Sutta Remedy for Rahu's Affliction on the Moon

In Vedic astrology, Rahu and Ketu are known to be malefic planets that can cause a lot of trouble when a person’s natal chart contains planets afflicted by them. This is especially so if the Moon is weak and closely afflicted by them. A person can suffer emotional turmoil, depression or even psychiatric disorder as a result. In an unlikely place, Rahu is actually being mentioned in a pair of scriptures from the Samyutta Nikaya of the Pali Canon. In the Candima Sutta and the Suriya Sutta, Rahu attacks Surya, the Sun deity and Chandra, the Moon deity before being compelled to release them by their recitation of a brief katha conveying their reverence for the Buddha. The Buddha requested Rahu to release them, which Rahu does rather than have his "head split into seven pieces". The verses recited by the two celestial deities and the Buddha have since been incorporated into Buddhist liturgy as protective verses recited by monks as prayers of protection.

CANDIMA SUTTA: THE MOON DEITY'S PRAYER FOR PROTECTION

Thus have I heard:

On one occasion the Blessed One was living near Savatthi, at Jetavana at Anathpindika's monastery. At that time Candima, the moon deity, was seized by Rahu, lord of Asura. Thereupon calling to mind the Blessed One, Candima, the moon deity, recited this stanza:

i. "O Buddha, the Hero, thou art wholly free from all evil. My adoration to thee. I have fallen into distress. Be thou my refuge."

Thereupon the Blessed One addressed a stanza to Rahu, Lord of Asuras, on behalf of Candima, thus:

ii. "O Rahu, Candima has gone for refuge to the Tathagata, the Consummate One. Release Candima. The Buddhas radiate compassion on the world (of beings)."

Thereupon Rahu, Lord of Asuras, released Candima, the deity, and immediately came to the presence of Vepacitta, Lord of Asuras, and stood beside him trembling with fear and with hair standing on end. Then Vepacitta addressed Rahu in this stanza.

iii. "Rahu. Why did you suddenly release Candima? Why have you come trembling, and why are you standing here terrified?"

"I have been spoken to by the Buddha in a stanza (requesting me to release Candima). If I had not released Candima my head would have split into seven pieces. While yet I live, I should have had no happiness. (Therefore I released Candima)."

In PALI, to be chanted as a remedy for those people who suffers from Rahu / Ketu affliction on the Moon in their chart:

CANDIMA SUTTAM

Evam me sutam ekam samayam Bhagava Savatthiyam viharati Jetavane Anathapindikassa arame.

Tena kho pana samayena candima devaputto rahuna asurindena gahito hoti.

Atha kho candima devaputto Bhagavantam anussaramano tayam velayam imam gatham abhasi:

"Namo te Buddhaviratthu vippamuttosi sabbadhi,

Sambadhapatipannosmi tassa me saranam bhavati."

Atha kho Bhagava candimam devaputtam arabbha rahum asurindam gathaya ajjhabhasi:

"Tathagatam arahantam candima saranam gato

Rahu candam pamuncassu buddha lokanukampakati."

Atha kho rahu asurindo candimam devaputtam muncitva taramanarupo yena vepacitti asurindo ten'upasankami.

Upasankamitva samviggo lomahatthajato eka-m-antam atthasi.

Eka-m-antam thitam kho rahum asurindam vepacitti asurindo gathaya ajjhabhasi:

Kin nu santaramanova rahu candam pamuncasi,

Samviggarupo agamma kin nu bhito va titthasiti.

Sattadha me phale muddha jivanto na sukham labhe,

Buddhagathabhigitomhi no ce munceyya candimanti.