Bhudevi: Significance and Her Ancient Representation

Table of Content

•  Who is Bhudevi and why is she important?

• Importance of Bhudevi

• How is Bhudevi associated with the Raja festival of Odisha?

• Vedic and mythological mentions of worshiping Bhudevi and Prithvi Devi

• Vedic references

• Mentions of Bhudevi in Taitriya Samhita of Krishna Yajur Veda

• Mention of Bhudevi in Puranas

• Bhudevi in Art and Culture: Exploring Images of the Earth Goddess

• Practices of Reverence and Gratitude for Mother Earth

• The tradition of making Kolams

• Conclusions

Who is Bhudevi and why is she important?

Bhudevi, also known as Bhumi Devi or Prithvi Devi, is a Hindu goddess who is considered a symbol of wealth and prosperity. In Hindu scriptures, she is defined as the consort of Lord Vishnu, the preserver, and maintainer of the universe. She is usually depicted with Sri Devi and Lord Vishnu.

Bhudevi has been known as the goddess who cares for all living beings on Earth.

Importance of Bhudevi

Bhudevi is considered the goddess of fertility and agriculture. It is believed that offering worship to her before any land-related work ensures the blessings of Bhoomi Devi in the form of productivity and abundance. Farmers seek blessings of Bhudevi for smooth agricultural activities and good harvests.

Also associated with wealth and prosperity, this goddess is believed to be the provider of material resources and worldly pleasures. People worship the goddess to get financial stability and success.

Environmental management: The responsibility of representing nature and all-natural elements is on Bhudevi. The veneration of the goddess promotes the idea of ​​sustainability and emphasizes the need to protect the environment. All human beings are encouraged to treat the earth with respect and live in harmony with nature.

Relationship with Vishnu: The mention of Bhudevi and Lord Vishnu in the same line symbolizes the interdependence of the earth and its sustenance. The Devi is considered to be the assistant energy and companion of Vishnu. It is also believed that her relationship with Lord Vishnu maintains the cosmic balance and order.

वि॒ष्णु॒प॒त्नीं म॑हीं दे॒वीं᳚ मा॒ध॒वीं मा॑धव॒प्रियाम् ।
लक्ष्मीं᳚ प्रियस॑खीं दे॒वीं॒ न॒मा॒म्यच्यु॑तव॒ल्लभाम् ॥

We salute Goddess Bhumi (mahim devim), Vishnu's consort; we salute madhavi, who is devoted to Maadhava (Lord Vishnu) and Lakshmi devi's best friend. We salute Bhumi devi, who possesses vallabhyam (vasikarana) over Her Lord, acyuta (Lord Vishnu).

In this verse taken from the Bhu Suktam, present in Taittiriya Samhita of Krishna Yajur Veda, while worshiping Bhudevi, it is mentioned that she is the Madhavi of Madhav and the friend of Sri Lakshmi. Here she has also been described as the companion of Lord Vishnu. The planet's welfare is believed to be dependent on the mutual love and understanding of Bhudevi and Lord Vishnu and their devotion to each other. The devotees of Bhudevi also worship Lord Vishnu and seek his blessings for the same reason. 

How is Bhudevi associated with the Raja festival of Odisha?

Odisha, which is a state in Eastern India, is famous for a festival called Raja. This is a three-day festival dedicated to Bhoomi Devi or Bhudevi. In other words, this festival shows the importance of womanhood and agriculture in life.

During this festival, Bhudevi is worshiped as a symbol of motherhood, femininity, and fertility. This festival is also undertaken for the advancement of agricultural work, the beginning of the monsoon, and the arrival of new crops. It is believed that at this time Bhudevi rests and prepares to give a healthy crop as a gift to the human race.

Raja or Rajaswa festival is celebrated mainly by women and young girls. During this festival, young maidens pamper themselves and dress up in new clothes and beautiful ornaments. Adorning their feet with alta (red dye) and putting flowers on their stylized buns is a must for them during these three days' celebrations. They are also provided their favorite food and a special Odia delicacy called Poda Pitha (baked rice cake), prepared specially for this occasion. Large swings laced with layers of flowers are arranged for them. These swings are specially organized because women and girls who are the symbol of goddesses, primarily Bhudevi, are not allowed to set foot on the earth.

