Host:
Pronam (Greetings), Gurudev.
Gurudev:
Pronam, my son.
Host:
We are here today on our YouTube channel, Gupta Sadhak Shama Khapa. We have been listening to your insights across various episodes regarding the Ten Mahavidyas and their relationship with the planets. You have spoken about all the other planets; today, we would like to hear from you specifically about the Moon (Chandra).
Gurudev:
Well, as for our nine planets, three more have now been added that our ancestors didn't fully elaborate onâNeptune, Pluto, and Uranus. These are relatively new discoveries. Now, we talk about twelve planets, whereas we traditionally heard of the nine (Navagraha).
Gurudev:
In our sky, we see two primary things. One is the Sun, whom we call the "Father." In Hindu Shastra, the Sun is the Father. And we call the Moon the "Mother." Muslims primarily work with the Moon, while we Hindus work with the Sun. We follow the science of the Sun; they follow the Moon. In Hindu Shastra, we have both Mother and Father in the skyâthe Moon is the Mother, and the Sun is the Father.
Gurudev:
Many things are accomplished through them. Those who believe in Hindu Shastra work with the Sun, and those who are Muslim work with the Moon. Why? You will notice that when they observe Ramadan or Eid, they cannot celebrate if the Moon is not visible in the sky. They are reliant on the Moon and consider it a significant lunar influence.
Gurudev:
The most important thing to note is that on the forehead of Lord Shiva (Mahadev), there is a crescent moon. He is called Naba-Chandra-Chur, meaning the one who holds the new moon on his head. The very first moon that appears after the new moon (Amavasya) is controlled by Shiva on his head.
Gurudev:
The presiding deity of the Moonâthe one whom the Moon worshipsâis Goddess Kamala. Kamala's color is white, and the Moon's color is also white. Its gemstone is the pearl (Mukta), which is also white. There is also a yellowish hue; the Mother goddess has a slight yellowish tint.
Gurudev:
We have many temples dedicated to Kamala. If you go to Gangotri, you will see a special temple called the Shwet-Subba Temple, which is known as the temple of Kamala. There, two white elephants are seen pouring water over Mother Kamala, bathing her in the waters of the Ganges. The Moon meditates upon this Mother Kamala.
Gurudev:
When we look at a birth chart, if the Moon is in the Ascendant (Lagna), we call it Lagan-Chanda. This is particularly significant to the Marwari community. They believe that if a boy is born under Lagan-Chanda, he is "stainless," and they are eager to marry their daughters to such a person. I am saying this in a general sense, but the Moon has many unique qualities.
Gurudev:
King Daksha had twenty-seven daughters. The Moon loved all twenty-seven of them, and they loved him back because the Moon is very cool and soothing. However, when Daksha found out, he rebuked his daughters and warned the Moon. The Moon asked, "What can I do if your daughters love me?" Then, Daksha cursed the Moon with Yakshma (Tuberculosis), which is a wasting disease. This is why the Moon wanesâit loses its phases (KalÄ) one by one until it disappears, and then it begins to grow again. If someone is born during a certain lunar phase, they may be prone to ailments like sinus issues, tuberculosis, cold, cough, or nerve-related head problems.
Gurudev:
There isn't a direct medicine for these lunar afflictions, but two things are traditionally prescribed: Pearls (Mukta) and Moonstones. However, since most pearls today are cultured, they don't always work. The true pearl is the Bajrai Mukta, which forms naturally at the bottom of the sea. These are very expensive and rare. You might find them in Arabian countries, and great Sufis or Darveshes often carry strings of these pearls. Those are the real pearls from the ocean.
Gurudev:
The pearls we usually wear are cultured. I've seen how they farm them in pondsâthey don't really have the same efficacy. But if someone manages to find and wear a Bajrai Mukta, their fortune is great.
Gurudev:
The Moon is the coolest of planets, yet it suffers from this "wasting disease." Who does the Moon chant to? He chants to Mother Kamala to keep her satisfied. That is why when we perform a Homa (fire ritual), we invoke Kamala. We bring in her colorsâa mixture of yellow and white. Astrologers often suggest wearing yellow pearls, but those are usually chemical. As I mentioned, only the Bajrai Mukta used by Sufis and Darveshes is truly potent.
Gurudev:
The pearls you find in places like the Andaman Islands or Puri are mostly cultured and have no real astrological value.
