Bhuvanesvari

In Hinduism, Bhuvanesvari is the fourth of the ten mahavidya goddesses and an aspect of Devi.

Bhuvanesvari means Mistress of the World. Her dhyana describes her as having a vermilion complexion resembling the sunrise. She is seated on a throne, adorned with a flower garland and anklets, bracelets of fine gems. A crescent moon adorns her forehead, resting atop a jeweled crown. She has three eyes and a pleasant, nurturing smile. She has four arms, in two of which she holds a noose and a goad. With her lower left hand, she makes the gesture (varada-mudra) of offering a boon, and with the lower right she signals fearlessness (abhaya mudra).

Bhuvaneshvari is associated and identified with the energy underlying creation. She embodies the characteristic dynamics and constituents that make up the world and that lend creation its distinctive character. She is both a part of creation and also pervades its aftermath.

Bhuvanesvari's beauty and attractiveness is seen as an affirmation of the physical world. Tantric thought does not denigrate the world or consider it to be mere illusion. Rather, it is seen as the Goddess's play, her exhilarating, joyous sport.