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Project Bhudevi

Project Bhudevi is a community-based environmental program led by Hindu Students Council to implement on campuses and in local communities. Through clean-up efforts and the promotion of sustainable practices, this project aims to raise environmental awareness and help conserve our Prithvi (Earth) especially as time goes on and our world becomes more polluted and uninhabitable.

How to sign up for Project Bhudevi this year ~ April 22, 2023:

Bhudevi Kickoff Events

Project Bhudevi and all of the initiatives at Hindu Students Council are posisible thanks to volunteers like you! If volunteering for this project is something you would be interested in, please reach out to us!

1. Join the Bhudevi Action Committee! We are looking for students who are interested in cultivating Project Bhudevi and making a change in the world.

2. Become our partner and sponsor Project Bhudevi!

Who is Bhudevi?

ॐ वसुंधराय विद्महे भूतधत्राय धीमहि तन्नो भूमिः प्रचोदयात् ||

Aum Vasundharaya vidmahe Bhutadhatraya dhimahi Tanno Bhumih prachodayat (Bhumi Gayatri Mantra)

Meaning: Aum, Let me meditate on the Earth the One who provides all, bless us with abundance, and let the Goddess of Earth illuminate my mind.

In Hinduism, Bhudevi, also known as Bhoomadevi, is the incarnation of Goddess Lakshmi and the consort of Lord Varaha, the third avatar of Lord Vishnu. Bhudevi is equated with Mother Earth and all its natural resources. Worshipping Bhudevi grants one good health, prosperity, and peace in life. By taking care of the planet and treading lightly in our environmental impact, we pay our respects to Bhudevi in return for the nurturance she provides us.

Project Bhudevi Overview

Project Bhudevi is a Hindu environmental sewa (service) initiative organized by Hindu Students Council. Sri Krishna’s teaching in the Bhagavad-Gita that the universe is an embodiment of Bhagawan, inspired the HSC community to take up the noble cause of serving Bhumi Devi (Mother Earth).

मत्त: परतरं नान्यत्किञ्चिदस्ति धनञ्जय |
मयि सर्वमिदं प्रोतं सूत्रे मणिगणा इव || 7|| mattaḥ parataraṁ nānyat kiñchid asti dhanañjaya

mayi sarvam idaṁ protaṁ sūtre maṇi-gaṇā iva (Ch. 7 verse 7)

Meaning: There is nothing higher than myself, O Arjun. Everything rests in me, as beads strung on a thread.

Through clean-up efforts and the promotion of sustainable practices, we aim to raise awareness of the environment in order to help protect and nurture Bhumi Devi. Project Bhudevi is a platform for the Hindu community to share our beautiful environmental consciousness with the world in a time of dire need.

The Hindu teachings of Sarva bhuta hita (welfare of all beings) and Vasudhaiva kutumbakam (the universe is one family) instill an attitude of reverence towards the environment and immense respect for all beings. This makes it our Dharma to live a life that takes our environmental footprint into account. The Hindu statement on climate change adopted by spiritual leaders at the Parliament of the World’s religions in Melbourne, Australia states “we have a Dharmic duty for each of us to do our part in ensuring that we have a functioning, abundant and bountiful planet.” Events that have been led by students:

SJSU Beach Clean Up

“While the environment is one of the utmost priorities at global scale, it has been in the roots of Sanatana Dharma. It’s not just the duty specific to a religion or culture, it must be the goal of entire humanity to act towards sustainable environment and protect the gift that Mother Earth has given to us” – Prachal Patel

Dallas Area Park Clean Up

“Project Bhudevi is more than cleaning and protecting our bhumi mata – it’s also about supporting our community and the growth of our own atma.” – Richa Jani

Chicago, IL

“Project Bhudevi gave me a chance to give back to Mother Earth while forming new and lasting bonds with my community of all beliefs and identities” – Kush Gohil

ईशावास्यमिदं सर्वं यत्किञ्च जगत्यां जगत् । तेन त्यक्तेन भुञ्जीथा मा गृधः कस्य स्विद्धनम् ॥ १ ॥ 1. All this-whatsoever moves in this universe (and those that move not) is covered (indwelt or pervaded or enveloped or clothed) by the Lord. That renounced, enjoy. Do not covet anybody’s wealth (Or – Do not covet, for whose is wealth?).

Shukla Yajur Veda.