सरस्वति महाभागे विद्ये कमललोचने।
विद्यारूपे विशालाक्षि विद्यां देहि नमोऽस्तुते।।
ॐ जय जय देवी चराचर सारे।
कुचयुगशोभित मुक्तहारे।।
वीणा रंजित, पुस्तक हस्ते।
भगवती भारती देवी नमस्ते।।
श्वेतपद्मासना देवी श्वेतपुष्पोपशोभिता ।श्वेताम्बरधरा नित्या श्वेतगन्धानुलेपना ॥श्वेताक्षी शुक्लवस्त्रा च श्वेतचन्दनचर्चिता ।वरदा सिद्धगन्धर्वैरृषिभिः स्तूयते सदा ॥स्तोत्रेणानेन तां देवीं जगद्धात्रीं सरस्वतीम् ।ये स्मरन्ति त्रिकालेषु सर्वाविद्यां लभन्ति ते ॥
ॐ भूर्भुवः स्व:
तत्सवितुर्वरेण्यं भर्गो
देवस्य धीमहि
धियो यो नः प्रचोदयात् ॥
Saraswati is the Goddess of Knowledge, Wisdom and Learning, including education, arts and crafts, and even the art and knowledge of war. She is also the Goddess of Speech, Creativity, Music, Culture, along with Flow, Protection, Healing and the River Saraswati
Her colour is white, representing the Sattvik Guna, from which She and Shiva were created, according to some myths. She is said to be the Shakti of Brahma, who aids Him in the act of creating the whole Universe. Whereas, in Eastern India, She is depicted as the daughter of Durga and Shiva, sister to Ganesh, Kartik and Lakshmi
In earlier Vedic myths, She is said to have helped Indra in carrying out a plant to kill Hiranyakashipu after he began abusing his boon (Which later on became the story of Vishnu’s Narasimha Avatar), or even having slain Vritrasura alongside Him, highlighting Her role in wars
In some cases, She is even said to be Indra’s mother, or like His mother (such as when healing Him from the effects of drinking too much Soma Ras once). Sometimes She is also called the Tongue of Vishnu
Some myths tell of Her as a River Goddess who carried Vedavagni, a fire that could consume everything, into the Primordial Oceans. In the Ramayana, She settles on Kumbhakarna’s tongue to make him ask for a boon of sleep instead. A similar incident occurs when She takes away Mookasura’s ability of Speech, preventing him from asking for the boon he wanted from Shiva
She is worshipped by Students, Teachers, Artists, Musicians, Dancers and many more people, but She is also depicted as being fierce and beyond anyone’s control in ancient texts, flowing with the ferocity of a raging bull and cutting through mountains, even being associated with the Maruts (The Storm Gods)
Some myths show a temperamental side of Hers. Such as one where She and Ganga are shown as Vishnu’s other wives, and got into an argument out of jealousy over His affection. This leads to them cursing each other into becoming rivers. Saraswati was then given to Brahma as Her river’s source, while Ganga flowed through Shiva’s jata. Another myth tells of Saraswati becoming furious on finding out Brahma was marrying again for a yagya, and cursed everyone present. The Devas, the Tridev, Lakshmi and Parvati, the Brahmins and their wives
Mahasweta
The Perfect White One
Symbolizes Divine purity, brilliance, knowledge and radiance
Bharati
The Illuminating/Shining One
She who illuminates darkness (of ignorance) with the eloquence of speech and wisdom to preserve creation
Vacdevi/Vagvadini
The Goddess of Speech
She who holds/bestows the power of speech
Hanseshwari
The Goddess who rides a Swan
Medha
Skill or Intelligence
Symbolizes Saraswati as being a Goddess whose worship requires dedication
Dhee
Understanding, Thought, Intellect or Mind
Symbolizes Saraswati as the power of Comprehension, Reflection and Meditation over matters required for deep understanding of complex topics
Paravataghni
Slayer of the Mountains/Opponents
Back when the River Saraswati flowed, it had a tremendous force that could essentially cut through mountains
Signifies Her uncontrollable power, Her ability to destroy obstacles in Her path, and how She makes others bend to Her will and never the other way around
Vritraghni
Slayer of Vritrasura
An epithet shared with Indra, for having slain the Draconic drought Danava, Vritra
Signifies Her war-like aspect
Kavijihvagravasini
She who dwells on the tongue of Poets
Signifies Her role as the Patron of Poets, embodiment of eloquence, and source of Creativity
Bharadi
Goddess of History
Varneshwari
Goddess of the Letters
Symbolizes Her as the embodiment of Speech and Language itself
Vedamata
Mother of the Vedas
Signifies Her role in creating all knowledge and wisdom in the Universe
Maha Saraswati
Embodiment of the Sattvik Guna
Eight-armed and with a Lion Vahana
Also known as Kaushiki, the slayer of Shumbha and Nishumbha
Brahmani/Brahmi
The Shakti of Brahma and a warrior aspect of Saraswati
One of the Saptamatrika, who aid Devi Kaushiki in Her battle, and are said to have helped Devi Chamunda drink up all of Raktabeej’s blood. She is depicted as Yellow, and with four heads and four or six arms, holding a Japamala, Kamandalu, Book, Noose, Lotus and Bell.
