Chanda
चण्ड
Chanda is the 10th of the Ekadasha Rudras, representing the fiery, untamed, and intensely wrathful aspect of Shiva. His name evokes a blazing storm — destructive, wild, and purifying. He manifests when adharma (unrighteousness) crosses its limits, when demons and egoic forces grow arrogant, and when the cosmos requires fierce correction. Chanda does not negotiate — he strikes with precision, burning all that obstructs dharma.
Chanda symbolizes the **cosmic flame of divine anger** that annihilates evil and restores harmony. He is not rage for the sake of rage, but **surgical wrath** — awakened only when the path of righteousness is blocked. He represents the **Tamas-shattering force** within spiritual practice and **transmutation through fire**.
When the daityas (demons) performed dark yajnas to conquer the heavens, and the balance of the three worlds was overturned, Shiva manifested as Chanda — a **terrible Rudra of black fire**, wielding weapons made of thunder and bone. His roars shattered mountains and his eyes incinerated armies. With divine fury, he restored cosmic balance and withdrew only after every trace of adharma was burnt.
Source Texts:
Appearance: Chanda is depicted as a **towering, flame-covered Rudra**, with **glowing red eyes**, a **mane of fire**, and **ash-covered body**. His arms wield **a giant mace**, **lightning trident**, and **a skull-bow**. His laughter terrifies even rakshasas, and his aura is scorching like a thousand suns. A necklace of bones and a blazing aura surround him.
Symbols
Weapons
Mount
Mahakal Lion or Fire Dragon (symbolic of fury and divine justice)
Direction
South (Dakshina) – the direction of death and transformation
Element
Agni (Fire)
Chanda represents the inner yogic fire (Tapas) that burns impurities. Spiritually, he is invoked during intense transformation, ego death, and times of crisis where only fierce divine force can liberate. He burns illusions, attachments, and even karma — leaving the soul naked in truth.
ॐ चण्डरुद्राय नमः
Translation: Om, salutations to Chanda Rudra, the Fierce Flame of Shiva.
Invoked for destroying inner demons, external negativity, and fear.
ॐ चण्डः पातु मे मूर्धानं, भ्रूवोर्भौ चण्डविग्रहः। लोचनं ज्वालमाली च, रक्षत्वजितविक्रमः॥
Translation: May Chanda guard my crown, may the flame-eyed one protect my vision, may the undefeated fire surround me.
Major Temples
Chanda Mahadev Temple - Vindhya Mountains (symbolic yogic shrine)
A cave-temple where ascetics invoke Rudra’s fire for inner purification.
Kaleshwar Temples (Dedicated to fiery forms) - Telangana, Chhattisgarh, Karnataka
Worship Chanda along with Veerabhadra and Bhairava during fire yajnas.
Festivals
Rudra Yajna – Fire Sacrifice: Chanda is invoked to burn karmic blocks and misfortune.
Mahashivaratri – Midnight Fire Meditation: Advanced sadhakas meditate on Chanda’s fire to destroy ego and delusion.