Gurudev:
If the Moon is in the Lagna, it's called Lagan-Chanda. If the Moon is associated with Rahu, we call it Grahan Dosha (Eclipse defect). Just as Rahu "swallows" the Sun during a solar eclipse, it also affects the Moon. This "eclipse" can manifest in a person's life, and those with this Grahan Yoga often struggle to progress.
Gurudev:
In summary, we Hindus don't emphasize the Moon as much as Muslims do; they use it for their entire calendar and calculations, whereas we use the Sun. That is the primary difference. We see the Sun as the Father and the Moon as the Mother. In Hindu Shastra, much is focused on the masculine principle (the Sun), and not as much on the Moon, relatively speaking.
Gurudev:
However, the Moon can be very dangerous if it is joined by or aspected by malefic planets. It can cause mental illness, sinus issues, TB, nerve disorders, or even insanity. Science also recognizes the Moon's influenceâit causes the tides in the ocean. Even the major earthquakes you see are triggered by the Moon's gravitational pull.
Gurudev:
The Moon passes through a person's life cycle every two and a half days. Every person experiences this. Every month, there is also a Ghat-Chandra (an inauspicious lunar period) for every zodiac sign. One should not start important work during Ghat-Chandra, but not everyone knows this.
Host:
How can a common person understand or realize these things?
Gurudev:
One has to look at the Panjika (almanac), the time of birth, and the birth chart. Otherwise, it is impossible for a common person to know. The Moon is constantly cycling. The major earthquakes and floods we see are all connected to the Moon. Even though we call it "Mother," it can be destructive. The Sun, on the other hand, is constructive; it sustains life. That is why Hindus prioritize the Sun and Muslims prioritize the Moon.
Host:
You mentioned that the Moon worships Mother Kamala. If someone is suffering from the Moon's ill effects, how can they find relief, aside from wearing gemstones?
Gurudev:
Aside from gemstones, one can perform a Jag-Yagya (ritual sacrifice/worship) in the name of the deity on a specific day. For the Moon, that day is Monday (Sombar). Just as Shiva is Som, the Moon is also Som. Since Shiva holds the Moon, Monday is the Moon's day.
Gurudev:
Here is the breakdown:
Gurudev:
Monday: Moon â Goddess Kamala
Gurudev:
Tuesday: Mars â Goddess Bagalamukhi
Gurudev:
Wednesday: Mercury â Goddess Kamakhya
Gurudev:
Thursday: Jupiter â Goddess Tara
Gurudev:
Friday: Venus â Goddess Bhuvaneshwari
Gurudev:
Saturday/Rahu: Rahu â Goddess Chinnamasta
Gurudev:
Ketu: Goddess Dhumavati
Gurudev:
Sun: Goddess Matangi
Gurudev:
There is one Goddess who stands above all theseâshe is the "Top" Goddess, Mother Lalita or Tripureshwari (Tripura Bhairavi). She is not tied to any single planet; rather, she controls all the planets. She is also called Mother Annapurna.
Gurudev:
So, we have nine planets and nine corresponding Mahavidyas. However, modern astrology/astronomy now includes Neptune, Pluto, and Uranus. We studied them in science, but they weren't always used in traditional astrology. Now, they are being included in birth charts. Each planet has its own rays and influence. People ask me, "Why did so many people die at once in a plane crash?" It's because of the planetary rays. When the rays of Rahu and Marsâor Ketu, Mars, and Saturnâcombine and fall on a specific spot on Earth, a disaster occurs. It's not just about an individual's death-yoga; it's about where those planetary rays hit the moving Earth.
Host:
Gurudev, on behalf of our viewers, I express our deepest gratitude. This was the second research-based video on our channel. First, you spoke about the Ten Mahavidyas individually, and then, according to your wish, we began the series on the planets. This is a priceless creation for all of us.
Gurudev:
Not only that, there are 28 Nakshatras (constellations). One has died out (Abhijit), leaving 27 that complete a 30-day cycle. Each planet governs two or three Nakshatras. Khana (the legendary poetess/astrologer) used to say, "What does the day or date matter? The Nakshatra is everything." We must consider the Nakshatras and which planets fall under them. Destructive events often happen when certain Nakshatras are triggered. There are also 28 Yogas. It is a very vast subject.
Host:
With your permission, we will start another series in the future to discuss these deep topics. I ask our friends to watch Gupta Sadhak Shama Khapa with patience. Please continue to subscribe to the channel. We will hear more valuable insights from Gurudev in the future. Pronam, Gurudev.
Gurudev:
Pronam.