The Role of "Ketu" in the 3 Raashis- by Sri Bhasker Jyotish Mumbai.

The Role of "Ketu" in the 3 Raashis-

In Mesha

This is derived from "Mishathithi Mesha" that which blossoms.
The Supreme being himself Himself blossoms out to form the world and to form its base. This is the seat of The Supreme being.Mars is the Lord of this Raashi.
Mars is Fire, Chithagni,jnanagni,brahmagni and so on. It therefore follows that Mars is born of the Supreme being who is synonymous with Fire.

The word "Ashwini" is derived from "ashugachhanti aswah asu vyaptha" "aswasya apathyam strii Aswini" means spreading out with speed.
Relating to the Supreme Being who spreads out in the world and forms the base of the world. (All pervading).

The Star Ashwini is associated with Ketu ie. one beginning his Life (The World) with the period of Ketu. Ketu denotes the quality of Tamas(Darkness and Ignorance). Since it is not possible to understand the Absolute, the similie of Darkness is given following the statement in the Upanishad , "Thama aasith thamasa goodhamagre". Hence Ashwini corresponds to the Ketu period.


In Simha

Simha is derived from "Simha himsa yaam" ie. tortuting
bears out the suffering of the pure "I".
Everyone born as a man is tied by the chords of Rajas
(activity) and Tamas (Illusion) , and is involved in wordly affairs.
To get rid of this bondage , one must enter the path of liberation and pass
it successfully.

The Sun being the Lord of this Raashi, His portfolio pertains to the duties of the "Father".
Just like the Role of the Mother in Karkataka where she bears a child in her womb, nurses
and rears him and protects him till iot becomes fit enough to go ahead in the world and
then hands it over to his father for his further progress.
The extension and continuance of family geneaology is the significance here.
The Star Magha appears in this Raashi. The word Magha (Makha) implies
"Makha theethi makhaa, which means covering. The word Ketu too means
"Keyathati Thamoruupena chikithsathi vaa saa kethuhu" ie. pervading with Tamas.
Under the significance of Makha the childs sight when falls on objects around him ,
gradually gets covered by the illusion characteristic of Tamas contained in the meaning of Ketu.
(Dont you see how a child leaps to have the baloon or a colourful doll in Your hand when you show it to him ?
This same Ketu then wants it to have other objects when he grows in age, and becomes a youth..etc.)
Therefore this cover (aavarana) of Tamas creates in the child both the illusion that the
objects of the world are real, and the yearning to enjoy them.
(If this Tamas from Ketu is not created then how will a man want to work and enjoy more, and
procreate just like his Father and forefathers did keeping the family alive, which attribute
essentially is denoted by this particular star- Pitrus).

In Sagittarius

Dhanu means "Dhanatthee thi dhanah: ie. to sound. As a bow makes sound
while bending , so the recitation of bthe word "Om" causes a sound.
the principle of emancipation is associated with this sign.

The Shastras say that the "omkara" itself is Dhanus (The Bow).
Pranavo Dhanushasharovhatma Brahmatallakshya Muchyate |

apramaten Vedhavyam Sharvatanmayo Bhavet ||
(Mundakopanishad)

This is the Sign where the cloak of Darkness (Tamas of Ketu) is lifted. through whom?
through a Guru (The Owner of this Sign representing same). How is this darkness
lifted ? The Moola Nakshatra is owned by Ketu we all know about.

The Muladhar Chakra is connected to Moola is again what most of us are aware about.
(In the earthy application of this Chakra, the power basic, for creation of Progeny is situated in
a man, in this Chakra).
The Mooladhar chakra is the letter "A" in the Onkara and is the Seat of the Creator (The 4 Headed Brahma).
hence it is also known as the Brahma Granthi. Therefore the seeker of Liberation who has been meditating through the recital of the Omkara, should commence this recital from the Muladhara Chakra (Dont these Yoga Teachers ask their students that Om ka uchharan andar se, neeche naabhi se aana chahiye?) to pierce the knot Brahmagranthi in it, and go up the Sushumna nerve (This nerve incidentally is the Radha of Krishna esoterically), thus paving the path for attaining ParaBrahman, or Oneness with the Only One.

Therefore this same Ketu who brings us in, in this world and makes us crave (Tamas Guna) , also shows us the way Out.

Which is why it is also known as a Mokshkaraka.

Now friends, I have spent half the day in writing this. Hope this helps someone. I do not know Sanskrit except for the words, through which I usually associate what is written, thereforer please ignore the mistakes in writing the shlokas in English.

best wishes,
Bhaskar.
courtsey Jyotish Ganga FB page.