Chandra

Chandra
Moon
Chandra
Devanagari चन्द्र
Sanskrit transliteration Chandra
Affiliation Deva, Graha, Navagraha, Soma
Abode Moon
Planet Moon
Mantra Om Chandramasē Namaha
Day Monday,
Hindi: Somvaar
Sanskrit: Induvaasaram
Mount Chariot pulled by an Antelope
Consort 27 Nakshatras

Chandra (Sanskrit: चन्द्र, IAST: Candra, lit. "shining" or "moon")[1][lower-alpha 1] is a lunar deity and is also one of the nine houses (Navagraha) in Hinduism. Chandra is synonymously referred to as Soma. Other names 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.

Mythology

Chandra, British Museum - 13th century, Konark

In Hindu mythology, There are multiple legends surrounding Chandra.

In one, 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.[4]

Chandra marries the twenty-seven daughters of Daksha. Chandra favors Rohini, one of 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]

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

The Sanskrit word Chandrayāna (Sanskrit: चन्द्रयान, Moon Vehicle) is used to refer to India's lunar orbiters.

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ In other languages: Kannada ಚಂದ್ರ, Telugu చంద్రుడు, Tamil சந்திரன்.

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. Penguin Books India. p. 394. ISBN 978-0-14-341421-6.
  3. ↑ Mythology of the Hindus By Charles Coleman p.131
  4. 1 2 Roshen Dalal (2010). Hinduism: An Alphabetical Guide. Penguin Books India. pp. 393–394. ISBN 978-0-14-341421-6.
  5. ↑ Usha, K R. "Why Ganesha has a Broken Tusk or Why the Moon has a Crater". 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
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