The shloka
समुद्रवसने देवि पर्वतस्तनमण्डले ।
विष्णुपत्नि नमस्तुभ्यं पादस्पर्शं क्षमस्व मे ॥
samudravasane devi parvatastanamaṇḍale |
viṣṇupatni namastubhyaṃ pādasparśaṃ kṣamasva me ||
Samudra vasane Devi parvata stana mandale
Vishnupatni namastubhyam padasparsham kshamasva me
हिन्दी अर्थ
हे देवी पृथ्वी! समुद्र आपके वस्त्र हैं और पर्वत आपके वक्षस्थल के समान हैं। हे भगवान विष्णु की पत्नी, आपको नमस्कार है। मेरे पैरों के स्पर्श के लिए मुझे क्षमा करें।
Meaning in English
O Goddess, whose garment is the ocean and whose bosom is the mountains, O consort of Vishnu, I bow to you. Please forgive me for touching you with my feet.
Recited Samudra Vasane Devi?
Mark it, light a diya, or keep it for tomorrow.
Word-by-word meaning
- samudravasane
- O one clothed in the oceans
- devi
- O Goddess
- parvatastanamaṇḍale
- O one whose bosom is the mountains
- viṣṇupatni
- O consort of Vishnu
- namastubhyam
- salutations to you
- pādasparśam
- the touch of (my) feet
- kṣamasva
- please forgive
- me
- me, my
When and how to recite
- After Karagre Vasate, sit at the edge of the bed with your feet not yet on the floor.
- Join your palms or touch the ground lightly with your right hand.
- Recite the shloka once with a feeling of reverence for the earth.
- Touch the hand to your forehead, then place your right foot on the ground first.
Significance
Samudra Vasane Devi is the Bhumi Vandana, the prayer to Mother Earth recited right after Karagre Vasate, just before one's feet touch the ground. It addresses Bhudevi as the consort of Lord Vishnu, clothed in oceans and adorned with mountains, and gently asks her forgiveness for having to step on her. Loved for its tenderness, it teaches even small children to see the earth as a living mother deserving respect.
Hindu tradition sees the earth as Bhudevi, a mother who bears all beings and gives food, water and shelter. Stepping on her is unavoidable, so the devotee begins each day by acknowledging this and asking forgiveness. The prayer cultivates gratitude, humility and care for nature. Calling her 'Vishnupatni' links the earth with the sustaining power of Vishnu, reminding us that the world we walk on is itself sacred and must be treated with respect.
Frequently asked questions
What is the meaning of Samudra Vasane Devi?
It is a prayer to Mother Earth: 'O Goddess clothed in oceans, with mountains as your bosom, consort of Vishnu, I bow to you; forgive me for touching you with my feet.'
When is Samudra Vasane Devi recited?
It is recited in the morning after waking, just before placing the feet on the ground, usually right after Karagre Vasate Lakshmi.
Why do Hindus ask forgiveness from the earth?
Because the earth is revered as Bhudevi, a mother. Touching a mother or anything sacred with the feet is considered disrespectful, so one asks pardon for this unavoidable act.
