She is associated with wisdom, music, art, and learning. Among all the colors, Red is the significator of energy. [41], Vishnu convinced Vadava that his best course of action would be to swallow the devas one by one, and that he should begin by consuming the primordial water of creation, which was the foremost of both the devas and the asuras. Durga is offered only red color saree. This article was co-authored by wikiHow Staff. India. Saraswatis is remembered on Vasant Panchami (Saraswatis birthday) is a Hindu festival celebrated every year on the fifth day of spring (about February). This day marks the beginning of the spring season. Icons of Saraswati with other deities of India are found in old Thai wats. If you dont have a statue, you can use a photograph. [34] Due to her association with the swan, Saraswati is also referred to as Hamsavhini, which means she who has a hamsa as her vehicle. [67], On Saraswati day, people make offerings in the form of flowers in temples and to sacred texts. [58], The celebrations start with the Puja Vypu (Placing for Worship). All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published. In tantric literature of the former, Nilasaraswati has 100names. After bath get dressed in yellow coloured clothes. Saraswati is the hindu goddess of the arts and literature. [12][16] In Upanishads and Dharma Sastras, Saraswati is invoked to remind the reader to meditate on virtue, virtuous emoluments, the meaning and the very essence of one's activity, one's action. In addition, you can place these items in small bowls and place them around your idol. Nila Saraswati is not much a different deity from traditional Saraswati, who subsumes her knowledge and creative energy in tantric literature. Saraswati is offered sweets that are given away as prasad to all people attending the ritual worship. This is also called Vidyarambham. READ | If voted to power in WB, BJP will ensure Durga, Saraswati puja held without hindrance: Amit Shah Image: Shutterstock They do not store directly personal information, but are based on uniquely identifying your browser and internet device. She is born from the body of Gauri and is the sustaining base of the three worlds. In Ernakulam district of Kerala, there is a famous Saraswati temple in North Paravur, namely, Dakshina Mookambika Temple North Paravur. She is also known as Bharati (eloquence), Shatarupa (existence), Vedamata ('mother of the Vedas '), Brahmi, Sarada, Vagisvari, and Putkari. She is not only worshipped but also been manifested as a form of Goddess Saraswati. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. In popular mythological literature and pictures, a peacock is also shown as her carrier vehicle. Saraswati is a Hindu goddess. Brahma had been waiting for his wife to join him, but she was late and delaying the important ceremony. What is the favourite colour of goddess Saraswati? Her dhyna shloka given at the beginning of the fifth chapter of Devi Mahatmya is: Goddess Saraswati is offered white color saree or yellow color - or a mix of yellow and white. Though it is true that Vidya or Paravidya (spiritual illumination). Devotees adorn the deity with white clothes and flowers as the white color is believed to be the favorite color of Goddess Saraswati. % of people told us that this article helped them. A fifth face emerged from Brahma, looking upwards. In some regions a mix of purple and red. When it is a mixed color yellow will be the border color. Saraswati went to the demigods dwelling place to reclaim the special plant and enchanted the thieves with her veena, a classical stringed musical instrument. The sage's son, Pippalada, upon hearing these events, sought to wreak his vengeance on the devas by performing a penance. The Saraswati puja is performed on the Hindu holidays Vasant Panchami and Navratri, and you can perform a Saraswati puja in your home any time you want to call on Goddess Saraswati. It is through her that language and writing is revealed. [84][85] She is believed in the Tibetan tradition to have accompanied him on his travels, as well as regularly engaging in conversations with him. [1] On this day, Hindu devotees worship Maa Saraswati - the Goddess of knowledge, art and creativity. These cookies are necessary for the website to function and cannot be switched off in our systems. In our flamboyant Indian Culture, the Gods have their favorite days, flowers and colors. In hymns of Book10 of Rigveda, she is already declared to be the "possessor of knowledge". Outside Nepal and