People also do not dig the earth or initiate any agricultural work during this time as Goddess Bhudevi is in a deep slumber, and it would be inauspicious to disturb her rest by putting any harm on Dhara or her body.

The festival here, equipped with many customs, is celebrated in a grand way, and old and young all contribute to it. It honors Mother Earth and symbolizes the interdependence and respect of agriculture, women, and the environment in this region and the world at large.

Vedic and Mythological mentions of Worshiping Bhudevi and Prithvi Devi

Bhudevi who is omnipresent is worshiped in many ways. In the form of earth, the protector of all, Bhudevi is cited in many ancient texts and Vedas, here the method of her worship is also mentioned and its importance is outlined.

Vedic references:

In the Atharvaveda, Bhudevi has been described as the daata or provider of prosperity and wealth, in the hymns written in the Veda, the honor and respect of Bhudevi have been emphasized, because she provides essential resources for human sustenance. The resources including crops, minerals, forest, vegetation, etc. are all under her providence.

गिरयस्ते पर्वता हिमवन्तोऽरण्यं ते पृथिवि स्योनमस्तु ।
बभ्रुं कृष्णां रोहिणीं विश्वरूपां ध्रुवां भूमिं पृथिवीमिन्द्रगुप्ताम् ।
अजीतेऽहतो अक्षतोऽध्यष्ठां पृथिवीमहम् ॥५॥

“O (Mother) Earth, may your hills, snow mountains and regions, and forests be pleasing to us; may nourishing, plowable and fertile, graceful, influential and sheltering, vast and protected (Mother) Earth accord us prestige without decay.”

यत्ते मध्यं पृथिवि यच्च नभ्यं यास्त ऊर्जस्तन्वः संबभूवुः।
तासु नो धेह्यभि नः पवस्व माता भूमिः पुत्रो अहं पृथिव्याः।
पर्जन्यः पिता स उ नः पिपर्तु॥१२॥

It means, “Salutations to Mother Earth! In your center, O mother earth is your navel from which the vital power emanates and spreads out, absorb us in that power and purify us, O bhoomi mata, I am the son of mother earth, Parjanya (rain god) is my father, may he fill us (with the vital power in water).”

Mentioning Bhoomi Devi or Prithvi Devi's virtue the first Sukta of the twelfth khanda of the Atharvaveda is designated to be ‘Bhumisukta’ or Prithivsukta’. It contains sixty-three mantras that work as a guideline for human duties to maintain peace and harmony among all living, non-living, and uncategorized objects of the Jagat or world.

Mentions of Bhudevi in Taitriya Samhita of Krishna Yajur Veda

मे॒दिनी॑ दे॒वी व॒सुन्ध॑रा स्या॒द्वसु॑धा दे॒वी वा॒सवी᳚ ।
ब्र॒ह्म॒व॒र्च॒सः पि॑तृ॒णां श्रोत्रं॒ चक्षु॒र्मनः॑ ॥
 
It means- “May she (earth) be medini, devi, vasundhara, vasudha and vasavi; and through divine power, (may she be) the ear, eye, and mind of the pitrs (departed ancestors/names).

Mention of Bhudevi in Puranas-

Ancient Hindu texts called Puranas also mention and instruct us to respect Bhudevi. For example, in the Varaha Purana, she is considered to be the consort of Vishnu's Varaha avatar.

The Varaha Purana also mentions the incident where the Varaha avatar of Lord Vishnu rescued Bhudevi from the ocean floor, when Hiranyaksha, the demon abducted the goddess and put her in the deep waters. Varaha Avatar while rescuing her, made her sit on his tusk and brought her above the water. Idols have been made in many ancient temples mentioning the story of Varaha and Bhudevi.

Overall, the Vedas, Puranas, and other ancient texts provide mankind with the knowledge of Bhudevi, her existence, her respect, and her importance and remind them that only through love and respect for the land can they enjoy a happy life.

Bhudevi in ​​Art and Culture: Exploring Images of the Earth Goddess

Ancient Sculptures-

Bhudevi the consort of the Varaha Avatar of Lord Vishnu is generally depicted while being rescued by him. Many cave sculptures show Bhudevi either sitting on the shoulder of Lord Varaha or dangling from one of his tusks as he kills Hiranyaksha.

