Annapurna

Annapurna

अन्नपूर्णा, annapūrṇā

In Hinduism, Annapurna Devi is the goddess of food. Annapurna comes from the Sanskrit word meaning "food giver". "Anna" means food or cereals, and "pūrṇā" means full, complete and perfect. She is Goddess Parvati’s incarnation and one of the many Shakti’s forms. In this incarnation, She nourishes all living beings, and therefore the Hindus consider "Anna" (food) to be holy, and each time they offer prayers before eating it.

The iconography describes Annapurna as a young goddess with a full moon-like face, three eyes and two (sometimes four) arms. She is depicted in beautiful clothes and gold jewelry and sits on a throne. She holds a jeweled vessel of food in one hand and a spoon in the other to distribute food to her devotees. A bowl full of grain shows the abundance of food She offers to all Her children. In some images, Shiva stands next to Her with a begging bowl in His hands and asks Annapurna about food that gives energy (Shakti) to achieve knowledge and enlightenment.

One of the legends about the origin of Devi tells how once Shiva told his wife, goddess Parvati, that the world is an illusion, and that food is part of this illusion, called Maya.

The Divine Mother, who is also worshiped as a manifestation of all material aspects, including food, to show the importance of Her manifestation, has disappeared from the world. Her disappearance stopped time and the land became barren. There was no food anywhere, and all beings were starving. Seeing this, Parvati appeared in the sacred Kashi (Varanasi) and began distributing food to all those in need.

Shiva, hearing about this, realizing that he was not complete without Shakti, appeared before her with a begging bowl and said that the material world – Prakriti, like the spirit – Purusha, cannot be rejected as an illusion. Food cannot be dismissed as a mere illusion, as it is necessary to nourish the physical body in which the Atma (soul) resides.

Annapurna is also considered the goddess of Kashi, where the most famous temple dedicated to her is located. Next to Goddess’s Sanctuary is the well-known Kashi Vishwanath Mandir, which is one of the twelve Jyotirlingams, the sacred Shiva’s temples.

The Goddess nourishes not only the body, but also the soul in the form of enlightenment, which is why Varanasi is also called the city of light. Devi gives us the energy to achieve knowledge.

There is also a legend that says that Trimurti deities once had a heated argument about who among them was the greatest. After hearing all their arguments, Mahadevi decided to show them Her importance in the world and disappeared, thus causing a severe famine. As a result, yajnas were not performed and the Devas, beginning to weaken, turned to Trimurti for help. Lord Vishnu said to Lord Shiva, “O Mahadev, after Devi’s disappearance, the universe began to weaken. We need to ask Her to return. I heard that a woman in Kashi has started donating food to people.” Lord Shiva immediately realized that this woman was none other than Jagadamba (Mother of the Universe) and went to Kashi in the form of a beggar to ask for food from Devi for the Devas. Goddess Parvati was glad that the need for Her and Her nature became recognized by everyone, She offered food to Shiva as an alms and told Mahadev: "I will live here in Kashi in the form of Annapurna." Since then Goddess Parvati has been worshiped as the goddess of food – Annapurna Devi.

The goddess also symbolizes the divine aspect of caring for health. In India, images and murtis of Annapurna can be found in kitchens, near dining tables in residences and catering establishments.

It is also believed that mount Annapurna in the Himalayas is named after the Goddess as She is one of the daughters of Himavan, the king of the mountains.