Prithvi sukta is a hymn to Mother Earth. The word prithvi is derived from the root ‘prath’, meaning to expand or to extend. It is the feminine form of the noun ‘prithu’, which means vast, broad, expansive etc. Nirukta (I.13) defines prithvi as – prathanat prithvi. Nighantu (I.1) gives 21 and Amarakosha (II.2.1) gives 28 synonyms of prithvi. There is only one sukta in Rig Veda (V.84) addressed to prithvi. In this sukta, the nature and function of prithvi and antariksha (dyu) are described. Bhumi Sukta or prithvi sukta of Atharva Veda (XII.1) depicts the importance, nature and remarkable features of the universal mother Prithvi – considered as a devi, the dispenser of every sort of good and one of the five great elements of Hindu tradition. The hymn presents a striking cosmogonic and anthropological sequence. The very first mantra of the sukta (XII.1) states – the Earth sustains truth, cosmic order, initiation, penance, Brahman and sacrifice. It is said that the Earth is composed of