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Glossary

Chandra defined: the Sanskrit name for the Moon, how BPHS describes it, and why this app counts dashas, Sade Sati and the Moon sign from its position.

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In short

Chandra is the Sanskrit name for the Moon, the second of the nine grahas in BPHS. This app computes its sidereal sign and nakshatra, starts the Vimshottari Dasha from that nakshatra, and counts Sade Sati and transits from the Moon sign. It treats the Moon as a natural benefic at every phase, where BPHS makes a waning Moon malefic.

What the term means

Chandra is the Sanskrit name for the Moon as a graha. It is the fastest-moving body in the chart, and this app leans on it more than on any other: the Moon's sidereal sign is the Janma Rashi, and its nakshatra decides where the dasha sequence begins.

Where the term comes from

BPHS Ch. 3 Sl. 10 names Candr (the translation's spelling) second among the nine grahas. Sl. 12-13 reads "Candr is the mind"; Sl. 14-15 gives it royal status beside the Sun; Sl. 19 counts it female and Sl. 22 sattvic. Sl. 11 makes the Moon a benefic only while it is increasing: a decreasing Moon is listed with the malefics, and Saravali Ch. 4 Sl. 9 says the same of the waning Moon. Sl. 49-50 give Vrishabh as its exaltation sign, deepest at 3 degrees, and Sl. 51-54 make the rest of Vrishabh after those 3 degrees its Mooltrikon. Saravali Ch. 4 Sl. 10-11 gives Sasi as another name, and the Bhrigu Sutras head the Moon's section "the Mother and Mind" (Part I, p. 6).

How this app uses it

  • Lordship and dignity: the Moon rules Cancer, is exalted in Taurus and debilitated in Scorpio. dignityOf() labels every degree of Taurus Exalted; the table's Moolatrikona band (3 to 30 degrees) is never reached because the exaltation test runs first. Both labels carry the same top strength, but the name differs from BPHS.
  • Nature: the Moon sits in the engine's BENEFICS list at every phase. That is the one place this app departs from BPHS Ch. 3 Sl. 11, and the code says so where it matters (see shubha graha).
  • Friendship: friends are the Sun and Mercury, and the Moon has no natural enemies, matching Saravali Ch. 4 Sl. 28-29.
  • Timing: the Vimshottari Dasha starts from the lord of the Moon's nakshatra, less the share the Moon has already crossed, as BPHS Ch. 46 Sl. 16 describes. The Moon's own period is 10 years.
  • Transits: Sade Sati is Saturn in the 12th, 1st or 2nd sign from the natal Moon, and the transit reading counts houses from the Moon sign.
  • Combustion: the Moon is flagged combust within 12 degrees of the Sun.

Pages that use this term

Related terms

Surya, Moon sign, Chandra Lagna, Paksha and Karka.

Now on yourself

Moon Sign (Chandra Rashi)

Your Rashi in the sidereal zodiac, with the nakshatra the Moon was standing in.

A birth time is optional. Without one this is read at local noon on your birth date - and the Moon moves about 13 degrees in a day, so add the time if you know it.

No place is asked for on this page, so the time is read as Indian Standard Time (IST). Born outside India? Run it on its own page, where you can add the place.

This date is sent only to compute the answer. Nothing is stored, no account is created, and no email is asked for.

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