According to the myth of ancient Kapampangans, the laho or lawu (also spelled lahu) was a huge serpent that caused the eclipse by swallowing the sun or the moon.
The ancient Kapampangan’s concept of the laho was derived from the Sanskrit Rahu after some Hindu-Buddhist beliefs were introduced and incorporated into the locality following the gradual settlement of Hindu-Buddhist-influenced immigrants in ancient times. In Vedic myth, Rahu is the severed head of the demon Svarbhanu, attempting to devour the sun and the moon. As the story goes, Svarbhanu wanted to drink the amrit or nectar of immortality reserved only for the deva or gods. He disguised himself as a deva but the sun and the moon discovered his ploy and ratted him out to Lord Vishnu who promptly beheaded Svarbhanu. But before he could die, Svarbhanu was able to sip a drop of the amrit, thus, his severed head became Rahu, the bodiless serpent, while his body merged with a serpent and became Ketu – both became immortal entities in the heavens. From then on Rahu and Ketu chased the sun and the moon to devour them or to blot out their light as revenge for foiling Svarbhanu’s plans.
In Buddhist mythology, lunar and solar eclipse occur when Rahu attacks the sun and the moon. Rahu is only compelled to release them when the said celestial bodies recite hymns for the Buddha and the Buddha himself threatens to shatter Rahu into seven pieces.
The ancient Kapampangan’s concept of the laho was derived from the Sanskrit Rahu after some Hindu-Buddhist beliefs were introduced and incorporated into the locality following the gradual settlement of Hindu-Buddhist-influenced immigrants in ancient times. In Vedic myth, Rahu is the severed head of the demon Svarbhanu, attempting to devour the sun and the moon. As the story goes, Svarbhanu wanted to drink the amrit or nectar of immortality reserved only for the deva or gods. He disguised himself as a deva but the sun and the moon discovered his ploy and ratted him out to Lord Vishnu who promptly beheaded Svarbhanu. But before he could die, Svarbhanu was able to sip a drop of the amrit, thus, his severed head became Rahu, the bodiless serpent, while his body merged with a serpent and became Ketu – both became immortal entities in the heavens. From then on Rahu and Ketu chased the sun and the moon to devour them or to blot out their light as revenge for foiling Svarbhanu’s plans.
In Buddhist mythology, lunar and solar eclipse occur when Rahu attacks the sun and the moon. Rahu is only compelled to release them when the said celestial bodies recite hymns for the Buddha and the Buddha himself threatens to shatter Rahu into seven pieces.