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Saraswati literally means 'the flowing one'. In the
Rigveda it is said she represents a river and the deity presiding over
it. In the later mythology, Saraswati was identified with Vach or Speech. The
`flowing one' in allegorical sense may mean speech also; perfect speech which
denotes intelligence. On this Vasant Panchami day, Brahma is said to have created
Saraswati and infused speech into her and bestowed the Vina in her hands. She
was thus named as 'VeenaVandini (Vina player) and 'VaniDayyani'
(giver of speech). As the spouse of Brahma and the goddess of wisdom and eloquence,
She is known by various names such as Vinapani (due to holding the
Vina), Saarada (giver of essence), Vagisvari (mistress of speech),
Braahmi (energy of Lord Brahmaa), Mahavidya (knowledge supreme)
and so on. Saraswati is the consort of Lord Brahma and is the Goddess of Wisdom
and Knowledge. She is the personification of knowledge - arts, science, crafts.
She represents Shakti, creativity and inspiration and presents herself when
the weather is complacement and Nature is in its full grandeur. It is a season
of inspiration and passion. |
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Vasant (spring) is the season when nature is
at its beautiful and bountiful best. Flowers are in full bloom and trees sprout
new shoots. It is a season when nature regenerates and every thing is fresh
and new. New life is evident in the woods and fields. In North India the cool
morning air is laden with the faint smell of Mango blossoms. Shrill loud calls
of the Indian song birds pierce the tranquillity of the morning without in anyway
disturbing it! Wheat and other crops enliven with new life and vitality. Mustard
fields turn into a heady mix of yellow and green as the blossoms add color,
poetry and romance to life. There are various traditions, customs and rituals
that are followed in the worshipping of goddess Saraswati. The ones common to
all those worshipping Saraswati are that the idol of the goddess is clothed
in white, the other predominant colour in the celebrations is yellow, to indicate
the onset of spring and the blossoming of marigolds, mustard flowers etc. Flowers
and wild berries are offered to the goddess and students place their books before
the deity and do not do any reading or writing that day. An elaborate puja,
with sandalwood, ghee, joss sticks, and incense is done to the sound of shlokas,
conch shells, and drums. A ritual not connected to the worship but equally essential
to the celebration is that of flying kites on this day. |
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Celebrated on the onset of spring, it marks
the beginning of new life with yellow mustard flowers starting to bloom and
nature displaying her majestic best. Thus the colour of the festival is yellow
and women can be seen dotted in saffron dresses. The puja on this day is devoted
to Saraswati and people pray for wisdom and understanding. There are several
ways in which puja is conducted on this day. In Bengal, the place where the
statue of Saraswati is kept is decorated with a rangoli. The design of a fish
is considered auspicious. Family members bathe early in the morning and dress
in whit or yellow coloured clothes. Then they gather around the idol, where
the priest commences the puja.Indiafairs.com Aarti is taken of the idol and
the flame is passed arounfd the devotees to warm there hands and touch there
foreheads.
Children place their books at the goddesses feet. No
books our touched that day, signifying that the books are being blessed by the
goddess. In Rajsthan also the puja is conducted in a very colourful manner.
The youngest girl of the house present sets the stage for the puja by putting
a teeka on everyone's forehead. This is followed by the devotees sprinkling
water, aipun and roli on the diety. The puja ends with the lady of the house
giving a few bers, some sangaris and a laddoo and a paan to everyone present.
Not only is the celebration of Basant, a Hindu festival, some sections of the
Muslims also celebrate the advent of this colourful season. People pray for
wisdom and understanding on this day. Rangolis—traditional designs inscribed
on the floor or ground—are often drawn at the foot of the goddess’s
statue, fish designs considered particularly auspicious. Family members bathe
early in the morning and dress in white or yellow clothes, and children bring
their school books to be blessed by Saraswati. |
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Floral offerings are made in a big scale. Books, articles,
instruments of music and arts are placed before her. In the evening after the
Puja is over, the idol is immersed in the sea with serenity unlike other major
festivals. In all educational institutions of music, arts and science, Saraswati
Puja is observed with great reverence. The Festival of Vasant Panchami is observed
on a grand scale in Punjab and the North when the mustard crop is ripe. They
cook yellow rice and also wear yellow garments. Although, Saraswati Puja is
once again performed during the Navaratri or Dussehra.
Legend, about worshipping Kamadeva, has it that
on this day Lord Shiva burnt the God of Love, Kamadeva. Lord Shiva was lost
in Samadhi (divine unconscious state, while meditating), and to break
his Samadhi and impassion him to beget a son powerful enough to kill the demon
Taaraka, Gods sent the God of Love. Kamadeva discharged an arrow at
Lord Shiva from behind a tree. But, Shiva gets terribly ferocious with anger
for breaking his meditation, and reduced Kamadeva to ashes with his third eye.
Though Kamadeva was reborn, and got a new body, because love (and lust) is also
an essential part of the creation, and for the races to proceed.
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