Who is Vishwambhara??

[Guest guest]

Sri Sadagopan had replied to my post a long time back. I'm rather late

in posting it. He had replied to my query as to whom the name

Vishwambharaa meant.

 

It is not clear whether you meant Viswambharaa or Viswambhara. The

first name stands for Bhoomi Devi(Reference: Sixth verse of SwamI Desikan

in Bhoostuti). That name means the one , who bears the weight of the

Universe. By an extension, Viswambhara means the consort of Bhoomi

Devi known by the name of Viswambharaa fulfilling the same function..

Hence , latter is the name for Vishnu. It is not often used. Even in

Vishnu Sahasra Namam, I do not recall this name being used. Hence, I

conclude that You meant Viswambharaa to refer to Bhoomi Devi, whose

other names are Sarvam Sahaa(One who puts up with the offenses of her

children and . forgives them), Achala( Steadfast in Saving Her

devotees), Vipula( Immeasurable) ,Vasundharaa( Goddess of incalculable wealth),

 

Having said that the name Viswambharaa exclusively refers to Bhoomi Devi,

I must also point out that Swami Desikan refers in passing to Sriman

Narayana as Viswambhara: ( Viswambharasya Dayita Asi Tadeka Namma).

He salutes here that Bhoomi Devi is the dear consort of the one, who

bears a matching name with her.This is in the fifth sloka of Bhoostuti.

In the tenth sloka, He addresses her again as Visvambhare!

 

 

Please fell free to post this note on the Bhakti Net, since I forgot to format

it appropriately.

 

Thanks

Sadagopan