Manidvipa

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Manidvipa/Manidweepa (Sanskrit: मणिद्वीप; IAST: Maṇidvīpa) is the eternal supreme abode of the Adi Parasakthi bhuvaneswari, supreme being in Shaktism. Also known as Sripura, Śrī Nagara and Devi Loka, it is an island situated in the middle of an ocean called the Sudhā Samudra (The Ocean of Nectar). In the Srimad Devi Bhagavatam, Manidweepa is portrayed as the Sarvaloka, the highest world, superior to Kailasa, realm of Shiva, Vaikuntha, realm of Vishnu, and Goloka, realm of Krishna. This is consistent with the Devi Bhagavatam's portrayal of Goddess Bhuvaneshvari Devi as higher than any of these other gods. In her form as Bhuvaneshvari, Devi is the Empress of Manidweepa. At the beginning of the creation, Supreme Goddess created this island according to her will.^[1]

Shodashi

Description[]

A description of Manidweepa can be found in the Srimad Devi Bhagavatam.^[2]

SDB 12.10.03:04 original Sanskrit:

सर्वदो निजवासार्थ प्रकृत्या मूलभूतया ।
कैलासादधिको लोको वैकुण्ठादपि चोत्तमः ॥
गोलोकादपि सर्वस्मात्सर्वलोकोऽधिकः स्मृतः ।
नैतत्समं त्रिलोक्यां तु सुन्दरं विद्यते क्वचित्‌ ॥

In the very beginning, the Devi Mula Prakriti Bhagavati built this place for Her residence, superior to Kailaska, Vaikunta and Goloka. Verily no other place in this universe can stand before it. Hence it is called Manidvipa or Sarvaloka as superior to all the Lokas

— Canto 12, Chapter 10, Verses 03:04

During the beginning of time the Tridevas – Brahma, Vishnu and Rudra did not know who they were and what was their purpose. At this time a flying chariot appeared before them, and a heavenly voice directed them to board the chariot. As the Tridevas boarded the chariot and it started flowing with mind's speed and took them to a mysterious place, which was an island of gems surrounded by an ocean of nectar and pristine sylvan forests. As they stepped out of the chariot, the Tridevas were transformed into women, much to their astonishment. As they explored the island they came across an Imperial city protected by nine enclosures and guarded by fierce Bhairavas, Matrikas, Kshetrapalas, and Dikpalas. As they entered the city they were amazed by its prosperity and soaring infrastructure and finally reached the Imperial Palace known as Chintamani griha, guarded by Yoginis. For this was Śrīpūra (alias Devipattana), the capital of Devi Bhuvaneshvari, the Empress of Manidweepa, the abode of Adi Parashakti. When they entered the palace they witnessed Devi Bhuvaneshvari, the queen of all worlds.

Her complexion was red. She had three eyes, four arms, braided hair and was clad in red ornaments. She wore a garland of lotuses and Her body was anointed with red sandalwood paste. She held a goad and a noose with Her left hands, while her right hands displayed abhaya and varada mudras. She was decked with ornaments and wore a crown with a digit of the crescent moon as crest jewel.

She was seated on the left lap of Bhuvaneshvara Mahadeva, who was of white complexion, wore white garments, and was decked with ornaments. His hair was matted and was decorated by a crescent moon and Ganga. He had five faces each with three-eyes, and four arms, holding a trident and a battle-ax while displaying varada and abhaya mudras. Before creation, while intending to the sport, the Devi Bhagavati divided Her Body into two parts and from the right part created Bhuvaneshvara.

The Divine Couple was seated on Panchapretasana, a throne which had Paramashiva as plank while Sadashiva, Ishvara, Rudra, Vishnu and Brahma were five legs. They were being served by many Yoginis, some fanning them, some holding mirror, some offering betel leaves flavored with camphor, some offering a drink made by mixing honey, ghee,and coconut water. Some were ready to dress Bhuvaneshvari's hair, some ready to do makeup, some busy stringing garlands while some singing and dancing to entertain Devi.

