Bhramari - Revision history

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updated details

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	{{Infobox deity<!--~~Wikipedia~~:WikiProject Hindu mythology-->		{{Infobox deity<!--Bharatpedia:WikiProject Hindu mythology-->
	\| type = Hindu		\| type = Hindu
	\| image = [[File:Bhramari Devi.png\|200px\|]]		\| image = [[File:Bhramari Devi.png\|200px\|]]
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	\| god_of = Goddess of Bees<ref>{{cite book \| url=https://books.google.com/books?id=zPepDwAAQBAJ&dq=bhramari+goddess+of+bees&pg=PT88 \| isbn=9781684668434 \| title=Mind Your Breathing: The Yogi's Handbook with 37 Pranayama Exercises \| date=19 August 2019 \| publisher=Notion Press }}</ref>		\| god_of = Goddess of Bees<ref>{{cite book \| url=https://books.google.com/books?id=zPepDwAAQBAJ&dq=bhramari+goddess+of+bees&pg=PT88 \| isbn=9781684668434 \| title=Mind Your Breathing: The Yogi's Handbook with 37 Pranayama Exercises \| date=19 August 2019 \| publisher=Notion Press }}</ref>
	\| consort =		\| consort =
	}}{{Short description\|Hindu goddess}}'''Bhramari''' ({{~~Lang-~~sa\|भ्रामरी\|lit=like a bee\|translit=Bhrāmarī}}) is the [[Hinduism\|Hindu]] goddess of bees. She is an incarnation of the goddess [[~~Adi Shakti~~]] in [[Shaktism]],<ref>{{Cite book \|last=Klostermaier \|first=Klaus K. \|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=CFQ9DgAAQBAJ&dq=bhramari+devi+bhagavatam&pg=PA217 \|title=Mythologies and Philosophies of Salvation in the Theistic Traditions of India \|date=2006-01-01 \|publisher=Wilfrid Laurier Univ. Press \|isbn=978-0-88920-743-1 \|pages=217 \|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book \|last=Books \|first=Kausiki \|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5zxKEAAAQBAJ&dq=bhramari+goddess+of+bees&pg=PT89 \|title=Markandeya Purana Part 2: Devi Mahatmya: English Translation only without Slokas \|date=2021-10-24 \|publisher=Kausiki Books \|pages=89 \|language=en}}</ref> ~~and~~ is ~~primarily~~ regarded to be a form of [[Lakshmi]] in the [[Pancharatra]] texts,<ref>{{Cite book \|last=Makarand Joshi \|url=http://archive.org/details/laksmitantratranslationbysanjuktaguptareprintdelhi2003lakshmitantra \|title=LAKSMI TANTRA Translation By Sanjukta Gupta Reprint Delhi 2003 LAKSHMI TANTRA}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book \|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=o2ZpAAAAcAAJ&dq=bhramari+lakshmi&pg=PA154 \|title=The Attanagalū-Vansa, Or the History of the Temple of Attanagalla: Translated ... with Notes ... by J. D'Alwis. [With the Pali Text Appended.] \|date=1866 \|publisher=Pali and Eng. Colombo \|pages=154 \|language=en}}</ref> ~~but~~ is also regarded to be a form of [[Parvati~~]] in [[Shaivism~~]].<ref>{{Cite book \|last=Byghan \|first=Yowann \|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qunaDwAAQBAJ&dq=bhramari+goddess+of+bees&pg=PA303 \|title=Sacred and Mythological Animals: A Worldwide Taxonomy \|date=2020-03-11 \|publisher=McFarland \|isbn=978-1-4766-7950-1 \|pages=303 \|language=en}}</ref>		}}{{Short description\|Hindu goddess}}'''Bhramari''' ({{Langx\|sa\|भ्रामरी\|lit=like a bee\|translit=Bhrāmarī}}) is the [[Hinduism\|Hindu]] goddess of bees. She is an incarnation of the goddess [[Mahadevi]] in [[Shaktism]].<ref>{{Cite book \|last=Klostermaier \|first=Klaus K. \|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=CFQ9DgAAQBAJ&dq=bhramari+devi+bhagavatam&pg=PA217 \|title=Mythologies and Philosophies of Salvation in the Theistic Traditions of India \|date=2006-01-01 \|publisher=Wilfrid Laurier Univ. Press \|isbn=978-0-88920-743-1 \|pages=217 \|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book \|last=Books \|first=Kausiki \|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5zxKEAAAQBAJ&dq=bhramari+goddess+of+bees&pg=PT89 \|title=Markandeya Purana Part 2: Devi Mahatmya: English Translation only without Slokas \|date=2021-10-24 \|publisher=Kausiki Books \|pages=89 \|language=en}}</ref> {{refn\|group=note\|She is regarded to be a form of [[Lakshmi]] in the [[Pancharatra]] texts,<ref>{{Cite book \|last=Makarand Joshi \|url=http://archive.org/details/laksmitantratranslationbysanjuktaguptareprintdelhi2003lakshmitantra \|title=LAKSMI TANTRA Translation By Sanjukta Gupta Reprint Delhi 2003 LAKSHMI TANTRA}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book \|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=o2ZpAAAAcAAJ&dq=bhramari+lakshmi&pg=PA154 \|title=The Attanagalū-Vansa, Or the History of the Temple of Attanagalla: Translated ... with Notes ... by J. D'Alwis. [With the Pali Text Appended.] \|date=1866 \|publisher=Pali and Eng. Colombo \|pages=154 \|language=en}}</ref> while in [[Shaivism]], she is also regarded to be a form of [[Parvati]].<ref>{{Cite book \|last=Byghan \|first=Yowann \|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qunaDwAAQBAJ&dq=bhramari+goddess+of+bees&pg=PA303 \|title=Sacred and Mythological Animals: A Worldwide Taxonomy \|date=2020-03-11 \|publisher=McFarland \|isbn=978-1-4766-7950-1 \|pages=303 \|language=en}}</ref>}}

