Goddess Bhuwaneshwari, mistress of the entire three worlds.

The cosmic queen, creator of five basic elements, heaven, hades and world.

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Maa Bhuvaneswari, fourth in Dus Mahavidya

"Maa-Bhuvaneshvari" as the Embodiment of entire Universe

The prime nature, Bhuwaneswari

She, who is the prime nature called, Bhuvaneswari, Kali and Gopal Sundari. Her name 'Bhuwaneswari' is a compound of two words: one is 'Bhuvan' and the other is 'Iswari'. Bhuvan or Tri-Bhuvan are the three regions of entire Universe comprising the Bhuḥ (earth), Bhuvah (atmosphere) and Svah (heaven) or World, Heaven and Hades. And the meaning of Ishwari is the glorious queen or governess of the three worlds. She is the ruling power of the entire Universe, as a divine mother, who give birth and nourish. She has created or built all the existing things in the Universe. She has built Swarga (Heaven), Prithvi (Earth) and Paatal (Hades), the entire Universe rest on and arise from her. In Hinduism, every thing in this world is made up with five basic "Bhutas" or elements known as Pancha-Tatva (Five-Elements) and according to this, five physical scene of a human being is also made by her. These are :
1. Prithvi or "Soil", Smell
2. Jal or "Water" Taste
3. Agni or "Fire", Sight
4. Vayu or "Air", touch
5. Akash or "Sky", Sound

She is associated with with physical world, she created and manifest herself with, basic elements called 'Pancha-Tatva', Gods, Demons, Vedas, Nature, Ocean, Mountain etc although all living and non living things. everything in the Universe. She is mild in nature, has a beautiful smiling face with three eyes and is enriched with rising sunlight or golden complexion. Seven crores of mantras (a sentence with holy words dedicated to deity) have been composed to worship her, through out day and night. She is also known by the name of Prapancheswari (mistress of the five fold World). She has the capability or power to change the Universe according to her own will. Hindu mythology praises about her as the "Mul Prakirti" (Prime Nature). She is who killed demon Durgamasura and famous in the name of Durga.

Different names of Goddess Bhuwaneswari

She is the dear to Lord Shiva, In this form of Bhuwaneswari, she is always with him. She nourish the whole world in different ways. She is soft in nature with a complexion of a rising sun. She is also known as the name of Lalita! Lord Shiva distinguished, Lalita name of Adhya-Shakti in two forms, one is Shri-Vidya Lalita, who is Tripur-Sundari or Shodasi, other is Bhuwaneswari Lalita, Sada-Shiva is a Bhairav of her. Her famous temple, which recognized as the 51-Shakti-Peeth, where the anklet of Sati (first wife of Lord Shiva) had fallen, is in Nainaativu, Nallur, in Shri Lanka. She is the giver, of the power to rule in the entire World, to become King or Ruler, her worship is significant.

She is also famous with other names are below :
1. Mul Prakiti, she is symbolized as prime is Nature or physical World.
2. Sarveswari or Sarvesi, she is mistress of world and she is existing in everywhere in the Universe.
3. Sarvarupa, she is who, whose form is all or she is existing in every element in the Universe.
4. Viswarupa, she is who, whose form is the World.
5. Jagan-Mata, who is the mother of the World.
6. Jagat-Dhatri, she holds the entire World.

Physical appearance of Goddess Bhuwaneswari

She has a complexion of a rising Sun or vermilion, she has three eyes known as "Trinetra" in Hindi and all are open. Her three eyes represent "Ichcha" (Wish), Kriya (work) and Janana Shakti (Reproductive power), She wears a crown with sparkling gems on her head and crescent moon on her forehead. She has a charming smiling face. Her breasts are full and firm, she holds a Sword, Bow, Arrows, Scissor, Spear, Club, Disc, Conch, Red lotus, Bowl of gems and jewels, Noose, rident, Mace, Garland,shows gestures of blessing known as Abhay-Mudra (assurance gesture) and Varad-Mudra (boon-conferring gestures), in her twenty hands. As she is seated on the throne of Lotus, she appears very peaceful and gentle in her looks, adorned with different colors of pearl jewelry.

There is a believe associated with Bhuwaneswari, in Hinduism. In her physical appearance, she is seated on lotus throne; it’s symbolized she is the creator of the Universe. The Lotus in her hand is symbolized as her beauty and charming as lotus looks very beautiful. The Moon disc, which she holds in her forehead symbolizes the growth and vital-force. Her body and full, protruding shaped breasts symbolize her nurturing, maternal nature. The nose which she holds in right hand is symbolize of her control in the Universe. With her hook she indicates to control over mind, beyond of limitation. Her three eyes symbolized, the total knowledge of all the Universe.

