Navagraha worship - Chandra

Introduction
Moon is an indicator of the females, the public, general well-being and happiness, femininity and beauty, the eyesight, memory and the mind. The moon or Chandra as the mind shows all the senses and their ability to take life in all its splendors. Due to malefic Chandra, problems like mental retardation, skin and nerve problems, jaundice, fluid accumulation are observed. The above problems can be overcome by praying to Lord Chandra.

The most visible symbol of feminine energy in the solar system is the Moon. Because it reflects the light from the sun, the pale orb in the night sky has come to represent a woman's reflective nature, her internalized response to the world. The Moon rules the Fourth House, the House of home and family and the energy of Cancer, which is the Sign of nurturing and mothering. Moon looks after the fluffing of every pillow and is no stranger to growing the vegetables for each pot of home-cooked soup.

The Moon makes us feel slightly "lunatic" at times, yet its strong influence in the grounded areas of home and the garden show how much its cycle connects us to our place. Decorating, repairing and cleaning all reflect our sense of ourselves in the world. When we need a change, we often move things around in our home, clean out a closet or even move to a new house, city or country. Moon goddess qualities have manifested as "maternal instinct" and "feminine know-how." Women have a mystique, a reputation for never being exactly like they appear, much like the Moon who changes size and shape in relation to the horizon nightly. In this unit you will study the worship procedures of Chandra.

General Knowledge -  Chandra
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.

 

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. Moon 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.

 

The Moon's day is Monday. The Moon comes into her full maturity at age 24. In Vedic myth the Moon, or Chandra, is depicted as Male. He is married to the 27 lunar mansions or Nakshatras as they are called in Sanskrit that makes up the sidereal cycle of the Moon. This is how long it takes the Moon to move through all the signs, some 27 odd days. 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.

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.

Chandra according to Vedas:

 

Purusha Sooktam (Rgveda) describes Chandra as born from the intelligence of the almighty. (Chandrama Manaso Jathaha).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.

Chandra according to Puraanaas:

 

Bhaagavata Puranam, Maarkandeya Puranam, Matsya Puranam, Varaaha Puranam, Bhaaratam, Vinaayaka Charitam, Brahma Vaivartaka Puranam give some information about Chandra.

Maarkandeya Puranam: Great Sage Atri and his consort Anasuya were together when the Marharshi’s semen was spilled on to the earth. Vaayudeva, the wind god made it into three parts and one of the parts entered maharshi Atri’s eyes. The reason for Chandra’s birth is the transfer of Brahma’s ‘Amsha’ to the saintly couple Atri and Anasuya, so it is said that Chandra is born to Atri and Anasuya with the Amsha of Brahma.

 

Matsya Purana : Sage Atri was ordained by Brahma to construct the worlds and Maharshi went into deep meditation. Divine light emanated from the eyes of Atri. The Dikpaalakaas could not bear the light and threw it into the sea. Lord Brahma bestowed masculinity to that light. When the Devas and Daanavaas churned the sea of milk, Chandra and Lakshmi took birth out of the sea. Thus Chandra is the brother of Lakshmi. He is also described as the left eye of Lord Vishnu.

Bhaaratam: During the churning of the sea of milk (as above) elixir had also come out. 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 hints to Lord Vishnu about the cheating of Rahu and Kethu and Lord Vishnu beheaded the both with his Sudarshana Chakram. That’s why Rahu and Kethu entertain a grudge on Chandra and trouble him on some fullmoon days by eclipsing him.

 

Chandra’s family: According to Brahma Vaivartaka Puranam the 27 stars, Aswani, Bharani, ete.., are the daughters of Daksha Prajaapati (one of the 9 Brahmas) and were married to Chandra. Chandra was differentiating amongst them and loved Rohini more. When Daksha came to know of it, he cursed Chandra to deteriorate indefinitely. Chandra went to Lord Shiva praying for immunity from the curse. Lord Shiva wears Chandra on his head. Daksh Prajaapati approaches Lord Shiva and requests him to release Chandra for which Lord Shiva refuses. Shiva and Daksha started to quarrel. At that juncture, Lord Vishnu appears there and evolves a formula which satisfies the curse of Daksha as well as the promise of the grace of Lord Shiva don’t go waste.

Accordingly Chandra was divided into two parts. One part adores the head of Lord Shiva and the other part suffers the demission and growth, and progressively every fortnight. These two fortnights make up one month and are known as Shuklapaksham and Krishnapaksham and make up the month of the Hindu calendar. From then on Chandra of 16 phases i.e the steps of decline or growth with the net 15 phases comprises of the two halves of the month.

