चन्द्र अष्टोत्तर शतनामावली — Benefits & How to Chant
चन्द्र अष्टोत्तर शतनामावली
Complete guide to chanting correctly for maximum benefit
Benefits of Chanting चन्द्र अष्टोत्तर शतनामावली
Chanting the 108 names of Chandra bestows peace of mind, calm and emotional steadiness.
Pacifies the afflictions of a weak, debilitated or ill-placed Moon in the horoscope.
Each name is offered as an archana with white flowers, white rice or milk to the cooling Moon.
Promotes restful sleep, mental clarity, contentment and freedom from anxiety and mood swings.
Most auspicious on Mondays and the full-moon (Purnima); suitable for daily recitation with faith.
Nourishes health, fertility and the sattvic, gentle qualities ruled by Chandra.
How to Chant चन्द्र अष्टोत्तर शतनामावली
Instructions
Bathe and sit facing the north-west or towards the visible Moon before an image of Chandra Bhagavan. Recite each of the 108 names beginning with 'Om' (ॐ) and ending with 'namaha' (नमः), offering white flowers, unbroken white rice (akshata), or a little milk for each name (archana). Mondays and the full-moon night are most auspicious. Offering kheer (milk-rice) as naivedya and a white lamp adds to the worship.
Spiritual Significance
It is said that Chandra, once cursed to wane away, was restored by the grace of Lord Shiva who wore him upon his brow; and so it is held that those who lovingly recite the Moon's 108 names find their own troubles of mind waning and their inner light, like the Moon's, ever renewed.
Origin & History
Source: Traditional (Navagraha / Puranic tradition)
Author: Traditional
Chandra, also called Soma, is the Moon-god, born (in one account) from the churning of the ocean of milk and bearer of the nectar of immortality, and (in another) the son of the sage Atri. As one of the Navagrahas he is the lord of the mind and of the watery, nourishing forces of life. This garland of his 108 names is recited within the Navagraha worship to strengthen a weak Moon and to draw his cooling, peace-bestowing grace.