	== Etymology ==		== Etymology ==
	Bhramari means 'the goddess of bees', or 'the goddess of black ~~bees~~'.<ref>{{Cite book \|last=Dowson \|first=John \|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=UyAHAAAAQAAJ&dq=bhramari+bee+goddess&pg=PA87 \|title=A classical dictionary of Hindu mythology and religion, geography, history and literature \|date=1879 \|pages=87 \|language=en}}</ref>		Bhramari means 'the goddess of bees', or 'the goddess of [[black bee]]s'.<ref>{{Cite book \|last=Dowson \|first=John \|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=UyAHAAAAQAAJ&dq=bhramari+bee+goddess&pg=PA87 \|title=A classical dictionary of Hindu mythology and religion, geography, history and literature \|date=1879 \|pages=87 \|language=en}}</ref>

	== Iconography ==		== Iconography ==
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	In the city of the [[Daitya\|daityas]], there lived a powerful [[asura]] named [[Arunasura\|Aruna]]. He despised the [[Deva (Hinduism)\|devas]], and sought above all else to conquer these deities. He went to the banks of the [[Ganges]] in the Himalayas, and practiced a very strict penance to [[Brahma]], believing him to be the protector of the daityas.		In the city of the [[Daitya\|daityas]], there lived a powerful [[asura]] named [[Arunasura\|Aruna]]. He despised the [[Deva (Hinduism)\|devas]], and sought above all else to conquer these deities. He went to the banks of the [[Ganges]] in the Himalayas, and practiced a very strict penance to [[Brahma]], believing him to be the protector of the daityas.

