Chandra, also known as Soma, is one of the most fascinating figures in Hindu mythology. Emerging from the churning of the ocean of milk (Samudra Manthan), Chandra’s brilliance and divine aura earned him the honor of being one of the Navagrahas, the nine planetary deities in Hindu astrology. Recognized among the Devas, he is associated with beauty, coolness, and the soothing power of moonlight, qualities that mark his celestial presence and significance in both mythology and astrology.
Despite his revered status, Chandra’s personality is marred by his weak-minded nature, particularly demonstrated in his affair with Tara, the wife of his guru, Brihaspati (the planet Jupiter). This liaison led to the birth of Budha (Mercury), a son who bore resentment toward his father due to the circumstances of his birth, which involved a breach of moral conduct. Consequently, in Vedic astrology, Chandra (the Moon) and Budha (Mercury) are often seen as rival planets, representing an underlying tension originating from this complex family dynamic. The rivalry between them symbolizes conflicts in emotions, intellect, and moral choices in astrological interpretations.
Chandra’s romantic escapades did not end there. He married the twenty-seven daughters of Daksha, who are also the twenty-seven nakshatras (lunar mansions) in Vedic astrology, and they form the star cluster known as the Pleiades. Daksha imposed a single condition on this union: that Chandra should treat each of his wives with equal affection. However, Chandra was particularly fond of Rohini, his favorite among the sisters. This partiality displeased Daksha, who cursed Chandra to lose his divine luster. Fearing the complete loss of his radiance, Chandra undertook severe penances and, after much devotion, was granted partial reprieve. His luster would now cyclically diminish and then gradually be restored, a process we observe as the waxing and waning phases of the moon. This story illustrates the belief that the moon’s phases are a direct consequence of Chandra’s cyclical curse and partial redemption.
The Markandeya Purana presents a different origin story for Chandra. In this version, Chandra is born as the divine son of the sage Atri and his wife, Anasuya. It is said that Brahma, deeply impressed by the couple’s devotion, blessed Atri with a part of his divine essence, which was then incarnated as Chandra. As such, Chandra is seen not only as a planetary deity but also as a being of extraordinary spiritual lineage, one imbued with the grace and power of Brahma himself. This tale connects Chandra to some of Hinduism’s most revered sages and their contributions to the cosmos.
Chandra’s presence and symbolism are deeply woven into Hindu rituals, astrology, and even personal characteristics. Known as the god of the moon and also the deity of Soma (divine nectar), he is often invoked in rituals involving healing, fertility, and the mind. The moon’s cooling influence is thought to nurture crops, rejuvenate energies, and foster emotional sensitivity, hence, Chandra’s significance in agriculture and wellness. His connection to Soma, the sacred drink of the gods, further emphasizes his role in bringing refreshment and nourishment, as Soma was traditionally associated with vitality, immortality, and divine inspiration.
In Hindu astrology, Chandra governs the mind, emotions, and intuitive qualities. His movement and position in the sky are believed to impact emotional health, family life, and prosperity. Festivals like Karva Chauth, where devotees fast and pray to the moon for the long lives of their spouses, exemplify the Moon’s role in personal and familial blessings. Through mythology, the moon’s reflective light and waning-waxing cycle become symbolic of human emotions and cycles, reminding us of the enduring cosmic order and the interplay between devotion, duty, and divine intervention.