Bhu Suktam
भू सूक्तम्
Also known as: bhu sukta · bhumi suktam · bhoo suktam · bhumir bhumna · earth hymn · bhudevi suktam
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✦ Meaning
The Bhu Suktam is a Vedic hymn glorifying Bhumi Devi, the Earth Goddess, worshipping her as the boundless mother (Aditi) who bears all beings and provides food and shelter. It prays for firm establishment, prosperity and worthy progeny, and includes the beloved 'Madhu' verses (Madhu Vata Ritayate) invoking sweetness in the winds, rivers, herbs, soil and all of nature. It is recited in Lakshmi and Bhudevi worship, during griha pravesh (house-warming), bhumi puja and Vedic homas for abundance and harmony with the Earth.
Origin & Story
Krishna Yajurveda (Taittiriya tradition) · Vedic seers (apaurusheya — not of human authorship, by tradition) · Vedic period
The Bhu Suktam is drawn from the Vedic corpus (preserved in the Taittiriya recension of the Krishna Yajurveda and recited in temple liturgy) as a hymn to Bhumi Devi, the Earth. The Earth is invoked as Aditi, the infinite mother who bears mountains, rivers and all creatures upon her, and who provides food, fire and shelter. It is one of the classic 'Panchasukta' hymns recited in Lakshmi and Vishnu worship, alongside Purusha, Sri, Neela and Vishnu Suktams.
✦ As told in scripture
Tradition holds that performing bhumi puja with the Bhu Suktam before building or farming on a piece of land removes defects of the site (vastu dosha), pacifies the Earth, and ensures that the home or harvest established there flourishes with stability and plenty.
Complete Text with Meaning
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ॐ भूमिर्भूम्ना द्यौर्वरिणान्तरिक्षं महित्वा। उपस्थे ते देव्यदिते॒ऽग्निमन्नमदेऽन्नाद्याय॥
Om Bhūmir bhūmnā dyaur variṇāntarikṣaṁ mahitvā Upasthe te devy adite 'gnim annam ade 'nnādyāya
Meaning:The Earth by her vastness, the Heaven by its wide expanse, the mid-air by its greatness — in your lap, O Goddess Aditi (boundless Mother Earth), I place the sacred fire and food, for the sake of nourishment.
आशासानासोमनसो दिवं देवासो अग्निम्। यजन्त सुक्रतून्तरः॥
Āśāsānāso manaso divaṁ devāso agnim Yajanta sukratūn taraḥ
Meaning:The gods, longing in their minds for heaven, worshipped Agni and performed sacrifices, swift and excellent in deed.
भूमे मातर्निधेहि मा भद्रया सुप्रतिष्ठितम्। सह धीभिश्च देवि प्रजया सं रराणया॥
Bhūme mātar nidhehi mā bhadrayā supratiṣṭhitam Saha dhībhiś ca devi prajayā saṁ rarāṇayā
Meaning:O Mother Earth, establish me well and firmly with auspiciousness, together with good thoughts and with prosperous progeny, O Goddess, granting abundance.
मधु वाता ऋतायते मधु क्षरन्ति सिन्धवः। माध्वीर्नः सन्त्वोषधीः॥
Madhu vātā ṛtāyate madhu kṣaranti sindhavaḥ Mādhvīr naḥ santv oṣadhīḥ
Meaning:Sweet blow the winds for the righteous; sweetly flow the rivers; full of sweetness be the herbs for us.
मधु नक्तमुतोषसो मधुमत्पार्थिवं रजः। मधु द्यौरस्तु नः पिता॥
Madhu naktam utoṣaso madhumat pārthivaṁ rajaḥ Madhu dyaur astu naḥ pitā
Meaning:Sweet be the night and the dawns; sweet be the dust of the earth; sweet be Heaven, our father, to us.
मधुमान्नो वनस्पतिर्मधुमाँ अस्तु सूर्यः। माध्वीर्गावो भवन्तु नः॥
Madhumān no vanaspatir madhumāṁ astu sūryaḥ Mādhvīr gāvo bhavantu naḥ
Meaning:Sweet be the trees of the forest for us; full of sweetness be the Sun; and sweet be our cows for us.
ॐ शान्तिः शान्तिः शान्तिः॥
Om Śāntiḥ Śāntiḥ Śāntiḥ
Word-by-Word Meaning
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Benefits of Chanting Bhu Suktam
Invokes the blessings of Bhumi Devi (Mother Earth) for stability, security and a firm foundation in life
Traditionally recited at bhumi puja and griha pravesh (house-warming) to sanctify land and home
Prays for fertility of the soil, abundant harvests and material prosperity
The 'Madhu' verses spread sweetness and harmony through nature and relationships
Often chanted alongside Sri Suktam in Lakshmi worship for wealth and well-being
Cultivates gratitude and reverence toward the Earth that sustains all life
How to Chant Bhu Suktam
Recite with reverence for the Earth, ideally during a homa or while offering to Bhumi Devi, with proper Vedic svara if learnt. Begin with 'Om' and close with the Shanti Paath. It is commonly chanted together with the Sri Suktam and Neela Suktam in Lakshmi puja, and is highly auspicious when performing rituals connected with land, building or farming.