The word ‘Saraswati’ literally means the flowing one, flowing meaning water literally and speech symbolically. Present in various hymns of the Rigveda, she represented the mighty Saraswati river, personifying fertility and purification. In Hinduism, Goddess Saraswati presides over creative expression such as speech, music, art, crafts and skills and at the same time also the wisdom in learning, knowledge and science. She is the consort of Lord Brahma and one of the Tri- Devi Shaktis (along with Goddess Lakshmi and Goddess Parvati)
Goddess Saraswati in Rigveda (2.41.16)
Ambitame nadhitame Devitame Saraswati, Aprashastha eevsmasiprashastimmbh naskrudhi
Meaning: Best among mothers, Best among rivers, Best among Goddesses, O Saraswati. Grant us distinction as we are yet to be praiseworthy.
Goddess Saraswati Festivals
Vasant Panchami/ Shri Panchami festival is exclusively dedicated to Goddess Saraswati but she is also worshipped for Navratri Saraswati Puja and Diwali Sharda Puja.
The various names of Goddess Saraswati:
Vagisvari (presider of speech), Sharada (essence giver) Mahavidya (Supreme Knowledge) Varneshwari (goddess of letters), Vagdevi (Goddess of Speech), Brahmi (goddess of sciences) Vidyadatri (goddess providing knowledge), Gayatri (mother of Vedas)
Goddess Saraswati Iconography:
Graceful, beautiful and dazzling white, Goddess Saraswati represents the power, purity and intelligence of Sattva. The white opposes black, exactly as knowledge opposes ignorance, light opposes dark, purity opposes impurity, virtue opposes vice and Sattva opposes Tamas.
Dressed in white, She is depicted mostly seated on a lotus. Her four hands hold a rosary (akashmala), book (pustak), lute (veena). Some depictions show variants such as Paasha (noose), Ankusha, Shanka (conch), Padma (lotus) Chakra (discus) or even Trishula (trident).
When she is depicted with multiple hands (eight) and five faces she represents Mahasaraswati, an aspect of Goddess Shakti/ Devi/ Durga. This goes along with a third eye and a blue face as well. The Goddess Gayatri manifestation of Saraswati is believed to be uniquely with a Tri-Netra or the third eye like Shiva.
Goddess Tara, the second of the Das Mahavidya is also known as Neel Saraswati.
The favourite animals or Vahanas (carriers) associated with her are Hamsa (Swan) that is also Brahma’s vahana. Peacock is also associated with her.
Goddess Saraswati : Symbolism
Her four arms show her omniscience, power and pervasiveness in the Cosmos.
Despite being the Goddess of learning she holds the book in her left hand and the rosary in the right hand. This is an indication of how spiritual sciences, meditation, austerities and wisdom are given precedence over pure intellectual knowledge. The Veena represents creative expression and fine arts that must be cultivated along with learning for nurturing a sublime outlook.
Her Vahana Swan (Hamsa) stands for Viveka (discrimination) and Vidya (knowledge- illumination). A swan is believed to have the uncanny ability to distinguish milk from water. In this context differentiate the Real (Brahman) from the Unreal (limited perception through mind-body-senses)
This becomes relevant in the context of the Peacock also associated with her. The beautiful bird stands for all the worldly glitter and charm and may therefore be interpreted as Avidya (nescience).
Meaning, the worldly part of life should not be neglected as this is what takes care of basic sustenance needs. Instead navigating this part wisely with the help of Vidya (spiritual knowledge) could help living holistically fulfilling lives while attaining Purushartha goals of Dharma (righteousness), Kama (pleasure), Artha (wealth), Moksha (Self Realization) with wisdom and detachment.
Saraswati Mantras :
Saraswati Rahasya Upanishad describes in detail the Beej mantras of the Goddess along with mantras from the Rigveda along with the Beej mantra attached.
Some Rigveda mantras dedicated to Goddess Saraswati:
Pavaka na Sarasvati vajebhirvajinivati, Yajnam vastu dhiyavasuh (Rigveda 1.3.10)
Meaning: May Saraswati, Goddess of speech, arts, science, divinity , gift us nourishment of the mind/intellect and purify us. May She grace our yajna (sacrifices) towards arts/sciences with her divine light.
