| Chandra | |
|---|---|
 | |
|
Other Names |
Soma, Chandrama, Shashank, Nishakara, Shashi, Mayank, Vidhu |
|
First Appearance |
Hindu Mythology |
|
Created by |
Unknown |
Origin[]
Chandra, also known as Soma, is the Hindu Moon deity whose name means “bright” or “shining.” Originally associated with the Vedic plant and ritual drink Soma, he later became identified as the Moon god in post-Vedic texts. Chandra is the son of sage Atri and Anasuya, married to the 27 Nakshatra daughters of Daksha, with a special attachment to Rohini. His myths explain the lunar cycle, eclipses, and influence over medicinal plants, fertility, and emotions.
Notable legends include his affair with Tara, producing the deity Budha; the Ganesha curse explaining the Moon’s waxing and waning; and his role in the Samudra Manthan (Churning of the Ocean). He is also one of the Ashta-vasus, with four sons, including Varchas (reborn as Abhimanyu).
Chandra is depicted as a white deity riding a chariot drawn by multiple horses and is important in astrology (Jyotisha) as part of the Navagraha, influencing human behavior, rituals, and agriculture. He is worshipped in several temples and has influenced cultural references, including literature and lunar exploration (Chandrayāna). The name Soma persists in various contexts, from plants and drinks to other deities.
Public Domain Appearances[]
All published appearances of Chandra from before January 1, 1931 are public domain in the US.
Some notable appearances are listed below:
Public Domain Literary Appearances[]
- Rigveda
- Ramayana
- Mahabharata
- Puranas
- The Moonstone (1868): Chandra plays an important role in one of the first novel-length mystery stories in English.
Notes[]
- Inspired by his interest in Indian mysticism, Aldous Huxley took the name for the drug used by the state in his novel Brave New World to control the population after the Vedic ritual drink Soma.