The goddess Saraswati (or Sarasvati) is the representation of wisdom, arts and music. She is the wife of Brahma, by whom she was also created to bring order to the world and is part of the Trimurti – trinity of goddesses in Hinduism, alongside Lakshmi and Shakti.
In addition to being responsible for inspiring people to live purely and without limitations, the goddess Saraswati teaches a lot about self-knowledge. It is through her energies that it is possible to expand the mind’s vision and overcome any emotional or spiritual obstacles.
Learn more about the goddess of knowledge and learn her powerful mantra!
Who is the goddess Saraswati?
Although not revered in many temples, Saraswati is loved across India by Hindus. Her role as a goddess of wisdom, arts and music implies a greater cult on the part of artists. In particular, it is quite common for musicians to worship her before performing at concerts and festivals..
In addition to musicians, it protects several other artists, such as painters, writers, artisans, actors and actresses, among others. Teachers and students also receive special support from the goddess as they are always in search of knowledge and wisdom.
In general, Saraswati brings peace to those who worship her, being a goddess who strengthens the interior of people who need to face the difficulties of life through knowledge. It activates what is repressed in every human being, awakening the forces of being and spiritual, emotional, bodily and mental development.
To worship the goddess, every first day of spring there is a festival called Saraswati Puja. It is a holy day when the worshipers of the deity dress in yellow, a symbol of wisdom and prosperity. Saraswati’s statues and images are also covered in beautiful yellow silk.
During the festival, followers pray to the goddess through her art-related items such as pens, books and musical instruments. As the goddess of knowledge, it is also during the festival that many children learn to write for the first time.
Meaning of Saraswati
The name of the goddess Saraswati in Sanskrit can carry a few different meanings, such as “the essence of being”, “elegant” or “she who possesses lakes and rivers”.
It is not for nothing that the Saraswati River, one of the most sacred and which I went to in the Himalayas, was named in her honor. It is considered a sacred source for purification, fertility and good luck to those who bathe in its waters..
Even though Saraswati or Sarasvati are the most common names for the goddess, she is also known and identified by others throughout history. Some of the names of the goddess Saraswati are:
- Vadini Vadini: goddess of eloquence;
- Vach: goddess of voice and speech;
- brami: as the wife of Brahma;
- Maha Vidya: goddess of supreme knowledge;
- Healed: primal essence giver;
- Vagish Vari: origin of language;
- Maha Sarasvati: primal origin.
According to some schools of Hinduism, Saraswati is also associated with eloquence (Vaga Vadini), the existence and responsible for the creation of Vedas, the holiest book in India and holder of universal knowledge.
Image of the goddess Saraswati
Saraswati is usually portrayed in the form of a beautiful, fair-skinned young woman wearing a white sari with a blue edge. Because she does not value material possessions, she does not wear jewelry or precious stones.
It has four arms and is usually holding items that are symbols of Hinduism, such as: a white lotus flower, palm leaves, a vase of water or a vina, hindu classical music instrument.
In some depictions she is also seen sitting under a lotus flower (symbol of wisdom), as are many other Hindu gods. In other images, she appears next to her husband, Brahma, or even with a peacock or swan.
History of the goddess Saraswati
According to Hindu myth, at the beginning of existence there was only chaos and disorder in the universe. Upon realizing this, the supreme god Brahma wondered how he could change this reality.
It was then that the goddess Saraswati appeared, created by Brahma himself to offer harmony to the world and allow man to find knowledge to evolve.
Brahma also acquired the wisdom necessary to think, feel, understand and communicate. They are forces that human beings have access to in worshiping Saraswati.
And because she is also the goddess of music, Saraswati filled the universe with mantras charged with vital energy. Brahma then became the creator of the world, along with Saraswati with her wisdom..
Mantra of Goddess Saraswati
Om Aim Saraswati Namah
Goddess Saraswati’s mantra is one of the most powerful as it strengthens self-knowledge and wisdom in your life. It is a song that invokes and reveres the goddess, activating her artistic and creative side and enhancing her intelligence.
Meaning of the Mantra Om Aim Saraswati Namah
- OM: this first word of the mantra means “that which protects and blesses”. It is a sound that emits the purest vibration in the universe. And the strength it carries is so important that it serves as a bridge to reach other mantras, as well as being the sound of the sixth chakra, the famous “Third Eye”.
- AIM: responsible for guiding mental energy with the intention of healing, it is a word that maintains the energy of Saraswati’s knowledge and creativity.
- SARASWATI: is the name of the Hindu goddess as part of her mantra.
- NAMAHA: can be translated as “I bow before your presence”, a way of showing respect and worship to the goddess.
- AUM: has the same meaning as “OM”. However, “AUM” symbolizes the three levels of consciousness through its letters. A for the conscious, U for the subconscious, and M for the unconscious.
The mantra leads us to harmony between consciousnesses and the awakening of their dormant energy in search of concentration and neutralization of distorted thoughts of the mind.
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