Chandra Dev

The Moon in Vedic astrology is called CHANDRA. In Sanskrit CHANDRA means "bright and shining". The Moon is also called SOMA, named after the intoxicating sacred drink used in Vedic sacrifice. Where all westerners know their Sun-sign, you will find all Hindus know their Moon sign, for the Moon, and its birth sign are important in Hindu culture and astrology. Other names include Indu (bright drop), Atrisuta (son of Atri), Sachin(marked by hare), Trdhipa (lord of stars) and Nishakara (the night maker).

Chandra is described as young and beautiful, two-armed and carrying a club and a lotus.Chandra, who is also known as Soma and Indu, is the basis of Somvaar,and Induvaasaram, for Monday in the Hindu calendar.

In Hindu mythology, Chandra is the father of Budha (planet Mercury). According to mytho , Chandra meets Tara, the wife of Brihaspati (planet Jupiter). From their union, Tara became pregnant giving birth to Budha (planet mercury). Brihaspati becomes upset and declares a war. The Devas intervene and Tara returns to Brihaspati. Budha's son was Pururavas who established the Chandravanshi Dynasty.

The Chandra is married to the 27 daughters of Daksha, after whom the Nakshatras in Hindu astrology are named.That's why it takes some 27 odd days for the Moon to move through all the signs. Each night he stays in one of the mansions until he has visited all 27 wives and the sidereal cycle is completed. But, having 27 wives, Chandra does not treat them all equally. He is especially fond of the lunar mansion ROHINI, in Taurus where the Moon is exalted.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.

CHANDRA (MOON) is a lovable God - a loving god. Pleasing to children as well as elders universally appealing to everyone whatever may be the religion of the onlooker. Sages and devotees invoke the Goddess Mother in Chandra and meditate for hours.

This graha (Moon) causes nightfall strengthens the mind, purifies the blood and is considered as the mother who radiates nectar (Amrut). Worship of this graha is said to be beneficial for relief from all sorrows, helps in curing mental afflictions etc. His cool rays radiate happiness around. He adores the head of Lord Siva.

In the Zodiac he is the lord of Cancer. Worshipping Chandra on Mondays is said to be very effective in getting one's prayers answered.

In fact, Hindus do not celebrate their birthday on the calendar day on which they were born. Instead, they celebrate their birthday in the month they were born when the Moon enters the part of the sign it was in at birth. Such is the importance of the Moon in Vedic culture.

The bright Moon is considered a benefic of the highest order, and the dark Moon is considered a malefic. The Moon is known as a hare, or rabbit in Vedic lore, as he jumps faster than any of the other grahas. The Moon rules over the sidereal sign of Cancer. He is exalted in Taurus, and fallen in the opposite sign of Scorpio.

The Moon is a karaka of many things. He is an indicator of the mother, and females in general, the public, general well-being and happiness, femininity and beauty, the eyesight, memory and the mind.

Many western students of astrology are shocked to discover that the Moon is indicative of the mind, and not Mercury. The Sun is the indicator of the soul, and the Moon is the vehicle of the mind that receives the light of the soul. Mercury is the further process that is called the intellect, which places a value on what the mind has received. The Moon as the mind is indicative of all the senses and their ability to perceive life in its entire splendor. Mercury represents a further distillation and conceptualization of that process and its ultimate intellectualization in forming judgment. The Moon is most comfortable and powerful in the 4th House; she also likes the angles. The Moon is particularly beneficial for the water sign ascendants of Cancer, Scorpio and Pisces. Her nature is KAPHA, or watery. Her gem is the Moonstone and Natural Pearls. Her metal is silver and her direction is Northwest.