Vande Mataram Bhuvaneshwarim, Salutation to the Mother Principle Bhuvaneshwari
(Compilation for a discourse at Sri Ganesha Temple by N.R. Srinivasan, Nashville, TN, USA, Sept. 2020)
Bhuvaneshwari Jayanti on Bhadrupada Sukla Trayodasi is believed to be the day when Goddess Bhuvaneshwari incarnated on earth. She is the fourth of the ten Mahavidyas of Kaali. Each form of the Divine Mother Kali is a Mahavidya. The Ten Mahavidyas are: Kali, Bagalamukhee, Chinnamastaa, Bhuvaneshwari, Maatangee, Shodasee, Dhoomaavati, Tripurasundaree, Taaraa, and Bhairavee. Bhuvaneshwari Jayanti in 2020 is August 30. She is a powerful incarnation of Goddess Shakti, Mother Principle and worshipped throughout India. Sri Lalitha Sahasranama describes Bhuvaneswari as the protector of the 14 worlds (Bhuvana).
Bhuvaneshwari is the Goddess, who rules over the universe. She is also regarded as the creator, apart from being the sustainer of the world. Known by many other names such as Durga, Bhagavathi, Parvati etc,. Bhuvaneshwari is one of the manifestations of Kali, the fierce form of divine Shakti. She remains one of the highly aggressive manifestations of the feminine energy, and is regarded as a ruthless destroyer of evil and an unfailing upholder of virtue. The name Kali literally means ‘the dark one’ or ‘the black colored’. Kaala also stands for time and Kaali, its feminine form. She is thus regarded as the dark colored Goddess of death, and in other words, the annihilator of ego. Durga, though the united power aspect of Trinities, mostly embraced as Mother Principle by Advaitins and Saktas, like Kali! Vishishtadvaita and Dvaita followers without engaging in fight brought the concept of Bhudevi (Bhuvaneshwari) and Sridevi (Lakshmi) drawing strength from Purushasukta “hrischa lakshmischa patnyau”. Bhumi (Earth) was still under creation at the time of Purushasukta and so Purusha was identified with his consorts “Hri” meaning modesty and “Lakshmi” meaning Prosperity that later turned into Sridevi and Bhudevi of Puranas who became consorts of Vishnu in processional Vishnu deities whoever may be the prime Vishnu deity (moola vigraha).
Kali is also known as Adi Parashakthi, the primordial, all-powerful feminine energy and is worshipped in ten forms that are known as Dasa Mahavidyas, the ten Goddesses of great wisdom. The word Bhuvaneshwari is made up of two terms, Bhuvanam and Ishwari. Bhuvanam denotes all the worlds or the universe, and Ishwari is the feminine form of the lord or the ruler. Bhuvaneshwari is thus the queen of the worlds and its sovereign ruler.
The Sacred Vedas hail Bhuvaneswari as Aditi, the infinite and all-encompassing Mother, who holds the entire space in her cosmic womb. Thus the universe itself is her divine body, that is, she herself is the universe, while her infinite self, resides in all the living things in it. She kindles divinity in beings, and her presence makes the living things, the very representations of her own self. Bhuvaneshwari is thus, cosmos personified.
Here is a Veda Mantra which describes Aditi, Mother of All Mothers and All devas as Primordial Energy and Parasakti. It is clear that Aditi of Vedas is Bhuvaneswari of Puranas.
Aditirdevaa gandharvaa manushyaah pitaroesuraa-stesha(ga)m sarva-bhootaanaam maataa medinee | mahatee mahee saavitree gaayatree jagatyurvee prithvee bahulaa visvaa bhootaa katamaa ka yaa saa satyeti amriteti vasishthah ||
Aditi is the mother of all living beings such as divines, gandharvas, human beings, manes, demons; she is known by names such as Medini, Mahati, Saavitree, Gaayatree, Jagatee, Urvee, Prithvee, Bahulaa, Visvaa, Bhootaa, Katamaa, Kaa, Yaa, Saa, Sathyaa and Amritaa. Sage Vasishtha praised Mother Earth thus. Her greatness is very vast and it is not easy to describe her (Kaa means Avyakta-roopaa)
Please also recall here another Veda mantra that we chant daily during Sandhyavandana ritual:
Ojosi saho'si balamasi bhrājo'si devānāṁ
dhāmanāmāsi
viśvamasi
viśvāyuaḥ
sarvamasi sarvāyurabhibhūroṁ
gāyatrīmāvāhayāmi
sāvitrīmāvāhayāmi sarasvatīmāvāhayāmi
O Gāyatrī, Thou art the essence of strength! Thou art patience, or the subduing power! Thou art physical capacity! Thou art splendor! Thou art the abode of gods and their name! Thou art the insentient universe! Thou art the full span of life or the Lord of all! Thou art every living thing! Thou art the life span of all! Thou art the vanquisher of all that is hostile to us! Thou art the Truth denoted by the Prāṇava!
