Nmasthe- Guru 6

May 27, 2008

Dear all,

Chandra Bhagavan or Moon is Datthathreya's sixth Guru.

First thing that comes to our mind when we think of Moon is the phenomenon of waxing and waning. Let us see the story behind this and it will help us to fully understand the lesson Datthathreya learned from Moon. For this story it will be appropriate to call moon by the synonym Soma.

Soma became the son-in-law of King Daksha (this Daksha is Sathidevi's father of Dakshayaagam reborn as Prachesas's son Daksha) by marrying 27 of his 60 daughters. Before marriage he had promised Daksha that he would love all 27 of them equally. But He broke his promise by loving Rohini, one of the 27 sisters, more and the other sisters complained about this to their father. Angry Daksha cursed Soma saying that he would slowly wane and disappear. Before this curse Soma's bright side was facing earth all the time and everybody saw the shining in full splendour every night. Now with the curse Moon started waning.

Before Soma was wiped out completely all the other Devaas requested Daksha to revoke the curse. Daksha took pity on him and aksed Soma to take bath in the mouth of Saraswathi River (Prabhaasa) and pray to Lord Siva. Lord Siva at Prabhaasa is known as Somanth or Lord of Soma, because Soma or Moon built this temple there for him to pray. The story is that Soma comes there on every Amaavaasi ( new moon day) to pray to Lord Siva. Siva told him that he cannot completely undo the curse but he will have him restore the full splendour (pournami or full moon) in 15 days and then he will be subjected again to waning the next 15 days. This is the story behind the waxing and waning of moon. (Somanaath temple is one of the 12 Jyothirlingaas). Soma's pride was humbled by this and He became the most benevolent God of nature.

Actually moon is not waxing and waning. While the moon is going round the earth, we call new moon or Amaavasi when the unilluminated half (dark half) of the moon is facing us and as days go, moon becomes more and more visible. On full moon or Pournami day, the illuminated half of moon is facing the earth. When moon goes round the earth, this phenomenon of waxing and waning seems to happen. Like wise, our soul is eternal and because of the Maaya, the phenomenon of birth and death seems to happen.

Moon light is shone everywhere. It falls on a King's palace, a poor man's hut, in the forest, in the desert, and in the vast ocean. Shining of the moon is for everybody to enjoy and the cool nectar showers the same kindness on everybody. (Sankaraacharya's Soundaryalahari mentions about moonlight falling equally on the forest as well as the mansion. This talks about the sama-darshana , seeing everybody the same way, quality of Chandra Bhagavan)

Moon is described to adorn the crowns of both Lord Siva and Parvathi Devi. Also moon is often compared to the most beautiful faces of Devaas and Devis.( Eg; Sri Krishna, Devi etc. Word Chandran is used to express the beauty of Bhagavan in the name Srikrishna Chandran). At the same time Moon has a name with a negative connotation: Shashaankan. This means that moon has a big mark on his face (kalankam) in the shape of a rabbit. Moon stays cool and bright ignoring both the positive and negative attributes and does his dharma.

Datthaathreya learnt from the moon the following great lessons:

1. Soul does not have birth and death. Soul when associated and attached to the body, seems to experience birth and death.

2. Like Moon, one should shower love and kindness on everybody.

3. One should be unaffected by both words of praise and rebuke.

Regards and prayers

Savitri