Saraswati - The Hindu Goddess
Author : Peter Vredeveld
Saraswati is the Hindu goddess of knowledge, arts, music and speech. She embodies knowledge and human consciousness
The religion of Hinduism is filled with thousands of gods, goddesses, and deities. In Hinduism, a god or a goddess represents every aspect of life. Among those thousands of deities, Saraswati is the goddess of knowledge, arts, and music. Also called the Mother of the Vedas, she is called Vak Devi, the goddess of speech. The goddess or Devi of wisdom embodies the flow of knowledge and consciousness. The chants to her are called the "Saraswati Vandana," which often begin and end the Vedic lessons. The Hindus believe that Saraswati endows human beings with the power of speech, wisdom, and learning.
Saraswati is also considered a part of the trinity of Saraswati, Laxmi, and Parvati. Having remained a significant goddess in the Hindu traditions from the Vedic period through modern times, she is also revered outside the Hindu world of India and Nepal in countries such as Japan, Vietnam, Indonesia, and Burma (Myanmar). The Hindu followers celebrate Basanta Panchami's festival (the fifth day of spring) in her honor and mark the day by helping young children learn how to write the alphabet on that particular day.
Outside India and Nepal, she is known in Burmese as Thurathadi, Chinese as Biàncáitin, Japanese as Benzaiten, and Thai as Suratsawadi or Saratsawadi.
Etymology
The etymology of Saraswati's name provides insight into her divine attributes and significance. Saraswati is derived from the root word "saras," which means water or the essence of fluidity. Additionally, "wati" denotes possession or embodiment. Thus, Saraswati symbolizes the embodiment of the eternal flow of knowledge, wisdom, and creativity, akin to the flowing waters of a river nourishing the minds of humanity.
Names and Epithets
Goddess Saraswati is known by various names and epithets, highlighting different aspects of her divine persona. In addition to Saraswati, she is called Bharati, Vidya, Sharada, Brahmi, and Vagdevi, among others. Bharati emphasizes her association with eloquence and speech, while Vidya underscores her role as the bestower of knowledge. Sharada signifies her connection to the autumn season and the ripening of intellect, while Brahmi highlights her association with Lord Brahma, the creator of the universe. Vagdevi praises her as the goddess of speech and communication. These names and epithets collectively portray Saraswati's multifaceted nature and dominion over various human endeavor domains.
Literature
Saraswati's presence in Hindu literature spans different epochs and genres, enriching the cultural landscape with divine grace and wisdom. In Vedic literature, she is extolled as the consort of Lord Brahma and the patroness of arts, learning, and culture. The Rigveda, the oldest Vedas, reveres Saraswati as the divine river, symbolizing the primordial source of knowledge and enlightenment. Verses dedicated to her praise her auspicious attributes and invoke her blessings to attain wisdom and eloquence.
Epic literature
Epic literature, including the Ramayana and Mahabharata, further embellishes Saraswati's mythological narrative. In the Ramayana, she is invoked by sage Valmiki to empower Lord Rama with divine knowledge and prowess. In the Mahabharata, Saraswati assumes the form of a river to aid sage Vyasa in composing the epic. Her presence imbues the narrative with poetic splendor and intellectual depth, highlighting her role as the muse of literature and the arts.
Puranic Literature
Puranic literature abounds with narratives elucidating Saraswati's divine exploits and celestial lineage. The Devi Bhagavata Purana and Devi Mahatmya glorify Saraswati as one of the Mahavidyas, the ten incarnations of the Supreme Goddess. As Mahavidya Nila Saraswati, she embodies the transformative power of knowledge and the destruction of ignorance. Her tales in puranic texts symbolize the eternal struggle between enlightenment and delusion, with Saraswati emerging victorious as the beacon of wisdom and enlightenment.
Saraswati, Lakshmi, and Brahma
Saraswati is often depicted alongside two other prominent goddesses, Lakshmi and Parvati, forming the divine trinity of feminine power known as Tridevi. Saraswati represents knowledge, Lakshmi represents wealth and prosperity, and Parvati represents strength and devotion. Together, they embody the creative and nurturing forces of the universe, guiding humanity toward spiritual evolution and worldly fulfillment. Saraswati's association with Lakshmi and Brahma underscores her role as the consort of the creator god and the bestower of divine blessings upon humanity.
Association with Brahma
Saraswati's association with Lord Brahma, the creator of the universe, is central to her mythological narrative. According to Hindu mythology, Saraswati emerges from Brahma's mouth during creation, symbolizing the inseparable bond between knowledge and creation. As Brahma's consort, Saraswati embodies the creative aspect of the divine trinity, fostering the growth of culture, civilization, and intellectual pursuits.
In the Bhagavata Purana, Saraswati assumes a prominent role in the cosmic drama of creation and dissolution. She is depicted as the divine consort of Lord Vishnu in his form as Hayagriva, the horse-faced avatar. Saraswati aids Hayagriva in retrieving the Vedas stolen by the demon Madhu and Kaitabha, safeguarding the sacred scriptures and preserving cosmic order. This narrative underscores Saraswati's role as the guardian of knowledge and the divine orchestrator of cosmic harmony.
