Nature as Feminine

[Guest guest]

As promised in my earlier post, here is the introductory section of

a longish essay by Madhu Khanna, entitled "Nature as Feminine:

Ancient Vision of Geopiety and Goddess Ecology." The link to the

full essay (which is worth printing and keeping) is given at the

bottom of this post:

 

NATURE AS FEMININE: Ancient Vision of Geopiety and Goddess Ecology

By Madhu Khanna

 

The Feminine conceptualization of nature occupies very significant

place in Indian religious history.

 

The image of the earth as a goddess -- known variously as Prthivi,

Dharatimata, Jagadddhatri -- is ancient and all-pervasive. Almost

all the geographical features of the natural environment are

personified as goddesses: Mountains, caves, rocks, forests, trees,

plants, healing herbs, rivers, streams, lakes were conceived of as

potent symbols of feminine power, inherent in nature. From the Vedas

down to the Puranas nature personifications are mediated through the

symbol of the divine feminine.

 

In the Rg Veda, for example, the crimson streak of day-break is

portrayed as Usas, the Mistress of Dawn whose brilliant effulgence

spreads out piercing the formless black abyss (RV, 10.127). Night

and day are the two celestial sisters that bring rest and awakening

to the world. In their lap, gods recline and enact their roles. The

much celebrated mother of the gods, Aditi who claims as many as

sixty hymns in the Vedas is the infinite and the womb of the cosmos.

 

Goddesses such as, Kuhu, Sinivali, Anumati and Raka are lunar

divinities symbolizing the waxing and waning of the lunar-cycle. The

rivers Ganga, Yamuna and Sarasvati mentioned in the Vedas are

goddesses who preside over the facundating waters of life. The hymn

dedicated to Aranyani (RV, 10.146) or the forest goddesses

(Vanadevis) celebrated the spirit of the forest and groves. They are

joined by an innumerable number of goddesses who preside over

village territories and specific sacred centres (Ksetradevis).

 

The life sustaining foods also have their goddesses in the

personifications such as, Annapurna, Sataksi and Sakhambari. Thus

from the sky wandering celestial bodies to the sprouting plant were

conceived of as a manifestation of the feminine principle. In later

literature these personifications culminate in the composite vision

of an all-inclusive cosmic form (virat svarupa) of the goddess,

where mountains, rivers, celestial bodies, vegetation and stratums

of space from various parts of her body:

 

They [the gods] saw the Goddess's superanal cosmic Form. The

Satyaloka is situated on the topmost of Her head; the Sun and Moon

are her eyes; the quarters, Her ears; the Vedas are Her words; the

Universe is Her heart; the earth is Her loins; the space between

earth and sky is Her navel; the asterisms are Her Thighs; the

Maharaloka is Her neck; the Janarloka is Her face; Indra and the

Devas and then Svarloka is her arms; the sound is the organ of Her

ears;. . . . The fire is within her Face; day and night are like her

two wings; the mountains are Her bones; the rivers are Her veins,

and the trees are the hairs of Her body. O King ! youth virginity,

and old age are Her best gaits, the two twilight are Her clothings;

the Moon is the mind of the Mother of the Universe.

 

[Devibhagavata Purana, VII. Chap. 33.1-21ff]

 

For full article, see: http://ignca.nic.in/ps_05011.htm

[Guest guest]

Namaste',

 

Devi Bhakta, thank you so much for posting that essay and link!

I read the full essay this evening. And that website is a gold mine.

I'm so glad I found this group (and that you're a member :-) Thanks

again for your contribution.

[Guest guest]

Namaste msbaju:

 

Thank you for your very kind words; I appreciate them. I'm glad you

liked the article and that you are enjoying the Group. We are

certainly honored to have you among us. Feel free to post anytime.

 

Aum Maatangyai Namahe

 

, "msbauju" <msbauju>

wrote:

> Namaste',

>

> Devi Bhakta, thank you so much for posting that essay and link!

> I read the full essay this evening. And that website is a gold

mine.

> I'm so glad I found this group (and that you're a member :-)

Thanks

> again for your contribution.