I invoke Gāyatrī, (into my heart)! I invoke Sāvitrī! I invoke Sarasvatī! I invoke the metres, the Ṛṣis (and the gods)! I invoke the splendor (of all the gods)!
Gravitational flow of water takes place only to a low ground. Similarly only a person who is humble, penitent and eager for purity and freedom can receive the divine glory in its unsullied splendor. Such an aspiring soul looks to the Divine for all its needs and exclaims “Thou art my strength, Thou art my power, Thou art my glory, and Thou art my all”. So here Aditi that is Gāyatrī conceived as non-different from Brahman is eulogized as the various excellences and attributes listed above.
Gāyatrī is also known as Sāvitrī and Sarasvatī. The Supreme Being as the Indweller and impeller of all Creation is known as Savitri and hence the passage in praise of Him is called Savitri. The Vedas are represented as a lake which gives the waters of life and hence Gāyatrī, as the essence of the Vedas, is called Sarasvatī. These two terms magnify Gāyatrī as the object of worship.
Traditionally Gāyatrī is the name given to that Deity in the forenoon, Sāvitrī in the midday and Sarasvatī in the evening. Gāyatrī is explained as that which protects the person who chants it from the various sins. The epithet Sāvitrī is given because it represents Savitri, who illumines the creation; and Sarasvatī because in that aspect it expresses the world in the shape of speech. These three are also represented as Brahma, Rudra and Vishnu as well as red, white and black.
Whatever may be the details of worship, the Supreme is worshiped through the Gāyatrī that is Aditi that is Bhuvaneshwari! The principal part of this devotion consists in the meditation of Gāyatrī in the orb of the sun, visualized in one's own heart as non-different from Paramātman. The ritualistic details are secondary. The mantra later says Earth is the Yoni or the Womb--prithvee yonih!
The seers who were aware of the Brahman, chose to worship the Supreme in the form of Mother, as only mother can bestow love and affection on her children unconditionally and all times. “Any creation requires a womb, a female organ. Akasa or space is the womb for the creation of the Universe (Akasat vayu vayunaa agnih agninaa aapah aapat prithvee). In this context one can conceive of the creator only in female form of the Holy Mother. Sakti (feminine word) is power in general and includes every particular form of it like motion, kinetic, gravitational, heat, elasticity and electrical. Force is power translated to material plane. Energy and power are represented by subtle mind and gross matter respectively. Mind power (of reasoning, willing, feeling, loving etc.) is governed by Prana through Maya. Similarly gross matter constituted of elements is also subject to maya. Mother breaks into power and becomes active for creation, maintenance and dissolution. Worship of Parabrahman as Parasakti, the feminine form, especially as Mother, yields quick results as it is in the nature of Mother to forgive the faults of her children. This is the basis of Sakta philosophy that portrays Parasakti as Bhuvaneswari in worshipful Saguna form. Her powers to start with are static to begin with, but becomes dynamic in due course as projected in Puranas in its inimitable and fanciful style. Her power starts from the creative, proceeds to the protective and destructive and vends in peace signifying the four states of waking, dream, sleep and turiya and the four functions of creation, maintenance, dissolution and bestowal of grace.” says Visawam of Bharatiya Vidya Bhawan.
Goddess Bhuvaneshwari maintains the fourth position among all the ten significant of Dasha Mahavidya. She is an incarnation of Supreme Goddess Aadi Parashakti i.e., one of the earliest forms of shakti. Bhuvaneshwari (Sanskrit: Bhuvaneśvarī, Devanagari: भुवनेश्वरी ) means the Lady (Ishvari) of the World, Atmosphere or Universe (Bhuva). She rules or commands the whole universe, possessing controlling influence of turning situations according to her desire.
"Bhuvaneshwari", The Creator of the World, is considered as the supreme goddesses who creates the power of love, space, gives freedom and breaks us free from attachment and sufferings making us believe that true love has no form. She plays the role of creator and protector and fulfills all the wishes of her sadhakas.
Tantrics consider Bhuvaneshwari to give immediate results to obtain beauty, good fortune, immovable property, house, vehicle and one can achieve success and victory. It is said that Lord Rama had done this sadhana, to fight Ravana who is so much powerful and that he conquered heaven and removed the malefic effects of planet Moon.
Goddess Bhuvaneshwari is the pre-eminent and a nurturer of the whole humanity. She blesses her devotee by making him fearless and also help him in the accomplishment of all the powers. In the scriptures her greatness has been described in detail.
A modern text gives the legend of
origin of Bhuvaneshvari as follows:
“Before anything existed it was the sun which appeared in the heavens. The
rishis (sages) offered soma the sacred plant to it so that the world may be
created. At that time Shodashi was the main power, or the Shakti through whose
blessings the Sun created the three worlds. After the world was created the
goddess assumed a form appropriate to the manifested world.”
