Chapter 18: Rahu Kaal — Identification and Calculation

Chapter 18: Rahu Kaal — Identification and Calculation

In Vedic astrology, every weekday contains a specific time segment known as Rahu Kaal—the period ruled by Rahu. This duration is traditionally considered inauspicious for initiating important activities, especially beginnings such as travel, business deals, interviews, ceremonies, or new ventures. While Rahu Kaal does not affect ongoing work, it is generally avoided when starting something new.

In southern India, particular importance is placed on this period, and most Panchangs or almanacs list generalized Rahu Kaal timings. However, these timings vary with latitude, longitude, and season, because the length of the day changes as per the local sunrise and sunset. Therefore, the most accurate Rahu Kaal must be calculated for each location and date.

This chapter explains the precise method of calculating Rahu Kaal and provides a practical example demonstrating the steps.

Table 9: The Part of the Day Representing Rahu Kaal for Each Weekday

Weekday	Rahu Kaal
Sunday	8th part
Monday	2nd part
Tuesday	7th part
Wednesday	5th part
Thursday	6th part
Friday	4th part
Saturday	3rd part

Worked Example: Calculating Rahu Kaal

Date: Monday, 6 September 2004
Location: Delhi (or nearby regions)

Given (from Panchang):

Sunrise: 06:05 a.m.
Sunset: 06:33 p.m.

Comparison with General Panchang Timing

Many Panchangs list Rahu Kaal on Monday as 7:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.
However, this differs by several minutes from the actual calculated window. For people who are particular about precise muhurta timing, such differences matter significantly.

As the saying goes:
“Well begun is half done.”
A well-timed beginning ensures smoother results.

Comments

ॐ भूर्भुवः स्वः तत्सवितुर्वरेण्यं भर्गो देवस्य धीमहि धियो यो नः प्रचोदयात् ॥
ॐ त्र्यम्बकं यजामहे सुगन्धिं पुष्टिवर्धनम्। उर्वारुकमिव बन्धनान्मृत्योर्मुक्षीय माऽमृतात्॥
सरस्वति नमस्तुभ्यं वरदे कामरूपिणि । विद्यारम्भं करिष्यामि सिद्धिर्भवतु मे सदा ॥
वक्रतुण्ड महाकाय सूर्यकोटि समप्रभ। निर्विघ्नं कुरु मे देव सर्वकार्येषु सर्वदा॥
ॐ असतो मा सद्गमय । तमसो मा ज्योतिर्गमय । मृत्योर्मा अमृतं गमय ॥
गुरूर्ब्रह्मा गुरूर्विष्णुः गुरूर्देवो महेश्वरः । गुरूः साक्षात् परं ब्रह्म तस्मै श्री गुरवे नमः ॥
ॐ शान्तिः शान्तिः शान्तिः ॥
ॐ नमः शिवाय ॥
ॐ नमो नारायणाय ॥
ॐ सर्वे भवन्तु सुखिनः सर्वे सन्तु निरामयाः । सर्वे भद्राणि पश्यन्तु मा कश्चिद्दुःखभाग्भवेत् ॥
सर्वमंगल मांगल्ये शिवे सर्वार्थसाधिके । शरण्ये त्र्यम्बके गौरि नारायणि नमोऽस्तु ते ॥
मनोजवं मारुततुल्यवेगं जितेन्द्रियं बुद्धिमतां वरिष्ठम् । वातात्मजं वानरयूथमुख्यं श्रीरामदूतं शरणं प्रपद्ये ॥
ॐ नमः सूर्याय चन्द्राय मंगलाय बुधाय च । गुरु शुक्र शनिभ्यश्च राहवे केतवे नमः ॥
हरे कृष्ण हरे कृष्ण कृष्ण कृष्ण हरे हरे । हरे राम हरे राम राम राम हरे हरे ॥
ॐ सह नाववतु । सह नौ भुनक्तु । सह वीर्यं करवावहै । तेजस्वि नावधीतमस्तु मा विद्विषावहै ॥
ॐ पूर्णमदः पूर्णमिदं पूर्णात्पूर्णमुदच्यते । पूर्णस्य पूर्णमादाय पूर्णमेवावशिष्यते ॥
जपाकुसुमसंकाशं काश्यपेयं महाद्युतिम् । तमोऽरिं सर्वपापघ्नं प्रणतोऽस्मि दिवाकरम् ॥

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Millionaires don't use Astrology, billionaires do.
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Astrology is astronomy brought down to earth and applied to the affairs of men.
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As above, so below; as within, so without; as the universe, so the soul.
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The stars incline, they do not compel.
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The study of astronomy and the calendar is the first duty of the ruler.
Truth is one; the wise call it by many names.

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