Sarasvati

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  • Sarasvati is the Goddess of Learning and the Arts, and is closely connected with all aspects of Hindu culture.
  • Sarasvati has three main forms:
    • As Vach (speech personified)
    • As the Goddess of learning and the arts
    • As the legendary river (now dried up)
  • She is the daughter of Brahma, but became his consort.
  • Brahma and Sarasvati gave birth to Manu, the father of mankind and author of the Manu Smriti.
  • The Vedas are also counted amongst Sarasvati’s children. She is therefore called Vedamata, the ‘mother of the Vedas’, or the ‘mother of knowledge’.
  • She also goes by the names Shatarupa (goddess of material existence) and Bharati (eloquence).
  • Sarasvati is shown dressed in an elegant white sari with a deep blue border. In two hands she strums the vina, whilst her other hands hold the rosary and a book
  • Sarasvati’s colour is white, representing purity. As she rules the intellectual and creative realms, worldly possessions do not interest her. She does not adorn herself with an abundance of gems and jewellery like other goddesses, nor is she a domestic deity.
  • Sarasvati is particularly worshipped by scholars, students and performing artists.
  • Her vehicle is the swan, goose or peacock.
  • The main festival connected to Sarasvati is Sarasvati Puja, particularly popular in Bengal and coinciding with Vashanta Panchami (the first day of spring). Sarasvati is also worshipped during Navaratri along with Lakshmi, Devi and other goddesses.
  • Stories: “Sarasvati curses Brahma”  STO-317
  • Further references: