Bhuvaneshwari (or Buvanesi as she is also called in certain areas in India) is the fourth Great Cosmic Power in the Hindu tantric pantheon. This Great Cosmic Power is worshipped as the Great Goddess protecting all worlds of Manifestation. Actually this attribute of the goddess is symbolized by her very name, meaning the Glorious Queen or Governess (Ishvari) of the entire Creation, with all the worlds (Bhuvana) it containes. Bhuvaneshwari is the creator of Earth, Water, Fire, Air and Ether, of the entire Nature ( Prakriti), of the Sun and the Moon. In other words, she is the Divine Mother protecting all worlds. Therefore the whole Macrocosm stands as her body and the countless existing beings represent her precious jewels and adornments.

1. Bhuvaneshwari represents the power of the endless opening and expansion

In the four Hindu Vedas, Bhuvaneshwari is known as Aditi, namely the divine Cosmic Mother, infinite and undivided, the origin of all there is, primordial matrix, space. Light itself is born inside of her and this is why she is mother to the Sun and to the solar deities bearing her name (aditya-s). Bhuvaneshwari creates space in order to be subsequently able to give birth to all things in Manifestation. In a similar manner, the space of our consciousness is also created by Bhuvaneshwari in order to allow us to manifest as individualities into the world we exist in and get to know the Divine nature inside of us.

It is therefore easy to understand that at the level of the entire Creation, space contains several levels of manifestation, in full accordance with the vibratory resonances of the subtle energies it consists of. For instance, besides the physical space surrounding us that actually represents a certain type of subtle forming energy, there is also the mental space that is also endless, similar to the physical space. The mental space also contains many other subtlety levels that find their peak in the supreme space of God’s pure consciousness lying beyond any manifestation. All these various types of spaces are nothing but Bhuvaneshwari’s various aspects and functions. For instance, she is known to be an aspect of Goddess Parvati, daughter of the Himalayan Mountains and Shiva’s counterpart. She is the Mistress of the Spheres (of the Worlds) and the Night of Perfect Accomplishment (Siddha-Ratri). She also is an aspect of ParaShakti, the Supreme Power of the Universal Energy, of Creation, Illusion, Dissolution and Destruction. Great Cosmic Power Bhuvaneshwari is similar to Great Cosmic Power of Time, Kali, fearless goddess of Death. The boons she offers makes her similar to Goddess Durga and Lakshmi. She is the peace of Death and the awakening to Life. She is known as the Mistress of Yoga and the understanding Divine Mother. The Great Cosmic Power Bhuvaneshwari blesses those who adore her, by removing their fears and anxieties and helping them on the path to spiritual accomplishment.

Only nowadays, during the past few decades, contemporary science eventually reached the very important conclusion that space ( Akasha) actually represents the primordial “matter” later on generating all the other elements (air, fire, water and earth). For instance, the substance that the earth consists of essentially is nothing else than the concentration or in other words the distinctive “focus” of space (or ether (akasha)) in a certain area. From this point of view, of the primordial “substance” generating all manifestation, Great Cosmic Power Bhuvaneshwari is also known as Prakriti or Mother Nature. However we should not forget that this original space, fundamental to any subsequent manifestation is – essentially speaking – pure consciousness and therefore it stands as an ineffable _expression of endless freedom and happiness.

From another perspective, Bhuvaneshwari is also called Maya, namely the Great Universal Illusion. Bhuvaneshwari thus unfolds the countless illusory “threads” of the Universe where the ignorant beings are ever more trapped complicating the samsara-ic wheel characteristic to the individual (namely the cycle of successive births into Manifestation, along its various levels of vibration). When measuring, appreciating, comparing or analyzing things or objects hierarchically, all we do is get caught in the trap of illusory names and shapes defining these objects. Then we almost completely forget the reality of the unitary fundamental space that actually is the primordial matrix they originated from. Any shape manifested in the objective area actually is a compact mass of energetic waves subsisting by virtue of the resonances characteristic to that shape in the infinite space. This is why, one of the important methods for easily transcending the illusion that we are subjected to almost every instant is that of “learning” how to see the sacred space of the Divine Mother Bhuvaneshwari all around us. This space actually is her gigantic and ineffable Consciousness encompassing us all in a kind and compassionate embrace. Actually consciousness represents the very “fundamental field” where all events, being and objects emerge and evolve. Without it, they would have no purpose or significance. Therefore the synthetic and effective inner awareness upon this fundamental reality, namely the endless space - impressive manifestation of the divine consciousness of Great Cosmic Power Bhuvaneshwari – will immediately grant us the ability to have access to any of her means of _expression (objects, phenomena, etc.) through the mere act of will focus.

