In the tradition of Yoga and Tantra, Chandra (also known as Soma) holds a central role as the embodiment of the moon, representing coolness, tranquility, receptivity, and inner nourishment. The moon's phases and qualities are deeply connected to the rhythms of nature, the mind, and the subtle energy (prana) in the body. As a celestial deity, Chandra is revered for his soothing influence, which contrasts with the sun's fiery, active energy (Surya), thereby creating balance in life and spiritual practices.
Symbolism of Chandra in Yoga and Tantra
In Yoga and Tantra, Chandra symbolizes:
Mind and Emotions: The moon is associated with the mind (manas), particularly the emotional and subconscious aspects. Like the waxing and waning moon, our thoughts and emotions ebb and flow. Chandra's cooling energy is believed to calm the restless mind and bring clarity.
Nectar of Immortality: In yogic texts, Chandra is associated with amrita, or the nectar of immortality, said to drip from the region below the sahasrāra chakra (the crown of the head). This nectar nourishes the body, mind, and spirit, promoting longevity, vitality, and spiritual bliss.
Receptive Feminine Energy (Shakti): The moon is tied to the feminine principle, Shakti, and represents receptivity, nurturing, and creativity. It also reflects intuition, dreams, and inner wisdom—qualities essential to spiritual growth in both Yoga and Tantra.
Cooling and Healing Power: In yogic practices, Chandra is seen as a calming force that soothes the heat generated by the body’s energetic systems, especially in practices involving breath control (pranayama) and meditation. His cool, soft light counterbalances the sun’s intense, active energy.
Chandra's Role in Yoga
In Yoga, Chandra is especially important for balancing the energy systems of the body. Many practices are tied to the lunar cycle, with some asanas (postures) and pranayama techniques being particularly useful during different moon phases.
Chandra Nadi: The left nostril is associated with the ida nadi or Chandra Nadi, which represents the cooling, receptive, and feminine energy channel in the body. Practices like Chandra Bhedana Pranayama (moon-piercing breath) help activate this channel, leading to mental calmness and emotional stability.
Chandra Namaskar (Moon Salutation): This is a variation of the Surya Namaskar (Sun Salutation), practiced more often during the evening or during the full moon to evoke the cooling and restorative qualities of the moon. It enhances flexibility, promotes balance, and has a meditative effect.
Meditation on the Moon: Visualizing the moon during meditation or gazing at it in an open sky can help calm mental fluctuations, sharpen intuition, and invoke deep inner peace.
Mindfulness and Awareness of Rhythms: The practice of yoga often emphasizes being in sync with the natural rhythms of the moon. For example, new moons are considered a time of new beginnings and inward reflection, while full moons are powerful times for manifestation and spiritual insights.
Chandra's Role in Tantra
In Tantric philosophy, Chandra has a more esoteric and mystical significance. Tantra views all cosmic forces as expressions of divine energy, and the moon is regarded as the source of cooling nectar that nourishes the body’s subtle channels (nadis).
The Moon in Kundalini Tantra: The moon is often said to reside in the Bindu Visarga (the drop of consciousness), located near the sahasrāra chakra at the crown of the head. From here, the nectar of immortality (amrita) is believed to drip down through the spine. Advanced Tantric practitioners aim to activate and preserve this flow of nectar through specific breathing exercises and meditation techniques, which are said to bring physical health, mental clarity, and spiritual enlightenment.
Lunar Deities and Rituals: Chandra is invoked during Tantric rituals for his calming and balancing effects. He is often paired with the goddess Tripura Sundari or Lalita, who embodies the full moon and supreme beauty. These lunar-based rituals aim to awaken the latent energy within, foster deeper intimacy between body and spirit, and harmonize the internal and external worlds.
The Moon and Sexual Energy: In Tantric practices, the moon’s energy is also connected with preserving and transforming sexual energy into spiritual energy. This is called Ojas preservation, where the practitioner works on balancing the heat (sexual energy) with the cooling nature of the moon.
Visualization Techniques: Tantric meditations often involve visualizing the full moon as a symbol of wholeness and integration. The imagery of the moon helps the practitioner enter deeper states of consciousness and attune to the subtle energies of the body.
Lesser-Known Facts About Chandra in Yoga and Tantra
Soma: Chandra is also referred to as Soma, and in ancient Vedic rituals, soma was a sacred plant and elixir associated with the moon’s cooling and rejuvenating properties. Soma rituals were thought to grant immortality, similar to the moon's symbolic nectar.
Chandra Kriya: There is a lesser-known yogic practice called Chandra Kriya, designed to activate the moon energy in the body. This involves specific pranayama and mudras that help channel cool, calming energy.
Lunar Mantras: Chanting specific mantras dedicated to Chandra is believed to enhance intuition, calm the mind, and attract abundance. The most common mantra is “Om Somaya Namaha.”
Moon’s Influence on Sleep and Healing: It is believed that worshiping or meditating on the moon, especially on full moon nights, enhances healing, promotes sound sleep, and balances the mental energies, particularly beneficial for people with anxiety or emotional disturbances.
Benefits of Moon Worship in Yoga and Tantra
Mental Calmness: By worshiping or meditating on Chandra, one can experience enhanced peace of mind, which is especially useful for managing stress, anxiety, and emotional turmoil.
Emotional Balance: Just as the moon’s phases affect the tides, it is believed that Chandra’s energy can bring emotional balance and help regulate mood swings and heightened emotions.
Physical Healing: In both Yoga and Tantra, the moon’s cooling energy is linked with physical healing. It is said to counteract excess heat, inflammation, and promote rejuvenation.
Spiritual Growth: Worshiping Chandra can open up intuitive faculties, enhance spiritual vision, and help practitioners connect with their higher self. This is particularly beneficial during full moons when spiritual energy is thought to be amplified.
Enhanced Creativity and Intuition: Because the moon is tied to the subconscious, engaging in moon worship or meditation stimulates creativity and the power of intuition.
Increased Vitality and Longevity: The moon’s connection with amrita, the nectar of immortality, symbolically represents the preservation of life force. Yogis and Tantrikas who meditate on Chandra believe they can extend life, preserve vitality, and experience inner joy.
Current Status of Chandra Worship in Yoga and Tantra
Today, Chandra worship and the significance of the moon are still very much alive in both traditional and modern yoga and Tantric practices. With the rise of mindfulness and holistic healing, many yoga communities emphasize the importance of aligning with lunar cycles for physical, mental, and spiritual well-being. Lunar yoga, moon meditations, and moon-based rituals are common, especially during new and full moons.
In contemporary Tantra, Chandra is still revered as a powerful deity representing the feminine aspect of divinity. Tantric practices continue to include moon-based rituals and meditations, especially in traditions where moon phases are believed to influence subtle energies and spiritual insights.
Modern yogis, Tantric practitioners, and spiritual seekers are re-awakening to the importance of working with the moon’s energies as a way to balance the intense solar energy that predominates in modern life. Moon practices offer a counterpoint, fostering calmness, connection with nature, and inner reflection.