OM Vasudhare Svaha is a prayer to the earth goddess, Vasudhara.
Vasudhara, whose name means “stream of gems” in Sanskrit, is the Buddhist Bodhisattva of wealth, prosperity, and abundance.
She is popular in numerous Buddhist countries and is a subject in Buddhist legends and art.
Initially an Indian Bodhisattva, her fame has spread to southern Buddhist countries.
Her popularity, however, peaks in Nepal where she has a strong following among the Buddhist Newars of the Kathmandu Valley and is thus a central figure in Newar Buddhism. She is named Shiskar Apa in Lahul and Spiti.
Origin
The origin of Vasudhara in Buddhism appears in the Buddhist text – The Vasudhara Dharani. According to a legend in the text known as – “The Inquiry of the Layman Sucandra”:
”An impoverished layman named Sucandra approaches the Gautama Buddha requesting a way to obtain large amounts gold, grain, silver, and gems in order to feed his large family and engage in acts of charity with the surplus fortune.
Buddha Shakyamuni, aware of a mantra about the Bodhisattva Vasudhara that would suit his purposes, presents Sucandra with an incantation and religious ritual that when followed would result in good fortune and prosperity brought on by Vasudhara herself. Upon commencing the rituals and teaching them to others, Sucandra begins to prosper.
Seeing his prosperity, the monk Ananda asked Buddha Shakyamuni how he had obtained this fortune so quickly. Buddha instructs Ananda to also practice the Vasudhara Dharani and “impart it to others ‘for the good of many’.”
Although the text – “The Inquiry of the Layman Sucandra” seems to contradict the Gautama Buddha’s renunciation of material possessions and earthly pleasures, Buddha Shakyamuni does not instruct the monk to recite the mantra for material benefit but instead he stresses that the mantra is for “‘the good of many’ and for ‘the happiness of many’.”
So, the mantra is meant more as means of alleviating suffering rather than obtaining wealth through Vasudhara, who not only grants physical wealth and abundance but also spiritual wealth and abundance.
Iconography
In Buddhist art, Vasudhara has a consistent iconography. She can easily be identified as a Bodhisattva by the elaborate headdress and the extensive amount of jewelry she wears. Her skin has a golden hue in bronze and painted images.
This color is associated with precious metals and symbolizes opulence, fertility, and generosity in Buddhist iconography.
Vasudhara is commonly seated on a lotus flower base in the lalitasana, or royal pose, with one foot, tucked in towards her and the other hanging off the flower base but resting on a small treasure. She can, however, also be represented in a standing position. When standing, Vasudhara has a full vase representing abundance underneath each foot.
OM Vasudhare Svaha – Buddhist Money Mantra
Chant it repeatedly in order to be blessed by deities who will shower you with abundance. However, you must remember that practicing this money and wealth manifesting mantra is even more successful when you approach it with an easy, light, carefree and meditative state of mind, so have fun with it!
Listen to more soothing mantras on insightstate, like: Namo Guan Shi Yin Pusa, Om Namo Narayanaya Mantra, or Vairocana mantra.
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