ಭೂಮಿ ಸೂಕ್ತಮ್

Salutations to mother earth! the truth (satyam), the cosmic divine law (ritam), the spiritual passion manifested in mighty initiations, penances and self dedications to the search of brahman (by the sages); these have sustained the mother earth for ages (who in turn have supported these in her bosom), she, who is to us the consort of the past and the future (being its witness), may she expand our inner life in this world towards the cosmic life (through her purity and vastness).

Salutations to mother earth! who extends unimpeded freedom (both outer and inner) to human beings through her mountains, slopes and plains, she bears many plants and medicinal herbs of various potencies; may she extend her riches to us (and make us healthy).

Salutations to mother earth! in her is woven together ocean and river waters; in her is contained food which she manifests when ploughed, in her indeed is alive all lives; may she bestow us with that life.

Salutations to mother earth! in her resides the four directions of the world; in her is contained food which she manifests when ploughed, she sustains the various lives living in her; may she, the mother earth, bestow on us the ray of life present even in food.

Salutations to mother earth! in her our forefathers lived and performed (their activities) in earlier times; in her the devas (the good forces) overturned the asuras (the evil forces) (since earlier times), in her lived the cows, horses, birds (and other animals in earlier times); may she, the mother earth, bestow on us prosperity and splendour.

Salutations to mother earth! she is Vishwambhara (all-bearing), she is Vasudhaa (producer of all wealth), she is Pratishtha (foundation on which we live), she is Hiranyavaksha (of golden bosom) and the dwelling place of the world, she holds the Vaishvanara (the universal fire) within her, the fire which empowers Indra and Rishabha; may the mother earth bestow on us (the splendour of that fire and make us strong).

Salutations to mother earth! her, the devas protect sleeplessly with vigilence, she who is the all-giving mother earth, may she milk for us that delightful honey which gives the great splendour (of divinity).

Salutations to mother earth! sitting above sea as well as lying immersed in its waters (in meditation), the sages pursued her by supernatural powers (i.e. tried to understand her real nature by yogic powers), (they found that) the heart of mother earth lies in the highest vyoman (spiritual sky) enveloped by truth and immortality, may she, the mother earth, bestow her splendorous vigour on us and our great kingdom.

Salutations to mother earth! in her the waters flow on all sides day and night with vigilence (i.e. unceasingly), may she, the mother earth give us the milk of her abundant streams, and moisten us with its splendour (present in water).

Salutations to mother earth! her, the aswins (divine physicians) have measured out (i.e. filled her with herbs and healing qualities), in her Vishnu strode (imparting her with divine qualities), Indra, the husband of Shachi, made her soul free from enemies (i.e. made her soul the friend of all like a mother to a son), may she pour forth her milk (with kindness) as a mother does to her son.

Salutations to mother earth! O mother earth, may your hills and snow-clad mountains (spread its coolness within us); may your forests spread its delight within us, you present a vishwarupa with your many colours - Babhru (brown) (of mountains), Krishna (blue) (of rivers), Rohini (red) (of flowers); (but behind all these enchanting appearances) O mother earth, you are like Dhruva - firm and immovable; and you are protected by Indra, (on your firm foundation) which is unconquered, unslayed and unbroken whole, I stand firm (and whole, O mother).

Salutations to mother earth! in your center, O mother earth, is your navel from which the vital power emanates and spreads out, absorb us in that power and purify us, O bhoomi mata, i am the son of mother earth, parjanya (rain god) is my father, may he fill us (with the vital power in water).

Salutations to mother earth! in her, bhoomi (ground) has spread herself as the sacrificial altar; in her, all the activities of the world has spread themselves as yagya, in her, from the beginning, the sounds (of activities) of the world (resembling the chants of yagya) during oblations rises up and disappears in the purifying upper layers (symbolically purifying the workers), may the expansion (expanding space) provided by the earth, expand (our inner selves also).

Salutations to mother earth! he who hates us, O earth, he who attacks us or mentally considers us as enemies, or he who strikes us, him, O mother earth, subdue, as you have done since earliest times.

Salutations to mother earth! (first those) produced by you, (second) those moving about in you, (third) those two-footed and (fourth) those four-footed ones; (all of) whom you bear in the land of mortality, fifth is the manava, from whom the light of immortality emanates (even) from the land of mortality, which O mother earth, you diffuse with the rays of the rising sun (i.e. the essence of immortality pervades in you).

Salutations to mother earth! (the essence of immortality pervades in you) may we, your children (be able to) together milk the ritam (divine order) present everywhere in you, O mother earth, by absorbing (i.e. understanding) the great honeyed speech (vedic mantras).

Salutations to mother earth! the herbs (plants) which are like mothers of the world (who sustains us) grows on the immovable earth (bhoomi); the earth which is held by dharma, and in which auspiciousness gently pervades throughout the world.

Salutations to mother earth! great is this place where we stand together (i.e. live together); mighty is the force present in it, which controls its great speed of movement and shaking, great is the god indra who protects her with vigilence (day and night), (in this great meeting place enveloped by divine powers) may she the bhoomi (earth), make us lustrous like gold so that we do not see anyone with the attitude of hatred.