Why Shiva Has a Moon on His Head???

Why Shiva Has a Moon on His Head? Is It His Beauty Or A Mere Symbol?

Why Shiva has a moon on His head? The question is frequently asked by those who are not well aware of the mythological story behind the issue or the underlying factor beneath the mystery. The crescent moon seen on Lord Shiva is known as the Chandrama or Soma.

The story behind Shiva wearing the moon on his head is linked to the legend of the Churning of the Ocean also known as Samudra Manthan. According to the myth, the Devas (gods) and Asuras (demons) churned the ocean to obtain the nectar of immortality or Amrita. During the churning process, many celestial things emerged from the ocean, including the moon. The moon, however, was too powerful to consume everything with its brightness. To pacify the moon, Lord Shiva held it and placed it on his head.

The moon on the head of Shiva is also symbolic of the very cyclical nature of creation, destruction, and rebirth. Just as the moon waxes and wanes so all things in the universe follow the same process. The moon represents the cool, soothing aspect of the divine, which complements Shiva's fiery, destructive nature.

In some versions of the myth, the moon on Shiva's head is also associated with his very association with the god of plants and herbs, Soma. Soma is believed to have a close relationship with the moon, and his association with Shiva reinforces the god's role as a healer and a promoter of fertility and abundance.

Has the Moon on Shiva's Head Significant Symbol? 

In Hindu mythology there is a story behind Shiva wearing the moon on his head. According to the Hindu mythology, once there lived a demon named Jambha who captured all gods and began tormenting them. The gods then prayed to Lord Shiva for help, and he agreed to fight the demon. A fierce battle took place between Lord Shiva and Jambha, and eventually, Shiva became victorious.

After the battle, Lord Shiva was in a joyful mood, and to celebrate his victory, he started to dance. As he danced, drops of sweat fell from his forehead. From that sweat, the crescent moon was born. Shiva then picked up the moon and placed it on his head as a symbol of his victory.

The moon on Shiva's head has many mythological stories associated with it, and it is considered a significant symbol in Hindu mythology.

Chandra and Shiva

Lord Daksha one of mythological characters had twenty seven daughters who were married to Chandra the Moon. One of all these wives was named Rohini and Chandra loved Rohini too much. His other wives felt neglected. They complained to their father. Daksha repeatedly warned his son-in-law to devote himself equally to all his daughters. But Chandra had no intention to pay heed to.

Daksha was angry and cursed Chandra to gradually change state. Chandra didn’t know what to do. He went and sought advice from Brahma and Brahma told him that the sole recourse led to Shiva. Chandra went to Prabhasa and made a Shivalingam on the banks of the river Saraswati. He then began praying to Shiva for months.

Having been appeased Shiva appeared before Chandra and offered to grant him a boon. Chandra explained the matter. 

Shiva told that Daksha's curse could not be entirely ignored. During krishnapaksha Moon have to wane and through shuklapaksha (the bright part of the fortnight) Moon has to wax. But moon will have a place on His head forever.

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The legend of king Daksha's curse on Chandra is said to be the reason of Shiva having a crescent moon on his head. The legend says that twenty-seven of Daksha's daughters were married to Chandra. One of these wives was Rohini and Chandra loved her more than he loved the other wives. The other wives felt neglected and they complained to their father. Daksha repeatedly warned his son-in-law to devote himself equally to all twenty-seven wives. But Chandra did not listen to him. Daksha thereupon cursed Chandra that he would gradually fade away. Chandra didn't know what to do. He went and sought advice from Brahma and Brahma told him that the only solution was to pray Shiva. Chandra went to Prabhasa tirtha and made a linga on the banks of the river Sarasvati. He prayed to Shiva for six months. At the end of the tapasya Shiva appeared before Chandra and offered to grant him a boon. Chandra explained what the problem was. Shiva said that, Daksha's curse cannot be entirely ignored Chandra had to have a compromise that during krishnapaksha he would wane. And during shuklapaksha (the bright part of the lunar fortnight) he would wax. And that satisfied everybody. Chandra was delighted. But after curse, Moon started losing it's luminescence each day , he got afraid and ashamed and thereafter disappeared into the ocean. As a result of this,there were herbs which required the light of the moon to grow, started suffering in the absence of the moon. There was a lot suffering in the world and the solution to end this problem was only that the moon take refuge in the Lord Shiva's body. Being the graceful Almighty, Lord Shiva wore the moon crescent on His head and since then Shiva has moon on his head.