Demon · ◆ Darkness

Rahu

The Eclipse-Maker

minorattestedc. 400 BCE – 400 CE (epics and Puranas)Hinduism

The asura who disguised himself among the gods and got one swallow of the nectar of immortality before the sun and moon informed on him. Vishnu’s discus took his head off mid-swallow — too late. The head lives forever, and forever chases the two who betrayed him: every eclipse is Rahu catching the sun or the moon, and losing them again through his severed throat.

Darkness71

Chaos70

Power61

Dread60

✦Signature powerCorruptionBends order toward ruin and turns hearts from the light.

◈ Open relationship graph →

Its universe

The mythic order Rahu belongs to, who comes before and after in the story of this world.

The Ocean of Milkwhat is churned
- Vishnuthe pivot of the churning
  - The Devasthe tail end
  - The Asurasthe head end
    - Rahuone swallow from forever
- Shivawho keeps the poison

Voices & connections

Figures bound to Rahu, family and rivals within the myth, and the thinkers and writers who shaped how we know them.

Vishnuenemy of

Relics & objects

Sacred and cursed things that belong to the world of Rahu.

The AmritaSacred

Read the story

Illustrated chapters where Rahu appears. Start reading in a click.

Illustrated storyThe Churning of the OceanCursed into weakness, the gods cannot win immortality by force — so they invite their enemies to help churn it out of the Ocean of Milk, with a mountain for a churning-rod, the serpent king for a rope, and Vishnu as the tortoise underneath it all. What rises first is not nectar but Halahala, the poison of everything, and Shiva must drink it and hold it in his throat forever. The nectar comes last, and is won by a single enchanting glance.Begin reading →