Saraswati

 Origin: Hinduism

Title: Goddess of Knowledge, Music, Arts, Wisdom, and Learning

Attributes:

• Appearance: Saraswati is depicted with fair skin, symbolizing purity. She wears a white saree, signifying the purity of true knowledge. Her four arms represent the four aspects of human personality in learning: mind, intellect, alertness, and ego:
  • She holds a veena (a musical instrument), symbolizing art and science, the harmony of the cosmos.
  • A book of the Vedas, representing true knowledge.
  • A crystal rosary, for the power of meditation and spirituality.
  • Sometimes, she is depicted with a peacock by her side, which represents her ability to control ego.
• Vehicle: Her mount is a swan (Hamsa), which symbolizes the discernment between the eternal and the evanescent.

Mythology:

• Creation: Saraswati is said to have been born from the mouth of Brahma to provide him with knowledge, making her the very essence of wisdom.
• River: She is also associated with the sacred Saraswati River, now lost, which once flowed through ancient India, representing the flow of knowledge and culture.

Symbols:

• Veena: Emphasizes the importance of music and arts in the pursuit of knowledge.
• Peacock: Represents the splendor and beauty of knowledge, but also the need to control pride.

Worship:

• Festivals: Basant Panchami or Vasant Panchami is the festival dedicated to Saraswati, celebrating the arrival of spring, learning, and creativity. It's when children start their education, and artists seek her blessings.
• Educational Institutions: Many schools and colleges in India have a Saraswati temple or shrine where students pray for success in their studies.

Legends:

• The Birth of Saraswati: One myth tells how Brahma, looking for someone to help him in the creation process, found Saraswati, who was manifested from his own self to embody knowledge.
• The Disappearance of the Saraswati River: There are tales where due to certain curses or the drying up of the river, Saraswati went underground, symbolizing perhaps the hidden nature of true wisdom.

Cultural Impact: Saraswati's influence extends beyond Hinduism into Jainism and Buddhism, where she is revered as a goddess of speech, wisdom, and learning. Her worship underscores the cultural reverence for education, arts, and sciences in Indian society.

Interesting Fact: Saraswati is not just about academic knowledge but encompasses all forms of creative wisdom. Her association with both music and learning highlights the holistic approach to education in Indian thought, where arts and sciences are intertwined.