Vasudhara

Vasudhara is a name found in Hindu and Buddhist traditions that refers to a deity or bodhisattva associated with wealth, prosperity, and abundance. The name comes from Sanskrit, with vasu meaning wealth and dhara meaning bearer or holder. In some traditions she is regarded as a distinct figure, while in others she is treated as an aspect or epithet of Lakshmi, the principal goddess of wealth. The related name Vasundhara, meaning “earth bearer,” is also used in various contexts.

In Hinduism, Vasudhara is sometimes described as a goddess of wealth and plenty. She appears in certain regional and folk traditions and may be invoked in rites aimed at securing economic well-being for households, merchants, and communities. Since Lakshmi is the primary goddess of prosperity in mainstream Hindu practice, Vasudhara often functions as a local or auxiliary manifestation of abundance rather than a separate, universal deity.

In Buddhism, Vasudhara is a bodhisattva associated with wealth and prosperity, and she is venerated in Tibetan and Himalayan Buddhist contexts as a benefactor of material and spiritual welfare. Iconography commonly shows her with a vase or a cascade of jewels, symbolizing abundance and generosity. Prayers and offerings to Vasudhara are meant to support material means and to enable practitioners to sustain their spiritual activities and the well-being of others.

Iconography generally depicts Vasudhara as a benevolent female figure richly adorned, frequently with a treasure vase or overflowing jewels, underscoring themes of bounty, generosity, and sustenance.