วัดพระลอย
Wat Phra-Loi
Wat Phra Loi
God Rahu
Origin of Rahu
The Origins of Rahu: Four Legends
In the Rigveda, Rahu is a demon named Svarbhanu. He became envious of the sun, so he swallowed it. Indra, the king of the gods, then used a discus to sever Svarbhanu’s head and released the sun.
In Buddhism, Rahu is known as Asurinda Rahu, a viceroy to King Brahmadatta, ruler of the Asuras. Rahu is the son of King Vepacitti Asurabadin, the ruler of the Asura realm in the north. Rahu possessed immense strength, greater than any other Asura. He belonged to the Nevasika Devas, a class of deities with King Vepacitti as their leader. Later, Sakka (Indra) seized power and expelled the Nevasika Devas from Mount Meru while they were drunk on liquor. After their fall, these deities declared themselves as Asuras and built their city in the Trigutha Valley, under Mount Meru. Rahu is also believed to be a Bodhisattva destined to become a Buddha in the future.
In Thai mythology, Shiva created Rahu by grinding 12 goblin heads into powder, wrapping the powder in a golden cloth (some texts say it was bronze-colored cloth), and sprinkling it with the nectar of immortality. Rahu emerged with a body that was dark blue, almost bronze in color. His celestial palace is dark blue and floats in the sky. Rahu resides in the northwest (Pha Yaap) direction and is associated with the "Ya" sound (in letters Y, R, L, W), known as Kochanama.
In Hindu mythology, Rahu is the son of Viprachitti, king of the Danavas (demons), and Singhika, the sister of the demon king Hiranyakashipu. Born with the body of a demon and the tail of a serpent, Rahu has a unique hybrid form.
Offerings to Rahu
Rahu is symbolized by the number 8 and has a strength equivalent to 12. Therefore, offerings can consist of 8 or 12 items, depending on one’s faith. The offerings should include:
Boiled black chicken
Grilled catfish
Black liquor
Black coffee
Grass jelly
Coca-Cola (or other dark-colored sodas or sweet drinks)
Chicken soup
Black sesame seeds
Black beans
Black sticky rice
Seaweed
Century eggs (preserved black eggs)
Alternatively, if time is short, simple offerings can be purchased from convenience stores. Examples include black seaweed, dark-colored sodas, black coffee, black tea, chocolate, chicken essence, black-colored candy, or cookies. The reason why specific offerings are not strictly mentioned is that availability varies by location, and some items may be cheaper or more expensive than others. Therefore, the best approach is to offer what is easily available and suits one’s budget. For the number of incense sticks, use the same number as the offerings. For example, if you offer 8 items, use 8 incense sticks.
Steps for Worshipping Rahu
To worship Rahu, face the northwest direction, preferably outdoors. Begin by chanting Namo 3 times, followed by the following incantations:
End of the 3rd set
Namo tassa bhagavatto arahato sammasamput thassa (3 times)
...
Rahu chanting chants
Kinnu Santaramano Warahu Suri Yang Pamun Cha Si
Sangvikkarupo akammakinnu beeto va titthasiti
Sattatha Me Phale Muttha Sivanto na Sukhan Laphe
Buddha Kathaphiketomahi no Je Munjeya Suryanti
Kinnu santaramano warahu chantang pamun jasi
Sangvikkarupo akamma kinnu bhito va titthasiti
Sattatha Me Phale Muttha Sivanto na Sukhan Laphe
Buddha Kathaphiketomahi no Je Munjeya Chandimanti
...
Phra Katha Suriya Bappa
Gussetoma Gussetto Lalama
Tolamo Tolamomama Tolamomama
Tolamotang Hegutimama Heguti
Phra Katha Chanda Bappa
Yat that tang mama tang thaya tawa tang
Mamatang Watitan Segamama
Kasetang Kati Yangmama Yatika
...
Sacrificial offerings to Rahu
Namome Phra Rahu Devanang Thupa Teepa will flourish
Sakkaravan Tanang Supapayanchana
Sampanang Bocha Nanang
Sali Nang Sapari Warang Uda Kang Warang
Akachayatu Pariphunchantu Sappatha
Hitaya Sukhaya Phra Rahu Deva
Mahithika Tepi Amhe
Anurag Khantu Aroka
Yena Sukhema will be happy
...
Rahu incantation (complete 12 chants)
Ka put pan to thum wa ka
"I, (your name), worship Rahu with 8 or 12 black offerings. May the influence of Rahu bless my destiny and bring good friends, strong health free from illness, happiness in my family, and grant me prosperity and success. (You may make additional wishes as desired)."