahu Kala and the weekday lord. The karaktatwa of weekday lord has the potential to modify the nature of Rahu Kala. For example Rahu Kala on Saturday often leads to delay and unnecessary waiting. Rahu Kala on Wednesday causes chances of cheat and misinformation in corresponding and signing important documents. I have personally observed the inauspiciousness of Rahu Kala on Sunday and Monday. Well, this does not infer that Rahu Kala is not malefic for rest of the weekdays. But Rahu’s natural enmity towards luminaries renders the Rahu Kala more evil on Sunday and Monday. Moreover, the viciousness of Rahu Kala gets augmented when it coincides with the time of Sun or Moon rashi sandhi. You may notice it yourself. On Sunday, Rahu Kala is the last 1/8th segment of day, i.e. about 90 minutes before sunset. And on Monday, it is the second 1/8th segment of the day, i.e. in early morning when you start going to office/college. Both are easy to remember.

Rahu Kala does not yield identical malevolence to all. It varies person to person both in quantity and quality. The results pertaining to Rahu Kala mainly hinges upon radical nativity as well as the planetary position at transit.

One should especially avoid any new venture during Rahu Kala IF

1) It coincides with the time when transit Sun or Moon is leaving or entering a sign

2) It coincides with the evil planetary hours (horas) of Saturn and Mars

3) Sun, Moon and lord of the weekday is transiting in bad houses

4) Rahu is badly placed and aspected in natal chart

5) The dasa/antar of afflicted Rahu is in progress

Well, there are lots of other (radical and dynamic) factors that may enhance the evil of Rahu Kala. But in my practice, aforementioned parameters holds good.