The Tridevas witnessed millions of universes each with their own Tridevas, in the sheen of Lalita/Bhuvaneshvari's toe-nail. Some were getting created by Brahma, some getting sustained by Vishnu while others getting annihilated by Rudra.

Bhuvaneshvari enlightened the Tridevas with Her greatness. Bhuvaneshvara is Brahman while Bhuvaneshvari is Brahmashakti. Though they appear distinct, both are of the nature of one another. Bhuvaneshvara is Adipurusha while Bhuvaneshvari is Mulaprakriti. To help Trayambaka perform his three-fold Lila, First Devi created the beautiful form of Gopala Sundari/Krishna. Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva born from his body. Thereafter Goddess Radha created two shaktis called Saraswati and Lakshmi. Bhuvaneshvari created goddess Durga shakti of shiva.

Brahma with Saraswati created a cosmic egg and Rudra with Uma split it, exposing the Pancha Bhootas. Brahma with Saraswati fashioned the universe from Pancha Bhootas, and Vishnu and Lakshmi sustain it. At the end Rudra with Kali will annihilate the universe so that Brahma and Saraswati can start afresh.

Once, Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva were involved in an argument about who is the most powerful and supreme of the three. Their debate became so intense that it disturbed the peace of the heavens and worried the Gods. That was when the beautiful Goddess stepped in to intervene and cease the dispute. She took the Trinity of Gods to her idyllic abode and led them to her beautiful chamber. There, Goddess Bhuvaneshwari enlightens them that she is the creator of the entire universe as it is created out of her and ends in her. She is responsible for protecting it from devils. She has created many elements and gave life to all the Gods, sages and all living beings.

She had also created many worlds, such as Satya-loka, where Lord Brahma lives. It is the most supreme place of all the worlds where the inhabitants are free of life and death cycle. Then Tapo-loka came into being, where the soul, including the body, resides. The inhabitants there wait for Satya-loka to take shape. Gyana-loka then was formed where the place had the presence of ascetics who were the inhabitants. Mahar-loka came into being where after the harsh penances, the sages and ascetics have a place to live. The sages who live in that place has the power equal to Gods. That is why all the sages live in that place. Then comes Ananda-loka, which is Svarga-loka, which is the residence of Gods and virtuous beings. Next, Bhuvar loka was formed where the sun and planets are positioned. After Bhuvar loka came Bhuloka/Bhumandala, where mortal and other living beings live.

The worlds beneath Earth came into being, the first being Atala loka in which is the home of revelry and all the wealth of the planets accumulated there. Then came Vital Lok, where the beings of the earth stay there to mine gold and other elements. Just like Atal Lok, Vital Lok is centered on earthly riches. Then through King Bali, the king of demons, Sutala Lok came into being. Talatala came into existence and below that, Mahatala was created in which it is Naaga-loka, the home of all serpents and snake girls. Further down below is the realm of demons and monsters, named Rasatala. Finally, below all the worlds, then originated Patala where Vasuki, the King of snakes lives. This is the foundation of all the other realms.

Then, Brahma, Vishnu and Mahadev witnessed millions of universes each with their own person, in the sheen of Bhuvaneshwari's toe-nail. Some were getting created by Brahma, some getting sustained by Vishnu while others getting annihilated by Rudra. Bhuvaneshwari enlightened the Tridevas with Her greatness.

Thereafter, Goddess Bhuvaneshwari gave her Shaktis Saraswati to Brahma, Lakshmi to Vishnu, and Gauri to Shiva. She informed Trideva that her Shaktis that they are given to will help them create and preserve the world, and when the appropriate time comes, it will be destroyed completely so that a new creation can be started afresh by Brahma and Saraswati.

See also[]

• Devi-Bhagavata Purana

References[]

External links[]

• English Translation of the Devi Bhagavata by Swami Vijnanananda
• Devi Bhagavata Purana English translation correct IAST transliteration and glossary