Prithvi

Prithvi (Sanskrit: पृथ्वी, IAST: pṛthvī, also पृथिवी, IAST: pṛthivī, "the Vast One"), also rendered Pṛthvī Mātā or Pṛthivī Devī, is the Sanskrit name for the earth, as well as the name of a devi (goddess) in Hinduism and some branches of Buddhism. As Pṛthvī Mātā ('Mother Earth') she is complementary to Dyaus Pita ('Father Sky'). In the Rigveda, the earth and the sky are primarily addressed dually as Dyavapṛthivi.

Prithvi
AffiliationDevi, Bhudevi, Pancha Bhuta
PlanetEarth
MantraOm Bhumhaya Namah
MountElephant
ConsortDyaus
Equivalents
Greek equivalentGaia
Roman equivalentTellus
Norse equivalentJörð
Indo-European equivalentDʰéǵʰōm

Prithvi Mata was later merged with Bhudevi in later Hindu traditions. She became known as Bhudevi or Prithvi Devi in various texts such as the Puranas. The name 'Prithvi' is associated with Prithu, an incarnation of Vishnu, milked her in the form of a cow.

Owing to strong historical Hindu influence, the name is also used for national personifications of Indonesia, where she is referred to as Ibu Pertiwi.

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