Navagrahams - Chandran

Chandran (The Moon) the second “graham” among the Navagrahas is a lunar deity, also known as “Soma”. He presides over Somvar or Monday, he is of “Satva Guna” and represents the Mind, feminine nature, beauty and happiness. Since he rules your mind, the mental stability and wellbeing of an individual to a larger extent depends on the placement of moon in horoscope.

Chandran is one of the most handsome of deities , very fair and white in colour. His clothes are white, his chariot and his horses are also white and he wears a golden crown and a necklace of pearls. Silver is his favourite metal. 

He is married to daughters of Daksha Prajapathi. He has therefore 27 wives, representing twenty seven Nakshatras (constellations). Budha (the planet Mercury) was born to Soma and Taraka.

Puranas mention that Chandra is the son of Atri and Anusuya.  When the Devas and Daanavaas churned the sea of milk, Chandra and Lakshmi were born out of the sea. So Chandra is the brother of Lakshmi and also described as the left eye of Lord Vishnu. During the churning of the sea of milk, elixir was produced. Lord Vishnu, in disguise as Jaganmohini, distributed the elixir among the gods. Two daanavas by name Rahu and Kethu stealthily joined the gods and tried to drink the elixir. At that time, Chandra hinted to Lord Vishnu about the cheating of Rahu and Kethu and Lord Vishnu beheaded both with his Sudarshana Chakram. That is why Rahu and Kethu entertain a grudge on Chandra and trouble him on some days by eclipsing him!

The “Purusha Suktam” mentions Chandra as having come out of the mind of the primeval Purusha. It is believed that Chandra was born from the intelligence of the almighty. That is why Chandra is the controller of the mind according to astrology. Human mental status also fluctuates just like the changes that take place in Chandra during the full moon and new moon fortnights. .  The word "luna" (moon) can be found in the word "lunacy" (madness), and it has been observed that crime levels, accidents and murders increase during the full moon when Chandra's energy is really strong!   The realm he rules over is called the world of the moon or "Chandra Lokam".  It is where our souls go to rest when we die before ascending to higher planes or reincarnating. 

The crescent moon has always been a symbol associated with the Indian/ Hindu iconography, Lord Shiva’s forehead is adorned with a crescent moon; Devi Lalitha Tripurasundari is always depicted as adorned with a crescent. The crescent, symbolizing the re-birth or regenerative aspect of the Moon, which is symbolic of feminine power and womanhood.

The folloing verses from “Bilwashatakam” depict Shiva as “Chandramouliswarar” ..

"Daridrya dukha haranam , ravi chandra analekshanam,
Mrugapanim , Chandra moulim , Eka bilvam Shivarpanam"

(I offer one leaf of Bilwa to Lord Shiva, who destroys the sorrow of poverty,
Who has sun, moon and fire as eyes , Who holds a deer and has moon as a crest)

Chandran worshipped Lord Shiva as Somnath Jyotirlingam in Saurastra to regain his beauty and radiance which waned due to a curse by his father-in-law Daksha Prajapati. Daksha cursed Chandra Deva for showing favor to only one of his 27 wives (named Rohini) and neglecting the others.

Somavaara Vratham (Fasting on Mondays), worshipping of Lord Shiva, adorning pearls on the body, donating rice, white clothes, silver, white sandal, sugar, oxen, etc., should be done to please Chandran.

Chandra Mantram

Dadhishamkha Trrisharambham ksheero Daarnava Sambhavam 
Namaami Shashinam somam shambormukuta bhooshanam

I bow down to the Moon whose hue resembles the hue of curds, a conch and the color of snow. I bow down to the one who sprang out from the milky ocean. I bow down to one who beautifies and adorns the crest of Siva, and who is of the form of nectar.

Color: White
Day: Monday
Metal: Silver
Direction: North West
Element:  Water
Gemstone:  Pearl and Moonstone
Food: Rice
Flower: Jasmine
Fruit: Lemon