A vidyadhara king. See Muktaphalaketu

The son of Shatrughna, brother of Rama, and Shrutakeerthi. His brother was Angad as per Uttararamayana.

A child born to Atri and Anasuya. See Pururavas for details.

Brihaspati had a wife named Tara who was very beautiful. She once got out of her home and reached Chandra’s abode. They fell in love and began living together. After a few days Brihaspati began searching for Tara. He heard where she was and though he sent disciples to fetch her, Chandra refused to send her, and she didn’t want to leave either. After sending several messengers, Brihaspati himself went to Chandra. But she refused and a furious Brihaspati told Chandra that a brahmin killer, a drunkard, a gold thief, one who has a relationship with his guru’s wife and one who stays with any of the above were the five worst kind of sinners, and so Chandra was not eligible to stay in swargaloka. He also warned Chandra that if he did not let Tara go, he would be cursed. Chandra was unfazed and said that Tara was there of her own will and would leave when she wanted to. Brihaspati was angry but went back and waited for a few more days. He went back to get her and was not let in by Chandra’s guards. Brihaspati asked Indra for help and he sent a messenger to Chandra stating that if he did not let Tara go, it would be war. Chandra refused and Indra readied his forces. The asuras learned of this and their guru Shukra, enemy of Brihaspati, approached Chandra and offered to help. The battle began and disturbed the world’s affairs. Brahma arrived in the form of a swan and scolded Chandra and Shukra. They were forced to listen, and not only stopped the war, but also returned Tara. However she was pregnant by then. Brihaspati did not know this and later while everyone went back after the war, Tara gave birth to a beautiful boy. Brihaspati performed the paternal duties. When Chandra heard all this, he immediately sent a messenger to Brihaspati’s house saying that it was his son. Brihaspati claimed that the boy was his. This argument almost became another war. Again Brahma intervened and asked Tara who the father of the child was. She said it was Chandra’s and Brahma asked Brihaspati to give the child to him. Chandra raised the child and this Budha, father of Pururavas as per Devibhagavata Prathamaskanda.

According to Devibhgavata Saptamaskanda, 27 of Daksha’s daughters were married to Chandra. In the form of stars, they revolve around Meru with Chandra as per Mahabharata Vanaparva Chapter 133 verse 63.

The devas and asuras churned the ocean and from it emerged Dhanwantari with the pot of amrit. But Saimhikeya, an asura sorcerer stole it and took it to Patala. The devas were busy looking at the other things that emerged and didn’t notice this. When they came to know of it, Vishnu took the form of Mohini and retrieved it. The devas began consuming it and at the asuras’ behest, Saimhikeya took the form of a brahmin, arrived there and started drinking it too. The gatekeepers Surya and Chandra understood this and signaled Vishnu., who cut away the asura’s neck with his chakra. But the asura continued drinking with the amrit connecting the two parts of his body. These two parts later came to be Rahu and Ketu. The asura still bore a hatred for Surya and Chandra who had identified him. He swallowed them whenever he could, but they managed to escape because his body was split. This is known to be the reason for eclipses as per Kambaramayana Yudhakanda,  Bhagavata Ashtamaskanda.

The king Pridhu was always concerned about the welfare of his subjects. Devas, asuras, trees, plants, sages, gandharvas, apsaras, pitrs, all came to pay their respects and as per his request, Bhumi took the form of a cow and Brahma a calf and allowed the visitors to milk her. Later Chandra stood as the calf for the sages. Brahma was pleased with him and made him the lord of all herbs and stars as per Harivansh Chapter 4 verse 2.

Of Daksha’s 27 daughters, Chandra loved Rohini most. The others resented this and complained to Daksha who asked Chandra to treat all his wives equally. He agreed but went back to his old ways soon. Daksha warned him again but he didn’t mend his ways. The daughters complained again and Daksha cursed that Chandra would get a relentless cough. Though he conducted many yajnas to cure it, it persisted, and gradually spread to medicinal herbs too. The devas enquired about the cause and finally approached Daksha for help, who said that bathing at the Saraswati theertha in the eastern ocean would cure him for half a month. Chandra started visitng the place every month as per Mahabharata Shalyaparva Chapter 35.

Chandra had an area of 11000 yojanas and a perimter of 33000 yojanas as per Mahabharata Bhishmaparva Chapter 12. He gave 2 attendants – Mani and Sumati to Subramanya as per Mahabharata Shalyaparva Chapter 45 verse 32. Once, he spoke to Shambara about the greatness of brahmins as per Mahabharata Anushasanaparva Chapter 36 verse 13. On full moon days, praying to Chandra with honey in a brass vessel grants a person prosperity as per Mahabharata Anushasanaparva Chapter 134 verse 3. He is one of the ashtavasus. Chandra had 4 sons with Manohara – Varchas, Shishira, Prana, Ramana as per Mahabharata Adiparva Chapter 66 verse 18. Abhimanyu was the reincarnation of Chandra’s son Varchas.

One of the many amazing things that came out of the samudra manthan in addition to Lakshmi, Suradevi, Uchaishravas, Kaustubharatna, Parijata, Kamadhenu, Dhanwantari, Amrit, Kalakuta as per Mahabharata Adiparva Chapter 13, Vishnupurana Ansh 1 Chapter 9. Also emerged Jyeshta an evil goddess, Airavata, Chintamani, apsaras, Swarvaravadhus, Tara, Ruma etc as per Kambaramayana Yudhakanda.

A suryavanshi king, son of Vishwarandhi. He was the father of Yuvanshwa.

An asura also known as Chandravarma. He was as handsome as Chandra and was reborn as a Kamboja king as per Mahabharata Adiparva Chapter 67 verse 31.

A famous river in ancient India as per Mahabharata Bhishmaparva Chapter 9 verse 29.

An attendant of Skanda as per Mahabharata Shalyaparva Chapter 46 verse 12.

An attendant of Skanda as per Mahabharata Shalyaparva Chapter 43 verse 27.

An asura warrior. He was once infatuated with Rambha, and got her maid Swayamprabha to help him. She succeeded in her efforts and Chaturasya got Maya to build a palace in the forests in the south. All three of them began living there, but Indra resented this. He killed Chaturasya and took Rambha back. He cursed that Swayamprabha would have to remain there, and said that she would be freed when the vanaras came in search of Sita and she welcomed them as per Kambaramayana.