Prithvi (Earth)
As Prithvi Devi, she is one of two wives of Lord Vishnu, His other wife being Lakshmi Devi (Sridevi). In fact, Prithvi is another form of Laxmi. As Prithvi Mata, "Mother Earth", she contrasts with Dyaus Pita, who is "Father Sky". In the Rigveda, Earth and Sky are frequently addressed in the dual, which may indicate the idea of two complementary half-shells.
Prithvi is the wife of Dyaus Pita ('Father Dyaus'), and the widespread belief that these two were originally a single deity appears to be mistaken. (See Dyavaprthivi). Prithvi is known to be the mother of Indra and Agni. When Lord Indra killed Dyaus Pita, she applauded and married him.
Prithvi, or Mother Bhumi, is associated with the cow. Prithu, an incarnation of Vishnu, milked her in the cow's form to get food from her. Prithvi also appears in Early Buddhism, where she is mentioned in the Pali Canon, dispelling the temptation figure Mara by attesting to Gautama Buddha's worthiness to attain enlightenment. In art, she is typically represented as a woman with four arms and a green complexion.
Prithvi Sukta (Bhumi Sukta) is a celebrated hymn of the Atharva Veda (AVS 12.1), which consists of 63 verses dedicated to Prthivi (the Earth). An excerpt follows:
Earth in which lie the sea, the river and other waters,
Prithvi is the wife of Dyaus Pita ('Father Dyaus'), and the widespread belief that these two were originally a single deity appears to be mistaken. (See Dyavaprthivi). Prithvi is known to be the mother of Indra and Agni. When Lord Indra killed Dyaus Pita, she applauded and married him.
Prithvi, or Mother Bhumi, is associated with the cow. Prithu, an incarnation of Vishnu, milked her in the cow's form to get food from her. Prithvi also appears in Early Buddhism, where she is mentioned in the Pali Canon, dispelling the temptation figure Mara by attesting to Gautama Buddha's worthiness to attain enlightenment. In art, she is typically represented as a woman with four arms and a green complexion.
Prithvi Sukta (Bhumi Sukta) is a celebrated hymn of the Atharva Veda (AVS 12.1), which consists of 63 verses dedicated to Prthivi (the Earth). An excerpt follows:
Earth in which lie the sea, the river and other waters,
in which food and cornfields have come to be,
in which lives all that breathes and that moves,
May she confer on us the finest of her yield.
Earth, in which the waters, common to all,
moving on all sides, flow unfailingly, day and night,
may she pour on us milk in many streams,
and endow us with luster.
May those born of thee, O Earth,
be for our welfare, free from sickness and waste.
Wakeful through a long life, we shall become
bearers of tribute to thee.
Earth, my mother, set me securely with bliss
in full accord with heaven,
O wise one,
uphold me in grace and splendor.
Mother Bhumi is also understood to be the consort of Lord Varaha. The demon Narakasura, whose killing by Krishna is celebrated as the festival of Diwali, is Bhumi Devi's son. She is also the mother of Sita, so it is not surprising that baby Sita was found in a plowed field. According to the Uttara-Kanda, when Sita finally leaves her husband Rama, she returns to Bhumi.
Several female deities are believed to have had births similar to Sita. Alamelu Thayar of Tiruchendur, for example, was said to have been found in a plowed field by Akasa Raja. Andal from Srivilliputtur in Tamil Nadu was found under a Tulasi plant by Perialvar.
Iconography
Mother Bhumi is often depicted in votive statuary, seated on a square platform that rests on the back of four elephants, who represent the four corners of the world. When depicted with four arms, the paraphernalia she holds is a pomegranate, a water vessel, a bowl containing healing herbs, and another containing vegetable. . When shown with two arms, she holds a blue lotus known as Komud or Uttpal, the night lotus, in the right hand. [4] The left hand may be in the Abhaya Mudra (fearlessness), or the Lolahasta Mudra, which is an aesthetic pose meant to mimic the tail of a cow.
Mother Bhumi is also understood to be the consort of Lord Varaha. The demon Narakasura, whose killing by Krishna is celebrated as the festival of Diwali, is Bhumi Devi's son. She is also the mother of Sita, so it is not surprising that baby Sita was found in a plowed field. According to the Uttara-Kanda, when Sita finally leaves her husband Rama, she returns to Bhumi.
Several female deities are believed to have had births similar to Sita. Alamelu Thayar of Tiruchendur, for example, was said to have been found in a plowed field by Akasa Raja. Andal from Srivilliputtur in Tamil Nadu was found under a Tulasi plant by Perialvar.
Iconography
Mother Bhumi is often depicted in votive statuary, seated on a square platform that rests on the back of four elephants, who represent the four corners of the world. When depicted with four arms, the paraphernalia she holds is a pomegranate, a water vessel, a bowl containing healing herbs, and another containing vegetable. . When shown with two arms, she holds a blue lotus known as Komud or Uttpal, the night lotus, in the right hand. [4] The left hand may be in the Abhaya Mudra (fearlessness), or the Lolahasta Mudra, which is an aesthetic pose meant to mimic the tail of a cow.
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