India, she is known in Burmese as Thurathadi (, pronounced[jad] or [ad]) or Tipitaka Medaw (, pronounced[tptka md]), in Chinese as Bincitin (), in Japanese as Benzaiten (/) and in Thai as Suratsawadi () or Saratsawadi (). We use cookies to make wikiHow great. The goddess Sharada worshipped in Sharada Peeth is a tripartite embodiment of the goddess Shakti: Sharada (goddess of learning), Saraswati (goddess of knowledge), and Vagdevi (goddess of speech, which articulates power). Saraswati is called the Mother of the Veda 's and the repository of Brahma 's creative intelligence. Hence she is the procreatrix, the mother, of the entire creation. In her identity as Brahmani, additional Saraswati temples can be found throughout Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh. You fix for me a seat and duties." These ingredients are commonly used to invoke Saraswati. On this day, Hindus of Bali go to the sea, sacred waterfalls or river spots, offer prayers to Saraswati, and then rinse themselves in that water in the morning. Statues or figures of Saraswati are commonly used as the idol. The favourite colour of goddess Saraswati is also a symbol of optimism, hope and new beginnings and is worn widely on Saraswati Puja or Basant Panchmi. The peacock with its beautiful plumage stands for this world in all its glory. Her name means watery, flowing, or elegant. [10], The goddess Saraswati is often depicted as a beautiful woman dressed in pure white, often seated on a white lotus, which symbolizes light, knowledge and truth. The fourth day of the year is called Pagerwesi, meaning "iron fence". One of the most famous festivals associated with Goddess Saraswati is the Hindu festival of Vasant Panchami. Saraswati was honoured with invocations among Hindus of Angkorian Cambodia, suggests a tenth-century and another eleventh-century inscription. It thus symbolizes the ability to discriminate between good and evil, essence from the outward show, and the eternal from the evanescent. The Saraswati River, today called the Sarsuti River, is known to provide good fortune to those who bathe in it, as well as fertility and purification. They were built by the Marathas in honour of Saraswati. In fact, Maa Saraswati is one of the most worshiped Goddess in the Hindu Religion. In Shaktism, she takes her Matrika (mother goddess) avatar as Brahmani. If you do not allow these cookies we may not know when you have visited our site, and may not be able to monitor its performance. Since the attractions of the world lead the spiritual aspirant astray, the peacock cans actually symbolise Avidya (ignorance or nescience). Sarasvat agreed to this. That Mahasaraswati I worship here who destroyed Sumbha and other asuras. [32][37], Sometimes a citramekhala (also called mayura, peacock) is shown beside the goddess. Mostly in the Bengali community, a traditional ceremony is held where children and babies are motivated to pen their first words, thus taking a step into the world of arts, culture and literature. Saraswati is a Hindu goddess. [68], The Saraswati Day festival has a long history in Bali. So she holds a VIQa (lute) on which she actually plays, to show the need for the cultivation of fine-arts. She is often seen playing a musical instrument and riding on a white swan. It advanced the importance of knowledge and education in Kashmiri Pandit culture, which persisted well after Kashmiri Pandits became a minority group in Kashmir.[54]. A ml of crystals, representing the power of meditation, inner reflection, and spirituality. As one of the Maha Shakti Peethas, Hindus believe that it represents the spiritual location of the goddess Sati's fallen right hand. This is said to help solidify the blessing and bring prosperity once you return to your work the following day. In the curse of Saraswati, the goddess curses her husband when she sees him participating in a religious ceremony with another woman, instead of her. [78]:215 Students in Myanmar pray for her blessings before their exams. 