Shakta texts, particularly those dedicated to worshiping the Divine Mother, extol Saraswati as one of the Mahavidyas or Wisdom Goddesses. As Mahavidya Nila Saraswati, she symbolizes the power of transcendental knowledge and the dissolution of ignorance. Her association with Lord Shiva as his consort further accentuates her role as the primal source of creative energy and cosmic wisdom. These Shakta narratives portray Saraswati as the embodiment of feminine power and divine grace, revered by devotees seeking spiritual enlightenment and liberation.
Saraswati Curses Brahma
In a lesser-known myth, Saraswati, feeling slighted by Brahma's obsession with her physical beauty, curses him, stating that he will not be worshipped in temples. This curse is said to be why very few temples are dedicated to Brahma, compared to other Hindu gods. It reflects Saraswati's disdain for superficiality and emphasis on inner wisdom and spirituality over external appearances.
Saraswati Saves the World from Shiva's Third Eye and the Beast of Doom
In a mythological narrative, Saraswati intervenes to save the world from destruction when Lord Shiva's third eye, representing his destructive power, threatens to unleash cosmic devastation. Recognizing the imminent danger, Saraswati assumes the form of a river and swallows the fiery beam emitted by Shiva's third eye, thereby averting the cataclysmic disaster. Additionally, Saraswati confronts the fearsome beast of doom created by Shiva's anger and subdues it with her divine power and wisdom, restoring peace and balance to the universe. These episodes illustrate Saraswati's role as the protector of cosmic order and the savior of humanity from impending doom.
Symbolism and Iconography
Saraswati's symbolism and iconography encapsulate her divine attributes and multifaceted personality. As a water and river goddess, she is often depicted riding a swan or sitting on a lotus flower floating on the surface of a serene river. The swan symbolizes discernment and discrimination, as it is believed to possess the ability to separate milk from water, signifying Saraswati's role as the purveyor of actual knowledge amidst the vast ocean of ignorance.
Saraswati holds symbolic objects in her four arms, representing various aspects of human culture and learning. The veena, a musical instrument, symbolizes the harmonious resonance of the universe and the rhythmic flow of creative expression. The sacred scriptures, typically depicted as palm leaves or manuscripts, signify the repository of divine knowledge and the eternal teachings of the Vedas. The rosary symbolizes the continuous pursuit of spiritual wisdom and the transformative power of devotion. Finally, the abhaya mudra, or the gesture of fearlessness, signifies Saraswati's benevolent protection and guidance to seekers of truth and enlightenment.
Her Veena and the Song of the Gandharva
Saraswati is often depicted holding a veena, a stringed musical instrument, symbolizing the harmonious resonance of the universe and the rhythmic flow of creative expression. According to mythology, Saraswati played the veena to create the universe, its melodious tunes bringing forth the elements of creation. In another legend, Saraswati's divine music captivates the celestial beings, including the Gandharvas, divine musicians of the heavenly realms, who are said to have learned the art of music from her. The song of the Gandharva embodies Saraswati's role as the patroness of music and the arts, inspiring creativity and artistic expression in all beings.
Forms and Avatars
Goddess Saraswati assumes multiple forms and avatars, embodying different aspects of her divine nature and cosmic power. Maha Saraswati, the Great Saraswati, is revered as the presiding deity of speech, learning, and the arts. She is depicted with four heads representing the four Vedas and the boundless expanse of knowledge encompassing all realms of existence. Maha Saraswati symbolizes the primordial source of creation and the eternal flow of wisdom that sustains the universe.
Mahavidya Nila Saraswati, the Blue Saraswati, manifests Saraswati's fierce aspect, representing the transformative power of knowledge and the destruction of ignorance. She is depicted with blue skin, wielding weapons, and riding a blue horse, symbolizing her ferocious demeanor and role as the dispeller of darkness and illusion.
Saraswati is revered as the Kashmiri tradition's patroness of knowledge and learning in the Sharada avatar. Sharada, the goddess of autumn, symbolizes intellect's ripening and creative endeavors' fruition. Devotees flock to her shrine in the picturesque town of Sharada Peeth, seeking her blessings for academic success and spiritual enlightenment.
Worship
The worship of Goddess Saraswati is an integral aspect of Hindu religious practice, particularly among students, scholars, and artists. Saraswati Puja, also known as Vasant Panchami, is a joyous festival celebrated in the spring season to honor Saraswati's blessings for academic success and creative inspiration. Devotees offer prayers, flowers, and sweets to Saraswati's idols and seek her guidance in their pursuit of knowledge and wisdom.
In Buddhism, Saraswati is revered as Benzaiten, the goddess of eloquence, music, and the arts. Devotees invoke her blessings for artistic inspiration, intellectual clarity, and spiritual enlightenment. Benzaiten's shrines, adorned with images of Saraswati playing the biwa, a traditional Japanese lute, attract pilgrims and seekers from far and wide, seeking her divine grace and guidance.
Conclusion
Goddess Saraswati reigns supreme as the divine embodiment of knowledge, wisdom, and creativity in Hindu mythology and culture. Her name resonates with the eternal flow of learning and inspiration, nurturing the minds and hearts of humanity. Through her myriad forms and avatars, Saraswati inspires devotees to seek enlightenment and liberation from the shackles of ignorance. May Goddess Saraswati illuminate our path with the light of knowledge and guide us toward attaining truth and wisdom as we continue invoking her blessings and celebrating her divine presence.
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