Bhuvaneshwari represents the void in its creating form that Creation emerges from and that supports its subsequent development. Here it is important to underline that this void is not the void previous to Creation which is transcendent and represented by Great Cosmic Power Dhumavati. From the point of view of her location, Bhuvaneshwari is everywhere in space. Practically, we may state that we are always encompassed by Bhuvaneshwari’s gigantic sphere of force, yet beyond this reality (implying a macrocosmic dimension), the goddess especially represents the extremely subtle space inside our hearts. Our hearts mysteriously contain the entire Manifestation, at the same time representing the sacred place, where through spontaneous and blissful revelation, we are able to identify with the consciousness of our Supreme Immortal Self ( Atman). Bhuvaneshwari is the power of love. Bhuwaneshwari’s love destroys all attachments and sufferance we are faced with, by rendering us aware of the true, cosmic love having no shape and yet containing all manifested shapes inside of it.

2. The frantic adoration of the Great Cosmic Power Bhuvaneshwari

According to the law of analogies and correspondences from the oriental spiritual tradition, the entire Macrocosm is fundamentally and proportionally contained in the tiny and extremely subtle space inside our heart. In other words, our heart is the place sheltering the infinite (universal) space inside our being. Therefore it is the very residence of Great Cosmic Power Bhuvaneshwari. One of the infallible methods allowing us to experience the subtle ecstatic communion with Bhuvaneshwari’s gigantic sphere of consciousness consists in directing our consciousness towards a loving and vigilant investigation of this mysterious, very subtle space at the level of our spiritual heart.

This is why the spiritual yogi tradition states that the entire universe (Macrocosm) necessarily originates in the infinite space of the divine consciousness. Especially those who seek to become genius artists, great visionaries or creators - regardless of the art they choose - will have to adore Bhuvaneshwari with a true and loving heart. They will thus create a sacred space inside their minds (dedicated to the goddess). At the same time, by creating this space we are automatically released from stress and various other tensions that are nothing else than the limited forms of our believes, prejudices and attachments. In other words, the endless space may be assimilated to rest, peace and infinite equality. This ineffable state is granted by Bhuvaneshwari’s grace and therefore, in order to find supreme peace, it is highly recommended that we worship this Great Cosmic Power.

Another way for easily resonating with Bhuvaneshwari’s sphere of influence consists in meditating as focused as possible upon the infinite space. With this method we will develop and refine our inner attitude of a detached witness of Manifestation through the mere observation of the various events, things, beings, etc. We might even interact with them yet without being identified with any of these aspects.

Another method for worshipping Great Cosmic Power Bhuvaneshwari is the meditation upon her specific yantra. All Cosmic Powers’ yantra-s comprise many common elements, with a few small differences, according to each case. The basic yantra consists of a central spot (bindu) that may or may not be represented, yet it is present in all types of yantra-s. They also contain one or several triangles, one rectangle, pentagon, hexagon or spiral, several lotus petals, Mantra-ic letters on the lotus petals comprising various colors according to the deities on these petals, one or several circles, the outer square and the gates.

Bhuvaneshwari’s yantra comprises the imaginary (white) Bindu or the mantra-ic letters specific to her in the middle. Next there is a triangle with the apex pointed downwards representing the energy (the feminize aspect in manifestation, or Shakti) and a triangle with the apex upwards representing consciousness (or the manifested masculine aspect, Shiva). A six-pointed star is generated through overlapping the two triangles. The yantra also contains 8 lotus petals arranged on a circle of a larger diameter. They are concentric and both included in a four gates (gaps) square. From the point of view of its deities, Great Cosmic Power Bhuvaneshwari’s yantra comprises eight deities (gods and goddesses) located inside the eight petals. There are other four deities on the layer inside the lotus. There are several pairs of gods and goddess, each placed on one of the six apexes of the triangles. There are also eight other goddesses at the eight endings of the petals. There are eight more shakti-s (feminine deities) located in the spaces among the petals. Each of the 8 petals is governed by a deity. There are four deities guarding the eight gates and other four deities guarding the four corners of the square. The surface in the middle of the yantra is generally dominated by feminine deities and the perimeter is the area of masculine deities. The central Siva-Shakti bindu is surrounded by all these deities. The adorer of this Cosmic Power will worship all the deities of the yantra.

By worshipping Great Cosmic Power Bhuvaneshwari, the adorer acquires such charisma that fascinates anyone listening to him, due to his personal charm as well as to his intuitive and mental abilities. Diseases, enemies and problems are for ever chased away from the aspirant’s life. He will acquire countless material and spiritual earnings. His family life will be fulfilling, as he will acquire fame and respect of the people around him as well as the respect of a whole nation. He is in full control over his life, by successfully surpassing all unexpected problems arising. Through intense and persevering meditation upon this wonderful shape of the Goddess, provided that Aspiration is truly powerful and genuine, this Great Cosmic Power will bestow her grace upon him. Such grace may even be enlightenment or the revelation of the Supreme Self Atman.

Another technique is the persevering pursuit to empty our minds from the idea that the surrounding names and shapes resents reality. This methods highly resembles the practices of jnanayoga (yoga of discrimination) and is based upon the fact that all we know relies on the overlapping of names and shapes (that are but mere conventions) upon an unknown “presence” that is nothing else than the creating void, powered by an infinite energy. All these spiritual techniques for the adoration of Divine Mother Bhuvaneshwari require perfect detachment from the ephemeral dual aspects of comic illusion as well as full and honest opening towards the discovery of the Supreme Truth. These are the most indicated ways for worshipping and at the same time honoring the divine charming presence of Great Cosmic Power Bhuvaneshwari.

In the hymns dedicated to her, the Shaktapramoda treaty describes her as a beautiful young girl with a mysterious smile and a charming yoni (the feminine sexual organ). It is said that her symbol is the triangle (symbolic representation of the yoni). Here she is described as having four arms, two of them performing gestures that grant boons and respectively dispel fear. These gestures express her kindness to the whole world and especially to devoted disciples. In her other two hands she holds a noose and a goad. Divine Mother Bhuvaneshwari uses the nose to control the adorer’s energy and the goad to discipline the aspirant, thus helping him attain spiritual enlightenment as she bestows Her Grace upon him.

As for the iconographic image of Great Cosmic Power Bhuvaneshwari, she resembles Tripura Sundari, radiating and beneficent. Bhuvaneshwari is the color of the rising sun with the crescent moon in her hair, four hands and three eyes. With two of her hands she holds a noose and a goad, while with the other two hands she dispels fear (abhaya mudra) and grants wonderful spiritual gifts. Sometimes she is represented as holding a lotus and a bowl of jewels in two of her hands and at other times her left leg is depicted as resting upon a bowl of jewels. Bhuvaneshwari is seated on a bed resembling a throne consisting of the representation of Shive’s five forms (such as they were described in the case of Great Cosmic Power Tripura Sundari) where she controls and organizes motion in the entire Universe (Macrocosm).

At other times Bhuvaneshwari is depicted as holding a fruit in one hand while with the other hand she grants protection (raksha). She is also described as golden-yellow, red or blue, each of these colors symbolizing the three Guna-s. Another image depicts her as having 20 arms holding various objects such as: bow and arrows, scissors, sword, spear, club, disc, trident, noose, and mace, conch and garland of flowers displaying a protective boon-giving fear-not pose (abhaya mudra). In another pose, she holds a red lotus and a jewel box with her two hands. She sits naked on a red lotus in a pond full of lotus flowers.

4. As she represents space, Bhuvaneshwari is Kali’s complementary aspect.

Therefore Kali creates events in time, while Bhuvaneshwari creates objects in space. The deep understanding of these aspects is that all events are nothing but mere “sequences” in the gigantic field of consciousness of Divine Mother Kali (manifesting time) and all locations in space are but mere resonance “stages” of Divine Mother, Bhuvaneshwari’s cosmic “dance” as she manifests space.

As we thus reach the mysterious knowledge of the fact that Great Cosmic Power Bhuvaneshwari somehow is the “foundation” we rely on and at the same time the subtle reality impregnating every instant, we acquire the extraordinary ability of practicing the highest and most elevated yoga techniques and methods highly successfully. These techniques may later on take us to the supreme spiritual liberation in a relatively short time interval. In intimate connection to the space she represents, Bhuvaneshwari also is correlated to space directions. The four space directions (North, East, South and West) are nothing else but various visions or aspects associated to the presence of this Great Cosmic Power, each with their specific qualities.

As a significant parallel, Kali also creates what we call “time directions” namely - as we know it - past, present and future. However the spiritual tantric tradition mentions the fact that space is mysteriously particularized in time. East for instance almost every time represents the beginning of an action, while North is synonym to the direction of spiritual enlightenment. This is the reason why we may state that in a mysterious way, space contains time. In a similar manner, time also contains space, since every moment in time features a certain location and direction or space orientation.

Philosophically speaking, a certain context or location in space (whether physical or subtle – Astral, mental, etc.) is nothing else but a reflection of our own vision or inner awareness upon the reality in question. In the event that our vision or perception is altered, the space (place) where it is located, also changes immediately. Moreover, our visions or imagination also generate the direction of our range of experience. Therefore when we direct our mind towards a certain space-time area, we will immediately perceive certain places and events characteristic to that area. This is why the tantric writings of Hindu sages claim that Bhuvaneshwari essentially represents God’s original creating vision. In other words, Great Cosmic Power Bhuvaneshwari represents the direction onto which the Supreme focuses during the act of Creation or His force of awareness upon Manifestation.

