Rahu is seen as an Asura or demon who does his best to plunge any area of life he controls into chaos, mystery, and cruelty. He is associated with the world of material manifestation and worldly desire, as well as random, uncontrolled growth without wisdom or understanding. Rahu is supposed to be a mighty and naughty child of māyā (illusory power of nature), and thus has a lot of dualities attached to its Mayavi (illusory) nature.

The various names assigned to Rahu in Vedic texts—the chief, the advisor of the demons, the minister of the demons, ever-angry, the tormentor, bitter enemy of the luminaries, lord of illusions, one who frightens the Sun, the one who makes the Moon lusterless, the peacemaker, the immortal (having drunk the divine nectar), bestower of prosperity and wealth and ultimate knowledge—give a clue to its basic energy and attributes.

Rahu can be considered the expert among the planets when it comes to scheming and plotting. It is the master of manipulation.