In this form she came to be known as Bhuvaneshvari, literally ''Minister of the
World.'' Bhuvaneshvari thus remains un-manifest until the world is created.
Hence she is primarily related with the visible and material aspect of the
created world. More than any other Mahavidya with the exception of Kamala,
Bhuvaneshvari is associated and identified with the energy underlying creation.
She embodies the characteristic dynamics and constituents that make up the
world and that lend creation its distinctive character. She is both a part of
creation and also pervades its aftermath.
Bhuvaneshvari's beauty is mentioned often. She is described as having a radiant complexion and a beautiful face, framed with flowing hair of the color of black bees. Her eyes are broad, her lips full and red, and her nose delicate. Her firm breasts are smeared with sandal paste and saffron. Her waist is thin, and her thighs, buttocks, and navel are lovely. Her beautiful throat is decorated with ornaments, and her arms are made for embracing. Indeed Shiva is said to have produced a third eye to view her more thoroughly.
This beauty and attractiveness may be understood as an affirmation of the physical world. Tantric thought does not denigrate the world or consider it illusory or delusory, as do some other abstract aspects of Indian thought. This is made amply clear in the belief that the physical world, the rhythms of creation, maintenance and destruction, even the hankerings and sufferings of the human condition is nothing but Bhuvaneshvari's play, her exhilarating, joyous sport.
Calling Aditi/Gayatri as Bhuvaneswari, the ruler of the Universe depicts the full and influential nature of female deities in India. Throughout history, goddesses have been portrayed as the mother of the universe, through whose powers, the Gods, their male counter-parts, carried on the responsibility of governing the Universe on their shoulders. She alone is Almighty. Without her even Siva is sava (corpse). Universe is created and destroyed by her. The gradual changes in belief through the goddess emerged in historical religious literature as a term to define the power brought in the concept of Bhuvaneswari and much later Bharatmata (powerfully used during independence fight by India) to express how the different Goddesses, though very different in personality, all carry the power of the universe with them!
There are numerous legends reading this Goddess, one of which speaks about Lord Rama propitiating Bhuvaneshwari before his successful, final assault on demon Ravana, though not mentioned in Valmiki Ramayana
She holds the Ankusam or the elephant goad and the noose in two of her hands, while showering her blessings on the devotees with her other two hands.
Lalita Sahasranamam gives a vivid description of the descent of Bhuvaneswari on Earth. Lalita is glorified as Bhuwaneswari and Bhuvana in LSN:
294
Bhuvaneshwari – She who is the Goddess presiding over the universe
295 Ambika – She who is the mother of the world
The Devas faced a very great enemy in Sura Padma who had a boon that he could be killed only by a son of Shiva and Parvathy. So to wake Shiva from his deep meditation the Devas deputed Manmatha, the God of love who shot his flower arrows at Paramashiva. Paramashiva woke up and opened his third eye and burnt the God of love into ashes. The Devas and Rathi Devi the wife of Manmatha requested Paramashiva to give life to Manmatha.
Heeding for their request Paramashiva stared at the ashes of Manmatha. From the ashes came Bhandasura Who made all the world as impotent and ruled from the city called Shonitha pura. He started troubling the Devas. The Devas then sought the advice of Sage Narada who advised them to conduct a fire sacrifice. From the fire rose Sri Lalitha Tripura Sundari.
She was extremely beautiful, having dark thick long hair with scent of Champaka, Asoka and Punnaga flowers, having the musk thilaka on her forehead, Having eyelids which appeared as if it is the gate of the house of God of love, having eyes which were like fish playing in the beauteous lake of her face, Having nose with studs which shined more than the stars, Having ears with sun and moon as studs, having cheeks which were like mirror of Padmaraga, Having beautiful rows of white teeth,
Chewing Thamboola with camphor, having voice sweeter than the sound emanating from Veena of Sarswathi, Having such a beautiful smile that Lord Shiva himself could not take his eyes off, Wearing Mangala soothra and necklaces with beautiful shining dollars, having breasts which were capable of buying the invaluable love of Kameswara, having row of faint beautiful hair raising from her belly, having stomach with three pretty folds, wearing red silk tied with a string with red bells.
Having thighs which steal the heart of Kameshwara, Having knees which looked like crowns made of precious gems, having voluptuous legs, having upper part of the feet resembling the back of tortoise, having feet which resembled the lamps made of gems which could dispel worries from the mind of devotees and a body with the golden red color. She was given in marriage to Lord Kameshwara and made to stay in Sree Nagara at the top of Maha Meru Mountain.
Sree nagara had 25 streets circling it. They are made of iron, steel, copper, lead, alloy made of five metals, silver, gold, the white Pushpa raga stone, the red Padmaraga stone. Onyx, diamond, Vaidoorya, Indra neela (topaz), pearl, Marakatha, coral, nine gems and mixture of gems and precious stones. In the eighth street was the forest of Kadambas. This is presided by Syamala. In the fifteenth street live the Ashta Dik palakas. In the sixteenth lives Varahi alias Dandini who is her commander in chief. Here Syamala also has a house.