5. The legend describing Great Cosmic Power, Bhuvaneshwari’s apparition into manifestation

The legend describing Great Cosmic Power, Bhuvaneshwari’s apparition into manifestation says that in the Beginning only the Sun (as the Creator of the entire Universe) was the master of the sky. He was worshipped and adored by all beings. The sages (rishis) begged the mighty Sun ( Surya) to create more worlds and offered him Soma, a sacred plant (or the divine nectar) as sacrifice. Then Surya used his Supreme Energy in order to manifest the worlds (lokas or bhuvanas). This Supreme Energy thus assumed a shape of its own as the splendid manifestation of the Great Cosmic Power Bhuvaneshwari, Governess of all worlds or Mistress of the three worlds: Bhur, Bhuvar şi Svar or in other words, the earth or the physical dimension, the atmosphere or the astral dimension and the sky or the heavenly dimension. It is also said that this form of the Supreme Energy, Shakti was not manifested until the moment of creation. This is why the yogi tradition associates Bhuvaneshwari to the visible, manifested world.

Other writings speak of Lokas (the worlds) as the divisions of the universe, representing the subtle worlds corresponding to the consciousness level of the beings inhabiting them. Generally here we are talking about a division into three fundamental worlds, Triloka, or the Sky, the Earth and the Infernal world or in other words the Divine, the Intermediary and the Inferior world. Another classifying mentions the seven higher worlds: Bhur Loka – the Earth; Bhuvar Loka – the space between the Earth and the Sun, the realm of the sages; Svar Loka –Indra’s sky; Mahar Loka – the realm of the great saints; Jnana Loka – country of Brahma’s sons; Tatar Loka – residence of the Vairaja class (Vira-s) and Satya Loka or Brahma Loka –Brahma’s residence that once reached generates liberation from the cycle of birth and rebirth. Seven inferior worlds correspond to these seven higher worlds called Patala. Samhita and Vedanta philosophical schools also mention eight Loka or higher and inferior regions: 1. Brahma Loka, the world of the supreme gods; 2. Pitri Loka, the realm of the sages; 3. Soma Loka, the realm of the world and planets; 4. Indra Loka, the world of the inferior deities; 5. Gandharva Loka, the realm of the celestial spirits; 6. Rakshasa Loka, the relam of raksha-s; 7. Zaksha Loka, Zaksha’s realm; 8. Pisacha Loka, the realm of demons and devils.

6. Bhuvaneshwari’s physical beauty radiates out of her inner splendor 

“Oh, Great Goddess, You are of beauteous face fascinating me. Your body is moist with the divine nectar (some) flowing from Sahasrarapadma. You sport rounded breasts and slender waist; holding a rosary, a pitcher and a book in your three hands, your fourth hand makes Jnanamudra. You are Lakshmi rivaling the luster of molten gold. You hold two lotuses in two hands and with the other two hands you grant boons and dispel fear (Varana mudra and Abhaya mudra).”

“Oh, Bhavani, I worship your extremely beautiful body which Siva Himself gazes at with great love and admiration and as if not satiated by looking with two eyes made for himself a third eye to delight Himself with Your beauty. I recall your two thighs which humble the pride of the trunk of an elephant and surpass the plantain-tree in thickness and tenderness. O, Mother, youth fashioned those thighs, which support the weight of your hips. Your great breasts and big hips seem to have absorbed the waist with the downy fine hair of your youth clothing your body.”

“Oh, Devi, Let me not forget your navel, a secure inviolate pool granted to you by your blossoming youth filled with the liquid beauty. Your lotus-like breasts smeared with sandal paste bears ash telling the embrace of Siva. Your breasts remind me of the frontal bilobes of the elephant in must rising from the waters flicked with foam.” (It is common to compare breasts to the two protuberances of the frontal bone of the elephant.)

“Oh, Mother, your two arms are beauteous with water dripping from your body. Again and again I look upon your shapely neck, which has stolen the beauty of a well-formed shell and adorns a pleasing necklace and other jewels. Yet I am not satiated. I often recall to my mind your face with large round eyes and noble brow, radiant cheeks and smile, the high straight nose and lips red like Bimba fruits. Whoever contemplates on your wealth of hair lit by the crescent moon and resembling a swarm of bees hovering over fragrant flowers is free from all shackles and will never be born again in this world. The mortal who reads these sweet hymns from his heart attains all wealth in the form of Lakshmi, You Great Goddess at whose feet crowned kings fall prostrate.”