Chandra in the context of "Aila dynasty"

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⭐ Core Definition: Chandra

Chandra (Sanskrit: चन्द्र, romanizedChandra, lit.'shining' or 'moon'), also known as Soma (Sanskrit: सोम), is the Hindu god of the Moon, and is associated with the night, plants and vegetation. He is one of the Navagraha (nine planets of Hinduism) and Dikpala (guardians of the directions).

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Chandra in the context of Lunar dynasty

The Lunar dynasty (IAST: Candravaṃśa) is a lineage or dynasty which claims to be descended from Chandra or Soma (the Hindu lunar deity).

According to the Shatapatha Brahmana, Pururavas was the son of Budha (himself often described as the son of Soma) and the gender-switching deity Ila (born as the daughter of Manu). Pururavas's great-grandson was Yayati, who had five sons named Yadu, Turvasu, Druhyu, Anu, and Puru. These seem to be the names of five Vedic tribes as described in the Vedas.

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Chandra in the context of Ila (Hinduism)

Ila (Sanskrit: इल) or Ilā (Sanskrit: इला) is a deity in Hindu legends, known for their sex changes. As a man, he is known as Ila or Sudyumna and as a woman, is called Ilā. Ilā is considered the chief progenitor of the Lunar dynasty of Indian kings – also known as the Aillas ("descendants of Ilā").

While many versions of the tale exist, Ila is usually described as a daughter or son of Vaivasvata Manu and thus the sibling of Ikshvaku, the founder of the Solar Dynasty. In versions in which Ila is born female, she changes into a male form by divine grace soon after her birth. After mistakenly entering a sacred grove as an adult, Ila is either cursed to change his/her gender every month or cursed to become a woman. As a woman, Ilā married Budha, the god of the planet Mercury and the son of the lunar deity Chandra (Soma), and bore him a son called Pururavas, the father of the Lunar dynasty. After the birth of Pururavas, Ilā has transformed into a man again and fathered three sons.

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Chandra in the context of Taraka (goddess)

Tārā is the Hindu goddess of felicity and sanguineness. She is also known as the "Wisdom Goddess" in Nepal and Tibet. Tara is the consort of Hindu god Brihaspati, the god of planet Jupiter. According to some Puranas, Tara sired or mothered a child named Budha, the god of Mercury through Chandra and had a son named Kacha through Brihaspati.

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Chandra in the context of Navagraha Mandir, Guwahati

Navagraha Mandir is an ancient temple located at Chitrachal Hills (Navagraha Pahaar) in the city of Guwahati, Assam. The temple's Sanctum Sanctorum houses Graha Lingams of Nine Celestial Bodies in accordance with Vedic Astrology. The Graha Lingams of various planets here are – Surya, Chandra, Mangala, Rahu, Shani, Ketu, Bṛhaspati, Buddh and Shukra.

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