	Observing his penance and resolve, Brahma saw fit to bless Arunasura with the boon of not meeting his end at any war, nor by any arms or weapons, nor by any man or any woman, by any biped or quadruped creature, or any combination of the two. This blessing gave Arunasura the confidence to call on all the other daityas living in the nether regions and fight a final battle with the deities above. The daityas saluted him as their king. By his command, they sent messengers to [[Devaloka]] to signal their intent. Upon hearing the news, [[Indra]] trembled with fear, and went instantly with the deities to the abode of Brahma. After discussing the situation with Brahma, they went to the [[Vaikunth\|Vaikuntha]] to recruit Vishnu. There, they all held a conference on how to kill the daitya who sought to overthrow them.		Observing his penance and resolve, Brahma saw fit to bless Arunasura with the boon of not meeting his end at any war, nor by any arms or weapons, nor by any man or any woman, by any biped or quadruped creature, or any combination of the two. This blessing gave Arunasura the confidence to call on all the other daityas living in the nether regions and fight a final battle with the deities above. The daityas saluted him as their king. By his command, they sent messengers to [[Devaloka]] to signal their intent. Upon hearing the news, [[Indra]] trembled with fear, and went instantly with the deities to the abode of Brahma. After discussing the situation with Brahma, they went to the [[Vaikunth\|Vaikuntha]] to recruit [[Vishnu]]. There, they all held a conference on how to kill the daitya who sought to overthrow them.

	While the deities conferred, Arunasura and his army invaded Devaloka. The daitya used the power of his penances to assume various forms and seized possession of the [[Chandra]], [[Surya]], [[Yamraj\|Yama]], [[Agni]], and all the elemental deities. All these deities, dislodged from their stations, visited [[Kailash\|Kailasha]], and presented to [[Shiva]] the dire nature of their situation. After conferring with Shiva, they turned to [[Adi Parashakti]]. The goddess was aware of Aruna's blessing, and devised a plan to kill the daitya with the help of six-legged creatures.		While the deities conferred, Arunasura and his army invaded Devaloka. The daitya used the power of his penances to assume various forms and seized possession of the [[Chandra]], [[Surya]], [[Yamraj\|Yama]], [[Agni]], and all the elemental deities. All these deities, dislodged from their stations, visited [[Kailash\|Kailasha]], and presented to [[Shiva]] the dire nature of their situation. After conferring with Shiva, they turned to [[Adi Parashakti]]. The goddess was aware of Aruna's blessing, and devised a plan to kill the daitya with the help of six-legged creatures.

	After taking control of all the celestial regions, Aruna's next intention was to attack ~~[[kailash\|~~Kailasha]] directly. Shiva and his sons confronted him at the foot of the mountain. They tried to defeat him, but were unsuccessful. Even Shiva was unable to defeat him. Adi Shakti then appeared behind Shiva, and grew to a massive size, emanating bees from her four hands. Her three eyes shone like the sun, the moon, and the eternal fire [[Agni]]. She closed her eyes in concentration, summoning forth countless bees, hornets, wasps, flies, termites, mosquitos and spiders from the skies. They crawled onto her body and clung onto her, merging with her to create the divine form of Bhramari.		After taking control of all the celestial regions, Aruna's next intention was to attack Kailasha directly. Shiva and his sons confronted him at the foot of the mountain. They tried to defeat him, but were unsuccessful. Even Shiva was unable to defeat him. Adi Shakti then appeared behind Shiva, and grew to a massive size, emanating bees from her four hands. Her three eyes shone like the sun, the moon, and the eternal fire [[Agni]]. She closed her eyes in concentration, summoning forth countless bees, hornets, wasps, flies, termites, mosquitos and spiders from the skies. They crawled onto her body and clung onto her, merging with her to create the divine form of Bhramari.

