Saraswati (Sanskrit: सरस्वती, Sarasvatī ) is the hindu goddess of knowledge, music, arts and science. She is the companion of Brahma, also revered as his Shakti (power). It was with her knowledge, that Brahma created the universe. She is a part of trinity “Saraswati”, “Lakshmi” and “Parvati”. All the three forms help trinity “Brahma”, “Vishnu” and “Shiva” in the creation, maintenance and destruction of the Universe.
In the Rigveda, Saraswati is a river as well as its personification as a goddess. In the post-Vedic age, she began to lose her status as a river goddess and became increasingly associated with literature, arts, music, etc. In Hinduism, Saraswati represents intelligence, consciousness, cosmic knowledge, creativity, education, enlightenment, music, the arts, eloquence and power. Hindus worship her not only for “academic knowledge”, but for “divine knowledge” essential to achieve moksha.
The name Saraswati comes from saras (meaning “flow”) and wati (meaning “she who has flow”). In Telugu Language she is also known as chaduvula talli, Sharada. In Konkani, she is referred to as Sharada, Veenapani, Pustaka dharini, Vidyadayini. In Kannada, variants of her name include Sharade, Sharadamba, Vani, Veenapani in the famous Shringeri temple. In Tamil, she is also known as kalaimagal , Kalaivaani , Vaani . She is also addressed as Sharada (the one who loves the autumn season), Veena pustaka dharani (the one holding books and a Veena), Vaakdevi, Vagdevi, Vani (all meaning “speech”), Varadhanayagi (the one bestowing boons) and many other names.
Saraswati is strongly associated with flowing water in her role as a goddess of knowledge. She is depicted as a beautiful woman to embody the concept of knowledge as supremely alluring. She possesses four arms, and is usually shown wearing a spotless white saree and seated on a white lotus or riding a white swan.
“Saraswati is the Goddess of learning; and the meaning of the goddess in association of all the symbols with her signifies that if a learner really understands and pursues the connotative and denotative meaning of the goddess, he or she can easily advance in acquiring knowledge. The realization of the Goddess makes the learner ready to embark on the world of knowledge and wisdom. The seven primary characteristics and symbols of the goddess that relate to her role as a goddess of knowledge are –
1. Saraswati is the goddess of learning, and not a god; and this feminine aspect signifies creativity, as a woman can originate a human being in her womb.
2. White colour of the goddess signifies spotless character and immaculate mind.
3. Seated on an white lotus meaning to be in search of the light of knowledge.
4. White swan is the vehicle of the goddess; and this is indicative of inquisitiveness.
5. The Goddess is playing the vina; and this signifies harmony of all mental strings, agencies and attitudes.
6. The goddess is worshipped with Palash, a red odourless flower; and this symbol is indicative of being free from putrefied preconceptions.
7. Inkpot with pen and books as symbols.”
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