Pṛthvī Stotra
The Pṛthvī Stotra is the stotra that Bhagavān Vishṇu sang in his form as Varāha (the divine boar) to Bhūdevī, the devī of the earth. He sang it after he had lifted her out of the waters at the time of pralaya (the dissolution). It is found in the Prakṛti Khaṇḍa of the Brahma Vaivarta Purāṇa, chapter 8.
The stotra praises the earth under many names. Its phalaśruti gives fruit above all to those who work with land, farming, building and rule.
The setting
In the eighth chapter of the Prakṛti Khaṇḍa, the ṛshi Nārada asks what happens to the earth at the time of pralaya.
When the waters of pralaya rise and the earth is under them, Bhagavān Vishṇu takes the form of the mighty Varāha. He dives into the waters, lifts the earth on his tusks and puts her back in her place. Then he praises her with this stotra. In this account Bhagavān Vishṇu, the Purusha, saves Prakṛti, who has taken the form of the earth, and honours her with praise in thanks and respect. (Brahma Vaivarta Purāṇa, Prakṛti Khaṇḍa, chapter 8)
The names of Bhūdevī
Bhagavān Vishṇu as Varāha praises Bhūdevī by these names.
- Jayā: the victorious one
- Vijayā: the ever-triumphant one
- Viśvambharā: she who bears the whole universe
- Sarvayajñamayī: she who is the substance of all yajñas
- Sarvajñā: the all-knowing one
- Vasudharā: she who holds all wealth (vasu)
(Brahma Vaivarta Purāṇa, Prakṛti Khaṇḍa, chapter 8)
The earth as Prakṛti
The stotra shows that the earth is a living devī and a form of Mūla Prakṛti. When Bhagavān Vishṇu as Varāha praises her, the Purusha honours Prakṛti, who has taken the form of the ground on which all life rests. The Brahma Vaivarta Purāṇa tells the Varāha episode as a rescue and a meeting again, and the stotra that follows is the stotra of that meeting. (Brahma Vaivarta Purāṇa, Prakṛti Khaṇḍa, chapter 8)
The phalaśruti
The Prakṛti Khaṇḍa gives this stotra above all for those who face troubles about the earth. It lists these results.
- Land disputes. Disputes that seem to have no end are settled when the stotra is recited with devotion. Bhūdevī herself is moved to bring justice to those who honour her.
- Building. People who build on the earth, such as homes, temples, water tanks and works for the community, and who recite this stotra find that the work goes smoothly under the protection of Bhūdevī.
- Farmers. Farmers who recite this stotra have good harvests and are kept safe from natural disasters that destroy crops.
- Kings and rulers. Kings who recite this stotra gain the grace of Bhūdevī, win vijaya (victory) over their enemies and keep their lands well ruled.
- Peace. Anyone who praises the earth in this way grows in śānti (peace), a steady calm that comes from being close to the patient earth who bears all.
(Brahma Vaivarta Purāṇa, Prakṛti Khaṇḍa, chapter 8)
Sources
- Brahma Vaivarta Purāṇa, Prakṛti Khaṇḍa, chapter 8