	In the battle that ensued, the daityas' swords were blocked by Bhramari's massive size, while her other arms inflicted damage on the massive army. The bees, hornets, wasps, flies, termites, mosquitos, and spiders, which clung to her emanated forth in a wave over the ranks. When Arunasura was the last daitya remaining on battlefield, she retreated and sent out all of the insects to attack him. They crawled all over him and ripped open each part of his body: his chests, back and belly, arms, hands, fingers, legs, feet, and toes were all torn apart. Soon after seeing Arunasura's great fall, the insects returned to Bhramari and clung on her again. The deities, who were in awe of this new form, gave her great praise. On the successful decimation of the daitya forces, all of the devas were able to return to their celestial abodes.		In the battle that ensued, the daityas' swords were blocked by Bhramari's massive size, while her other arms inflicted damage on the massive army. The bees, hornets, wasps, flies, termites, mosquitos, and spiders, which clung to her emanated forth in a wave over the ranks. When Arunasura was the last daitya remaining on the battlefield, she retreated and sent out all of the insects to attack him. They crawled all over him and ripped open each part of his body: his chests, back and belly, arms, hands, fingers, legs, feet, and toes were all torn apart. Soon after seeing Arunasura's great fall, the insects returned to Bhramari and clung on her again. The deities, who were in awe of this new form, gave her great praise. On the successful decimation of the daitya forces, all of the devas were able to return to their celestial abodes.

	== Literature ==		== Literature ==

	=== Devi Bhagavata Purana ===		=== Devi Bhagavata Purana ===
	The salutations offered to Bhramari in the Devi Bhagavata Purana indicate that she is a form of the goddess of prosperity, Lakshmi:<ref>{{Cite web \|last=www.wisdomlib.org \|date=2013-05-15 \|title=On the account of Bhrāmarī Devī [Chapter 13] \|url=https://www.wisdomlib.org/hinduism/book/devi-bhagavata-purana/d/doc57377.html \|access-date=2022-09-23 \|website=www.wisdomlib.org \|language=en}}</ref>		The salutations offered to Bhramari in the Devi Bhagavata Purana indicate that she is a form of the goddess of prosperity, [[Lakshmi]]:<ref>{{Cite web \|last=www.wisdomlib.org \|date=2013-05-15 \|title=On the account of Bhrāmarī Devī [Chapter 13] \|url=https://www.wisdomlib.org/hinduism/book/devi-bhagavata-purana/d/doc57377.html \|access-date=2022-09-23 \|website=www.wisdomlib.org \|language=en}}</ref>
	{{Blockquote\|text=Obeisance to Thee! O Bhagavatī! It is Thou that didst appear as Lakṣmī out of the milk ocean (Kṣīra Samudra). Thou hadst destroyed Vritrāsura, Caṇḍa, Muṇḍa, Dhūmralocana, Rakta Bīja, Śumbha, Niśumbha and the Exterminator of the Dānavas and thus, Thou didst do great favours to the Devas.\|title=[[Devi Bhagavata Purana]]\|source=Book 10, Chapter 13}}		{{Blockquote\|text=Obeisance to Thee! O Bhagavatī! It is Thou that didst appear as Lakṣmī out of the milk ocean (Kṣīra Samudra). Thou hadst destroyed Vritrāsura, Caṇḍa, Muṇḍa, Dhūmralocana, Rakta Bīja, Śumbha, Niśumbha and the Exterminator of the Dānavas and thus, Thou didst do great favours to the Devas.\|title=[[Devi Bhagavata Purana]]\|source=Book 10, Chapter 13}}