 

Chandra was a student of Brihaspati, the preceptor of gods. Brihaspati’s wife Tara fell in love with this student, Chandra, and begot a son. The name of the son is Budha (one of the 9 planets). Wednesday is known after his name as Budhavaaram.

Varaaha Puranam: When Daksha Prajapati cursed Chandra, Chandra also retaliates and curses Daksha to get destroyed. He himself disappeared and hide inside the sea. Due to the disapperance of the moon i.e Chandra, the growth of herbs, crops ete.., was hampered and religious austerities came to a stand still. All the gods got worried and approached Lord Brahma requesting him to reveal where Chandra was hiding. Brahma informed them the whereabouts of Chandra and suggests them to churn the milky ocean to get Chandra out. Accordingly Chandra took birth at the time of the churning of the milky ocean.

 

Once Chandra was attending a big Yagnam (religious austerity) being performed by Daksha Prajaapati. Lord Shiva and his followers destroyed the Yagnam. Chandra comes under the feet of Lord Shiva in the ensuing melee. Then he shouts for grace and spontaneously Lord Shiva saves him and wears him on his head.

Once Lord Ganapathi (son of Lord Shiva) was unable to prostrate before his father due to his big belly. Chandra who was on the head of Lord Shiva laughs at the plight of Ganapathi and as a consequence of that evil sight, Ganapathi’s stomach burst and all the eatables inside were strewn around the place. Goddess Parvathi, annoyed at the plight of her son, gives a curse that anybody who sees Chandra on the Chaturdhi in Bhaadrapada will face false allegations.

 

Later on when all the gods requested her that the curse would be very severe, she modified the curse exempting the people who listen to the birth story of Ganapathi, from the curse.

Form and nature of Chandra

 

Appearance and natures of Chandra : Chandra the king of Yamuna Desam is white and wears a white umbrella. He circles around Meru Parvata. He has a chariot drawn by 10 horses. Chandra was born on the full moon day the month of Kaarthika falling on a Monday. His gotram was Aatreyasa and he is the controller of Karkataka raasi. Silver is his favourite metal. It is suggested to donate rice to appease him.

Chandra is 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. One of his hands carries a mace and the other hand symbolises Vara Mudra (to bless). Lord Krishna was born in his dynasty. (Chandra Vamsam).

 

Brahma has entrusted Chandra with the lordship on crops, herbs, water and Brahmins. The devotees worship Chandra on full moon day with boiled rice mixed with honey and sugar in a copper vessel and dedicate it to him. Chandra’s chariot has three wheels. He is the consort of the 27 stars. He travels with each star on one day during his encircling the earth, which takes 28.5 days. This period comprises of one month based on the moon’s transit and is known as Chaandramaanam (Lunar System).

Lunar eclipse occurs yearly twice that too on full moon days. Astrologically if Chandra is not favourable in the zodiac, that person will suffer from lack of mental peace and respiratory diseases. Somavaara Vratham, worship of Lord Shiva, wearing pearls on the body, donating rice, white clothes, silver, white sandal, sugar, oxen etc., should be done.
Chandra is one of the most handsome gods. In Indian literature a woman’s face is compared to that of full moon and her fore head to a part moon. His is the second place amongst the nine planets. If Chandra occurs in the eighth house in horoscope it is said that the person will suffer from ill health from his child hood.

 

Chandra in Astrology

Chandra is one of the 9 planets and is situated in the north west direction of the zodiac in the shape of square. Pearl is the gemstone attributed to him. He is the Lord for Monday and the Lord of Cancer (Karkataka Raasi), Taurus (Vrishaba Raasi) is his state of exalting.

 

In astrology, the Moon is the instinctual self, and because of that, some might not feel comfortable with its full expression. In times of great stress, these qualities could be exposed and make the person feel strangely out of control. If you’ve ever completely lost it, you’ll know what it's like when the Sun is eclipsed by the Moon and you become a full-fledged “lunatic.”

While the Sun is the core self through which you find expression in the world, the Moon is the inner life that only close companions get to experience. It’s the private you that reveals itself behind closed doors, when you’ve put on something more comfortable. It’s also the unguarded you that has to act on instinct, the one that comes out in a crisis.

 

Chandra-Mode of Worship

People worship Chandra on Mondays. Chandra Dasa (span) in the horoscope is for 10 years. People wear Pearl to beseech him. An austerity by name Chaandrayana Vratam is also performed. The person who performs the Vratam eats only that number of morsels of food on that number of the day according to ‘Chandra phase’ and fasting on the new-moon day is the procedure of this Vratam.

