| Chandra | |
|---|---|
| Member ofNavagraha | |
.jpg) | |
| Other names | Soma, Chandrama,Shashank, Nishakara, Shashi, Mayank, Vidhu |
| Devanagari | चंद्र |
| Sanskrit transliteration | चन्द्र |
| Affiliation | Deva,Graha,Dikpala |
| Abode | Chandraloka |
| Planet | Moon |
| Mantra | Om Chandramasē Namaha |
| Weapon | Rope |
| Day | Monday |
| Color | Pale white[3] |
| Number | 2, 11, 20, 29 |
| Mount | Chariot pulled by anantelope |
| Gender | Male |
| Genealogy | |
| Parents | |
| Siblings | Durvasa andDattatreya |
| Consort | Rohini (chief consort), and other 26Nakshatra goddesses |
| Children | Budha,Varchas,Bhadra, Jyotsnakali[4] and other children |
| Equivalents | |
| Greek | Selene |
| Roman | Luna |
Chandra (Sanskrit:चन्द्र,romanized: Chandra,lit. 'shining' or 'moon'), also known asSoma (Sanskrit:सोम), is theHindu godof the Moon, and is associated with the night, plants and vegetation. He is one of theNavagraha (nine planets of Hinduism) andDikpala (guardians of the directions).[5]
The word "Chandra" literally means "bright, shining or glittering" and is used for the "Moon" inSanskrit and otherIndo-Aryan languages.[6][7] It is also the name of various other figures in Hindu mythology, including an asura and aSuryavamsha king.[8] It is also a common Indian name and surname. Both male and female name variations exist in many South Asian languages that originate from Sanskrit.
Some of the synonyms of Chandra includeSoma (distill),Indu (bright drop),Shashank (hare-marked),Atrisuta (son of Atri),Shashin orShachin (the essence),Taradhipa (lord of stars),Nishakara (the night maker),Nakshatrapati (lord of theNakshatra),Oshadhipati (lord of herbs),Uduraj orUdupati (water lord),Kumudanatha (lord of lotuses), andUdupa (boat).[2][5][9]
Soma is one of the most common other names used for the deity; but the earliest use of the word to refer to the Moon is a subject of scholarly debate. Some scholars state that the word Soma is occasionally used for the Moon in the Vedas, while other scholars suggest that such usage emerged only in the post-Vedic literature.[10]
In theVedas, the word Soma is primarily used for anintoxicating and energizing/healing plant drink and the deity representing it.[11][12] In post-VedicHindu mythology, Soma is used for Chandra, who is associated with the moon and the plant.[10][13][14] The Hindu texts state that the Moon is lit and nourished by the Sun, and that it is Moon where the divine nectar of immortality resides.[5] In Puranas, Soma is sometimes also used to refer toVishnu,Shiva (asSomanatha),Yama andKubera.[15] In some Indian texts, Soma is the name of anapsara; alternatively it is the name of any medicinal concoction, or rice-water gruel, or heaven and sky, as well as the name of certain places of pilgrimage.[15]
Inspired by his interest in Indian mysticism,Aldous Huxley took the name for the drug used by the state in his novelBrave New World to control the population after the Vedic ritual drink Soma.
_in_His_Chariot_with_Wife_and_Attendant%2c_2nd-1st_century_BCE%2c_Shunga_period%2c_West_Bengal.jpg)
The origin of Soma is traced back to the HinduVedic texts, where he is the personification ofa drink made from a plant with the same name. Scholars state that the plant had an important role in Vedic civilization and thus, the deity was one of the most important gods of the pantheon. In these Vedic texts, Soma is praised as the lord of plants and forests; the king of rivers and earth; and the father of the gods. The entireMandala 9 of theRigveda is dedicated to Soma, both the plant and the deity.[17] The identification of Soma as a lunar deity in the Vedic texts is a controversial topic among scholars.[10] According to William J. Wilkins, "In later years the name Soma was [...] given to the moon. How and why this change took place is not known; but in the later of the Vedic hymns there is some evidence of the transition.[note 1][18]
In post Vedic texts like theRamayana, theMahabharata and thePuranas, Soma is mentioned as a lunar deity and has many epithets including Chandra.[19][20] According to most of these texts, Chandra, along with his brothersDattatreya andDurvasa, were the sons of the sageAtri and his wifeAnasuya. TheDevi Bhagavata Purana states Chandra to be theavatar of the creator godBrahma.[8] Some texts contain varying accounts regarding Chandra's birth. According to one text, he is the son ofDharma; while another mention Prabhakar as his father.[20] Many legends about Chandra are told in the scriptures.