In the seventeenth street live the different Yoginis. In the eighteenth street lives Maha Vishnu. In the nineteenth street lives Esana, in the twentieth Thara Devi, twenty first Varuni , the twenty second Kurukulla who presides over the fort of pride, twenty third Marthanda Bhairawa, twenty fourth the moon and twenty fifth Manmatha presiding over the forest of love.
In the center of Srinagara is the Maha Padma Vana (The great lotus forest) and within it the Chintamani Griha (The house of holy thought). In its north east is the Chid agni kunda and on both sides of its eastern gate are the houses of Manthrini and Dhandini. On its four gates stand the Chaduramnaya gods for watch and ward.
And within it is the Sri chakra. In the center of Sri Chakra on the throne of Panchabrahmas on the Bindu Peeta (dot plank) called sarvanandamaya (universal happiness) sits Maha Tripura Sundari. In the Sri Chakra are the following decorations viz., The square called Trilokya mohanam (most beautiful in the three worlds), The sixteen petal lotus called Sarvasa paripoorakam (fulfiller of all desires), the eight petal lotus called Sarvasamksopanam (the all cleanser), the sixteen corner figure called Sarva sowbagyam (all luck), the external ten cornered figure called Sarvartha sadhakam (giver of all assets), the internal ten cornered figure called Sarva raksha karam (All protector), the eight cornered figure called Sarva roga haram (cure of all diseases), triangle called Sarva siddhi pradam (giver of all powers) and the dot called Sarvananda mayam (all pleasures).
The Devas prayed her to kill Bhandasura. When she started for the war with Bandasura, she was accompanied by the powers called anima, mahima etc, Brahmi, Kaumari, Vaishnavi, Varahi, Mahendri, Chamundi, Maha Lakshmi, Nitya Devaths and Avarna Devathas who occupy the Sri Chakra. While Sampatkari devi was the captain of the elephant regiment, Aswarooda devi was the captain of the cavalry.
The army was commanded by Dhandini riding on the Chariot called Giri Chakra assisted by Manthrini riding on the chariot called Geya Chakra. Jwala malini protected the army by creating a fire ring around it. ParaShakthi rode in the center on the chariot of Sri Chakra. Nithya Devi destroyed a large chunk of Bandasura’s armies, Bala Devi killed the son of Bandasura, and Manthrini and Dhandini killed his brothers called Vishanga and Vishukra. When the Asuras created blockade for the marching army, Sri Lalitha Tripura Sundari created Ganesha with the help of Kameshwara to remove the blockade. Then Bandasura created the asuras called Hiranyaksha, Hiranya Kasipu and Ravana. The Devi created the ten avatars of Vishnu and destroyed them.
She killed all his army using Pasupathastra and killed him with Kameshwarasthra. The gods then praised her. She then recreated Manmatha for the good of the world. This story is contained in the first 84 names of the first 34 slokas of Lalitha Sahasranama and all together contains one thousand names. This is also called the Rahasya Nama Sahasra (the thousand secret names). Reading it, meditating on the meaning of the names would lead to the fulfillment of all the wishes of the devotees
Thereafter, Goddess Bhuvaneshwari gave her Shaktis Saraswati to Brahma, Lakshmi to Vishnu, and Gauri to Shiva. She informed Tridevas that her Shaktis that they are given to will help them create and preserve the world, and when the appropriate time comes, it will be destroyed completely so that a new creation can be started afresh by Brahma and Saraswati.
Sage Narada during one of his visits to Vaikunta asked Lord Narayana for the reason while Devas and Asuras are healthy by nature, why human beings suffer these numerous diseases. Then lord Narayana taught him the Indrakshi sthothra. He told Narada that by reciting this Sthothra, one can lead a disease free happy life. Sage narada taught it to Indra, who in turn taught it to Sage Purandara. It was Sage Purandara who popularized it among human beings.
“Asya Indrakshi Sthothra Maha Mantrasya, Sasi purandara rishih Anushtup Chandah Indrakshi Durga devatha, Lakshmi Beejam, Bhuvaneswari Shaktih Bhavani Keelagam, Mama Indrakshi prasada sidhyarthe Jape Viniyogah “
This Indrakshi stotra was made known to the world by Purandara Rishi, and has been written in Anushtup meter. The presiding deity for the stotra is Indrakshi Durga. The kernel of the chant is Lakshmi, the strength behind the Mantra is Bhuvaneswari and its axis is Bhavani
Mythology tells us that in the beginning, Surya, the sun, appeared in the heavens. In order to create the world, the sages offered soma (a sacred plant) to the sun. The sun was pleased and through the power of Shakti, He created the three worlds (Bhuvanas). Having created the worlds, the goddess assumed the form of Bhuvaneswari and ruled and protected them.