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	==Yoga==		==Yoga==

	In [[pranayama]], the name Bhramari is given to a type of breathing through the nose, making a smooth humming sound like a bee buzzing.<ref>{{cite web \|title=Types of Pranayama \|url=https://www.yogapoint.com/pranayama/types-of-pranayama.htm#bhramari-humming-bee-breath \|publisher=YogaPoint \|accessdate=13 May 2019 \|date=2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite ~~web~~ \|title=Mind Your Breathing: The Yogi's Handbook with 37 Pranayama Exercises \|url=https://www.~~amazon~~.~~com~~/~~Mind-Your-Breathing-Pranayama-Exercises-ebook~~/dp/~~B07WSBS5S4 \|publisher~~=~~Notion Press \|accessdate~~=~~14 October 2020 \|date~~=~~2020~~}}</ref>		In [[pranayama]], the name Bhramari is given to a type of breathing through the nose, making a smooth humming sound like a bee buzzing.<ref>{{cite web \|title=Types of Pranayama \|url=https://www.yogapoint.com/pranayama/types-of-pranayama.htm#bhramari-humming-bee-breath \|publisher=YogaPoint \|accessdate=13 May 2019 \|date=2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite book \|last=Balasubramanian \|first=Sundar \|title=Mind Your Breathing: The Yogi's Handbook with 37 Pranayama Exercises \|publisher=[[Notion Press]] \|year=2020 \|chapter=15. Bhramari (Humming Bee Breathing) \|url=https://www.google.co.uk/books/edition/_/zPepDwAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&pg=PA1}}</ref>

	== Worship ==		== Worship ==
	The goddess is worshipped as Bhramaramba together with [[Lord Shiva\|Shiva]] at ~~[[Mallikarjuna Temple, Srisailam]], [[Andhra Pradesh]] which is one of~~ the ~~twelve [[Jyothirlingas\|Jyotirlingas]]~~ temples~~, and also known as one of main 18 [[Shakti Peeth\|Shakti Peetha]]. She is also revered in [[Kateel]].~~		The goddess is worshipped as Bhramaramba together with [[Lord Shiva\|Shiva]] at the following temples:

	==See also==		* [[Andhra Pradesh]] state
			** ''[[Mallikarjuna Temple, Srisailam\|Mallikarjuna Temple]]'' at [[Srisailam]] in [[Nandyal district]], one of the twelve [[Jyothirlingas\|Jyotirlingas]] temples and one of main 18 [[Shakta pithas]].<ref name=kat1/>

			* [[Karnataka]] state
			** ''[[Kateel#Temple\|Bhramari Sri Durga Parameshwari temple]]'' at [[Kateel]] in [[Dakshina Kannada]] district of the Indian state of Karnataka.<ref name=kat1>{{Cite web \|title=KateelDevi {{!}} Kateel Devi{{!}}Kateel Durgaparameshwari Temple Official Website{{!}}Kateel devasthana {{!}}News{{!}}Events{{!}}Photos{{!}} Devi temple{{!}}Kateel school{{!}}College{{!}}Goshala{{!}}Yakshagana{{!}}Annadhana \|url=http://www.kateeldevi.in/Home/Footer?LinkText=history&linkId=24 \|access-date=2024-06-06 \|website=www.kateeldevi.in}}</ref>

			* [[Haryana]] state
			** ''[[Banbhori#Temple\|Shri Durga Mata Bhramari Mandir]]'' at [[Banbhori]] village of [[Hisar district]] where fairs are held twice a year and an [[eternal flame]] which has been continuously burning at the temple for at least 400 years.<ref>[https://hisar.gov.in/mata-bhanbhori-devi-mandir Mata Bhanbhori Devi Mandir], hisar.gov.in, accessed 29 Sept 2025.</ref><ref>[https://www.jagran.com/haryana/hisar-people-coming-from-abroad-in-this-temple-17695511.html यहां मान्यता ऐसी कि भूमि से पैदा हुई देवी मां की प्रतिमा, देश विदेश से आते हैं श्रद्धालु], Jagran, 20 March 2018.</ref>

			== See also ==
	* [[Ah-Muzen-Cab]] -- [[Maya peoples\|Mayan]] god of bees.		* [[Ah-Muzen-Cab]] -- [[Maya peoples\|Mayan]] god of bees.
	* [[Aristaeus]] -- [[Ancient Greek]] god of bees.		* [[Aristaeus]] -- [[Ancient Greek]] god of bees.
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	* [[Bee (mythology)]]		* [[Bee (mythology)]]

