Chandra
Moon
Manas karaka — significator of the mind and emotional nature
Chandra is arguably the most important planet in a Vedic chart. Where Western astrology centres the Sun, Vedic astrology centres the Moon — daily horoscopes are read from the Moon sign, the Vimshottari dasa system is anchored to the Moon's natal nakshatra, and the Moon's strength is the primary measure of mental and emotional wellbeing. Moon rules the mind (manas), the mother, the public, memory, intuition, the home, and our capacity for nourishment. A strong Moon gives emotional stability, empathy, a supportive mother, and a comfortable home life. A weak or afflicted Moon can manifest as anxiety, depression, sleep disturbance, or estrangement from the maternal principle. Monday is the Moon's day, traditionally used for fasting and devotional practice toward the Divine Feminine.
Significations
- mind
- mother
- emotions
- public
- memory
- intuition
- domestic life
- fluctuation
Body parts ruled
- mind
- lungs
- stomach
- blood plasma
- left eye (men) / right eye (women)
Dignities & relationships
When strong
- •Emotional stability and empathy
- •Strong intuition and memory
- •Nourishing relationship with mother
- •Comfortable home and domestic life
- •Public favour, popularity
When weak or afflicted
- •Anxiety, mood swings, sleep issues
- •Estrangement from mother or maternal figures
- •Excessive emotional dependency
- •Restlessness, difficulty settling
- •Issues with the female reproductive cycle
Day, direction, element
Day
Monday
Direction
Northwest
Element
Water
Colour
White / silver / pale cream
Gemstone
Pearl
Mantra
Om Shraam Shreem Shraum Sah Chandraya Namaha
Remedial measures
Traditional Vedic remedies for strengthening this planet's positive qualities. Gemstones in particular should only be worn after consultation with a qualified Vedic astrologer who has examined your chart.
- •Drinking from a silver vessel
- •Chandra Mantra recitation on Mondays
- •Service to the mother or maternal figures
- •Offering white flowers and milk
- •Pearl in silver setting (after astrological consultation)
These notes synthesise classical Jyotish (Brihat Parashara Hora Shastra, Saravali, Phaladeepika) and modern practitioner consensus. For personalised reading, compute your chart and read the planet in the context of its sign and house.