1. The origin of Phra Rahoo (celestial monster)

Phra Rahoo is a celestial monster or giant which cause ellipse by eating the sun or moon. Phra Rahoo is a son of Phra Kasayapatep with Singhika. The form of the parents of celestial giant family is human but has the body of evil giant. In fact, Phra Rahoo is the king of giant but is different from other giants because he is immortal. The number representing Rahoo is 8. His face is that of a monster. His upper body is glistening and his lower half has the tail of a dragon. He rides on a Garuda (Phaya Krud) – the national bird of Thailand. His character is unique as he likes to move around singly. Darkness is his likings. Hence, needless to say, black is his favorite color. Perhaps, what sets Rahoo apart from the rest of the giant is his love for righteousness although he has the lust for combat. Later, he become an immortal and was praised by Brahma as one equal to gods. How did he become an immortal?

During ancient times, whenever there was any war between gods and giants, Phra Rahoo was always the leader taking the lead attacking the second tier above the earth. However, the giants were defeated all the time. Unfortunately, Indra was cursed to reduce his power by a great hermit one day, and capitalizing on the situation, the giants were able to conquer Indra and the gods. As a result, Indra and gods were at the end of their wits. As the situation was very grave, they decided to seek for help from Narayana, the God of Milk Sea.

Out of compassion, Narayana suggested to Indra and the magnitude of deities to perform stirring Ambrosia ceremony to produce celestial holy water for consumption. According to Narayana, this nectar can greatly increase their powers and attain an imperishable body after drinking it. However, it was necessary to use power of giants. Indra therefore lied to the giants that they would share half of the Ambrosia water.

The Giants were taken in and came to help out at the stirring ambrosia ceremony that began at Milk Sea. Mantorn Mountain was used as a tool for stirring ambrosia. Many gods and giant went searching for immense amount of herbal medicine from the 3 worlds to put in Milk Sea. 

After that, they used Serpent Naga (Wasukree Naga) instead of rope to spin about the mountain with such strength until the herbal medicine and water in milk sea became Ambrosia water.

During the spinning process, the suffering which the Naga had to endure took its toll. As a result, it released black poisonous energy from its head. As the position of the giants was at the head of Wasukree Naga, their life was in danger. The deities had deliberately positioned themselves at the tail and so they were safe. Phra Rahoo was one of wounded giants. However, for the sake of success and to become immortal, he was tolerance.  He was very angry but remained patient throughout.

As time goes by, the Wasukree Naga blew more and more of the acid poison. It had become so overwhelming and the amount that was released threatened to damage all the 3 worlds.

Phra Siva appeared. He used all his force to suck in all the black poisonous energy emitted from the dragon’s head and later used his power to decipher the poison. This is the reason why Phra Siva’s body is black in color.

When the desire amount of ambrosia was produced for the deities, Phra Narai transformed himself into a lady to lure the giants to the other side of the mountain to fool around with them. The idea was to stall for more time in order for all the deities to drink the holy water.

However, Rahoo did not fall for the ruse. He was not seduced by the charming lady. Instead, he immediately transformed himself into a deity and joined the queue to drink the nectar. Unfortunately, he was careless. In his transformation process, he had forgotten to hide his tail. It was noticed by the “Sun and Moon gods” who rushed to report to Narayana.

As Rahoo was drinking the holy water, Narayana flung his lotus discus at him. It slit his body into two. However, as Rahoo had already consumed the ambrosia, it made him imperishable and helped him stayed alive. It was for this reason that made Rahoo held deep grudge against the “Sun and Moon gods”, He vowed from then on he would devour them to appease his hatred. However, as Rahoo has only half body, the Sun & Moon gods are able to slip out from his stomach.

Thus, the revenge of Celestial monster is what we see as the solar eclipse and lunar eclipse.