Bhuwaneswari, The Mistress of the World

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Myth of Bhuwaneswari's origin

In the beginning the Surya (the Sun) appeared only in heaven. The Sages prayed and offered Soma (a type of sacred plant) to Sun, for the creation of the world. The Sun created the three Worlds called Tri-Loka or Tri-Bhuvan. Goddess Sodashi or Tripur-Sundari was the main Shakti (power) at that time, through whom the Sun created the three worlds. Goddess Sodashi directed and suggested appropriate motive and empowered Surya or the Sun to create these three Worlds. In this form of motive or inspiration she came to be known as "Bhuwanesvari" or the "Mistress of the World". She is particularly associated with this visible, ever-growing Universe. With her intermediary efforts Surya or the Sun was able to create the Universe and as for her distinctive character, she is identified with the Maha-Bhutas (Basic Physical elements from which every one in Universe is created) and Prakriti (Nature of the Physical World). She is also known as Mahamaya and Sarvesi (Mistress of the entire Universe).

We found her 108 names in Rudra-Yamla (a text-book dedicated to the Rudra, which is an incarnation of Lord Shiva as god of destruction and anger) where, her five names is related with each elements of basic five or "Pancha-Bhuta". According to praise in Rudra-Yamla she is the mother of Tri-Devas, namely, Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh and is the cause of their works. She has the absolute power that caused the great cosmic dissolution or Maha-Pralay.

According to Devi-Bhagwat Puran (a text-book dedicated to different incarnations of Adhya-Shakti), the Universe rests on Bhuwaneswari. Universe starts or arises with her, melts with her and its existence is identified with her, as also identified with Nature or "Prakriti". The Universe emerges entangled with her, as a spider emerges with it's web or the fire emerges with spark. She directly upholds everything in existence.

According to Srimad Devi Bhagwat Purana, when Janmejaya enquired sage Vyas about the creation of the universe, as well as about the relationship between Lord Brahma, Vishnu, Shankar and the eternally powerful Goddess Amba, sage Vyas narrated in the following manner.

Once upon a time, the similar questions also arose in the mind of sage Vyas, and in order to get a satisfactory answer, he went to sage Narada. Narada was also pondering over such thoughts, that, who might be the creator of this entire universe. As an afterthought, he went to the Brahma lok (residence place of Lord Brahma and his alies) to seek answer to all the questions from his father, Lord Brahma.

Lord Brahma replied that, in the ancient times, when there was a huge flood, the creation of Pancha Mahabhuta (the five basic elements) took place, and Lord Brahma also appeared from a lotus. There was only water all around, nothing else was in existence, the sun, the moon, mountains etc. completely ceased to exist. Lord Brahma, seated on the lotus petals, used to roam around the universe. He could not guess how his creation alone could be possible, in the middle of nowhere. He kept on speculating about who could have brought him into existence. Then, he decided that he would take a look at the base of the Lotus flower upon which he was seated, and in this way, he might be able to find the land of his origin. So he started trying to descend down the water and to reach the origin, but failed to do so. Soon, there was an oracle, that if he could meditate hard, he would be successful in reaching the roots of the lotus. Listening to this, Lord Brahma, being seated on the lotus, started meditating for thousands of years. After some time, there was once again another oracle that he should start the work of creation. But Lord Brahma could not realise what was he supposed to create and how. While he was pondering over such thoughts, all of a sudden, two deadly demons, named Madhu and Kaitava appeared in front of him to scare Lord Brahma. They were so eager to engage into a battle with him. Under such circumstances, Lord Brahma took the help of the lotus stalk and plunged in the endless water. There he saw a person, who was handsome beyond description, his complexion was as dark as the dense clouds, he was bearing the Sankha (conch shell),  Chakra (the wheel), Gadaa (the club) and a lotus in his four hands respectively, he was in a half-lying posture resting on Sheshnag. Lord Brahma recognised him as Lord Vishnu, and he started to worship Adi Shakti (the eternal power) in order to seek her help to get rid of any danger. Consequently, Adi Shakti Mahamaya, who was in a dormant state so far, detached herself from the body of Lord Vishnu, and adorned with divine jewelry, costume, and accessories, made an appearance in the sky. Following this, Lord Vishnu gave up his sleep and engaged himself in a battle with the demons Madhu and Kaitava, which lasted for around five thousand years. Finally, by the grace of Adhya Shakti, he placed the heads of the demons on his thigh and killed them. At that time, Lord Shiva, symbolising destruction, was also present in that place.

