Chandra

Chandra (Sanskrit: , IAST: Candra, lit. "shining" or "moon")[1][a]

Chandra
is a lunar deity and is also one of the nine houses (Navagraha) in
Hinduism. Chandra is synonymously referred to as Soma. Other names Moon
include Indu (bright drop), Atrisuta (son of Atri), Sachin (marked by
hare), Taradhipa (lord of stars) and Nishakara (the night maker).[2]

Chandra is described as young and beautiful, two-armed and carrying a

club and a lotus.[3] In Hindu mythology, Chandra is the father of Budha
(planet Mercury). The Chandra is married to the 27 daughters of
Daksha, after whom the Nakshatras in Hindu astrology are named.

Chandra, who is also known as Soma and Indu, is the basis of Somvaar,
which is Hindi, and Induvaasaram, which is Sanskrit, for Monday in
the Hindu calendar.
Devanagari
Sanskrit Chandra
Contents transliteration
Affiliation Deva, Graha,
1 Mythology Navagraha, Soma
2 Other aspects
3 In popular culture Abode Moon
4 See also Planet Moon
5 Notes
Mantra Om Chandramas
6 References
7 External links Namaha
Day Monday,
Hindi: Somvaar
Mythology Sanskrit:
Induvaasaram
In Hindu mythology, There are multiple legends surrounding Chandra. Mount Chariot pulled by an
Antelope
In one, Chandra meets Tara, the wife of Brihaspati (planet Jupiter).
From their union, Tara became pregnant giving birth to Budha (planet Consort 27 Nakshatras
mercury). Brihaspati becomes upset and declares a war. The Devas
intervene and Tara returns to Brihaspati.[4]

Chandra marries the twenty-seven daughters of Daksha. Chandra favors Satabhisha, Rohini and Aslesha of all
his wives. The other wives become upset and complain to Daksha and he places a curse on Chandra. The curse
is only overcome after Chandra devotes himself to Shiva, who partially releases him from the curse.[4]

According to another legend, Ganesha was returning home on his mount (a mouse) late on a full moon night
after a mighty feast given by Kubera. On the journey back, A snake crossed their path and frightened by it, his
mount ran away dislodging Ganesha in the process. An overstuffed Ganesha fell to the ground and his stomach
broke open, spilling out all the Modak's he had eaten. On observing this, Chandra laughed at Ganesha. Ganesha
lost his temper and broke off one of his tusks and flung it straight at the moon hurting him and cursed him so
that he would never be whole again. Therefore, It is forbidden to behold Chandra on Ganesh Chaturthi. This
legend accounts for the Moon's waxing and waning including a big crater on the moon, a dark spot, visible even
from earth.[5]

Other aspects
Chandra literally means the "Moon" in Sanskrit, Hindi and other Indian
languages. The word Chandra is also a common Indian name and
surname. Both male and female name variations exists in many South
East Asian languages that originate from Sanskrit.

Indu, one of the other names for Chandra, is also the name of the first
chakra 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, the Moon and hence the first chakra is Indu.[6][7]

In popular culture
Chandra plays an important role in one of the first novel-length mystery
stories in English, The Moonstone.

The Sanskrit word Chandrayna (Sanskrit: , Moon Vehicle) is

used to refer to India's lunar orbiters.

See also
Navagraha Chandra, British Museum - 13th century,
Soma Konark

Notes
a. In other languages: Kannada , Telugu , Tamil .

References
1. Graha Sutras By Ernst Wilhelm, Published by Kala Occult Publishers ISBN 0-9709636-4-5 p.51
2. Roshen Dalal (2010). Hinduism: An Alphabetical Guide (https://books.google.com/books?id=DH0vmD8
ghdMC&pg=PA393). Penguin Books India. p. 394. ISBN 978-0-14-341421-6.
3. Mythology of the Hindus By Charles Coleman p.131
4. Roshen Dalal (2010). Hinduism: An Alphabetical Guide (https://books.google.com/books?id=DH0vmD8
ghdMC&pg=PA393). Penguin Books India. pp. 393394. ISBN 978-0-14-341421-6.
5. Usha, K R. "Why Ganesha has a Broken Tusk or Why the Moon has a Crater" (https://iwp.uiowa.edu/silk
routes/city/bangalore-india/text/cultural-lens-childrens-stories-why-ganesha). The University of Iowa.
Retrieved 30 June 2017.
6. South Indian Music Book III, by Prof. P Sambamoorthy, Published 1973, The Indian Music Publishing
House
7. Ragas in Carnatic music by Dr. S. Bhagyalekshmy, Pub. 1990, CBH Publications

External links
Media related to Chandra at Wikimedia Commons

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This page was last edited on 26 August 2017, at 05:07.

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