Gayatri
The personification of the Vedas and the Gayatri Mantra
Depicted with five heads (each representing Earth, Water, Fire, Air and Sky/Space/Ether) or sometimes three, and ten arms, seated on a Lotus
Savitri
Radiance of the Sun
Comparing Her to the Sunlight that sustains the life on Earth
Associated with the Solar Deity Savitr, one of the Adityas
Matangi
Ninth of the Das Mahavidya
Saraswati’s Tantric Form
Either a Chandalini huntress (as Uchchhistha Matangi), or the Rudra Veena-playing Ministress (Maha Mantrini) of Devi Tripura Sundari (as Raj Matangi)
Offered leftovers or anything that is ritually considered impure, including leftover/partially eaten food, and even cloths used to soak period blood
Instead of Hansraj or Chitramekhala, She is depicted with Parrots/Parakeets
Said to control the Brahmanad, the Cosmic Sound produced from Primordial Vibrations, such as ॐ
Sharada
The bestower of knowledge
The form of Saraswati said to reside in Kashmir, when the indigenous Hindu population still thrived there
The Kuldevi of Kashmiri Pandit families, and also called Kashmirpuranivasini
They are seven forms of Saraswati, said to represent different types and forms of knowledge. They are mentioned in various traditions, with the Meru Tantra being an important example of one
Maha Saraswati
Eight-armed and three-eyed form of Saraswati, representing entirety of Learning and Knowledge. She is called Kaushiki as She is said to have appeared from Maa Parvati’s dark skin sheath (“krishna kosha”) to kill Asuras like Shumbha, Nishumbha, Dhumralochan and Raktabeej
Neela Saraswati
The Blue form of Saraswati, dressed in red and seated on a blue Lotus, and holding two flowers in two of Her hands. She is linked with esoteric Knowledge (and associated with Maa Tara, the second of the Das Mahavidya) and protects Her devotees from negative energy.
Chintamani Saraswati
Named after the Wish-granting jewel, as She bestows the knowledge and wisdom one needs to achieve their desires. She holds a Pash, Ankush, Book and Kalam. She is seated on a White Lotus and has the Crescent Moon adorning Her
Gyana/Jnana Saraswati
The most commonly known form, playing the Veena, dressed in White and adorned with a Crescent Moon, and holding the Vedas and a Japamala, riding a Swan. She is the form worshipped in Saraswati Puja, and aids in learning by removing all obstacles to knowledge
Kini Saraswati
Named after the sound of a bell’s ringing, as She is associated with the creation of Sound and Music. She is three-eyed, adorned with the Crescent Moon, said to be the patron of Gandharvas and bestows the knowledge of Music and instruments, like Her Veena.
Ghata Saraswati
Represents the Wisdom that fills the Human mind and body, like how water fills a Ghata (Pot). She embodies the Education that completes a Human being. Her mount is Her peacock Chitramekhala, and She holds the Vedas, a Japamala and a Veena, and has three eyes
Antariksha Saraswati
The form of Saraswati that represents the limitlessness of Learning, and bestows Cosmic Wisdom. She is dressed in White, holding the Vedas, a Japamala and a vessel of Amrit, with a bird on the hand holding the Japamala.
According to Shrikula traditions, these eight Goddesses are the epitome of the power and eloquence of Speech, communication and Language. They are said to have composed the Sri Lalita Sahsranama. They are said to reside in the 7th Avarana (Ring of 8 small Triangles near the centre) of the Sri Chakra Yantra.
