Manidvipa

Manidvipa (Sanskrit: मणिद्वीप; IAST: Maṇidvīpa) is the abode of Shakti, the supreme goddess, according to the Shaktism tradition in Hinduism. It is an island situated in the middle of an ocean called the Sudha Samudra (the ocean of nectar). In the Devi Bhagavata Purana, Manidvipa is portrayed as the Sarvaloka, the highest world, superior to Kailasa, the realm of Shiva and Parvati, Vaikuntha, the realm of Vishnu and Lakshmi, and Goloka, the realm of Radha and Krishna. This is consistent with the scripture's portrayal of goddess Bhuvaneshvari being greater than any of these other gods. In her form as Bhuvaneshvari is the ruler of Manidvipa. This goddess is believed to have created this island according to her will, according to Shaktas.

Etymology

Manidvipa literally means "Island of gems". The Sanskrit word mani refers to "gem" and dvipa is translated as "island."

Mahadevi is also known as Manidvipavasini since she is a resident of Manidvipa.

Description

A description of Manidvipa can be found in the Devi Bhagavata Purana, Mahabhagavata Purana and Tripura Rahasya.

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 Trimurti – 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 Trimurti boarded the chariot, 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 Trimurti were transformed into women, much to their astonishment. As they explored the island, they came across an imposing 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. This city is called Shripura (Devipattana), the capital of Bhuvaneshvari, the ruler of Manidvipa, the abode of Adi Parashakti. When they entered the palace, they observed Bhuvaneshvari, the queen of all worlds. Brahma describes her sitting on her throne in the Devi Bhagavata Purana:

A beautiful woman was seated on that most excellent of couches, wearing a red garland and red clothes, anointed with red sandalwood paste, red-eyed, having a beautiful face, red-lipped, glorious, equal in splendor to ten millions of lightning flashes and ten millions of beautiful women. . . . Such a one had never been seen before.

— Devi Bhagavata Purana

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 Devi Bhagavata Purana also describes the attendants of the goddess who serve her on the island:

The Sakhis, attendants, the Devas and the Devis surround Her on all sides. Ichcha shakti, Jñana shakti, and Kriya shakti all are present always before the Devi. Lajja, Tuṣṭi, Puṣṭi, Kirti, Kanti, Kṣama, Daya, Buddhi, Medha, Smriti, and Lakṣhmi are always seen here incarnate in their due Forms. The nine Piṭha shaktis, Jaya, Vijaya, Ajita, Aparajita, Nitya, Vilasini, Dogdhri, Aghora, and Mangala reside here always and are in the service of the Devi Bhuvaneshvari. On the side of the Devi are the two oceans of treasures; from these streams of Navaratna, gold, and seven Dhatus (elements) go out and assume the forms of rivers and fall into the ocean Sudha Sindhu. Because such a Devi Bhuvaneshvari, resplendent with all powers and prosperities, sits on the left lap of Bhuvaneshvara, that He has, no doubt acquired His omnipotence. O King! Now I will describe the dimensions of the Cintamaṇi Griha. Listen. It is one thousand Yojanas wide; its center is very big; the rooms situated further and further are twice those preceding them. It lies in Antarikṣa (the intervening space) without any support. At the times of dissolution and creation it contracts and expands like a cloth. The lustre of this Cintamaṇi Griha is comparatively far more bright and beautiful than that of other enclosure walls. Shri Devi Bhagavati dwells always in this place. O King! All the great Bhaktas of the Devi in every Brahmaṇḍa, in the Devaloka, in Nagaloka, in the world of men or in any other loka, all those that were engaged in the meditation of the Devi in the sacred places of the Devi and died there, they all come here and reside with the Devi in great joy and festivity.

— Devi Bhagavata Purana, Chapter 12

In The Tripura Rahasya's Jnana Khanda, the goddess Tripura Sundari says that the abode of her material form is Manidvipa.

In the island of jewels, encircled by the ocean of nectar, beyond the universe, there is a mansion made of Chintamani (wish giving jewel) in the grove Kadamba (Burflower) trees. There is a platform with four legs representing Brahma, Vishnu, Mahesha and Ishwara, and the platform itself represent the back Sadashiva. On it, is installed my non-transcendent form as Tripura in the form of eternal consciousness.

— Shri Tripura Rahasya (Jnana Khanda), Chapter 20, Verses 36:37

See also

• Vaikuntha
• Kailasa
• Satyaloka

External links

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