Chandrashekhara

Chandrashekhara is the peaceful and majestic aspect of Lord Shiva who adorns the crescent moon (Chandra) on his jata (matted locks). This form symbolizes Shiva's dominion over the mind, emotions, and the ever-flowing cycles of time, which the moon governs in Hindu cosmology. The moon on Shiva’s head represents the waxing and waning of the mind and the stability one can achieve through spiritual mastery.

The Moon-Crowned Lord

The moon symbolizes the mind and the passage of time. By wearing it, Shiva shows that he is the master of both, and that a calm, controlled mind is the highest ornament for a yogi.

Chandrashekhara is worshipped for peace of mind, emotional balance, and healing of mental ailments. The image of Shiva with the moon on his head is one of the most iconic forms, emphasizing his role as the cosmic yogi and eternal source of tranquility. The Chandrashekhara Ashtakam by Adi Shankaracharya is a popular hymn in devotion to this form.

Mastery over mind, calming presence, eternal time