1. [63], Watugunung, the last day of the pawukon calendar, is devoted to Saraswati, goddess of learning. Without these scared flowers, any ritual is considered incomplete. A mare emerged from his right thigh, which in turn gave birth to a fiery man, Vadava, who threatened to be the doom of all of creation. In some interpretations, "Sara" is translated as "Essence", and "Sva" is translated to "Self". You can amend your cookie settings to reject non-essential cookies by clicking Cookie Settings below. In some versions, a sage named Auva created it. Natural cleaning products are safer for the environment and more pleasing to Goddess Saraswati than harsh chemicals. She is the deity of a river in the Rig-veda. The earliest known mention of Saraswati as a goddess is in the Rigveda. She is a part of the trinity of Saraswati, Lakshmi and Parvati. The festival, Saraswati Puja, is held on the first day of spring. Prthudakeshwara Temples in Pehowa, Haryana. [5] She is generally shown to have four arms, holding a book, a rosary, a water pot, and a musical instrument called the veena. Use it to try out great new products and services nationwide without paying full pricewine, food delivery, clothing and more. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 112,111 times. She is often depicted as seated on a lotus flower or riding a goose or swan. Though no separate carrier vehicle is mentioned, Harhsa or swan, the vehicle of Brahma, her spouse, is usually associated with her also. Mere intellectual learning, without a heart tempered by higher feelings, sentiments and emotions, is as dry as saw-dust. When performing the Saraswati puja at home, waking up early in the day is traditional practice. I come up out of them pure and cleansed. She is also known as Bharti, meaning eloquence or Vedamata, mother of the Vedas, and Shatarupa, meaning existence. Ganga, now enraged that Lakshmi had been cursed because she had defended her, cursed Saraswati that she would be incarnated as a river on earth. Her other names include Sarada (giver of essence), Brahmani (goddess of sciences), Brahmi (wife of Brahma), Mahavidya (holder of supreme knowledge), Bharati (eloquence), Bharadi (goddess of history), Vani and Vachi (both referring to the flow of music/song, melodious speech, eloquent speaking respectively), Varnesvari (goddess of letters), Kavijihvagravasini (one who dwells on the tongue of poets), Maha-vidya (transcendent knowledge), Arya (noble one), Maha-vani (the transcendent word), Kamadhenu (like the wish-fulfilling cow), Dhaneshvari (the divinity of wealth), and Vagishvari (mistress of speech). Many temples are dedicated to her, including the Gnana Saraswati Temple in India, which is visited by pilgrims each year. Cultural programmes are also organised in schools and institutes on this day. Saraswati Temple in the University of Roorkee. He composed a devotional poem to her. Maha Saraswati is depicted as eight-armed and is often portrayed holding a Veena whilst sitting on a white lotus flower. It symbolizes prosperity, light, energy and optimism. During this time, spring flowers such as Daffodils, Marigold, Hyacinth and lilies bloom and they are usually yellow in colour. [11][12], The word Saraswati appears both as a reference to a river and as a significant deity in the Rigveda. In the Tiruvalluva Maalai, a collection of fifty-five Tamil verses praising the Kural literature and its author Valluvar, she is referred to as Nmagal and is believed to have composed the second verse. Sons of Goddess Saraswati: Per the Puranas, Maa Saraswati has two sons, viz. In Bihar and Jharkhand, Vasant Panchami is commonly known as Saraswati Puja. For example, you may dress head-to-toe in white linens or you may adorn yourself in yellow clothing. Some examples of synonyms for Saraswati include Brahmani (power of Brahma), Brahmi (goddess of sciences),[17] Bharadi (goddess of history), Vani and Vachi (both referring to the flow of music/song, melodious speech, eloquent speaking respectively), Varnesvari (goddess of letters), Kavijihvagravasini (one who dwells on the tongue of poets). The goddess is associated with the colour ivory, gold and yellow, the last being the most prominent colour and also one used to pay homage to her. Hindus may worship Saraswati in order to seek her aid . [1] She is one of the Tridevi, along with the goddesses Lakshmi and Parvati.[2][3]. [5] In the Shanti Parva of the Hindu epic Mahabharata, Saraswati is called the mother of the Vedas, and later as the celestial creative symphony who appeared when Brahma created the universe. As Mahavidya, she manifests as: In some regions of India, such as Vindhya, Odisha, West Bengal and Assam, as well as east Nepal, Saraswati is part of the Devi Mahatmya mythology, in the Tridevi of Mahakali, Mahalakshmi and Mahasaraswati. This has to do with the onset of spring and the blooming of yellow mustard flowers in the fields. Saraswati, on the other hand, is represented by the colour white, this stands for the qualities of peace and purity. She answered: "I am born from