Bhu Devi & NeeLA Devi : Question Of Shree

[Guest guest]

Further to Sri Mohan Sagar"s response , I would like

to add this comment for additional discussions:

 

Sri S.M.S.Chari in his invaluable book has addressed

this question at great length in Chapter 8 entitled :

VishNu and Goddess Sri . The theological , ontological

implications of the doctrine of Sri is covered here very thoroughly.

Besides addressing the important question

whether She( Lakshmi ) is on a par with VishNu enjoying equal

status and a Vibhu , Dr.Chari covers the other Devis of the Lord

and their relationship with Sri Devi.

 

The points for consideration summed up by Dr.Chari are:

(1) are Bhu Devi , NILA devi and other saktis listed

by Lakshmi TantrA and Paancha Raathra SUtrAs

distinct from Sri Devi and One another ?

(2) Are they all to be taken as consorts Of VishNu?

(3) What are their ontological status with respect

to VishNu and Sri Devi ?

 

The Purusha Suktham , Bhu SukthA of Yajur Veda samhithA

and HarivamsA as an appendix of Maha BharathA ,

Brahma PurANA attest to the two devis( BHu & NeeLA ) as

VishNu pathnis . Swami Desikan has composed

Bhu sthuthi and GOdha sthuthi to indicate them as

two DISTINCT consorts of Lord VishNu .

>From the ontological point of view ,

Bhu Devi and NiLA Devi are regarded as two ASPECTS

of VishNu sakthi , which according to PaancharAthra

samhithAs is the VERY GODDESS LAKSHMI . Thus ,

they are AMSAS of Lakshmi . Both are personifications of

KshamA or tolerance . Both are worshipped along with

Lakshmi without affecting the unitary character of Lakshmi

as the inseparable consort of VishNu enjoying the same

status as VishNu .

 

Vishvaksena SamhithA goes on to point out that Bhu and NeeLA

Devis are not Vibhus like Lakshmi and yet both these Devis

are dear to VishNu and are his consorts .

 

The acceptance of additional consorts for the Lord

does not thus affect the unitary character ofthe supreme

Mother , MahA Lakshmi .

 

Subhamasthu .

V.Sadagopan