Bhu Stuti

Sri D. Ramaswamy Ayyangar

After Sri Stuti comes Bhu Stuti, a hymn in praise of Mother Earth, who is

also a Consort of the Lord, and who has a Vedic suktam (Bhu Sukta) in

her praise, even as Sri has Sri Suktam. This stotra consists of 33 slokas

the last of which (33) incorporates the words of the Sruti, “asya-IsAnA

jagato vishnu-patnI”, though in a different order. (Vide also sloka 8 of Sri

Stuti).

Bhumi Devi is pictured to us as the Consort of Varaha, very fondly

embraced by Him while rescuing Her from the bottom of the sea. Sloka

18 celebrates the coronation (abhisheka) of Bhu Devi perched on the

shoulder of Lord Varaha, from where She is said to rule over the world.

In places, this Stotra describes the Lord’s love for Bhu Devi as greater

than that for Sri Devi. If He gave Sri a place on His chest, He sports with

Bhu Devi by placing Her on His head (10). This stotra abounds in slesha

and utpreksha. All the names by which Earth is referred to are

mentioned (6). Great emphasis is of course laid on the quality of kshama

or forbearance, which Bhu Devi is the embodiment of. The penultimate

sloka (32) is a fine pen-picture of Bhu Devi reclining on the left arm of

the Lord Who holds Her soft feet in the palm of His right hand. May that

Bhu Devi always confer auspiciousness on me is the prayer contained

therein.