Bhūmi

Bhūmi, Bhudevi, Bhūmī-Devī is the Hindu goddess representing Mother Earth. She is known by various names such as Bhuma-Devi, Bhuvati, Bhuvaani, Bhuvaneshwari, Avni, Prithvi, Varahi, Dharti, Dhaatri, Dharani, Vasudha, Vasundhara, Vaishnavi, Kashyapi, Urvi, Ira, Mahi, Ela, Vasumati, Dhanshika, Hema and Hiranmaya. She is depicted as seated on a platform which rests on the back of four elephants, representing the four directions of the world. She is usually depicted with four arms, respectively holding a pomegranate, a water vessel, a bowl containing healing herbs, and another bowl containing vegetables.[1] She is also sometimes depicted with two hands, the right hand holding a blue lotus known as Kumuda or Utpala, the night lotus, while the left hand may be in the Abhayamudra, the fearlessness or the Lolahasta Mudra, which is an aesthetic pose meant to mimic the tail of a horse.[2][3]

Bhūmi
The goddess of Earth
Member of The Pancha Bhoota
Sculpture of Bhūmi
Other namesPrithvi
AffiliationDevi

Pancha Bhoota
AbodeVishnuloka/Vaikuntha, Dyuloka
PlanetEarth
MantraOm Bhumyai namah
MountCow, Elephant
Personal information
ConsortVaraha
ChildrenSita, Narakasura, Mangala,
Equivalents
Greek equivalentGaia
Roman equivalentTellus Mater
Manipuri equivalentLeimarel Sidabi

She is the consort of the boar god Varaha, an avatar of Vishnu.[4]

References

  1. T.A.G. Rao (1997). Elements of Hindu Iconography. Motilal Banarsidass. ISBN 81-208-0876-2.
  2. Margaret Stutley (2003). The Illustrated Dictionary of Hindu Iconography. Munshiram Manoharlal Publishers. p. 82. ISBN 81-215-1087-2.
  3. A. G. Mitchell; Victoria and Albert Museum (1982). Hindu gods and goddesses. United Kingdom: Her Majesty's Stationery Office. p. 8.
  4. "Killing of Narakasura".
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