Lord Chandra or Moon God is worshipped by the people for happiness of mind and clarity of thoughts in all manners and mental health and peace and relief from anxiety.

Moon: The Sixth of 8 Vasus

Since the beginning of time, the moon has held a special place in the human heart. Whether it’s the soft glow that lights up a quiet night, the rhythm it sets for the tides or the calm it brings to our restless minds, the moon has always felt like a silent companion watching over us. But in Hindu mythology, this celestial body is far more than just a beautiful sight in the sky as it is a divine force with its own identity and purpose. 

Known as Soma or Chandra, the Moon is revered as one of the Ashta Vasus, the eight elemental deities who maintain the balance of the universe. As the sixth Vasu, the Moon represents serenity, nourishment and emotional rhythm such as qualities that sustain both the natural world and human life. Exploring the Moon’s role as the sixth of the eight Vasus is like uncovering a forgotten chapter of cosmic wisdom, one that beautifully connects the mysteries of the heavens with the emotions of the human soul.

 

Why is the Moon, the sixth of 8 Vasus, considered more than just a celestial body?

The Moon, known as Soma in Hindu mythology, holds a place far beyond its physical presence in the night sky. As the sixth of the eight Vasus, it represents not just a celestial object but a living symbol of emotion, rhythm and divine nourishment. In ancient scriptures, Soma is described as the essence of calmness, purity and rejuvenation such as qualities that influence both the natural and spiritual worlds. 

The Moon’s glow is said to soothe the Earth, regulate tides, and guide time itself through its waxing and waning phases. But beyond its scientific role, the Moon is seen as a reflection of the mind and soul as a mirror of our changing moods, thoughts and inner balance. In astrology, it governs emotions, intuition and maternal instincts, reminding us that just as the Moon reflects sunlight, our minds reflect divine consciousness. Its cycles symbolize life’s constant motion as the idea that darkness and light coexist and that change is not to be feared but embraced.

Spiritually, the Moon is revered as a divine being who connects the cosmos to the human heart. The myths surrounding Soma portray him as gentle yet powerful, embodying love, empathy and renewal. His association with herbs, water and night-time serenity shows how deeply his energy is woven into the cycle of life. Festivals like Karva Chauth and Sharad Purnima honor this nurturing force, celebrating the Moon as a witness to devotion and purity. 

Unlike the Sun, which represents action and dominance, the Moon teaches reflection and emotional wisdom such as values that are often lost in today’s fast-paced world. To the ancients, calling the Moon a Vasu wasn’t just symbolic as it was an acknowledgment that divine life-force flows even through the stillness of the night sky. Thus, the Moon is more than a silent sphere as it is a gentle teacher of patience, harmony and emotional strength, illuminating both the heavens and the human soul.

 

Who are the Vasus?

In Hindu mythology, the Vasus are a fascinating group of eight divine beings who personify the fundamental elements and energies of nature. The word Vasu comes from the Sanskrit root meaning “dweller” or “brilliance,” symbolizing entities that illuminate and sustain the universe. These eight Vasus like Dyaus (sky), Prithvi (earth), Vayu (wind), Agni (fire), Aditya (sun), Soma (moon), Dhara (stars) and Prabhasa (light or dawn) are often seen as attendants of Lord Indra and are deeply connected to Lord Vishnu, the preserver of the cosmos. 

Each Vasu represents a vital aspect of existence that keeps the natural order in harmony. They are not merely mythological figures but expressions of the cosmic forces that govern our world such as earth providing stability, fire bringing energy, air sustaining breath and so on. Together, the Vasus remind us that the universe functions through balance and cooperation between these forces, just as human life depends on balance between body, mind and spirit.

The Vasus are also mentioned in the Mahabharata, Vishnu Purana and Brihadaranyaka Upanishad, where they are depicted as semi-divine beings who inhabit both the physical and spiritual realms. Their stories often serve as moral lessons about duty, humility and the consequences of desire. 

One famous tale tells how the Vasus were cursed by the sage Vashishta for stealing his divine cow, leading to their birth as mortals. The eldest among them was reborn as Bhishma, one of the greatest warriors and wisest figures in the Mahabharata. This legend beautifully shows how even divine beings are bound by the law of karma, teaching that every action whether done by gods or humans has its results. 

 

Why is Chandra considered as the shining one but with a complex heart?

Chandra, or the Moon God, is often described as the shining one such as radiant, calm and graceful yet beneath this luminous surface lies a deeply complex heart. His glow represents beauty, purity, and the soothing rhythm of life but his inner being tells a story of emotions, desires and consequences. Chandra’s light is borrowed from the Sun, symbolizing how brilliance often comes from reflecting others’ strength, not from dominance. 

