भू सूक्तम् — Word-by-Word Meaning
भू सूक्तम्
Every Sanskrit word explained in English
Word-by-Word Breakdown
भूमिः भूम्ना
bhūmir bhūmnā
The Earth, by her vastness / abundance
द्यौः वरिणा
dyaur variṇā
The Heaven, by its expanse / wide extent
अन्तरिक्षं महित्वा
antarikṣaṁ mahitvā
The mid-space, by its greatness / majesty
उपस्थे ते
upasthe te
In your lap / on your surface
देवि अदिते
devy adite
O Goddess Aditi (the boundless Earth / mother)
अग्निम् अन्नम् अदे
agnim annam ade
I place Agni and food (for nourishment)
अन्नाद्याय
annādyāya
For the sake of food and sustenance
भूमे मातः
bhūme mātar
O Mother Earth
निधेहि मा भद्रया
nidhehi mā bhadrayā
Establish me with auspiciousness / well-being
सुप्रतिष्ठितम्
supratiṣṭhitam
Firmly and well established
सह धीभिः
saha dhībhiḥ
Together with (good) thoughts / intellect
प्रजया सं रराणया
prajayā saṁ rarāṇayā
With prosperous progeny / abundant offspring
मधु वाताः ऋतायते
madhu vātā ṛtāyate
Sweet (like honey) blow the winds for the righteous one
मधु क्षरन्ति सिन्धवः
madhu kṣaranti sindhavaḥ
The rivers flow with sweetness
माध्वीः नः सन्तु ओषधीः
mādhvīr naḥ santv oṣadhīḥ
May the herbs and plants be sweet (full of goodness) for us
मधु नक्तम् उत उषसः
madhu naktam utoṣaso
Sweet be the night and the dawns
मधुमत् पार्थिवं रजः
madhumat pārthivaṁ rajaḥ
Sweet (rich) be the dust / soil of the earth
मधु द्यौः अस्तु नः पिता
madhu dyaur astu naḥ pitā
May Heaven, our father, be sweet to us
मधुमान् वनस्पतिः
madhumān vanaspatir
May the lord of the forest (the trees) be full of sweetness
माध्वीः गावः भवन्तु नः
mādhvīr gāvo bhavantu naḥ
May our cows be sweet (yield abundant nourishment)
Complete Translation
भूमि अपनी विशालता से, द्युलोक अपने विस्तार से, अन्तरिक्ष अपनी महिमा से — हे देवि अदिति (असीम भूमाता)! आपकी गोद में मैं नित्य पोषण के लिए अग्नि और अन्न को स्थापित करता हूँ।
मन में स्वर्ग की कामना करते हुए देवों ने अग्नि का यजन किया और श्रेष्ठ, शीघ्र कर्म वाले यज्ञ किए।
हे माता भूमि! मुझे मंगल के साथ भली प्रकार स्थिर करो — उत्तम बुद्धि और समृद्ध सन्तान के सहित, हे देवि, अनुग्रह प्रदान करती हुई।
ऋतधर्मी (सत्यनिष्ठ) के लिए वायु मधुर बहें, नदियाँ मधु बहाएँ, औषधियाँ हमारे लिए मधुमयी हों।
रात्रि और उषाएँ मधुर हों, पृथिवी की रज (मिट्टी) मधुमयी हो, हमारे पिता द्युलोक हमारे लिए मधुर हों।
वनस्पति हमारे लिए मधुमयी हो, सूर्य मधुमान् हो, और हमारी गौएँ मधुमयी (पोषणयुक्त) हों।
Origin & History
Source: Krishna Yajurveda (Taittiriya tradition)
Author: Vedic seers (apaurusheya — not of human authorship, by tradition)
Period: 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Bhu Suktam?▼
The Bhu Suktam is a Vedic hymn in praise of Bhumi Devi, the goddess of the Earth (also addressed as Aditi). It worships the Earth as the all-bearing mother and prays for stability, prosperity, fertile soil and harmony with nature.
When is the Bhu Suktam chanted?▼
It is chanted during bhumi puja (worship of the land), griha pravesh (house-warming), agricultural and foundation-laying ceremonies, and in Lakshmi worship — often together with the Sri Suktam and Neela Suktam.
What are the 'Madhu' verses in the Bhu Suktam?▼
These are the famous 'Madhu Vata Ritayate' verses praying that the winds, rivers, herbs, nights, dawns, soil, trees, Sun and cows all become 'madhu' — sweet and full of goodness. They invoke sweetness, abundance and harmony throughout nature.
Which deity does the Bhu Suktam address?▼
It addresses Bhumi Devi / Prithvi, the Earth Goddess, who in Vaishnava tradition is also revered as Bhudevi, a consort of Lord Vishnu. The Earth is hailed as the boundless mother Aditi who supports and nourishes all beings.
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