After this incident, Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu, and Shankar glorified Goddess Adi Shakti, which gladdened her so much. She eventually assigned the duties of creation to Lord Brahma, of rearing to Lord Vishnu, and of destruction to Lord Shankar respectively. Once this was over, Lord Brahma expressed his views that the entire universe was engulfed in water, and hence, the vices n virtues, the five eternal theories, the sense organs, the philosophical truths, nothing was in existence, and even the three gods were also void of their power. Listening to this, the Goddess smiled and prepared an aircraft for them to fly. The three gods boarded the aircraft to witness something miraculous and at once, the aircraft began to soar high up the sky.

The divine aircraft, flying at the speed of human mind, soon reached a place, where there was no flood water to be seen. Seeing this, the gods were astonished. They could also spot human beings, forests and gardens, birds and animals of many varieties, valleys and mountains, rivers and creeks etc. in that beautiful place. They kept wondering whether they had reached the heaven. Within a few moments, the aircraft made a flight again and in almost no time, reached a place, where there was the Airavat (the elephant of Indra), Menaka and other Apsaras (nymphs) could be seen dancing, hundreds of Gandharvas, Vidhyadhars, and Yakshas were roaming around, and even god Indra could be spotted with his wife Sachi. Many of the other gods, namely, Kuber, Varun, Yama, Surya, Agni, were also present there. Soon after, the aircraft, carrying the three gods, flew again, and advanced towards the Brahma lok. They were astonished to find Lord Brahma in that place, surrounded and being worshipped by all the gods. Seeing this, Lord Vishnu and Shankara enquired Brahma about the identity of this other Brahma. Lord Brahma could not give any satisfactory answer; he himself was confused as he considered himself to be the real Lord Brahma. Afterwards, the aircraft reached Mount Kailash, where they could see Lord Shankara, seated on a ox, bearing a half-moon on his forehead, and possessing five heads and ten hands as well. He wore a tiger hide and his sons Ganesha and Kartika were present along with him as his bodyguards. The amazement of the three gods knew no bounds. Finally, the aircraft went to the Baikuntha lok, where Lord Vishnu used to reside. In that place, Lord Vishnu could be found sitting on the back of the king of birds, Garuda, he was dark complexioned, possessing four hands and adorned with divine ornaments. Seeing all the three gods themselves in some other formations, Lord Vishnu, Lord Brahma and Lord Shankara remained speechless and kept looking at each other. The aircraft again started flying high and came near the coast of an ocean. The place was incredibly beautiful, there were many flower gardens, and amidst them, spruced up in precious ornaments, was a glorious woman, sitting on a jewel crafted royal bed.

The Goddess was wearing a garland made of red flowers and her body was covered with red garments. She was carrying different weapons in her hands and also made a gesture of assurance through her palm. In this way, Goddess Bhuvaneshwari, who was as beautiful and glowing as thousand rising suns, made herself prominent in all the three parts of the universe. In reality, Adi Shakti, in her reincarnation as Goddess Bhuvaneshwari, creates as well as exerts control over the entire universe.

The goddess was dolled up in all kinds of adornments and was dressed in magnificent clothing. She bore a gentle smile on her face. The three gods were in complete astonishment witnessing this ethereal beauty of goddess Bhuvaneshwari, and they kept wondering who this graceful lady was. They were thinking that she was neither an apsara (nymph), nor a gandharvi, nor was she related to any of the gods. They were quite anxious about her real identity. At that point of time, Lord Vishnu expressed his views about this graceful ever-smiling lady. He suggested that she must be goddess Jagadamba, also renowned as Mahamaya, who is the sole reason for the origin and smooth functioning of the world all around us. She must be the Mahavidya, the eternal symbol of the primal nature, she is the root cause of all the living and non-living beings, and in order to know this Yogmaya Mahashakti (the super power who can cast miraculous spells) in a detailed manner, one must follow the Yoga Marg (the way of incantation). The goddess Bhagwati Mahamaya, who reflects the origin of the Mother Nature, syncs herself with the ultimate and creates the universe. Thus she presents it to the Paramatma (the Eternal Soul). Subsequently, the three gods approached the feet of the goddess in order to praise her. As soon as they got off the aircraft and reached near the goddess, she cast her magic spell and turned each one of them into a female form. They also got adorned with beautiful ornaments and lady-like garments. When Lord Brahma, Vishnu and Shankar reached near the goddess, they found innumerable females were busy in serving the goddess to make her comfortable. In addition to this, the three gods were also blessed to view the scenes from all around the universe, including the movable and immovable articles, all the gods, Lord Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva, the oceans, the mountains, the rivers, the elves, the Vasus, the Ashwinikumaras, the birds and animals, the demons etc. through the fingernail of the goddess. Even more than this, all the Lokas (residences of the gods), such as Baikunth (residence of Lord Vishnu), Brahmalok (residence of Lord Brahma), Swarg (heaven), the earth and so on could also be seen in her fingernails. After witnessing all this vastness, the three gods clearly understood that she was the Mother of the entire universe and hence she possesses everything to herself.