| Chandra | |
|---|---|
 Chandra sculpture, British Museum |
|
| Moon | |
| Devanagari | चंद्र |
| Affiliation | Graha |
| Consort | 27 Nakshatras (Daughters of Daksha) including the main consort,Rohini and Tara |
| Mount | chariot pulled by an antelope by ten white horses / rams |
In Hinduism, Chandra (lit. "shining)[1] is a lunar deity and a Graha. Chandra is also identified with the Vedic Lunar deity Soma (lit. "juice")[2]. The Soma name refers particularly to the juice of sap in the plants and thus makes the Moon the lord of plants and vegetation.[1] He is described as young, beautiful, fair; two-armed and having in his hands a club and a lotus.[3] He rides his chariot (the moon) across the sky every night, pulled by ten white horses or an antelope. Although the antelope is the animal most commonly depicted with Him in iconography, the rabbit is also particularly sacred to him and all rabbits are under his protection.[4] He is connected with dew, and as such, is one of the gods of fertility. He is also called Rajanipati(lord of the night)[1] and Kshuparaka (one who illuminates the night)[5], Indu (lit. The bright drop).[1] He as Soma, presides over Somvar or Monday.
He is the father of Budha, (planet Mercury) the mother being Tara (Taraka). He is also married to Rohini, Anuradha and Bharani, who are the 27 Nakshatras (constellations) and daughters of Daksha.
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In astrology
In Vedic astrology Chandra represents brain and mind, emotions, sensitivity, softness, imagination, queen and mother. Chandra rules over the sign Karka (Cancer), while he is exalted in Vrishabha (Taurus) and in his fall in Vrishchika (Scorpio). The waxing moon is considered to be benefic, and the waning moon is considered to be malefic. The bright moon is considered a benefic of the highest order, while the dark moon is considered a malefic. Chandra is lord of three nakshatras or lunar mansions: Rohini, Hasta and Shravana. Chandra has the following associations: the color white, the metal silver and the gemstones pearl and moonstone. His element is water, direction is north-west and season is winter. The Food Grain associated with him (One of Nava Dhanyas) is Rice.
Other uses
Chandra is also the word in Sanskrit, Hindi and other Indian languages for moon. It is the middle name of the Hindu god Rama. This word is named after Nisha Chandra. Chandra Shekara literally refers to the 'Person who wears the moon' which links to Lord Shiva in Hindu Mythology. It is directed as both evil and good, as it could mean 'Queen of the Moon' or 'Demon of the moon'. It is also a common Indian name, both male(e.g.: Anurag Chandra) and female and exists as a name in many South East Asian languages that originate from Sanskrit.
The god, the drink and the plant probably referred to the same entity, or at least the differentiation was ambiguous. In this aspect, Soma is similar to the Greek ambrosia (cognate to amrita); it is what the gods drink, and what made them deities. Soma is still coined as name for an entheogenic brew (avestic: Haoma) still in ceremonial use.
Indu, one of the other names for Chandra, is also the name of the first chakra (group) of Melakarta ragas in Carnatic music. The names of chakras are based on the numbers associated with each name. In this case, there is one moon and hence the first chakra is Indu. [6] [7]
See also
References
- ^ a b c d Graha Sutras By Ernst Wilhelm , Published by Kala Occult Publishers ISBN 0970963645 p.51
- ^ Graha Sutras By Ernst Wilhelm , Published by Kala Occult Publishers ISBN 0970963645 p.50
- ^ Mythology of the Hindus By Charles Coleman p.131
- ^ Panchatantra the complete version by Pandit Vishnu Sharma translated by G.L. Chandiramani p.134 published by Rupa and Co.1991 ISBN 81 7167 065 2
- ^ Mythology of the Hindus By Charles Coleman p.132
- ^ South Indian Music Book III, by Prof. P Sambamoorthy, Published 1973, The Indian Music Publishing House
- ^ Ragas in Carnatic music by Dr. S. Bhagyalekshmy, Pub. 1990, CBH Publications
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