Kameshwari (Desire and Creativity)
Koulini (Esotericism and Mysticism)
Sarveshwari (Supreme Ruler of all Speech)
White Colour
Represents the Sattvik Guna, the aspect of Adya Shakti as Peace, Purity, Creation, and Balance
Swan (Hansraj)
Swans are said to be able to drink the milk and leave behind the water, when given a mixture of the two to drink from. Thus, they symbolize the ability to differentiate good and bad, and the ability to take in what is right, true and necessary, and reject any impurity
Veena
The symbol of Saraswati as the origin of all sound, and the skill and knowledge required to master a musical instrument
Japamala
A Japamala refers to prayer beads (typically 108) used during meditation. Saraswati is shown with a crystal Japamala, symbolizing the highest state of purity and discipline, and the ability to discern real from unreal
Vedas
The source of all forms of knowledge and wisdom
Peacock (Chitramekhala)
The Peacock vahan represents the beauty of Arts, Creativity and Learning, but also control of vanity and fickle-mindedness
Parrots
Parrots can mimic the words they hear from humans. Hence, they symbolize the ability to grasp knowledge just by hearing
Sharada Shakti Peeth
One of the Maha Shakti Peeth, it is believed to be where Devi Sati's right hand fell. It was once a place revered as a sacred place of learning, akin to Nalanda and Takshila. It was an important centre for propagating the Sharada script in North India, and even led to Kashmir being known as Sharada Desh.
Today it stands in the Neelum Valley of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. It is now ruined from invasions in the 15th century by Sultan Sikandar Butshikhan aiming to destroy Hindu temples, neglect and vandalism as a result of Pakistan genociding the Pandits and terrorist forces occupying the the area preventing pilgrimage, and natural disasters like earthquakes
Sri Gnana Saraswati Temple
Located in Basar, Telangana, on the banks of the Godavari River. It is well known for the Akshara Abhyasam ritual for children's education. It was Constructed by the Karnataka King Bijialudu in the 6th century. In the 17th century, after Islamic invasions, the idols were restored in the temple once more
Sringeri Sharadamba Temple
Established by Adi Shankaracharya in the 8th century, as part of four cardinal Peetham to spread Advaita Vedanta (Non-Dualism) philosophy. It is located in Karnataka, on the banks of the Tunga River, and worships Devi Sharadamba. The Goddess' idol was said to have been brought here by Shankaracharya himself, from the Sharada Shakti Peeth itself.
Kollur Mookambika Temple
Situated in Kollur, Karnataka, it is believed to have been established by Adi Shankaracharya in the 8th century. It is dedicated to Devi Mookambika, the slayer of Mookasura and a form of the Tridevi. The temple houses a Saraswati Vidya Peetham, and worships Mookambika as Mahakali in morning, Mahalakshmi in noon, and Mahasaraswati in evening.
Also known as Vasant Panchami, it falls on the fifth day of the month of Magh (January-February) and is celebrated in the Eastern parts of the country (Bengal, Assam, Tripura, Bihar and Odissa) and also Nepal
It is said to be held 40 days before Spring reaches its peak, and many begin preparations for the Holika Dahan which falls 40 days later. It is said that the Winter’s cold starts receding starting from Vasant Panchami too. The colour yellow is most associated with this festival, and is considered to be Saraswati’s favourite. Mustard plants bloom, people wear yellow, Her murtis are dressed in yellow sarees, and yellow decorations are set up.
States where Saraswati is worshipped, schools and colleges give the day off, with some even having Saraswati Pujas in them.
Families often have a ritual marking young children’s formal introduction to education on this day, with writing the letters on a slate (called “Haate Khori” in Bengal and “Khadi-Chuan” in Odissa)
One important part of the Puja’s prasad is the Kul (Indian Plum) fruit, which is said to be Saraswati’s favourite fruit, and associated with. The prevalent belief is that it is bad to eat the fruit before the Puja, as it is said to cause bad results in exams, or simply be unripe and not be good for the body.
The festival, for some (especially Sri Vidya practitioners), is part of a larger festival, the Shyamala Navratri or Magha Gupta Navratri. It is a nine-day festival which worships Devi Shyamala (Matangi Devi), and is one of the many Navratris that are celebrated in a year