	==References==		== Notes ==
			{{reflist\|group=note}}

			== References ==
	{{Reflist}}		{{Reflist}}

	{{HinduMythology}}		{{HinduMythology}}
	[[Category:Hindu goddesses]]		[[Category:Hindu goddesses]]
	[[Category:Lakshmi]]		[[Category:Forms of Lakshmi]]
	[[Category:Shaktism]]		[[Category:Shaktism]]
			[[Category:Bees in religion]]

Ajay Kumar: Created a new article

2023-09-18T18:05:05Z

Created a new article

New page

{{Infobox deity
| type = Hindu
| image = [[File:Bhramari Devi.png|200px|]]
| caption = Brahmari is seen releasing her army of black bees against the army of Arunasura
| name = Bhramari
| affiliation = [[Mahadevi]], [[Lakshmi]], [[Parvati]]
| god_of = Goddess of Bees<ref>{{cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=zPepDwAAQBAJ&dq=bhramari+goddess+of+bees&pg=PT88 | isbn=9781684668434 | title=Mind Your Breathing: The Yogi's Handbook with 37 Pranayama Exercises | date=19 August 2019 | publisher=Notion Press }}</ref>
| consort =
}}{{Short description|Hindu goddess}}'''Bhramari''' ({{Lang-sa|भ्रामरी|lit=like a bee|translit=Bhrāmarī}}) is the [[Hinduism|Hindu]] goddess of bees. She is an incarnation of the goddess [[Adi Shakti]] in [[Shaktism]],<ref>{{Cite book |last=Klostermaier |first=Klaus K. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=CFQ9DgAAQBAJ&dq=bhramari+devi+bhagavatam&pg=PA217 |title=Mythologies and Philosophies of Salvation in the Theistic Traditions of India |date=2006-01-01 |publisher=Wilfrid Laurier Univ. Press |isbn=978-0-88920-743-1 |pages=217 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Books |first=Kausiki |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5zxKEAAAQBAJ&dq=bhramari+goddess+of+bees&pg=PT89 |title=Markandeya Purana Part 2: Devi Mahatmya: English Translation only without Slokas |date=2021-10-24 |publisher=Kausiki Books |pages=89 |language=en}}</ref> and is primarily regarded to be a form of [[Lakshmi]] in the [[Pancharatra]] texts,<ref>{{Cite book |last=Makarand Joshi |url=http://archive.org/details/laksmitantratranslationbysanjuktaguptareprintdelhi2003lakshmitantra |title=LAKSMI TANTRA Translation By Sanjukta Gupta Reprint Delhi 2003 LAKSHMI TANTRA}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=o2ZpAAAAcAAJ&dq=bhramari+lakshmi&pg=PA154 |title=The Attanagalū-Vansa, Or the History of the Temple of Attanagalla: Translated ... with Notes ... by J. D'Alwis. [With the Pali Text Appended.] |date=1866 |publisher=Pali and Eng. Colombo |pages=154 |language=en}}</ref> but is also regarded to be a form of [[Parvati]] in [[Shaivism]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Byghan |first=Yowann |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qunaDwAAQBAJ&dq=bhramari+goddess+of+bees&pg=PA303 |title=Sacred and Mythological Animals: A Worldwide Taxonomy |date=2020-03-11 |publisher=McFarland |isbn=978-1-4766-7950-1 |pages=303 |language=en}}</ref>

== Etymology ==
Bhramari means 'the goddess of bees', or 'the goddess of black bees'.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Dowson |first=John |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=UyAHAAAAQAAJ&dq=bhramari+bee+goddess&pg=PA87 |title=A classical dictionary of Hindu mythology and religion, geography, history and literature |date=1879 |pages=87 |language=en}}</ref>

== Iconography ==
The goddess is associated with bees, hornets, and wasps, which cling to her body, and is thus typically depicted as emanating bees and hornets from her [[Chaturbhuja|four hands]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Coburn |first=Thomas B. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=zaTtIQguKYIC&dq=bhramari+goddess+of+bees&pg=PA193 |title=Encountering the Goddess: A Translation of the Devi-Mahatmya and a Study of Its Interpretation |publisher=State University of New York Press |isbn=978-0-7914-9931-3 |pages=193 |language=en}}</ref>