One of the most prominent narratives involving Chandra centers on his illicit relationship withTara, the wife ofBrihaspati, the preceptor of theDevas. According to the story, Tara came to Chandra’s abode during her wanderings, and they fell in love with each other. Despite multiple attempts by Brihaspati to reclaim his wife, Tara remained with Chandra. Brihaspati’s disciples and even Brihaspati himself confronted Chandra, who argued that Tara had come of her own will and would leave when she desired. The situation escalated when Brihaspati sought the intervention of the Devas.Indra, the king of the Devas, threatened war to compel Chandra to return Tara. However, the Devas were divided in their opinions, and theAsuras, led by their preceptorShukra, sided with Chandra. A fierce conflict ensued between the Devas and Asuras, resulting in cosmic turmoil. Eventually,Brahma, the creator, intervened to restore order. He admonished Chandra and Shukra, leading to the cessation of the battle. Chandra reluctantly returned Tara to Brihaspati. However, Tara was already pregnant, which gave rise to a dispute over the child's paternity. Brahma once again intervened, questioning Tara directly. She revealed that Chandra was the father. Consequently, Brahma ordered Brihaspati to hand over the child to Chandra. The child born from this union was namedBudha, who later became an important deity associated with intellect and wisdom.[8][10]
Chandra is traditionally married to the 27 daughters of the sageDaksha, who personify the 27Nakshatras (lunar mansions). These daughters are namedAshvini,Bharani,Krittika,Rohini,Mrigashira,Ardra,Punarvasu,Pushya,Ashlesha,Magha, Purvaphalguni,Uttaraphalguni,Hasta,Chitra,Swati,Vishakha,Anuradha,Jyeshtha,Mula,Purvashadha,Uttara Ashadha,Shravana,Dhanishta,Shatabhisha,Purvabhadra,Uttarabhadra, andRevati. Chandra's movement through these Nakshatras reflects the lunar cycle and influences various astrological and ritual practices. Despite being married to all 27, Chandra showed special affection for Rohini, causing jealousy among his other wives. The preferential treatment of Rohini led the other wives to complain to their father, Daksha. Despite repeated warnings from Daksha, Chandra continued to favor Rohini. In anger, Daksha cursed Chandra to suffer fromKshayaroga (consumption or tuberculosis). This affliction impacted not just Chandra but also affected the medicinal plants and other living beings dependent on lunar influence. TheDevas intervened, and after much pleading, Daksha modified his curse, allowing Chandra to be free from the disease for half of every month by bathing in theSarasvati Tirtha. This mythological explanation accounts for the waxing and waning of the moon, with Chandra's periodic immersion in the sacred waters symbolizing his gradual recovery and decline (Mahabharata,Shalya Parva, Chapter 35).[8][21]
In the mythological narrative of theSamudra Manthan (Churning of the Ocean), the Devas andAsuras sought theAmrita (nectar of immortality). A demon namedRahu disguised himself as a Brahmin and attempted to drink the nectar.Surya (the Sun) and Chandra recognized the deception and alertedVishnu, who severed Rahu's head with hisSudarshana Chakra. However, because Rahu had consumed the nectar, his head and body became immortal, forming the entities Rahu andKetu. Rahu and Ketu, bearing enmity toward Surya and Chandra for revealing their deception, periodically "swallow" the moon and the sun, leading to solar and lunar eclipses. This myth provides a symbolic representation of eclipses as moments of cosmic tension and conflict. During the reign of EmperorPrithu,Bhumidevi (Earth) was transformed into a cow to provide nourishment to all beings. When the sages milked Bhumidevi, Chandra served as the calf, an act which pleasedBrahma. In recognition, Brahma crowned Chandra as the king of stars and medicines. This role signifies Chandra's influence over medicinal plants and the healing arts, linking his cycles to the growth and potency of herbs.[8]