We also find the name of Bhuvaneswari mentioned in the part of Hindu philosophy called Tantra, the religious literature expounding the worship of the Divine Mother. The tantric works describe ten aspects of Shakti (Mahavidya), the universal energy. Bhuvaneswari stands for the concept of space. Space has many levels of manifestation: The space of the physical Universe and the space of the mind. Just as there are many layers of space in the Universe, there are many layers in the higher levels of the mind. In our body, the heart is where the infinite space of the Universe resides, and this is the seat of the Divine Mother, Bhuvaneswari, who represents this Space. By creating space, we release ourselves from stress and tension. Those seeking the supreme peace should invoke and worship the Goddess Bhuvaneswari, who is the power of infinite expansion, peace and equanimity. Her sound-body is Hreem, which is as powerful as Aum. Hreem connects the space within the heart with the infinite, vast space of Consciousness. Like most of the aspects of the Divine Mother, Bhuvaneswari is associated with Maya. Maya comes from the Sanskrit root, “ma”, to measure. Maya is also a synonym for illusion. Thus, Bhuvaneswari symbolizes the dynamic power of God, which manifests itself in a multitude of visible and impermanent forms. In Hindu philosophy, the manifestation is ultimately considered as unreal because of its inconstancy and impermanence. But at the same time, the devotional scriptures say that Bhuvaneswari is also distinct from the illusion. She creates because she controls it. But she is not caught in it. This quality of mastery over the worldly illusion gives her the power to help human beings not to be involved in Maya and not to be bound by it but instead to go beyond it.
Bhuvaneshvari’s beauty is mentioned often. Her dhyana describes her as having a radiant vermilion complexion resembling the sunrise and a beautiful face, framed with flowing hair the color of black bees. Her eyes are broad, her lips full and red, and her nose delicate. Her firm breasts are smeared with sandal paste and saffron. Her waist is thin, and her thighs and navel are lovely. Her beautiful throat is decorated with ornaments, and her arms are made for embracing. She is seated on a throne, adorned with a flower garland and anklets, bracelets of fine gems. She is also found seated on lions, also group of lions sit around her throne. A crescent moon adorns her forehead, resting atop a jeweled crown. She has three eyes and a pleasant, nurturing smile. She has four arms, in two of which she holds a noose and a goad. With her lower left hand, she makes the gesture (varada-mudra) of offering a boon, and with the lower right she signals fearlessness (abhaya mudra). She is a shakti present everywhere but not seen anywhere. Sometimes she is represented with a lotus and a jewel bowl in tow of her hands, and in other cases her left foot is placed on a jewel bowl. The Great Cosmic Power Bhuvaneswari is sitting on a bed resembling a throne, which consists in representing the five forms of manifestation of the God Shiva, as we described them in the article about the Great Cosmic Power Tripura Sundari.
From this throne, the Great Cosmic Power Bhuvaneswari controls and organizes the movement of the entire universe. Different gods and goddesses who serve her and immediately obey her orders surround the Great Cosmic Power Bhuvaneswari.
Meditating with great perseverance on this beautiful goddess’s form, the sincere practitioner may obtain her infinite grace, become even enlightened, and reveal his or her supreme Self.
This beauty and attractiveness may be understood as an affirmation of the physical world. Tantric thought does not denigrate the world or consider it illusory or delusory, as do some other abstract aspects of Indian thought. This is made amply clear in the belief that the physical world, the rhythms of creation, maintenance, and destruction, even the hankerings and sufferings of the human condition is nothing but Bhuvaneshwari’s play, her exhilarating, joyous sport.
She is also known as Om Shakthi or Adi Shakthi i.e. One of the earliest forms of Shakthi. She is capable of turning situations according to her wish. It is considered that even the Navagrahas cannot stop her from doing anything.
Both Bhuvaneswari and Kali are intimately connected as representing time and space, which made creation possible. Kali arranges the timing of the cosmic dance while Bhuvaneshwari stands for the original space before creation in which Kali’s cosmic dance takes place. Devotional songs say that Bhuvaneswari is like Saraswathi, the goddess of learning, wisdom and knowledge. She is described as “Jnana Swaroopa,” the highest form of wisdom. It is also said that Bhuvaneswari has so much power that a mere glance from her gives boons to the goddesses Lakshmi, Parvathi and Saraswathi. She confers confidence, sympathy, beauty and wisdom on them because all these qualities are within her. So can there be any doubt in our minds that is peace Herself because by giving us all the good things she ensures peace and prosperity in our lives.
Conclusion
It beats all my wits while the birth and purpose of Ganesha is very clear in Lalita Sahasranamstotra, why Puranas should build all sorts of myths stories to justify Ekadanta and Mooshika Vahana? The protogonists are not even clear as to which side of tusk Ganesha broke, right or left. So we have some icons with left hand tusk broken and some with right hand consecrated in temples! Even they made Sankara’s slokam Ekadam+tam as Ekadantam to fit their story.
