According to Vedic astrology, a dosha is like a blemish on a horoscope. It means a defect in the horoscope is responsible for every failure of human pursuit. The placement of each planet in our horoscope plays an important role in our lives. Vedic Astrology which fully depends on the movements of planetary bodies gives a clear picture of different dosha in a birth chart and their favorable and unfavorable effects on human life. Chandra dosha is one of such major dosha which affects the human body and mind to a great extent.

According to the Vedic Astrology, when Moon is ill-positioned in the horoscope it creates the Chandra Dosha and a person suffers from mental diseases, insomnia, and restlessness. Moon is the only natural satellite of earth and the largest among all other satellites in the solar system relative to the size of its planet. As we all know, moon causes high tide and low tide in the sea. Similarly, the moon has a solid effect on the human body, mind, and emotions. Even Hindu Vedic shastras describe the moon as the most influential planet that governs the thought process, behavior, and feelings. There are many positions of the Moon which creates dosha in a birth chart. However, the most common factor that forms this Chandra dosh is the conjunction of Rahu and the Moon.

Planetary Positions of the moon that forms Chandra Dosha:
• The combination or conjunction of Rahu-Moon in the horoscope is known as Chandra Dosha.
• When the moon is forming a conjunction with Ketu and Rahu is inspecting the moon in the horoscope then it also creates Chandra Dosha.
• When Moon is in a weak position in the horoscope as well as when the moon forms a conjunction with any other malefic planet then it creates Chandra dosh.
• When a horoscope shows the conjunction of Sun-Moon, it also causes Chandra Dosha.

Effects of Chandra Dosha: As per Vedic astrology, the moon holds an important position in Hindu culture. The effects of Chandra Dosha depend on the combined position of Chandra-Rahu or Chandra-Ketu in a horoscope. The moon malefic effects or Chandra Dosha develops many significant obstructions in one’s life. Moon controls the mind and the mind controls all other senses of a human being. So, if there is a Chandra dosha in a birth chart then it disturbs the mind to such extent that it becomes almost impossible for that person to make right decisions.

There are several adverse effects that one may experience or suffer in his/ her lifetime due to the Chandra dosha. A few of them are:
• Unstable mind, stress, weakness, and headache are some common problems one may face.
• With an unstable mind, a person starts doubting every decision (big or small in life) and becomes a victim of depressions, and cognitive disorders.
• Body pain, joint pain, lethargy, anxiety, and a negative attitude towards life are also some of the problems that one can face.
• Financial crisis and there may be losses in wealth and property.
• It is observed that some women are experiencing menstrual problems and fertility issues due to this dosha.
• Vedic astrology describes Moon as the karaka of Mother. When the moon is weak positioned, it creates a disturbing relationship between that person and his/her mother.

Remedies for Chandra Dosha: Vedic Astrology talks about neutralizing the effect of Chandra Dosha which creates constant problems in one’s life. A person suffering from Chandra dosha should consult an astrologer to remove the bad or malefic effects of the moon through puja, Homam, yagna, mantra chanting, and offerings. Followings are some common remedies to nullify the effects of Chandra Dosha:

• Chant Beej Mantra of Chandra every day for 108 times: “Om Som Somaya Namaha”.
• Visit a temple of Lord Shiva and offer milk to Shivalinga every Monday.
• Donate rice, grains, white cloth, silver to a brahmin on a Mondays.
• Donate milk or kheer to the poor/needy on the Full Moon and Mondays.
• Donate silver, if you can afford it and never accept silver as a donation or gift.
• Always show respect to your mother and other elders.
• Observe fast or Vrat for 9 consecutive Mondays to reduce the effect of Chandra dosha.
• A person should offer water by adding little milk or white flowers to the moon at a neat and clean place, especially on Monday evening.
• Worshiping Moon God and meditating under the moonlight is quite helpful to reduce mental anxieties caused by a malefic moon.

Mantras to reduce the effects of Chandra Dosha: Regular chanting of the following mantras is helpful to neutralize and stabilize the malefic planets that cause Chandra dosha:
• For Rahu (conjunction with Moon) - “Om Ram Ravahe Namaha”
• For Ketu (conjunction with Moon) - “Om Ketu Ketuve Namaha”
• For Moon God (Chandra Dev)- “Om Shram Shreem Shrom Sha Chandermse Namaha”.
• Chandra Dosha Nivaran Mantra (It is suggested that the person must start chanting the mantra on a Monday):
“Dadhi shankha tusharabham kshirodarnava sambhavam
Namani Shashinam somam shambor mukutbhushanam”

Summary: According to Vedic astrology, Moon is considered the most influential of all the nine planets. The planet moon is the significator or Mother that controls the mental abilities and emotions of a human being. When Moon becomes weak due to its placement in a malefic house such as the sixth, eighth or the twelfth house or has conjunction with a malefic planet such as Saturn, Rahu, or Ketu, the person faces a downfall in mental peace, health, comfort, and luxuries.

Offering water to Moon God in the evening and donating white colored products such as milk, curd, rice, sugar, and ghee on Monday brings good results by reducing the effects of Chandra Dosha. A person should consult a priest or astrologer to perform different remedies with accuracy and sanctity otherwise may not receive the desired results.