Chandra is one of the Ashta-vasus, a group of eight elemental deities. He had four sons—Varchas, Shishira, Prana, and Ramana—with his wifeManohara. Notably, his son Varchas was later reborn asAbhimanyu, the heroic son ofArjuna in theMahabharata.[8]
According to another legend,Ganesha was returning home on his mount Krauncha (a shrew) late on a full moon night after a mighty feast given byKubera. 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 on his stomach, vomiting out all theModaks 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 onGanesh 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.[22]
Chandra holds a crucial place inHindu astrology (Jyotisha) and is associated with the mind, emotions, and fertility. His phases are believed to influence human behavior, agriculture, and the timing of rituals. As the luminary of the night, Chandra embodies the reflective and nurturing aspects of the cosmos, balancing the solar energies represented by Surya.[8]
Soma's iconography varies in Hindu texts. The most common is one where he is a white-coloured deity, holding a mace in his hand, riding a chariot with three wheels and three or more white horses (up to ten).[5]
Soma as the Moon-deity is also found inBuddhism,[23] andJainism.[24]
Soma is the root of the wordSomavara orMonday in the Hindu calendar.[25] The word "Monday" in the Greco-Roman and other Indo-European calendars is also dedicated to the Moon.[26] Soma is part of theNavagraha in the Hindu zodiac system. The role and importance of the Navagraha developed over time with various influences. Deifying the moon and its astrological significance occurred as early as theVedic period and was recorded in theVedas. The earliest work of astrology recorded in India is theVedanga Jyotisha which began to be compiled in the 14th century BCE. The moon and variousclassical planets were referenced in theAtharvaveda around 1000 BCE.
The Navagraha was furthered by additional contributions fromWestern Asia, includingZoroastrian andHellenistic influences. TheYavanajataka, or 'Science of theYavanas', was written by theIndo-Greek named "Yavanesvara" ("Lord of the Greeks") under the rule of theWestern Kshatrapa kingRudrakarman I. The Navagraha would further develop and culminate in theShaka era with theSaka, or Scythian, people. Additionally the contributions by the Saka people would be the basis of theIndian national calendar, which is also called the Saka calendar.
TheHindu calendar is alunisolar calendar which records both lunar and solar cycles. Like the Navagraha, it was developed with the successive contributions of various works.
Soma was presumed to be a planet in Hindu astronomical texts.[27] It is often discussed in variousSanskrit astronomical texts, such as the 5th centuryAryabhatiya byAryabhatta, the 6th centuryRomaka by Latadeva andPanca Siddhantika by Varahamihira, the 7th centuryKhandakhadyaka by Brahmagupta and the 8th centurySisyadhivrddida by Lalla.[28] Other texts such asSurya Siddhanta dated to have been complete sometime between the 5th century and 10th century present their chapters on various planets with deity mythologies.[28] However, they show that the Hindu scholars were aware of elliptical orbits, and the texts include sophisticated formulae to calculate its past and future positions:[29]
Besides worship inNavagraha temples, Chandra is also worshipped in the following temples (please help expand this partial list)
Chandra plays an important role in one of the first novel-length mystery stories in English,The Moonstone (1868).The Sanskrit wordChandrayāna (Sanskrit:चन्द्रयान, Moon Vehicle) is used to refer to India's lunar orbiters.
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