Immensely powerful that Goddess Bhuvaneshwari is, but she also remains an embodiment of love, mercy and kindness. She regards earthly beings as her own children, gets pleased with sincere prayers and bestows her generous blessings on them. Her love is not of the usual possessive kind, but is all pervasive that frees us from illusion, attachment and suffering. Her worship will promote a cosmic vision and a universal understanding. It can also get for the devotees a captivating personality and all conquering success. It can also bestow them with a variety of benefits, like health, wealth and fortune. She can also remove obstacles, and give courage, confidence, sensitivity, sense of responsibility and emotional maturity. She also protects devotees against the negative influences of the planet Moon as Moon is under her control!
Bharat Mata is National personification of India as Mother Goddess. This thought again is inspired by Lord Rama’s emotional outburst: “Jananee janmabhoomischa praanaadapi gareeyasi” --Mother and Motherland are dearer than even life. Vedas mandate Matrudevo bhava, Pitru devo bhava, Acharya devo bhava Atithi devo bhava-- consider your Mother as God, Father as God, Teacher as God and Guest as God and in that order. All Mahans – great yogis, jnanis and bhaktas who renounced the whole world for spiritual prowess, for Self-Knowledge, for the sake of their Lord – have nevertheless had a soft corner for their mothers. Sri Adi Shankara, the great Jnani and proponent of Advaita, came back to his mother at the time of her death and shed profuse tears of grief at her passing! Sri Ramana Maharshi, the great sage who had no possessions, maintained no relationships and was beyond the four ashramas, had a special relationship with his mother who lived with him in her later years, and eventually became a ‘mother’ to all his devotees and disciples too. Swami Vivekananda was deeply devoted to his mother Bhuvaneswari throughout his life. Even though he had renounced the world and was spending all his time in Sri Ramakrishna’s work, he grieved at the thought of his mother’s condition. Swamiji once wrote in a letter to a friend, “…If there is any being I love in the whole world, it is my mother. That is why Bhuvaneshwari occupies a prestigious position amid the galaxy of deities in the hearts of all Hindus!
I have reproduced some Veda mantras and slokas from authentic sources for your prayer and meditation on Bhuvaneswari. Hope all these would inspire in you, the celebration of Bhuvaneswari Jayanti, and also start installing a sanctum for her in all Hindu American Temples as she is a Devi venerated by all traditions and presiding deity of Gayatri mantra and Mother of All mothers worshiped as Devi Maa and also make Bhuvaneswari Jayanti for Hindu Americans aSpecial Religious Event Day!
APPENDIX
BHUDEVI MANTRAAH (MANTRAS OF MOTHER EARTH)
The following popular hymn in praise of Mother Earth, consort of Lord Vishnu are
chanted regularly:
Asvakraante rathakraante vishnukraante vasundharaa | sirasaa dhaaritaa devi rakshasva maam pade pade ||
Oh! Earth Goddess, you bear the trampling of horses, chariots and strides of Lord Vishnu. I adore you with reverence by bearing you on my head. Please protect me always.
Rituals like Yajna are done on the Earth. During this act we trample on
the floor constantly. Our scriptures mandate the worship of Mother Earth before
the commencement of the ritual and also take her permission to start the
ritual. Symbolically mud from the ground is worn with reverence on the head at
the time of ablution].
Uddhritaasi varaahena krishnena satabaahunaa || Bhoomir-dhenur-dharanee
loka-dhaarinee ||
You were lifted up by Lord Krishna with hundred arms (meaning many arms), in the form of Varaaha. Your reputation as Bhoomi, Dhenu, Dharanee and the Sustainer of the Worlds is well known.
[When Earth was drowned in waters Lord assumed the form of Divine Boar and lifted the Earth and positioned it in its place with the help its tusks. The Lord did not take only strides on it here but also lifted it up with great strain to save her. Krishna here refers to Narayana, Paramaatman. Krishna means one who delights the Earth. She is also his consort. Probably this mantra inspired Jayadeva to exclude Krishna avataara from Dasaavataaras, who thinks that all avataaras emanated from Lord Krishna, in his form of Jagannaatha]
Mrittike hana me paapam yanmayaa dushkritam kritam | Tvayaa hatena
paapena jeevaami saradah satam || mrittike dehi may pushtim tvayi sarvam
pratishtitam ||
Oh Goddess Earth! Destroy my sin; destroy whatever misdeed I have done.
May I live hundred years after my sins have been destroyed by you! Oh Mother!
Bestow on me all nourishment! Everything is sustained by you.
[All things are produced on Earth, and so she is called Bhoomi; she is
called Dhenu, cow because she is fondled like a cow which was inseparable
companion of our sages; As she is stable and stationed without movement which
is not felt in daily life she is called Dharanee (stable without movement). Our
sages were simple folks who lived in villages with cattle wealth. Their
thoughts therefore focus on cow.]