Despite his divine charm and poetic grace, Chandra’s heart is full of contradictions as he is both compassionate and impulsive, gentle yet capable of creating turmoil. His attachment to Rohini, one of his 27 wives, despite being married to all, led to Daksha’s curse that caused his periodic fading. This myth reflects the fragility of human emotion, how love, when clouded by favoritism, can lead even divine beings to imbalance. Chandra’s waxing and waning thus became nature’s way of showing that light and shadow coexist within every soul and even radiance must face moments of darkness.

Chandra’s complexity lies in his dual nature as he embodies both serenity and restlessness. While his glow brings life to plants, tides and minds, his fluctuating phases mirror the constant motion of human thoughts and emotions. The ancients saw in him a reminder that even those who seem perfect from the outside carry hidden struggles within. His brightness enchants but it also conceals vulnerability, longing and a lesson in humility. 

Chandra teaches that true brilliance doesn’t mean being flawless; it means embracing change, emotion and imperfection with grace. He is the celestial reflection of the human condition as outwardly radiant yet inwardly introspective. That is why Chandra, the shining one, remains one of the most relatable deities in Hindu mythology and not because he is untouched by flaws but because he shines through them.

 

How does this dramatic yet emotional deity fit in as a Vasu?

What makes the Moon’s place among the eight Vasus so fascinating is its emotional depth. Unlike other Vasus who represent tangible forces such as fire, water or wind, Soma, the Moon, embodies the subtler aspect of existence such as emotion, reflection and rhythm. The Vasus together maintain the structure of the universe and the Moon does this by influencing its pulse. 

Just as the tides rise and fall under its pull, human emotions ebb and flow in response to its presence. The Moon’s luminous calm balances the fiery energy of Agni and the firmness of Prithvi, ensuring that creation does not burn out with passion nor freeze with rigidity. This emotional equilibrium, a harmony of heart and mind makes Soma a vital link in the cosmic chain. His presence reminds the world that while strength and brilliance define power, sensitivity and compassion define wisdom.

In his dramatic yet gentle role, Soma brings a certain tenderness to the otherwise elemental family of Vasus. His waxing and waning symbolize life’s continual transformation, an eternal dance between fullness and emptiness, joy and loss. This rhythm softens the harsh edges of existence, teaching both gods and humans that vulnerability, too, has divine worth. As a Vasu, Soma bridges the gap between emotion and divinity, showing that the universe is not only governed by might but also by feeling. His glow does not overpower but nurtures, his energy does not dominate but heals. 

 

Why does this story matter today?

In today’s fast-paced and restless world, the story of the Moon as the sixth of the eight Vasus serves as a gentle reminder of the importance of balance and emotional awareness. We live in an age that celebrates the Sun as the symbol of achievement, productivity and constant motion  yet often forgets the quiet wisdom of the Moon. The tale of Soma teaches us that true strength lies not only in shining brightly but also in reflecting calmly. 

Just as the Moon moves through its phases, we too experience periods of fullness and emptiness in our lives. Instead of resisting these changes, the Moon’s story invites us to embrace them to understand that every dark phase eventually leads to light again. It’s a reminder that growth does not happen in constant brilliance but in cycles of effort, rest, reflection and renewal.

Moreover, this story holds deep emotional and psychological relevance for the modern human experience. In a world overwhelmed by stress, comparison and competition, the calm energy of Soma teaches us to nurture our inner peace. The Moon’s light is soft, yet it transforms the darkest night into something beautiful not just as kindness, empathy and self-awareness can transform our lives and relationships. 

The myth of Soma and his fading radiance when cursed also speaks to the need for fairness and balance in how we treat others. When we neglect or favor one aspect of life over another such as work over family, ambition over compassion our own “light” begins to fade. The story of the Moon matters today because it reminds us to live in harmony with both our outer pursuits and our inner world, reflecting the timeless truth that serenity, not speed, is the real source of strength.

So, the next time you find yourself under the velvety night sky, let your eyes linger on the Moon. See beyond the cratered sphere of science and behold Chandra, the luminous, flawed and eternal Vasu. Let his silvery light be a gentle reminder that the cosmos is not a cold, mechanical void but a living narrative. 

His rhythmic dance of waning and waxing is a celestial heartbeat echoing our own human journey of stumbling, learning and rising again. He is the Sixth Vasu, a divine ancestor woven into the very fabric of our world, whispering an ancient, enduring truth that within every ending lies the quiet, inevitable promise of a new beginning. 

 

Written by: Nikita, Article and Content Writer, Editor, Strategist at Rudraksha Hub

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