Saraswati: The Goddess Of Knowledge, Scriptures And Wisdom
She is Vani, the Goddess of speech, ‘Sarada’, the one who loves autumn, the consort of Brahma, ‘Brahmani’, Goddess of science, ‘Brahmi’ and ‘Varneswari’, the goddess of letters. She is also worshipped as “Vidyadatri”, the Goddess who provides knowledge, “Veenapani/ Binapani”, the Goddess carrying Veena in her hands, Hansavahini, Goddess who sits on a swan and Bagdevi, the Goddess of speech. The word Saraswati comes from two words, Saras meaning flow and Wati, she who has. Thus, Saraswati means she who has the flow. Initially Saraswati was worshipped as a river Goddess with various mentions of it in the Rig Veda. Later on, she evolved into one of the major Goddesses, the Goddess of Knowledge, wisdom and the Vedas, the holy scriptures of Hinduism.
Usually depicted as a goddess with four arms, wearing a pristine white Saree, adorned with white flowers, holding a veena, seated on a white lotus or a white swan, some pictorial representations show two arms holding a Veena. Her four arms represent the human aspects of learning – mind, intellect, alertness and ego. Alternatively, these four arms also represent the four Vedas, Rig, Sam, Yayur and Atharva.
As the patron of wisdom, she rejects all that is base and materialistic and rejoices in the power of mind. She symbolizes all that is sacred, sublime and pure in nature. The four Vedas are considered as her offspring. Her mount, the Swan, personifies pure knowledge.
Saraswati is a part of the Holy Trinity. Together with Mahalaxmi and Mahakali, she forms the trinity of Cosmic energy (the Shakti), that creates, maintains and devours the universe.
LEGENDS
Lord Brahma, the creative force of the Universe, created Saraswati when he felt the need of a consort. Thus, Saraswati is regarded as both the daughter and wife of Lord Brahma. In some scriptures like the Shiv Purana, she is described as the daughter of Lord Shiv.
It is unanimously agreed that Saraswati was the consort of Brahma and she was, also, the reason of his downfall. The legend says, once Lord Brahma arranged for a great Yajna (Sacrifice) . As per custom, the wife must be present with the husband while performing the sacred rituals of Yajna. Saraswati, however, caught by some other work, could not reach the venue in time. The auspicious moment was going by, so with the advice of sages and blessings of other Gods, Brahma took Gayatri as his second wife. They began the rituals, but in the meantime Saraswati reached the place. Enraged by this betrayal, she cursed Brahma, to remain forgotten, shunned by mortals. Later, after Brahma’s fervent apologies, she allowed him two places of worship. Hence, only two places in India, Pushkar (Rajasthan) and Kumbhakonam (Tamil Nadu) have Brahma temples.
It is believed that Adikabi Sarala Das wrote Ramayan and Mahabharat with the blessings of Devi Sarala (Sarada or Saraswati). Similarly, Kalidas is said to be blessed by the goddess to create his magnificent collection of Sanskrit literature.
OTHER NAMES AND ASPECTS
Saraswati is not only a popular Hindu Goddess, but also revered in Buddhist and Jain Cultures. According to Vajrabhairava Tantra, Saraswati has three aspects. The peaceful one is called Saraswati, Vajra Vetali is the wrathful female consort of Vajravairav, Oden Bama (Blazing with Light), is the protector aspect of Vajra Vetali. She is also worshipped as the female consort of Buddhist deity Manjushree Bodhisattva and Nila Saraswati (or Tara), whose color is royal blue instead of white.
Apart from India and Nepal, Goddess Saaswati is also a popular deity in Japan, Vietnam, Indonesia and Burma. In Burma she is known as Thurathadi, in China as Biancaitian, in Japan as Benzaiten and in Thailand as Saratsawadi or Suratsawadi.
The fifth day of the bright half of the month Magha is celebrated as Basanta Panchami, dedicated to Goddess Saraswati. It is considered auspicious for new beginnings and educational ventures. In every village, particularly in educational institutions, the Puja is celebrated with much enthusiasm.