Gandhadvaaraam duraadharshaam nityapushtaam kareeshineem | Easvareegam sarva- bhootaanam taamihopahvaye sriyam ||
I pray to you to come near us, Oh Goddess! Thou art the ruler of all
entities; thou art known by your odor; thou art invincible by sins; thou art
ever full; and thou art associated with cow-dung and others.
[This Mantra is chanted while applying sandal paste to the deity during
bathing ceremony. Lord is brought in close association with his consort
Bhoodevi (Earth). Gandha (odor) is symbolic of mother Earth as soil is
always associated with odor. Sriyam also means Earth in this context.
This Mantra is from Sreesooktam].
Mantra for meditation
“Om Hrim Shreem Kleem Bhuvaneshrayah Namah"
This mantra has been called as Pranav (OM) in Devi Bhagawat. A devotee who chants this cryptic mantra and methodically performs 'Homa' (burnt offering), feeds the Brahmins with complete faith and devotion himself attains divinity.
Dharadevi Ashtakam - Skanda Puranam
The following is a rare hymn on Goddess Dhara Devi by Arundhati taken from Sri Skanda Puranam, Nagara Khanda and bChapter 169. Goddess Dhara Devi bestows the boon to Arundhati that one who prays to Her with this hymn shall be protected from all illnesses year-long and absolved from all sins.
arundhatyuvāca -
namaste parame brāhmī dhārayoge namo namaḥ|ardhamātre pare śūnye tasyārdhārdhe namo'stu te || 1||
namaste jagadādhāre namaste bhūta-dhāriṇi | namaste padma-patrākṣī namaste kāñcana-dyute || 2||
namaste siṁhayānāḍhye namaste'stu mahābhuje | namaste devatā'bhīṣṭe namaste daitya-sūdinī || 3||
namaste mahiṣākrānta śarīrac chinnamastake | namaste vindhya-nirate sura-māṁsa-bali-priye || 4||
tvaṁ-lakṣmīs tvaṁ-śacī-gaurītvaṁ-siddhis tvaṁ-vibhāvarī|tvaṁ-svāhātvaṁ-svadhātuṣṭis tvaṁ-puṣṭis tvaṁ-sureśvarī|| 5||
śakti-rūpāsi-devī-tvaṁ sṛṣṭi-saṁhāra-kāriṇī | tvayi-dṛṣṭaṁ-idaṁ-sarvaṁ trailokyaṁ sacarācaram || 6||
yathā-tile-sthitaṁ-tailaṁ dadhi-saṁsthaṁ-yathā-ghṛtam | havirbhujaśca kāṣṭhasthaḥ suguptaṁ labhyate na hi || 7||
tathātvaṁapi deveśī sarvagāpi na lakṣyase || 8||
|| phalaśrutiḥ||
devyuvāca -
etad dhārodbhavaṁyo'tra vṛttāntaṁ kīrtayiṣyati |śṛṇuyād vādvija-śreṣṭhāmucyet-pāpād dinodbhavāt || 9||
|| iti śrīskānde-mahāpurāṇe nāgara-khaṇḍe hāṭakeśvara-māhātmye śrīdhārādevī aṣṭakaṁsam pūrṇam ||
Bhuvaneswari Stotram
Ashta sidhi daram Lakshmi, aroopaa, bahu roopini |
Trishoola bhukkaraa devi Pasangusa vidharini || 1 ||
Lakshmi, The goddess who has with her the eight occult powers, She who does not have any form, she who is one with several forms, She who is the Goddess carrying trident and she who carries the rope and the goad.
Khadga kheda dharaa devi, ghantani Chakra
dharini,
Shodasi Tripuraa devi tri rekha Parameswari || 2 ||
The goddess armed with sword and shield, She who has a bell, She who is armed
with Holy wheel, The Goddess who is sixteen years old, She who is the
goddess of three cities, nShe wears three lines and She who is the
greatest Goddess
Kaumari pingalaa chaiva
varini, jagan Mohini,
Durga devi cha triganga namasthe, shivanayaka || 3 ||
She is who is a lass, She who is copper red in colour, She who is
an ocean and she who is bewitcher of the world, She who is goddess Durga,
She who is three Gangas, I salute her who is the Lady of Lord Shiva.
Yevam cha ashta dasa namava, sloke tritaya bhavitham,
Bhakthya pathen nithyam, daridryam nasyathi nischayam || 4 ||
If these eighteen names which are in these three stanzas, Are read daily with devotion, it would definitely destroy one's poverty.
5. Eka kale pathen nithyam dhana dhanya samakulam,
Dvi kale paden nithyam sarva shathru vinasanam || 5 ||
If read daily once it would lead to
earning of wealth and grains, If it is daily read twice m, it would lead to
destruction of all enemies.
