Bhumi Devi

Introduction:

In the Hindu pantheon, Bhumi Devi or Bhu Devi or Bhuma Devi, is worshipped as the divine mother earth. She is the Goddess of earth. She is believed to be the consort of Varaha, the third avatar of Lord Vishnu.

In Hindu mythology, the analogy between Bhumi Devi and reverence for the earth is unmistakable. We are indebted to mother earth, as she is not only a life-giver but also nourishes and sustains us. It is one of the reasons why various aspects of Bhumi Devi have been extolled by scriptures.

Bhumi Devi's incarnation has been documented in the Varaha Puranam. She is the daughter of Kashyap Prajapati. According to Srimad Bhagavatam, Bhumi Devi is the mother of the demon Narakasura or Naraka. She has also been depicted as one of the two forms of Lakshmi, the other form of the Goddess being Sridevi. Bhudevi is a representation of Goddess Lakshmi.

She is also known as Satyabhama, the wife of Lord Krishna in Dwapara Yuga when Lord Vishnu assumed his incarnation. She has also been solemnized as Andal, a famous poet and saint of Tamil Nadu. As a young girl, she was wholeheartedly dedicated to Lord Vishnu and wished to marry him against all odds. Andal was the daughter of a priest who offered garlands to the Lord. So strong was Andal's desire to marry Lord Vishnu that she did not observe religious decrees that prevented her from secretly wearing the garlands before offering them to God. When she was finally caught and rebuked by her father, the Lord appeared in his dream and told him not to object to wearing garlands before offering them to the Lord. He also expressed his desire to marry her. Thus, began the worship of Andal, originally Bhumi Devi, which continues to date in all Srivaishnava temples.

According to the Uttara Kanda, the final episode of Ramayana, Bhumi Devi is the mother of Goddess Sita. After Agni Pareeksha, when Sita leaves her husband, Lord Rama, the earth opens up and enfolds Sita in her lap. Bhumi Devi, embraced her daughter, who returned to her.

Iconography

Bhumi Devi is illustrated in a variety of ways. She is sometimes portrayed in votive statuary wherein She is shown seated on a square platform supported by the back of four elephants. The elephants represent the four directions of the world.

When Bhumi Devi is represented with four arms, She is shown holding a pomegranate in one hand, a water vessel in another, one with a bowl of healing herbs vegetables in the fourth. She is depicted with two arms one holding a blue lotus in the right hand with the left hand in the Abhaya Mudra indicating fearlessness.

We must offer love and veneration to Bhu Devi as She is the Goddess Mother. We must chant the following mantras for Bhumi Devi:

Om Vasundharaya vidmahe
Bhutadhatrya dhimahi
Tanno Bhumi prachidayat

Meaning:
'Let us respectfully contemplate upon Bhumi Devi as She is the Supreme provider and brings us abundance'

Bija Mantra for Bhumi Devi:

Om Hrim Shrim Klim Vasundharayai Svaha

18 Mukhi Rudraksha beads invoke Bhumi Devi. It can be worn with positive thoughts to invite her love, warmth and blessings.