1. Ellora Caves - Bhu Devi idol in Cave 15

2. Badami Cave Temple - Depiction of Bhu Devi in ​​Cave 2

3. Varaha Cave Temple, Mahabalipuram

4.  Belur and Halebidu Temples - Sculptures of Bhudevi in ​​Hoysala Temples

5. Udayagiri Caves,  Vidisha, Madhya Pradesh

"Connecting with the Divine: Practices of Reverence and Gratitude for Mother Earth"

Dharti, Prithvi, and Bhudevi are forms of the same goddess but are also different in some way or the other. They have been worshiped for centuries and in many ways. There are many such traditions that are practiced daily while some occur annually in the form of festivals.

Bhoomi Puja: There is a common practice in India to worship Bhudevi before undertaking any construction or agricultural work. Bhupuja is concluded with rituals like prayer ceremonies, Yagya, community feasts, and charity.

Agricultural Rituals: In agricultural communities, it is customary to worship the goddess for the bountiful harvest, abundance, good rains, and freedom from crop diseases. Almost every agricultural community of the country offers reverence to mother earth and it has been followed for centuries.

Temples and Shrines: There are many temples and places of worship dedicated to Bhudevi in ​​India, where devotees can take her blessings. Many of these temples are ancient and some are new. Sri Bhudevi Samiti in Andhra Pradesh is one such temple that attracts devotees in large numbers. Some of the temples where goddess Bhudevi is offered worship-

• Bhudevi, Vitthalapuram, Ongole, Andhra Pradesh

• Bhoomidevi Temple Chendia-Karnataka

• Sri Bhu Sametha -Venkateswaraswamy temple

• Bhu Varaha Swamy temple, Srimushnam

• Bhuvarahaswamy Temple,Tirumala

• Bhumidevi sametha Sri Uppiliappan Perumal, Thirunageswaram, Tamil Nadu

• Panniyur Sri Varahamurthy Temple, palakkad

The tradition of making Kolams

The tradition of making definitive designs with rice flour after smearing a small portion of the earth with cow dung is called Kolam. In South India where this practice is included in daily routine by women of the household, is actually a way of showing respect to Bhumi Devi. Since ancient times, the women of South India have been making these designs and following rituals of offering flowers at specific points of the Kolam, which is a way of beautifying Bhumidevi. By doing so they pay obeisance to the goddess and also invoke other deities.

It is important to note that geographic variations cause changes in rituals related to worshiping Bhudevi.  Attached faith and rites may differ, but in the end, all the rituals have the same importance of offering reverence to Bhoomi Devi for the smooth functioning of life and perseverance of the natural environment.

Conclusions-

Bhudevi and Prithvi Devi as mentioned in ancient stories, apart from fertility, and abundance, are also the provider of a content and healthy life. Honoring them ensures the preservation and prosperity of the present and the protection of the coming generations. It is not mandatory to offer worship but thanking mother earth for its resources is a nice way to remind ourselves that -there is always enough for one's needs but not enough for one's greed and we should remain thankful for whatever we possess in the present moment.

Key Takeaways

• Bhudevi, also known as Bhumi Devi or Mother Earth, is revered as the goddess of wealth and abundance in Hindu mythology.

• Bhumi Devi is often depicted as a divine figure with a golden complexion, representing fertility, prosperity, and nourishment.

• Bhudevi is considered the consort of Lord Vishnu, who is regarded as the preserver and protector of the universe.

• The article highlights the significance of Bhudevi in various Hindu scriptures, including the Puranas and the Vedas.

• Bhudevi is associated with the harvest, agriculture, and the Earth's bountiful resources. She is considered the provider of sustenance and material wealth.

• The article explores the symbolism behind Bhudevi's iconography, including her four hands holding a lotus, a pot of wealth, a mace, and fruit or grain.

• Bhudevi is worshipped during festivals like Varalakshmi Vratam and is believed to bless her devotees with prosperity, fertility, and abundance.

• The article emphasizes the spiritual significance of Bhudevi's symbolism, reminding readers to honor and respect the Earth's resources and to cultivate a sense of gratitude for the wealth and abundance in their lives.