you. She holds in her four hands a VIQa (lute), Ak~amala (rosary) and Pustaka (book). Therefore, she is generally depicted wearing a white saree. Petunia, Gerbera, Red Lilies, and Red Hibiscus are the best flowers to offer Goddess Durga. Wielding in her lotus-hands the bell, trident, ploughshare, conch, pestle, discus, bow, and arrow, her lustre is like that of a moon shining in the autumn sky. To realize her one must go beyond the pleasures of the senses and rejoice in the serenity of the . Sarada Temple in the Neelam Valley in Kashmir. On the other hand the swan, which is supposed to possess the peculiar power of separating milk from water, stands for Viveka (wisdom, discrimination) and hence for Vidya (knowledge). She is regarded as the Hindu Goddess of knowledge, wisdom, learning, music, and arts. Our trained team of editors and researchers validate articles for accuracy and comprehensiveness. The goddess is believed to be the creator of Sanskrit (meaning perfectly done), the ancient language of Hinduism. Thus, the name Saraswati would translate to "She who helps realize the essence of self" or "She who reconciles the essence (of Parabrahman) with one's self". [81][82], Saraswati is the Divine Embodiment & bestower of Enlightened Eloquence & Inspiration, patroness of the arts, sciences, music, language, literature, history, poetry & philosophy, all those engaged in creative endeavours in Tibetan Buddhism. All of these are seen ultimately as aspects of a single great Hindu goddess, with Maha Saraswati as one of those nine. There are many temples dedicated to Saraswati around the world. Her name literally means the one who flows, which can be applied to thoughts, words, or the flow of a river. But don't wear black, red or dark colored clothes on this day. The peacock symbolizes colorful splendor, the celebration of dance, and as the devourer of snakes the alchemical ability to transmute the serpent poison of self into the radiant plumage of enlightenment. Since she is the representation of all sciences, arts, crafts and skills she has to be extraordinarily beautiful and graceful. [1][32], Her dhyana mantra describes her to be as white as the moon, clad in a white dress, bedecked in white ornaments, radiating with beauty, holding a book and a pen in her hands (the book represents knowledge).[33]. In Book2, the Rigveda describes Saraswati as the best of mothers, of rivers, of goddesses. The Saraswati Mantra must be said while sitting in the north or east direction in presence of an idol or portrait of Goddess Saraswati. She is known as Srutadevata, Sarada, and Vagisvari. Saradamba Temple in Sringeri. Saraswati is the active energy and power of Brahma. Avoid reading or studying after you conduct the puja. The color of Basant (Spring) is yellow, also known as the 'Basanti' colour. Asian Art Saraswati - The Beautiful Goddess of Knowledge and Art Maya M. Tola 27 April 202320 min Read Sawar school, Saraswati, folio from a Goddess series, ca. [1] The book she holds symbolizes the Vedas representing the universal, divine, eternal, and true knowledge as well as all forms of learning. [55] Saraswati is depicted in a standing posture with four arms, one holding a text, another holding a rosary and the remaining two holding the Veena. More offerings were made to her than to her husband Brahma. The Goddess is also revered by believers of the Jain religion of west and central India, as well as some Buddhist sects. Followers wear yellow, which is associated with wisdom, and also adorn statues of Saraswati in yellow silk. Saraswati is also revered in Jainism as the goddess of knowledge and is regarded as the source of all learning. They are usually only set in response to actions made by you which amount to a request for services, such as setting your privacy preferences, logging in or filling in forms. So, devotees make sure her idol is clad in yellow clothing and yellow flowers are offered to the goddess. If you are performing the puja as part of your Navratri celebration, everything must be cleaned by the 8th day of Navratri. Her disinterest in material possessions is shown by her not wearing any jewelry or bright colors. who shines with exquisite lustre, The goddess has been worshiped since the Vedic period and is still worshiped today. Cultural programmes also take place where people perform songs and dance. The Saraswati Puja is observed every year on the fifth day of the Hindu lunisolar calendar month of Magha, which usually falls in late January or February. Some Hindus celebrate