Chakora (mythology)

Chakora (Sanskrit: चकोर, romanized: Chakora) is a legendary bird described in Hindu mythology. It is considered to be a partridge,[1][2] most likely based on the chukar partridge.[3] In texts such as the Mṛcchakatika,[4] it is believed to feed on the beams of the moon (Chandra).[5] The association of the chakora and Chandra has given rise to a number of folk love stories in North India.

  1. ^ Manusmrti with the Manubhasya of Medhatithi. Volume 5. Part III. Translated by Jha, Ganganath. Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass. 1920. p. 419.
  2. ^ Downson, John (1903). A classical dictionary of Hindu mythology and religion, geography, history, and literature (4 ed.). London: Kegan Paul, Trench, Trubner & Co. p. 65.
  3. ^ Vira, Raghu; Dave, K.N. (1949). Indian scientific nomenclature of birds of India, Burma and Ceylon. The International Academy of Indian Culture. p. 362.
  4. ^ The Little Clay Cart. Translated by Ryder, Arthur William. Cambridge, Massachusetts: Harvard University. 1905. p. 1.
  5. ^ Sreekantaiya, T. Nanjundaiya; Śrīkaṇṭhayya, Tī Naṃ (2001). Indian Poetics. Sahitya Akademi. p. 26. ISBN 978-81-260-0807-0.