 

Some precious stones named Chandrakaantha Mani, which turns frosty (in moonlight) was used in the olden days in the construction of sit outs in places. The pleasing nature of moonlight is well known to be described. Sea exhibits very high ebb and tide on the full-moon day.

Chandra or Moon is a lovable God - Pleasing to the children as well as elders, universally appealing to everyone whatever may be the religion. Goddess Parvathi rules the planet.

 

Chandra Gayathri

Padmadvajaaya Vidmahe
Hemaroopaaya Dhimahi
Thanno Soma Prachodayath
(Padmadhvajāya vidmahe
hemarūpāya dhīmahi |
Tanno sōma pracodayāt ||)

Chandra Stotra By Vyasa
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 (at the time of the churning) I bow down to one who beautifies and adorns the crest of Siva, and who is of the form of nectar.

Puranas claim that Chandra is the son of Atri and Anusuya. He is sometimes said to be
the son of Dharma. He sprang from the milky ocean when it was churned by the Gods
and Asuras. Chandra is the guardian of the sacrifices, penances and asterisms.
He is said to be the sole Lord of the Herbal kingdom. It is the Moon that gives to matter
the principle of fermentation. The Purusha Sukta mentions Chandra as having come out
of the mind of the primeval Purusha. Chandra has the power of heal all diseases. Chandra
has medicinal powers. Several ayurvedic medicines are exposed to the Moon in the nights
to give a greater potency to them. Grains exposed to the Moon when sown and grown
give a grater yield. He also has a closed connection to the human mind.

 

Chandra is said to have wed the twenty seven daughters of  Daksha Prajapathi. The twenty seven daughters are the twenty seven lunar asterisms in the Hindu pantheon. Story goes that Chandra’s attention to Rohini, one of the twenty seven, was so much that the remaining daughters  complained to Daksha, who in turn cursed Chandra. On appeal of the daughters the curse was modified.  Chandra is said to have performed the Rajasuya sacrificed and became powerful. The chariot of Chandra has three wheels and is drawn by ten horses which represent the ten sense organs.

Other Chandra Stotras
(When Moon standing in the 2,4,5,8.9,12 houses from
the moon’s house causes problems. Then this Stotra  is effective)

 

Rohineesa sudha murthy
Sudha dhatra  sudhasana,
Vishama sthana sambhootham
Peedam harathu may vidhu                  

Please steal away my troubles, Oh Moon,
Who is the lord of the star Rohini,
Who is made of nectar,
Who sheds nectar , who sits on nectar
And who causes troubles by his position.

 

Procedure to worship Chandra
For Chandra or Moon related problems and during the dasa or antardasa of Moon:
1. Worship the ruling deity Gouri.
2. Recite Annapoorna stotram.
3. Japa of Moon's moola mantra:
"Om shram sreem shraum sah chandraya namah",
10000 times in 40 days.
4. Recite the Chandra stotra:
Dadhi Shankha tushaarabham ksheero darnava sambhavam
Namaami shashinam somam shambhor mukuta bhushanam
5. Charity: Donate cow's milk or rice on Monday.
6. Fasting: On Mondays.
7. Pooja: Devi pooja on Monday.
8. Rudraksha: Wear 2 mukhi Rudraksha.

Vedic remedies for Chandra Dosha
If following problems occurred due to MOON jyotish and vedic remedies to avoid their occurrence are given under:-.

 

Loss of wealth, no happiness, idiocy, mental tension, trouble from employees and mother, inimical relations with Government, distress to mother and similar evil effects.
Astrological and Vedic Remedies for Moon:
Worship Mother Goddess Durga to avoid the problems. Get recited the mantra of Moon for 10,000 times and offer homa

Easy remedy for influencing Chandra
1. Use silver utensils.
2. Wear white clothes.
3. Keep white hanky in pocket.

 

Other Chandra Mantras
Samanya Mantra : Om Soam Somaya Namah.

Beej Mantra : Om Shram Shrim Shrom Sah Chandraya Namah.

 

Puranic Mantra : Dadhishaddathtusharabham Kshrirodaarnavsambhavam Namami Shashinam Somam Shambhomurkutbhushanam.

Vedic Mantra : Om Emam deva Aspatna Suvdhvam. Mahte Kshtraya Mahte Jyaea Shthaya Mahte Janrajyayiandra syayendraya. Emammushya putram putramtrare vish vomi Raja Somosmankam Brahmanana Raja
More on Charity, Fasting and Mantras
CHARITY:
               Donate water, cow's milk or white rice to a female leader on Monday evening.
FASTING:
               On Mondays, especially during Moon transits and major or minor Moon periods.
MANTRA:
To be chanted on Monday evening, especially during major or minor Moon periods:
‘Aum Shraam Shreem Shroum Saha Chandraaya Namaha’ is Chandra’s Beejaakshara mantram.