Codayitri sunrtanam cetanti sumatinam, Yajnam dadhe saraswati (Rigveda 1.3.11)
Meaning : Saraswati, mother of knowledge and speech, inspires truth seekers and enlightens admirers of wisdom. The divine flow of light keeps the spirit of sacrifice for humanity/nature.
Maho arnah saraswati pra cetayati ketuna, Dhiyo visva vi rajati (Rigveda 1.3.12)
Meaning: Saraswati, mighty ocean flow of knowledge and speech radiates omniscience and illumination of all minds across existence.
Te visva Saraswati sritayumsi devyam, Sunahotresu matsva prajam devi dididdhi nah (Rigveda 2.41.17)
Meaning: In you O Saraswati lie the health, wealth and life of the world. Grace our yajna , rejoice and create a generation of healthy, educated, refined kids.
Ima Brahma Saraswati jusasva vajinivati. Y ate manma grtsamada rtavari Priya devesu juhvati (Rigveda 2.41.18)
Meaning : Saraswati, you command the food, energy and progress of humanity following truth and rectitude. Accept delightfully these oblations of scientific knowledge made by ecstatic votaries for the benefit of seekers in honour of nature’s bounties.
Prano Devi Saraswati vajebhir vajinivati, Dhinamavitryavatu (6.61.4)
Meaning: May Devi Saraswati overflowing with wealth, honour, spirit, promoter of intelligence and right action keep us away from darkness and advance us into light
Apart from the above the following Saraswati mantras are widely used
Saraswati mantras: For greater concentration
- Beej mantra: Aim (single syllabled)
- Om Aim Klim Sauh
- Om Aim Namah
- Vidya prapti mantra:
- Om Aksharaye namah :
- Om Vidya Devye Namah
- Om Aim Saraswatye Namah
- Om Shree Saraswataye Namah
- Om Hrim Shrim Saraswatai namah
- 9syllabled: Om Aim Hrim saraswatayai namah
- 10syllabled: Om Hrim Hsauh Sataswatai namah ; Hrim Om Hsauh Om Saraswatai namah.
- 11syllabled mantra: Om Aim Hstraum Hrim Saraswatai namah; Om Hrim Hsauh Hrim Om Saraswatai Namah
Saraswati Gayatri Mantra:
Om Aim Vagdevyai Vidmahe Kaamrajay Dhimahi. Tanno Devi Prachodayaat.
Saraswati mantra for Spiritual advancement
Om Namo Bhagwati Saraswati Parmeshwari Vaagvaadini mam vidya dehi Bhagwati Bhans vaahini Hams samarooda buddhi dehi dehi praagyaa dehi dehi vidya parmeshwari Saraswati Svaaha.
Mahasaraswati mantras :
Om Aim Hrim Klim Mahasaraswati Devyai namah
Om Aim Mahasaraswatyai namah
Mahasaraswati Neeltara Saraswati mantra :
Aim Hrim Shreem Klim Sauh Klim Hrim Aim Blum Strim Neeltare Saraswati Dram Hrim KLim BlumSah Aim Hrim Shreem Klim Sauh Sauh Hrim Svaha.
Ashta Saraswati Mantra
Vagdevini Saraswati : Om namah Padmasana shabdaroope Aim Hrim Klim Vad Vagvaadini swaha
Chitreshwari Saraswati : Klim vad vad Chitreshwari Aim Swaha
Kulaja Saraswati: Aim Kulije Aim Saraswati Swaha
Keerteeshwari Saraswati: Aim Hrim Shreem vad vad Keerteeshwari swaha
Antariksh Saraswati : Aim Hrim Antareeksh Saraswati swaha
GhatSaraswati : hshfrum hstraum hsfraum Aim Hreem Shreem Dram Drim Klim Blum Sah Ghrim Ghatasaraswati ghate vad vad tar tar rudraagyayaa mambhilashm kuru kuru svaha
Neel Saraswati : Blum vem vad vad vad trim Hoom phat
Kinni Saraswati : Aim Haim Hrim Kinni Kinni Vicche