==Legend==

The tenth book and thirteenth chapter of the ''[[Devi Bhagavata Purana]]'' records the exploits of the goddess Bhramari in detail:<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Devi Bhagavatam: The Tenth Book: Chapter 13 |url=http://sacred-texts.com/hin/db/bk10ch13.htm#page_1046 |access-date=2016-03-26 |website=sacred-texts.com}}</ref>

In the city of the [[Daitya|daityas]], there lived a powerful [[asura]] named [[Arunasura|Aruna]]. He despised the [[Deva (Hinduism)|devas]], and sought above all else to conquer these deities. He went to the banks of the [[Ganges]] in the Himalayas, and practiced a very strict penance to [[Brahma]], believing him to be the protector of the daityas.

Observing his penance and resolve, Brahma saw fit to bless Arunasura with the boon of not meeting his end at any war, nor by any arms or weapons, nor by any man or any woman, by any biped or quadruped creature, or any combination of the two. This blessing gave Arunasura the confidence to call on all the other daityas living in the nether regions and fight a final battle with the deities above. The daityas saluted him as their king. By his command, they sent messengers to [[Devaloka]] to signal their intent. Upon hearing the news, [[Indra]] trembled with fear, and went instantly with the deities to the abode of Brahma. After discussing the situation with Brahma, they went to the [[Vaikunth|Vaikuntha]] to recruit Vishnu. There, they all held a conference on how to kill the daitya who sought to overthrow them.

While the deities conferred, Arunasura and his army invaded Devaloka. The daitya used the power of his penances to assume various forms and seized possession of the [[Chandra]], [[Surya]], [[Yamraj|Yama]], [[Agni]], and all the elemental deities. All these deities, dislodged from their stations, visited [[Kailash|Kailasha]], and presented to [[Shiva]] the dire nature of their situation. After conferring with Shiva, they turned to [[Adi Parashakti]]. The goddess was aware of Aruna's blessing, and devised a plan to kill the daitya with the help of six-legged creatures.

After taking control of all the celestial regions, Aruna's next intention was to attack [[kailash|Kailasha]] directly. Shiva and his sons confronted him at the foot of the mountain. They tried to defeat him, but were unsuccessful. Even Shiva was unable to defeat him. Adi Shakti then appeared behind Shiva, and grew to a massive size, emanating bees from her four hands. Her three eyes shone like the sun, the moon, and the eternal fire [[Agni]]. She closed her eyes in concentration, summoning forth countless bees, hornets, wasps, flies, termites, mosquitos and spiders from the skies. They crawled onto her body and clung onto her, merging with her to create the divine form of Bhramari.

In the battle that ensued, the daityas' swords were blocked by Bhramari's massive size, while her other arms inflicted damage on the massive army. The bees, hornets, wasps, flies, termites, mosquitos, and spiders, which clung to her emanated forth in a wave over the ranks. When Arunasura was the last daitya remaining on battlefield, she retreated and sent out all of the insects to attack him. They crawled all over him and ripped open each part of his body: his chests, back and belly, arms, hands, fingers, legs, feet, and toes were all torn apart. Soon after seeing Arunasura's great fall, the insects returned to Bhramari and clung on her again. The deities, who were in awe of this new form, gave her great praise. On the successful decimation of the daitya forces, all of the devas were able to return to their celestial abodes.