Trikale ya paden nithyam sarva roga haram param
Chathu kale paden nithyam prasanna Bhuvaneswari
|| 6 ||
If this is read thrice a day all diseases would be cured,
And if it is read four times a day, Goddess Bhuvaneswari would be pleased,
Ithi Sri Rudra Yamale Iswara Parvathi Samvadhe Sri Bhuvaneswari stotram
sampoornam
Thus, ends the prayer to Bhuvaneswari which occurs in the discussion between
Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathi, which occurs in Sri Rudra Yamalam.
Temples of Bhuvaneswari
While Kerala celebrates Onam and Vamana Jayanti on this holy day of Bhadrapada Trayodasi it also celebrates Bhuvaneswari Jayanti in its famous temple Manakkattu Devi Temple that is positioned in Pallippad in Karthikappalli taluk, Alappuzha district in the state of Kerala, India. The temple is dedicated to Goddess Bhuvaneswari and so also in Tripura and many places throughout India. There is a modern temple in Mysore located in Bhuvaneswari Farms in Mysore where I was born. Though popular as consort of Vishnu in all temples whatever be the main deity of Vishnu-form it is strange there is lukewarm attitude in he worship! Her Avatar is popular as Andal in Tamil Nadu! Realizing exclusive glorification of Siva alone as Bhuvaneswar neglecting Bhuwaneswari, Odisha recently has raised a temple in Bhuvaneshwar accommodating other deities.
This Temple is built in the year 1997 by inheritance of DL colony on the auspicious day of Sri Panchami. The presiding deities are Maa Bhuvaneswari, Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra, Subhadra, Lord Rameshwara and Lord Baleshwara.
In North America, Bhuvaneshwari is worshipped at Parashakthi Temple in Pontiac, Michigan.
There are several temples dedicated to Bhuvaneshwari across India. In South India most of the Srividhya tradition upasakas worship her. In Kerala she is also popular among Shaktas. A Shakti Peetha is located in Nainativu (Manipallavam) – off the shore of the Jaffna Peninsula in Northern Sri Lanka.She is worshipped as the patron goddess of Bhubaneswar and by Utkala Brahmins of Odisha. A Natmandir dedicated to the goddess can be found in Hatkhola Chandannagar where the goddess is worshipped annually for a month in the month of Sravan. Here the image of the goddess is built in traditional Bengali style flanked by Shiva and other gods like Dura during Dussehra.
Another temple dedicated to Bhuvaneshwari is located in Pudukkottai, Tamil Nadu. A small shrine is also dedicated to her inside Jagannath Temple, Puri and Devi Subhadra is worshipped as Bhuvaneshwari.
The Samaleswari shrine and Cuttack Chandi Temple in Odisha two are dedicated to her.
The oldest temple of Maa Bhuvaneshwari devi is located at Gunjarat Visnagar, dist: Mehsana, North Gujarat, where the function of Mataji’s palli held on the auspicious occasion ( Aatham of Navratri).
A dedicated temple of Bhuvaneshwari Devi is located at Gondal in Gujarat which was established in 1946.
Nochipra Bhagavathy-Kshetram temple located at Westhill, Calicut in Kerala is a 900+ years old temple where the main deity is Bhuvaneshwari Amma, the divine mother. Bhuvana Iśwari, meaning "Goddess of the worlds" or "Queen of the universe" where the worlds are the tri-bhuvana or three regions of bhūḥ (earth), bhuvaḥ (atmosphere) and svaḥ (heavens). In this most loved form Bhuvaneshwari Amma becomes the provider and grants everything in abundance to her devotees and is capable of turning any situations per her wishes.
The Kamakhya Temple houses a Bhuvaneshwari shrine.
Bhuvaneshvari Amma is also known to be the devate of Karnataka or the kannadamma and the Bhuvaneshvari temple at Historical city of Badami is one of the oldest temple.
There is a temple dedicated to Bhubaneshwari Devi, situated in the small town of Jamshedpur, at a place called Telco. Locals believe the temple to be quite powerful, and the temple sees devotees making promises of sarees to the Goddess, in return for granting their prayers. A powerful temple of Bhuvaneshwari Amma is situated in Choorakkodu, Adoor near Vellakulangara.
In Northern India, Mathura the city of Krishna also has a centuries-old "Bhuvneshwari MahaVidhya" temple just opposite to Krishna Janmbhoomi.
There is a temple dedicated to Bhubaneshwari Devi, situated at the bank of on the river Krishna at Bhilawadi . One more Temple in Maharashtra, Shri kshetra Audumber, Sangli district.
In Kullu district of Himachal Pradesh, there is a dedicated temple to devi Bhuvneshwari where she is known as Mata Bhuvneshwari Jagannathi and fairs are held there in respect to the deity twice a year.
At Lingaraj Temple in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, there is a small temple dedicated to Maa Bhuvaneshwari.
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