Chandramouishvara is one among the numerous names of Shiva.
In the Chandramouli manifestation, Shiva adorns Chandra, the moon god, on his
head. The story of Chandra taking refuge on the head of Shiva is associated
with Rohini, daughter of Daksha Prajapati, and a curse. Shiva is worshipped by
the name Chandramouishvara in many temples in South India .
Legend has it that Daksha Prajapati, the master of
civilization, married twenty seven of his daughters – the Nakshatras or birth
stars – to Chandra – the moon god. But Chandra was attracted to Rohini
Nakshatra and ignored the other daughters.
The disappointed daughters complained to Daksha about
Chandra’s favoritism for Rohini. This behavior of the moon god angered Daskha.
He cursed Chandra that his body of which he is so proud will fade away.
Soon the body of Chandra started fading away and this caused
upheaval on earth. Several plants and herbs need the moonlight to survive.
Chandra then approached Lord Vishnu who directed him to Lord Shiva who is the
supreme physician and the keeper of the sacred herb Soma.
Left with only one part (Kala), Chandra approached Shiva.
Lord Shiva helped Chandra in regaining his lost luster and glory with the herb
Soma. But Daksha cursed him again and he took the help of Lord Shiva and this
continued for a long period. Finally, Shiva asked Chandra to take refuge in his
lock of hair on his head where he will find enough soma to rejuvenate him
periodically.
Since Shiva gave refuge to Chandra, he came to be known as
Chandramouishvara. The form of Chandramouli is one of the benign forms of
Shiva.
In the Mahabharata, Shiva is also known as
Chandramoulivibhushana – one who wears Chandra as his ornament.