Puranic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature c7.441

c7.441

Candra’s chariot has three wheels. Ten beautiful horses white as Jasmine flowers draw the chariot. These horses also like those of Sūrya live for a Kalpa era. Because the Devas drink its digits Candra wanes into one digit (Kalā). Then Sūrya makes him wax again with one single ray of his called Suṣumnā. When only two Kalās of his remain Candra enters the orbit of Sūrya and stays there in the ray called ‘amā’, and that day, therefore is called amāvasyā. And on that day Candra enters waters for the first time, and after that dwells in trees, creepers etc. While Candra is thus in trees etc. those who cut them will be committing the sin of brahmahatyā. (slaughter of a brahmin). When only a little of the 15th kalā remains on new moon day hordes of Pitrs gather round the enfeebled Candra to drink him, and they drink the amṛta kalā, one of the two kalās still remaining with him. Thus the three classes of Pitrs, Barhiṣadas, Saumyas and Agniṣvāttas get absolutely satisfied for one month. Thus Candra nurtures Devas in the Śukla Pakṣa and pitrs in Kṛṣṇa Pakṣa, and grows trees, creepers etc. with life-giving water. (For details see under Candra).