Saraswathi Pooja falls on the 5th day of bright half of the month of Maagha. This day is

also called “Basant panchami” or “ Vasant panchami”, a day celebrated in anticipation of

the arrival of spring season, called “Vasanta Ritu” in Indian Panchang or Almanac. This

year it falls on Friday, Feb 15th.

Goddess Saraswati is the Goddess of all learning and bestows powers of speech,

wisdom and learning.

She has four hands. One hand holds Vedas, the source of all knowledge and another

holds a japamala which signifies continuity of time and the very meaning of Her name,

the eternally flowing river, the river of knowledge. (Saras=flowing. Vati=one who is).The

japa mala also signifies counting, representing mathematics and logic. In some pictures

She is seen to hold a lotus, – the symbol of true knowledge.

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With Her other two hands she plays the Veena called Vipanchi, representing all forms of

art.

She is dressed in white – the symbol of purity. She is sometimes shown to ride white

swan, symbolizing Sattwa Guna or purity and discrimination. The swan of Goddess

Saraswati has the ability to drink only milk from a mixture of water and milk. It can

distinguish the good from the bad. In some pictures there is a peacock representing

beauty, dance and celebration of life.

There are many mantras for worshipping Goddess Saraswati. One such easy mantra is :

ॐ ॐ “Om PraNo Devii Saraswati, Vaajebhir vaajanee vati- Dheenam avitriya

vatu, Om Namo Shree Vaagdevyai Namaha”

We bow to powerful Goddess sarasvati, who protects

those who seek her. May She protect and awaken our

intelligence.

Sudhakar V.Rao