Transcending Labels to See the Divine in Every Being:
Recently, someone asked me a thought-provoking question: Why should we chant the mantra of Rahu when he is considered a demon? This question touches on a deeper inquiry into how we view the concepts of good and evil, and how we can move beyond these labels to embrace the oneness that underlies all existence.
To explore this, we must first question our concept of a demon (Rakshasa/Asura). Typically, we label someone as a demon based on their perceived negative qualities. However, life is rarely so straightforward—it’s not purely black or white, but composed of countless shades of grey. Consider Ravana, a figure often vilified in our stories. While he did abduct Sita, earning him the title of villain, he also possessed many admirable qualities—scholarship, devotion to Lord Shiva, and exceptional leadership among them.
Now, let’s contrast this with Indra, the king of gods. Indra, who is often celebrated for his heroic deeds, committed a grievous sin by violating Ahilya, the virtuous wife of Sage Gautama. How do we reconcile such actions with the image of a god? On the other hand, Ravana, despite his abduction of Sita, never forced himself upon her—a restraint that complicates his portrayal as purely evil.
If we delve further into our ancient texts, we find that Devas (gods) and Danavas (demons) share a common lineage. Both emerged from the same sage, Kashyapa, but had different mothers—Aditi for the Devas and Diti for the Danavas. This shared ancestry reminds us that the division between good and evil is not as clear-cut as we might think. Even in astrology, we see individuals categorized into different Ganas—Deva (divine), Manushya (human), and Rakshasa (demonic). However, these labels often fail to capture the full complexity of a person’s character. I’ve seen Deva Gana individuals display negative traits and Rakshasa Gana individuals embodying divine qualities.
This brings us to a profound realization: our rigid definitions of good and evil are often simplistic and limiting. If we open our minds, we can begin to see the divine in every being, transcending these labels. Rahu, for instance, while traditionally considered a demon, represents vital aspects of our existence—desires, challenges, and transformations—that are essential for personal growth.
Chanting the name of Rahu or any such entity is not about glorifying evil, but about recognizing and integrating the complex dualities within us. It is an invitation to balance, to see beyond the surface, and to acknowledge that both light and shadow are necessary for our spiritual evolution.
The message here is one of unity and oneness. The divine and the demonic are not external forces but aspects of our own consciousness. By embracing this oneness, we can transcend the duality of good and evil, seeing each being, each action, as part of the larger, interconnected whole.
It’s worth noting that Lord Shiva, the embodiment of ultimate consciousness, surrounds himself with ganas—beings often depicted as demonic or unconventional. Have we ever wondered why? Because Shiva is beyond duality; he resides in a state of oneness, where all distinctions dissolve, and only the pure essence of existence remains.
Let’s challenge our ingrained beliefs, open our hearts, and strive for a deeper understanding. True spiritual growth comes from recognizing that we are all part of the same fabric, where labels of “demon” and “god” are mere illusions, and the ultimate truth lies in our oneness.
Let's transcend duality and come to oneness.
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