Saraswati Puja 2014

Saraswati Puja 

Yaa Kundendu tushaara haara-dhavalaa, Yaa shubhra-vastra'avritaa

The one who is fair like the Kunda flower, white as the moon, who wears a garland made of Tushar flowers, and the one who wears white garments

Yaa veena-vara-danda-manditakara, Yaa shweta padma'asana

The one who is decorated with the Veena in her hands and the one who sits on the pristine white Lotus flower

Yaa brahma'achyuta shankara prabhritibhir Devai-sadaa Vanditaa

The one who is prayed to by the Trimurti, namely Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva along with all other Gods

Saa Maam Paatu Saraswati Bhagavatee Nihshesha jaadya'apahaa.

That Bhagwati Saraswati Devi (Ma Saraswati), please remove our ignorance and grant us knowledge, wisom and intelligence

Vasant Panchmi  is celebrated as Saraswati puja today. Vasant or Basant means spring and Panchmi is the fifth day of the Magh month of the Hindu lunar calendar. This day is important since it heralds the spring season after the bitter cold winter. The days are brighter, weather is pleasant, and trees are decorated with lush foliage and colorful buds.  Today mata Saraswati came into existence.

When Lord Brahma was asked to create the ‘Shrishti’ or world, he did so but was not satisfied with what he saw. It was bland. He then created Goddess Saraswati. Sarawati played the Veena (a stringed musical instrument) and at once the world came alive with music. People laughed and sang, the wind whistled, the birds chirped, and the water bubbled and gurgled. Everything had a sound.

Saraswati is regarded as the goddess of knowledge, skills, art, music, beauty, intelligence and wisdom. She is known as the mother of the Vedas. She also influences’s speech. Saraswati is symbolized as holding the Veena which plays the music of life and love. She rides a gracious swan, symbolizing the ‘satvic gunas’ or virtues of purity and righteousness. She is also known as ‘Bagishwari’, ‘Bhagwati Sharda’, and ‘Veena Vadini’.  She gives impetus and growth to our talents and abilities.  Praying to her today enhances our brilliance and mental growth.

Today also, people adorn themselves with yellow clothes. Yellow is the color of sunshine, newly ripe fruits, love, abundance and the beautiful fields filled with crops.  People also eat and distribute yellow sweets and fruits today.

Basant or Spring is also the time for love and romance.  Kamdev, the God of love is also worshiped today along with his wife Rati. It is believed Lord Krishna did most of his merriment and pranks-play with the gopis, during this season..

Jai Ma Saraswati