Phra Mae Thorani

Similar earth deities include Pṛthivī, Kṣiti, and Dharaṇī, Vasudhara bodhisattva in Vajrayana and Bhoomi devi and Prithvi in hinduism.

According to Buddhist myths, Phra Mae Thorani is personified as a young woman wringing the cool waters of detachment out of her hair to drown Mara, the demon sent to tempt Gautama Buddha as he meditated under the Bodhi Tree.

The Bodhisattva was sitting in meditation on his throne under the Bodhi Tree, Mara, the Evil One, was jealous and wanted to stop him from reaching enlightenment.

She twisted her long hair, and torrents of water collected there from the innumerable donative libations of the Buddha over the ages created a flood.

The flood washed away Mara and his army, and the Bodhisattva was freed to reach enlightenment.In temple murals, Phra Mae Thorani is often depicted with the Buddha in the mudra known as calling the earth to witness.