Vasundhara, also known as Bhumidevi, is revered in Hinduism as the Goddess of Earth, abundance, fertility, and nourishment. She is seen as a form of Lakshmi, the consort of Lord Vishnu. Praying to Vasundhara involves expressing gratitude for the Earth's resources and seeking blessings for prosperity, health, and harmony. Here's a detailed guide on how to perform a simple prayer and puja for Vasundhara, along with some relevant mantras and rare facts.
1. Ideal Time for Worship
The best time to worship Vasundhara is on Fridays, as Fridays are auspicious for worshipping goddesses like Lakshmi and Bhumidevi. Additionally, the Prithvi Shanti Puja (Earth appeasement) is performed on Prithvi Tithi during certain planetary alignments, and on days of Vrishabha Sankranti or Earth Day.
2. Preparing for the Vasundhara Puja
To begin your worship of Vasundhara, you should first gather the necessary items for a simple puja:
- A clean place to perform the puja.
- A picture or idol of Vasundhara (or Bhumidevi).
- Fresh flowers, preferably Lotus or Tulsi.
- Fruits or food offerings.
- Sandalwood paste, incense sticks, and a diya (oil lamp).
- Yellow or green cloth (these colors represent the fertility of the Earth).
- Pure water for offering (preferably from a sacred river or clean source).
3. Puja Steps for Vasundhara
Step 1: Purification
- Begin by purifying yourself and the space. Take a bath and wear clean, traditional clothes.
- Sprinkle Ganga Jal or holy water around the puja area for purification.
Step 2: Lighting the Lamp
- Light a diya (lamp) with ghee or oil and place it before the image or idol of Vasundhara.
- Light incense sticks and offer them to the deity.
Step 3: Offering Flowers and Fruits
- Offer flowers and fruits while chanting mantras (see below). Lotus flowers are considered particularly auspicious as they represent purity and prosperity.
- Arrange the fruits and any food offerings neatly before the goddess.
Step 4: Prayers and Mantras
Begin with a simple prayer, invoking the goddess:
"Om Vasundharaye Namah"
- This is a simple salutation mantra that translates to "Salutations to Mother Earth."
You can also chant this traditional mantra, which calls upon her protective and nurturing qualities:
"Samudra Vasane Devi, Parvata Stana Mandale, Vishnupatni Namastubhyam, Padasparsham Kshamasva Me"
- Meaning: "O Goddess, who has the ocean as her garments, the mountains as her bosom, O consort of Lord Vishnu, I bow to you. Please forgive me for touching you with my feet."
Step 5: Offering Water
- Offer water to the Earth in gratitude, symbolizing respect for the rivers, lakes, and oceans that sustain life.
Step 6: Meditation and Gratitude
- Sit in a meditative posture, close your eyes, and think about the various blessings provided by the Earth: food, shelter, water, and the air we breathe.
- You may meditate on the interconnectedness of life and the cycles of nature that Bhumidevi (Earth Goddess) represents.
Step 7: Aarti
- Conclude the puja by performing an aarti (a circular waving of a flame or light before the deity). Chant prayers or devotional songs during the aarti.
- After the aarti, offer the fruits and food to others as prasad.
4. Ideal Gods or Goddesses to Worship Alongside Vasundhara
Vishnu: As Vasundhara is considered an aspect of Lakshmi, the consort of Vishnu, it is auspicious to also worship Vishnu along with her. Vishnu represents preservation and protection of the Earth.
Lakshmi: Since Vasundhara is an embodiment of Lakshmi, Goddess of wealth and prosperity, praying to both together enhances blessings of abundance and material prosperity.
Ganesha: Invoking Lord Ganesha, the remover of obstacles, before starting any puja is ideal to ensure that the worship proceeds smoothly without obstacles.
5. Mantras for Vasundhara
Here are some additional mantras you can recite while praying to Vasundhara:
Om Prithviyai Namah
- Meaning: Salutations to the Goddess of Earth.
- This mantra invokes Bhumidevi for protection and well-being of all living beings on Earth.
Om Vasundharayai Vidmahe Bhutadhatrayai Dhimahi Tanno Dhara Prachodayat
- Meaning: "We meditate on the giver of life, the mother of all beings; may Vasundhara inspire and guide us."
- A powerful mantra for meditative worship and to express gratitude to the Earth.
6. Rare Facts About Vasundhara (Bhumidevi)
Form of Lakshmi: Vasundhara is considered a form of Lakshmi, making her worship significant in prosperity rituals.
Role in the Ramayana: In the Ramayana, Sita, the wife of Lord Rama, is considered an incarnation of Bhumidevi. After completing her earthly duties, she returns to her mother, the Earth, signifying the deep connection between Bhumidevi and fertility, motherhood, and righteousness.
Nurturer of Life: Vasundhara is not only the provider of material resources but also a symbol of forgiveness. Worshiping her encourages living in harmony with nature and caring for the environment.
Forgiveness for Stepping on Her: In Hindu tradition, stepping on Earth with reverence is important. People often apologize for stepping on the Earth by reciting the mantra "Samudra Vasane Devi" mentioned earlier.
7. Relevant Facts and Environmental Significance
Environmental Worship: Worshipping Vasundhara also has a spiritual connection to respecting nature and the environment. It is believed that human activities that harm the Earth (like deforestation or pollution) anger Bhumidevi. Hence, ecological consciousness and eco-friendly practices can be seen as extensions of her worship.
Vasundhara Puja During Agriculture: Farmers in India often invoke Vasundhara before planting crops, as a way of showing respect to the Earth and seeking blessings for a good harvest.
Tied to Vastu Shastra: Vasundhara worship is deeply connected to Vastu Shastra, the traditional Indian architectural system that emphasizes harmony between human dwellings and the Earth. Prayers to Vasundhara are often performed before laying the foundation of a house.
Praying to Vasundhara involves recognizing her as the provider of life and sustenance. Simple rituals like offering flowers, fruits, and water in gratitude go a long way in seeking her blessings for prosperity, health, and protection of the environment. Through her worship, we express our respect for the Earth and everything it provides, reinforcing the deep connection between humans and nature.