 

RESULT:
The planetary deity Chandra is propitiated increasing mental health and peace of mind. Moon is the planet, which rules over mind and gives success. Chandra or Moon is a lovable God - Pleasing to the children as well as elders, universally appealing to everyone whatever may be the religion. Goddess Parvathi rules the planet.

Moon is considered as very important planet for astrological predictions. The Moon, at the time of birth is found in a particular star and it will be taken as the star of the person born.

 

Other details about Chandra

The Adi Devatha is water; prathyathi Devatha is Gowri; his colour is white and  his vahana is white horse. The grain associated with him is paddy, rice; the folwer - white arali; fabric - white cloth; gem - pearl; food - curd rice.

Planetary  deity

 

Chandra is the Vedic name for the Moon. Sakthi / Parvati are considered the main female deities associated with the Moon. They are the consorts of Shiva. Parvati is said to remember her previous life as Shiva’s wife, Sakthi. Parvati translates as, “she who dwells in the mountains”. Such a goddess is an appropriate mate for Shiva, who also likes to dwell in mountainous regions and the fringe of society. Another name and deity associated with the Moon is Soma. Soma is the divine nectar, the sacrificial elixir of the Gods. Soma is pictured as a priestly sage, a powerful god who is a healer of all diseases and a bestower of riches. He is also the father of Mercury (“Out of the Moon, the mind was born”). Parashara states that the main deity of the Moon is Varuna, God of the cosmic waters.

Chandra kavacham

 

Chandra Kavacham(Protective armour of the moon)

(This is armour which gives you protection from all problems caused by the planet moon. It has to be chanted on all Mondays, if moon causes any problem in the horoscope)

 

Om Ganesaya Nama
Asya Sri Chandra Kavacha stotra Maha Manthrasya

Gowthama Rishi
Anushtup Chanda,
Chandro Devatha
Chandra preethyartham jape viniyoga.

Samam , chathurbhujam vande, keyura makutojjwalam,
Vasudevasya nayanam, Shankarasya cha bhooshanam.                                     1

Yevam dhyathwa japen nithyam shasina kavacham shubham,
Shasi pathu shiro desam, phalam pathu kala nidhi.                                           2

Chakshushi chandrama pathu , shruthi pathu nisha pathi,
Pranam krupakara pathu ,mukham kumuda bhandhava.                                   3

Pathu kantam cha may soma, skande jaivathrukasthadha,
Karou sudhakara pathu, vaksha pathu nisakara.                                                4

Hrudayam pathu may chandro, nabhim shankara bhooshana,
Madhyam pathu sura sreshta, katim pathu sudhakara.                                      5

Ooru tharapathi pathu, mrugango januni sada,
Abdhija padhu may jange ,padhu, padou vidhu sada.                                       6

Sarvan anyani changaani pathu, chandro akhilam vapu,
Ethdhi kavacham punyam bhukthi mukthi pradayakam.                                  7

Ya padeth srunyadhvapi sarvathra vijayi bbhaveth.                                        8
      Ithi Sri Chandra kavacham sampoornam.

Salutations to Lord Ganesa

What follows is the great prayer called “Armour of the moon.”

Sage for this prayer is Gowthama, meter is Anushtup, God is the moon and this is being chanted to please the moon.

I salute the four armed Moon god who is calm,
Who shines in a gem studded great crown,
Who is the eye of Lord Vishnu,
And the ornament of Lord Shiva.

Thus praying ,this holy armour of moon, should be chanted daily,
Let my head be protected by moon, and hairs be protected by the treasure of arts.

Let Soma protect my neck,
Let my shoulder be protected by one who is long lived,
Let the maker of nectar protect my hands,
And the maker of night protect my chest.

Let my heart be protected by moon,
Let my belly be protected by ornament of Shiva,
Let my middle be protected by chief of devas,
And my hip be protected by he who makes nectar.

Let my eyes be protected by he who has moon light,
Let my ears be protected by the Lord of the night,
Let my soul be protected by he who is merciful,
And my face be protected by the relative of Lotus.

Let my thighs be protected by the Lord of the stars,
Let he who has a deer protect my knees,
Let the maker of time protect my calves,
Let my feet be protected by Moon.

Let all my other organs be protected by Chandra who is everywhere   
And this armour would give one  devotion and salvation.
If one reads or hears this , he would win in everything.
       Thus ends the armour of the moon.