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The profound faith that humans have in the science of *nimitta* is also due to the auspicious and inauspicious effects of planets and stars.
The connection of astrological deities with the living world is the eternal connection of the human and non-human beings of this middle world with the moon and other astrological deities. Because they are all self-luminous deities of this middle world and they continue to illuminate all the substances of this earth. The relationship between the astrological world and the human world is that of the illuminator and the illuminated.
(1) The word 'Chandra' is derived from the root 'chadi' which means 'to delight'. The moon is the source of delight for the living world, hence the tradition of moon-watching is prevalent.
There are many synonyms of Chandra, some of which indicate a close relationship between the moon and all the substances of this earth and men.
*Kumudabandhav* - The moon is the brother of the *kumudini* (water lily) that blooms in water bodies, hence it is called *kumudabandhav*. The moon's synonyms *himaanshu*, *shubhraanshu*, *sudhaanshu* are directly related to the *kumudini* through their nectar-like qualities. This is evidenced by the saying of a Rajasthani poet:
> *Doha* - The *kumudini* dwells in water, the moon dwells in the sky.
> Whoever dwells in the mind, is near to him.
*Aushadhish* - The herbs of the forest are 'aushadhi' - they have the miraculous power to cure diseases, which comes from the nectar-like rays of *sudhaanshu*.
Man desires health, which is obtained from medicines - therefore, there is a close relationship between man and *aushadhish* (moon).
*Nishapati* - The lord of the night - is the moon.
'Laborers' work during the day and rest at night. By resting in the light of the moon, man becomes healthy, therefore, man's relationship with *nishaanaath* (moon) is very close.
The Jain scriptures explain the synonym 'Shash' of the moon.
1. *All Sadass Visittaththo*
> Q. By what means, O Venerable One, is the moon called 'Shash'?
> A. O Gautam! The moon, the king of the celestial bodies, has a beautiful chariot in the sky, with beautiful gods and goddesses, and beautiful seats, beds, pillars, vessels, and other equipment, and the moon himself is gentle, radiant, auspicious, pleasing to behold, and beautiful.
> O Gautam! For this reason, the moon is called 'Shash' (or Sashri).
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