Annapoorna Devi

The Goddess of food and nourishment in Hindu religion is Annapoorna Devi or Annapurna Devi with ‘Anna’ meaning ‘food or grain’ and ‘Poorna’ meaning one who is whole, complete or perfect. She is said to be an incarnation of Goddess Parvati the consort of Lord Shiva and one of the numerous forms of Shakti. Annapoorna Mata is shown having two hands holding a bowl in one hand and a spoon in the other. She is either depicted standing on a lotus or sitting on a throne.

The Background

Once it is said that there was a philosophical discussion between Lord Shiva and Devi Parvati wherein Shiva said that the world was an illusion(Maya) and everything was temporal and illusory including the food that is eaten. But Parvati disagreed as she was the provider of food and argued that the world could not survive without her. To prove her point she disappeared and nature came to a standstill. There were no seasons and everything became barren. This led to severe drought and famine as there was a shortage of food and water.

Shiva’s realisation

Shiva soon realised his mistake as he was incomplete without Shakti. Meanwhile Parvati could not bear to see her children suffering and began to distribute food in Kashi (Varanasi). Shiva then went with a bowl and humbly took alms from her. Some legends state that in great happiness Shiva then merged his being with her to create Ardhanarishwara meaning ‘half man, half woman’.

Annapoorna festival

In the spring season in Varanasi (Kashi) there is an Annakuta festival which is celebrated every year after Divali. A festival is celebrated with new sprouts of rice from the fields when her temple is decorated with rice sprouts. In the winter she is celebrated in a grand manner as the sustainer of life.

Annapoorna prayers

The Annapoorna Shatanama Stotra with 108 names and the Annapoorna Sahasranama Stotra with 1008 names are chanted by devotees to ensure the grace of the Divine Mother in alleviating poverty and assuring continued well being and prosperity. The Annapoorna Vrat Katha has various stories which are read by devotees to help them in times of distress. The famous Annapoorna temple in Varanasi offers noontime food as Prasad to all devotees specially the old and disabled. The Goddess is always devoutly worshipped during Navratri. She is also prayed to by young unmarried girls for a suitable husband and by childless couples for progeny.

Conclusion

Stories on the Goddess are related right from childhood and children are taught the value of food and the perils of wasting food. When the Goddess is propitiated for gross material things she in her benevolence and kindness is also said to bless her devotees with wisdom and renunciation. The stories in Hindu mythology kindle interest in man to strive for a higher goal of life while fulfilling material wants and leading a life of moral values thus progressing towards the path of self realisation and bliss.