the festival of Vasant Panchami (the fifth day of spring, and also known as Saraswati Puja and Saraswati Jayanti in many regions of India) in her honour,[6] and mark the day by helping young children learn how to write the letters of the alphabet on that day. The demigods later excelled at the music, to such a degree, that their melodies had more power than the intoxicating plant. Her name means watery, flowing, or elegant. On the right, one hand performs the varada mudra, the ceremony for giving gifts, while the other holds a white lotus flower. All the three forms help the trinity of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva to create, maintain and regenerate-recycle the Universe respectively. The river imagery of Saraswati represents a migration from a world of ignorance or bondage to a shore that represents enlightenment and freedom. As we are about to step in the festive season, let's first understand - Hindu Gods & their Favorite Flowers: 1. Brahma called upon his consort Saraswati, and instructed her to utter that which the devas desired. [76] Amulets with Saraswati and a peacock are also found in Thailand. You can set your browser to block or alert you about these cookies, but some parts of the site will not then work or you may not be able to login. It is believed that Goddess Saraswati was born on Vasant Panchami Day. [65][66] The day marks the close of 210day year in the Pawukon calendar. When a statue or picture of the goddess is placed near a book, it is revered. The auspicious date for this years festival is 16 February. Brahma prayed to the gods for advice and they answered by creating a new wife for him. [15] Her importance grows in Vedas composed after Rigveda and in Brahmanas, and the word evolves in its meaning from "waters that purify", to "that which purifies", to "vach (speech) that purifies", to "knowledge that purifies", and ultimately into a spiritual concept of a goddess that embodies knowledge, arts, music, melody, muse, language, rhetoric, eloquence, creative work and anything whose flow purifies the essence and self of a person. By clicking Accept All Cookies, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device and the processing of information obtained via those cookies (including about your preferences, device and online activity) by us and our commercial partners to enhance site navigation, personalise ads, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Saraswati's favorite color, white, assumes special significance on this day. Each of these items have a symbolic meaning in Hinduism. Dhatura According to the Hindu religious text Vamana Purana, when Lord Shiva drank the poison which was churned out of the ocean by the Gods and demons, Dhatura appeared from the chest of Lord Shiva. From there, she flowed towards Pushkara. || Rigveda 10.17[14], May the waters, the mothers, cleanse us, Once the Saraswati puja is complete, eat vegetarian meals for the rest of the day. The goddess husband is Brahma and her son, the sage, Sarasvata. The festival is celebrated by people in various ways depending upon the region they belong to. "Lakshmi is the most popular goddess in India, everyone wants a daughter-in-law like her because she brings prosperity so I feel so blessed to be her." Ms Periyasamy says everyone talks about. [39] As a river goddess, she represented fertility and purity. Statues of the goddess are dressed in white clothes and are worshiped by devotees adorned with white garments. Saraswati is associated with intelligence, consciousness, creativity, education, and innovation in Hinduism. You can click on the "felpen" or "crayon" and use it to colour the image. The plant held sap which was intoxicating and invigorating. It is also celebrated as Shikshapatri Jayanti. Celebrated on the 5th day in the Hindu calendar month of Magha (month), it is also known as Saraswati Puja and Saraswati Jayanti in India. The goddess agreed to teach them, but in exchange, she wanted the Soma plant. On this day, people wear yellow attires and pray to Maa Saraswati - the goddess of knowledge, music, language and arts in Hinduism. Sharada Peeth is one of the three holiest sites of pilgrimage for Kashmiri Pandits, alongside the Martand Sun Temple and the Amarnath Temple. [53] In line with the Kashmiri Pandit belief that springs which are the abode of goddesses should not be looked at directly, the shrine contains a stone slab concealing the spring underneath, which they believe to be the spring in which the goddess Sharada revealed