Chandra (Moon) in Vedic astrology

Graha	Sign	Degree	Nakshatra	Motion	In this sign since	Next sign change
Moon	Aries	6°36′	Ashwini	Direct	changes sign about every 2¼ days; see the daily panchang

Western name	Moon
Own sign(s)	Cancer
Exaltation	Taurus 3°
Debilitation	Scorpio 3°
Nakshatras ruled	Rohini, Hasta, Shravana
Vimshottari dasha	10 years
Friends	Sun, Mercury
Enemies	none
Neutral	Mars, Jupiter, Venus, Saturn
Weekday	Monday
Gemstone	Pearl
Beej mantra	Om Shraam Shreem Shraum Sah Chandraya Namah
Japa count	11,000
Signifies	Mind, mother, emotions, fluids

Chandra, the Moon, is one of the nine grahas of Jyotish. Known in English simply as the Moon, Chandra is the luminary closest to the earth, and in a Vedic chart it carries a particular weight: it signifies mind, mother, emotions and fluids. Where the Sun is read for the soul and vitality, the Moon is read for the inner life — how a person feels, responds, remembers and receives care.

Role in the Chart

Every chart begins with a rising sign, but the Moon's sign and nakshatra are often read first because the Vimshottari dasha sequence is calculated from the Moon's position. The Moon rules one sign, Cancer (Kark), and is exalted at Taurus 3° and debilitated at Scorpio 3°.

Chandra rules three nakshatras: Rohini, Hasta and Shravana. A person born with the Moon in any of these nakshatras begins life in the Chandra mahadasha. The Moon is friendly with the Sun and Mercury, has no enemies, and is neutral toward Mars, Jupiter, Venus and Saturn. Its weekday is Monday.

Strong vs Weak Placement

A strong Chandra is generally read as steady emotions, a responsive mind, and a felt connection to the mother or to nurturing figures. A weak or afflicted Chandra is read as fluctuation — moods that shift quickly, sensitivity that is hard to settle, or a mind that feels unsupported. These are tendencies in the chart, not verdicts on a life.

Traditions differ on how much weight to give the Moon's paksha (waxing or waning), its proximity to the Sun, and its placement in the nakshatras. Some readers emphasise the Moon's dignity by sign; others emphasise its nakshatra and tithi. Both approaches are found in the classical literature, and a qualified jyotishi will weigh them for a specific chart.

Effects by House (Brief)

The house Chandra occupies colours the area of life where the mind is most engaged. The following is a general reading only, and does not override the rest of the chart.

First house: the mind is closely tied to identity and appearance; feelings are close to the surface.
Second house: emotional attention turns to family, speech and resources.
Third house: the mind is active in communication, siblings and short journeys.
Fourth house: a natural placement for the Moon — home, mother and inner peace are central.
Fifth house: feelings attach to children, creativity and learning.
Sixth house: the mind is occupied with service, routines and overcoming obstacles.
Seventh house: emotional life is bound up with partnership and the public.
Eighth house: the mind turns inward; depth, research and transformation draw attention.
Ninth house: feelings attach to dharma, teachers, pilgrimage and fortune.
Tenth house: the mind is engaged with career, status and visible work.
Eleventh house: emotional attention goes to gains, networks and aspirations.
Twelfth house: the mind tends toward solitude, reflection and release.

These are starting points. The Moon's sign, nakshatra, aspects and the condition of its dispositor all modify the reading.

Dasha Effects

In the 120-year Vimshottari cycle, the Chandra mahadasha runs for 10 years. Because the Moon signifies the mind and the mother, its periods are commonly read as times when emotional life, home, family and matters of care come to the foreground. The specific tone depends on Chandra's placement, its strength, and the antardashas within the period. A jyotishi reads the mahadasha together with the running antardasha and the natal chart as a whole.

Remedies, Mantra and Gemstone

Traditional remedies for Chandra are gentle and devotional in character. The beej mantra is:

Om Shraam Shreem Shraum Sah Chandraya Namah

It is traditionally chanted 11,000 times as a japa count. Monday is the weekday associated with Chandra, and many devotees keep a Monday vrata or offer white items such as milk, rice or white flowers. The gemstone associated with Chandra is the pearl.

Customs vary. North and South Indian traditions differ in ritual detail, Smarta and Vaishnava households differ in observance, and the amanta and purnimanta calendars mark lunar days differently. Readers should follow the practice of their own family and sampradaya, and consult a qualified jyotishi before beginning a gemstone or a formal remedy for a personal chart.

Common Questions

What does Chandra signify?

Mind, mother, emotions, fluids.

What is the mantra for Chandra?

The beej mantra is "Om Shraam Shreem Shraum Sah Chandraya Namah", traditionally chanted 11,000 times.

Which nakshatras does Chandra rule?

Rohini, Hasta and Shravana. People born with the Moon in these nakshatras begin life in the Chandra mahadasha.

How long is the Chandra mahadasha?

10 years in the 120-year Vimshottari cycle.

Where is Chandra exalted and debilitated?

Exalted in Taurus 3°, debilitated in Scorpio 3°.

Chandra (Moon)