In Hindu mythology, the Moon is a male deity named Chandra (also called Soma), who drives a chariot pulled by ten white horses and is the source of the mind, vegetation, and the waxing and waning of lunar phases. He is one of the Navagraha (nine planetary deities) and is married to the 27 daughters of the sage Daksha, who correspond to the lunar mansions (nakshatras).
Who Is Chandra? Names and Roles
Chandra is the Sanskrit word for “moon” and is often used interchangeably with Soma, though Soma originally referred to the sacred plant and its pressed juice used in Vedic rituals. Over time, the deity of the Moon and the deity of the ritual drink merged into one figure. As Soma, he is the lord of plants and herbs, and his association with the mind makes him the presiding deity of the mental faculty in Vedic astrology.
In art, Chandra is depicted as a young, handsome god with two or four arms, holding a club and a lotus, and seated on a chariot drawn by ten white horses (or an antelope). He is also described as wearing white garments and adorned with a pearl necklace. His consorts are the 27 nakshatra goddesses, though his favorite is Rohini, the fourth lunar mansion.
Chandra in the Puranas: The Curse and the Waxing and Waning
The most famous story explaining the Moon’s phases appears in the Padma Purana and Matsya Purana. Chandra married the 27 daughters of Daksha, but he favored Rohini above the others. The neglected wives complained to their father, and Daksha cursed Chandra with a wasting disease (consumption). The Moon began to shrink, and the gods appealed to Shiva, who placed Chandra on his own head (hence the crescent in Shiva’s matted hair). Chandra was told to bathe in the sacred river at Prabhasa (Somnath) to regain his form, but the curse could not be fully reversed—so he waxes for fifteen days and wanes for fifteen days, repeating the cycle.
This story is also used to explain why the Moon is cool and soothing: the curse made him lose his lustre, and his cooling rays are a remnant of that affliction. Another version in the Shiva Purana says that Chandra’s waning was due to his arrogance toward Brihaspati (Jupiter), the guru of the gods.
Chandra in Vedic Texts and the Rigveda
The Rigveda (c. 1500–1200 BCE) mentions Soma as a divine intoxicant and a deity, but the Moon is not yet a prominent figure. The identification of Soma with the Moon becomes clearer in the Brahmanas (ritual texts) and the Upanishads. For example, the Aitareya Brahmana calls the Moon “Soma” and says that the gods drink him during the waxing phase, causing him to wane. In the Chandogya Upanishad, the Moon is described as the “king of all beings” and the gateway to the heavenly world for those who perform good deeds.
Chandra in Astrology and the Navagraha
In Vedic astrology (Jyotisha), Chandra is one of the nine planetary deities (Navagraha). He rules the zodiac sign Cancer (Karka) and is exalted in Taurus (Vrishabha). The Moon is considered the most benefic planet, representing the mind, emotions, mother, and public popularity. A person’s moon sign (Rashi) is considered as important as their sun sign in Western astrology. The day Monday (Somavara) is dedicated to Chandra, and many Hindus fast on Mondays to honor him.
The Moon is also the source of the lunar calendar (Chandramana), which is used to determine most Hindu festivals, such as Diwali (new moon) and Holi (full moon). The lunar months are named after the nakshatra in which the full moon occurs.
Chandra in the Mahabharata and Other Epics
In the Mahabharata, Chandra is the father of Budha (the planet Mercury) through his union with Tara, the wife of Brihaspati. This story, also found in the Vishnu Purana, explains the enmity between Chandra and Brihaspati. Budha married Ila, a princess who alternated between male and female forms, and their son was Pururavas, the founder of the lunar dynasty (Chandravansha) of kings. The Pandavas and Kauravas of the Mahabharata are descendants of this lunar line, making Chandra an ancestor of many legendary heroes.
In the Ramayana, Chandra is mentioned as a deity who performs penance at the sacred site of Chitrakuta, and he is also said to have given the divine jewel to Rama’s ancestor.
Chandra in Festivals and Worship
Chandra is worshipped during the festival of Karva Chauth, when married women fast from sunrise to moonrise and then break their fast after seeing the moon. The moon is also honored on Sharad Purnima (the autumn full moon), when it is believed to shower nectar on the earth. On this night, some devotees leave bowls of milk or rice pudding under the moonlight to absorb its healing properties. The Chandra Darshan ritual, performed on the second day after the new moon, is considered auspicious for gaining good fortune.
In South India, the moon is worshipped during the Karthigai Deepam festival, and in some regions, a fast is observed on Mondays (Somavara Vrata) to please Chandra and receive his blessings for mental peace and prosperity.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Moon male or female in Hindu mythology?
Unlike many Western traditions where the Moon is female (e.g., Greek Selene), the Moon in Hindu mythology is almost always male. He is Chandra or Soma, a god with masculine attributes. However, the lunar mansions (nakshatras) are personified as his 27 wives, which is a feminine representation of the moon’s path.
Why does the Moon wax and wane according to Hindu mythology?
The most common story is that Chandra was cursed by Daksha for neglecting his other 26 wives. The curse caused him to lose his mass, but Shiva intervened and placed him on his forehead. The waxing and waning is a result of the curse being partially lifted: he grows for fifteen days and shrinks for fifteen days. Another version says the gods drink Soma (the Moon) during the bright fortnight, causing him to wane.
What is the difference between Chandra and Soma?
Originally, Soma was a plant and its juice used in Vedic rituals, while Chandra was the Moon. Over time, the two were merged into one deity. In later texts, Soma is used as a name for the Moon, and the Moon is called the lord of plants because of his association with the sacred Soma plant. In Vedic astrology, both names are used interchangeably for the Moon.
Who is the son of the Moon in Hindu mythology?
The Moon’s son is Budha (the planet Mercury), born from his union with Tara, the wife of Brihaspati. Budha married Ila, and their son was Pururavas, the founder of the lunar dynasty (Chandravansha). This lineage includes many famous kings, such as Rama and the Pandavas.
Why is the Moon associated with the mind in Hindu thought?
In Vedic astrology and Hindu philosophy, the Moon is the karaka (significator) of the mind (manas). The mind is considered to be fickle and changeable, just like the moon’s phases. The Chandogya Upanishad says that the Moon is the deity of the mind, and in meditation, one is advised to concentrate on the moon or the light of the moon to calm the mind.
Are there any temples dedicated to the Moon God?
Yes, there are several temples dedicated to Chandra across India. The most famous is the Somnath Temple in Gujarat, which is one of the twelve Jyotirlinga shrines of Shiva, but it is named after Soma (the Moon) because Chandra is said to have built a temple there to worship Shiva after his curse. Other temples include the Chandra Darshan temple at Varanasi and the Kailash temple at Ellora, where a moon deity is enshrined.
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