Difference between revisions of "Bhudevi" - New World Encyclopedia
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'''Bhuma Devi''' or '''Bhumi Devi''' or '''Bhu Devi''' is the divine wife of [[Varaha|Lord Varaha]], an [[Avatar]] of [[Lord Vishnu]]. According to [[Hindu]] mythology, the divine saint [[Andal]] is a form of her. The demon [[Narakasura]] whose killing by [[Krishna]] is celebrated as the festival of [[Diwali]] is her son.<ref>{{cite web | '''Bhuma Devi''' or '''Bhumi Devi''' or '''Bhu Devi''' is the divine wife of [[Varaha|Lord Varaha]], an [[Avatar]] of [[Lord Vishnu]]. According to [[Hindu]] mythology, the divine saint [[Andal]] is a form of her. The demon [[Narakasura]] whose killing by [[Krishna]] is celebrated as the festival of [[Diwali]] is her son.<ref>{{cite web | ||
|url = http://www.diwalifestival.org/killing-of-narakasura.html | |url = http://www.diwalifestival.org/killing-of-narakasura.html | ||
| − | |title = killing of Narakasura}}</ref>. She is the mother of [[Sita]], (note the symbolism of the baby Sita being found in a ploughed field). According to the uttara-kanda, when Sita finally leaves her husband [[Rama]], she returns to Bhumi. Bhumi Devi is also believed to be one of the two forms of [[Lakshmi]]. The other is Sridevi, who remains with [[Narayana]]. Bhudevi is the Goddess of Earth, and the fertility form of Lakshmi. | + | |title = killing of Narakasura}}</ref>. She is the mother of [[Sita]], (note the symbolism of the baby Sita being found in a ploughed field). According to the uttara-kanda, when Sita finally leaves her husband [[Rama]], she returns to Bhumi. Bhumi Devi is also believed to be one of the two forms of [[Lakshmi]]. The other is Sridevi, who remains with [[Narayana]]. Bhudevi is the Goddess of Earth, and the fertility form of Lakshmi.<ref>It is interesting to note that several female deities have had births similar to Sita. Alamelu Thayar of Tiruchanur had a similar beginning, being found in a ploughed field by Akasa Raja. Goda (Andal) was found under a Tulasi plant by Perialvar.</ref> |
| − | + | ==Other Names for the Goddess== | |
| + | Prithvi is also called Dhra, Dharti, Dhrithri, meaning thereby, which holds everything. As Prithvi Devi, she is one of two wives of Lord [[Vishnu]]. His other wife is [[Lakshmi]]. | ||
| + | |||
| + | Prithvi is another form of [[Lakshmi]]. Another name for Her is [[Bhumi]] or [[Bhudevi]] or [[Bhuma Devi]]. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==Mythology== | ||
| + | '''Prithvi''' ([[Sanskrit]]: ''{{IAST|pṛthvī}}'', also ''{{IAST|pṛthivī}}'') is the [[Hinduism|Hindu]] [[earth]] and [[mother]] [[goddess]]. According to one tradition, she is the personification of the [[Earth]], and to another its [[Mother]], being ''prithivi tattwa'', the essence of the element earth. | ||
| + | |||
| + | As ''prithvi mata'' "Mother Earth" she contrasts with ''[[Dyaus]] pita'' "father sky". In the [[Rigveda]], Earth and Sky are frequently addressed in the dual, probably indicating the idea of two complementary half-shells. | ||
| + | |||
| + | [[Image:Prithu.jpg|thumb|left|[[Prithu]] chasing Prithvi, who is in the form of a cow. | ||
| + | ]] | ||
| + | She is the wife of [[Dyaus Pita]] ('father Dyaus'). (The widespread belief that these two were originally a single deity appears to be mistaken. See [[Dyavaprthivi]]). She is the mother of [[Indra]] and [[Agni]]. According to a tradition, when Indra killed Dyaus Pita, she applauded and [[marriage|married him]]. She is associated with the [[cow]]. [[Prithu]], an incarnation of Vishnu, milked her in the cow's form to get food from her. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==Iconography== | ||
| + | In art she is represented as a woman with four arms and a green skin. | ||
==Notes== | ==Notes== | ||
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==References== | ==References== | ||
| − | * | + | *''Dictionary of Hindu Lore and Legend'' (ISBN 0-500-51088-1) by Anna Dallapiccola |
| − | * | + | *''Hindu Goddesses: Vision of the Divine Feminine in the Hindu Religious Traditions'' (ISBN 81-208-0379-5) by David Kinsley |
* | * | ||
* | * | ||
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[[Category: Religion]] | [[Category: Religion]] | ||
| − | {{Credits| | + | {{Credits|Bhuma_Devi|146503918|Prithvi|157525632}} |
Revision as of 09:11, 8 November 2007
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Bhuma Devi or Bhumi Devi or Bhu Devi is the divine wife of Lord Varaha, an Avatar of Lord Vishnu. According to Hindu mythology, the divine saint Andal is a form of her. The demon Narakasura whose killing by Krishna is celebrated as the festival of Diwali is her son.[1]. She is the mother of Sita, (note the symbolism of the baby Sita being found in a ploughed field). According to the uttara-kanda, when Sita finally leaves her husband Rama, she returns to Bhumi. Bhumi Devi is also believed to be one of the two forms of Lakshmi. The other is Sridevi, who remains with Narayana. Bhudevi is the Goddess of Earth, and the fertility form of Lakshmi.[2]
Other Names for the Goddess
Prithvi is also called Dhra, Dharti, Dhrithri, meaning thereby, which holds everything. As Prithvi Devi, she is one of two wives of Lord Vishnu. His other wife is Lakshmi.
Prithvi is another form of Lakshmi. Another name for Her is Bhumi or Bhudevi or Bhuma Devi.
Mythology
Prithvi (Sanskrit: pṛthvī, also pṛthivī) is the Hindu earth and mother goddess. According to one tradition, she is the personification of the Earth, and to another its Mother, being prithivi tattwa, the essence of the element earth.
As prithvi mata "Mother Earth" she contrasts with Dyaus pita "father sky". In the Rigveda, Earth and Sky are frequently addressed in the dual, probably indicating the idea of two complementary half-shells.
She is the wife of Dyaus Pita ('father Dyaus'). (The widespread belief that these two were originally a single deity appears to be mistaken. See Dyavaprthivi). She is the mother of Indra and Agni. According to a tradition, when Indra killed Dyaus Pita, she applauded and married him. She is associated with the cow. Prithu, an incarnation of Vishnu, milked her in the cow's form to get food from her.
Iconography
In art she is represented as a woman with four arms and a green skin.
Notes
- ↑ killing of Narakasura.
- ↑ It is interesting to note that several female deities have had births similar to Sita. Alamelu Thayar of Tiruchanur had a similar beginning, being found in a ploughed field by Akasa Raja. Goda (Andal) was found under a Tulasi plant by Perialvar.
ReferencesISBN links support NWE through referral fees
- Dictionary of Hindu Lore and Legend (ISBN 0-500-51088-1) by Anna Dallapiccola
- Hindu Goddesses: Vision of the Divine Feminine in the Hindu Religious Traditions (ISBN 81-208-0379-5) by David Kinsley
Credits
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