== Literature ==

=== Devi Bhagavata Purana ===
The salutations offered to Bhramari in the Devi Bhagavata Purana indicate that she is a form of the goddess of prosperity, Lakshmi:<ref>{{Cite web |last=www.wisdomlib.org |date=2013-05-15 |title=On the account of Bhrāmarī Devī [Chapter 13] |url=https://www.wisdomlib.org/hinduism/book/devi-bhagavata-purana/d/doc57377.html |access-date=2022-09-23 |website=www.wisdomlib.org |language=en}}</ref>
{{Blockquote|text=Obeisance to Thee! O Bhagavatī! It is Thou that didst appear as Lakṣmī out of the milk ocean (Kṣīra Samudra). Thou hadst destroyed Vritrāsura, Caṇḍa, Muṇḍa, Dhūmralocana, Rakta Bīja, Śumbha, Niśumbha and the Exterminator of the Dānavas and thus, Thou didst do great favours to the Devas.|title=[[Devi Bhagavata Purana]]|source=Book 10, Chapter 13}}

=== Marakandeya Purana ===
She is also briefly alluded to in the [[Devi Mahatmya]].<ref name="Brown">{{cite book |author=C. Mackenzie Brown |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=N8kpThg4Q5EC&pg=PA277 |title=The Triumph of the Goddess: The Canonical Models and Theological Visions of the Devi-Bhagavata Purana |publisher=SUNY Press |isbn=978-0-7914-9777-7 |pages=277}}</ref>

=== Lakshmi Tantra ===
Lakshmi declares herself to be Bhramari in the [[Lakshmi Tantra]]:<ref>{{Cite web |last=www.wisdomlib.org |date=2015-12-09 |title=Bhramari, Bhramarī, Bhrāmarī: 13 definitions |url=https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/bhramari |access-date=2022-09-23 |website=www.wisdomlib.org |language=en}}</ref>
{{Blockquote|text=“During the sixtieth era there will be one demon, called Aruṇa who will do much harm to men and sages. Then I shall appear in bee-form incorporating innumerable bees, and I shall slay the mighty demon and rescue the three worlds. From then on people will praise me for ever and address me as Bhrāmarī.”|title=[[Lakshmi Tantra]]|source=9.41-43}}

==Yoga==

In [[pranayama]], the name Bhramari is given to a type of breathing through the nose, making a smooth humming sound like a bee buzzing.<ref>{{cite web |title=Types of Pranayama |url=https://www.yogapoint.com/pranayama/types-of-pranayama.htm#bhramari-humming-bee-breath |publisher=YogaPoint |accessdate=13 May 2019 |date=2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Mind Your Breathing: The Yogi's Handbook with 37 Pranayama Exercises |url=https://www.amazon.com/Mind-Your-Breathing-Pranayama-Exercises-ebook/dp/B07WSBS5S4 |publisher=Notion Press |accessdate=14 October 2020 |date=2020}}</ref>

== Worship ==
The goddess is worshipped as Bhramaramba together with [[Lord Shiva|Shiva]] at [[Mallikarjuna Temple, Srisailam]], [[Andhra Pradesh]] which is one of the twelve [[Jyothirlingas|Jyotirlingas]] temples, and also known as one of main 18 [[Shakti Peeth|Shakti Peetha]]. She is also revered in [[Kateel]].

==See also==
* [[Ah-Muzen-Cab]] -- [[Maya peoples|Mayan]] god of bees.
* [[Aristaeus]] -- [[Ancient Greek]] god of bees.
* [[List of Lithuanian mythological figures#Jan Łasicki|Austėja]] -- [[Lithuania]]n goddess of bees.
* [[List of Lithuanian mythological figures#Jan Łasicki|Bubilas]] -- [[Lithuania]]n god of bees.
* [[List of Maya gods and supernatural beings#C|Colel Cab]] -- [[Maya peoples|Mayan]] goddess of bees.
* [[Melissa]] -- [[Ancient Greek]]/[[Minoan civilization|Minoan]] goddess of bees.
* [[Mellona]] -- [[Roman mythology|Roman]] goddess of bees.
* [[Bee (mythology)]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{HinduMythology}}
[[Category:Hindu goddesses]]
[[Category:Lakshmi]]
[[Category:Shaktism]]