Saturday, December 5, 2009

Mata Saraswati-Goddess of Knowledge and Art

Saraswati,the goddess of knowledge and arts,represents the free flow of wisdom and consciousness,She is the mother of the Vedas,and chant to her,called the 'Saraswati Vandana' often begin and end Vedic lessons.
Saraswati is the daughter of Lord Shiva and Goddess Durga.Its is believed that goddess Saraswati endows human being with the powers of speech,wisdom and learning.She has four hands representing four aspects of human personality in learning,mind,intellect,alertness and ego.She has sacred scriptures in are hand and a lotus-the symbol of true knowledge in the second.
With her other two hands she plays the music of love and life on a string instrument called the Veena,she is dressed in white-the symbol of purity and sides on a white Swan -symbolizing sathwa Guna on purity and discrimination.
Saraswati is also a prominent figure in Buddhist iconography-the consort of Manjushri.
The learned and the erudile attach greater importance to the worship of goddess Saraswati.As a practice,only educated people worship her for knowledge and wisdom.They believe that only Saraswati can grant them 'Moksha'-the final liberation of the soul.
Saraswati's Birthday-Vasant Panchami-is a Hindu festival celebrated every year on the 5th day of the bright fortnight of the lunar month of MaghaHindus celebrates this festival with great fervor in temples,homes and educational institutes alike.
Read More about Vasant Panchami
As 'Diwali'-the festival of light-is to Lakshmi,goddess of wealth and properity and 'Navaratri' is to Durga,goddess of knowledge and arts.This festival is celebrated every year on the 5th day on 'Panchami' of the bright fortnight of the lunar month of Magha which falls during january-February,'Vasant' comes from the word 'spring' as this festival heralds the begining of the spring season.
Birthday of Goddess Saraswati: It is believed that on this day goddess Saraswati was born.Hindus celebrate Vasant Panchami with great fervor in temples,homes and even schools and college.Saraswatis favorite colour yellow assumes special significance on this day.
Statues of the goddess are dressed in yellow cloths and are worshipped by devotees adorning yellow garments.Saraswati is offered yellow colored sweets which are given away as 'Prasad' to all people attending the ritual worship.There is also a custom of ancestor worship,known as 'Pitri-Tarpan' in many parts of India during Vasant Panchami'.
The Foundation of Education
The most significant aspect of Vasant Panchami is that it is also the most auspicious day to begin laying ones foundations of education-of how to read and write.Pre-school children are given their first lesson in reading and writing on this day.All Hindus educational institutions conduct special prayer for Saraswati on this day.It is also a great day to inaugurate training institutes and new schools-a trend made famous by the renowned Indian educationist Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya(1861-1946) who founded the Banaras Hindu University on Vasant Panchami day in 1916.
A Springtime Celebration
During Vasant Panchami,the advert of spring is felt in the air as the season undergoes change.New leaves and blossoms appear in the trees with the promise of new life and hope.Vasant Panchami also announces the arrival of another big springtime event in the Indus Calender-Holi,the festival of colours.
Saraswati Vandana Sanskrit Mantra
The following prayer is recited on this day:
Yaa kundendu tushaara haaradhavalaa,Yaa shubhravastraavritha|
Yaa veenavara dandamanditakara,Yaa shewetha Padmaasana||
Yaa brahmaachyutha shankara prabhritibhir devaisadaa vanditha|
Saa Maam Paatu Saraswatee Bhagavatee Nitshesha jaadyaapahaa||
English Translation:
"May Goddess Saraswati,who is fair like the jasmine-coloured moon,and who pure white garland is like frosty few drops:
Who is adorned in radiant white attire,on whose beautiful arm rests the veena,and whose throne is a white lotus:
Who is surrounded and respected by the Gods,protect me,
May you fully remove my lethargy,sluggishness,and ignorance".