herself to the rishi Shandilya. The concept of Saraswati migrated from India, through China to Japan, where she appears as Benzaiten (). Principal Hindu goddess, goddess of knowledge, music, and speech, This article is about the Hindu goddess. On Saraswati Puja, the idol is worshipped by people and prasad is distributed among the devotees after puja. The idol of Lord Ganesh should be placed on the left side of Goddess Lakshmi, while Goddess Saraswati should be placed on the right side. Saraswati issued the same curse against Ganga, informing her that sinful men would cleanse themselves of their sins with her water. In Vedic literature, Saraswati acquires the same significance for early Indians (states John Muir) as that accredited to the river Ganges by their modern descendants. In some texts, the pot of water is symbolism for soma the drink that liberates and leads to knowledge. On Saraswati, Sarada Tilaka[30], Saraswati became a prominent deity in Buddhist iconography the consort of Manjushri in 1stmillenniumCE. [2] [3] The earliest known mention of Saraswati as a goddess is in the Rigveda. Saraswati is the Hindu goddess of knowledge, music and all the creative arts. She took him to Varuna, the god of the ocean, who then consumed the being. Saraswati is noted first in the Rigveda, ancient Sanskrit hymns dating back to approximately 1500 1200 BC. By doing this, the Goddess Saraswati is pleased and also fulfils the wishes of the devotees. By holding the book in the left hand and the rosary in the right hand she is obviously teaching us that spiritual sciences are more important than secular sciences. Unreliable citations may be challenged or deleted. She is often depicted holding a biwa, a traditional Japanese lute musical instrument. Various Purana texts offer alternate legends for Maha Saraswati.[49]. [4] She has remained significant as a goddess from the Vedic period through the modern period of Hindu traditions. Since knowledge is required for creation, Maa Saraswati signifies the creative power of Brahma. Basar: Situated 50 Kms from Nizamabad at Basara ,on the banks of river Godavari, the Sri Gnana Saraswathi Temple is the only temple in South India dedicated to the Goddess of Learning. Saraswati (Sanskrit: , IAST: Sarasvat) is the Hindu goddess of knowledge, music, art, speech, wisdom, and learning. The Vilma Vashi temple in Dilwara is also dedicated to Sarasvati. In some regions, she is known by her twin identities, Savitri and Gayatri. Prasad mainly consists of boondi (motichoor), pieces of carrot, peas and Indian plum (ber). By using our site, you agree to our. Finally, blue represents nature, bravery, depth, and power. On the next day or any day depending on religious condition, the idol is immersed in a pond (known as Murti Visarjan or Pratima Visarjan) after performing a Havana (immolation), with full joy and fun, playing with abir and gulal. Manu wrote the Manu-smriti or Laws of Manu, in approximately 100 AD, prescribing the dharma to Hindus. Which side should I worship Saraswati: east, west, north or south? She is represented differently in the legends of various regions. In certain Hindu beliefs, the first man, Manu, was also born from the union of the goddess and Brahma. The Gandharvas stole a plant which was cherished by the deities, the Soma plant. Matsya Avatar Story Why was Lord Vishnu Born as Matsya Avatar? This is one of the reasons why yellow is a prominent colour of the occasion. You can sit in silence until your incense stick finishes burning, for example. Saraswati is the Sakti, the power and the consort of Brahma the creator. Saraswati ( Sanskrit: , IAST: Sarasvat) is the Hindu goddess of knowledge, music, art, speech, wisdom, and learning. The favorite flower of goddess Lakshmi is the lotus. [1][36] Saraswati is also associated with anurga, the love for and rhythm of music, which represents all emotions and feelings expressed in speech or music. These cookies allow us to count visits and traffic sources so we can measure and improve the performance of our site. She is often offered Khichdi made with yellow dal. [39] There are three hymns in the Rigveda which are dedicated to the Sarasvati River. Originally associated with the river or rivers known as Saraswati, this combination, therefore, means "she who has ponds, lakes, and pooling water" or occasionally "she who possesses speech". It also removes stress and keeps the mind active, while also boosting one's self-confidence. Sage Sarasvata .
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