Goddess Saraswati, revered and worshiped among Hindus, is the Goddess of learning, knowledge, and wisdom. The Sanskrit word sara means "essence" and swa means "self." Thus Saraswati means"the essence of the self." Her symbols are white flowers (especially Lotus), marigolds and swans. A Hindu Goddess of eloquence and intelligence, Saraswati extends a refreshing drink from her well of knowledge to complete the month with aptitude. In Hindu tradition, Saraswati invented all sciences, arts and writing. In works of arts she is depicted as white-skinned and graceful, riding on a swan or sitting on an open lotus blossom.
Goddess Saraswati who is that manifestation of the Universal Mother who blesses us with success in education. In the Rigveda, Saraswati is a river as well as its personification as a goddess. In the post-Vedic age, she began to lose her status as a river goddess and became increasingly associated with literature, arts, music, etc. Goddess Saraswati represents intelligence,consciousness, cosmic knowledge, creativity, education, enlightenment, music,the arts, and power. Hindus worship her not only for "secular knowledge", but for "divine knowledge" essential to achieve moksha.
Saraswati has four arms, representing the four aspects of human personality in learning: the mind, intellect, alertness, and ego. These four arms also represent the 4 Vedas (the sacred books of the Hindu faith), which in turn represent the 3 forms of literature, poetry, prose and music. She holds in her hands a book (prose), a rosary of crystal beads (poetry) and a vina (music). Her final hand holds a pot of sacred water,which represents the purity of these three arts and their power to purify human thought.
Her other names include Sarada (giver of essence), Brahmi (wife of Brahma), Mahavidya (holder of supreme knowledge), Bharati (eloquence), Maha-vidya (transcendent knowledge), Arya (noble one), Maha-vani (the transcendent word), Kamadhenu (like the wish-fulfilling cow), Dhaneshvari (the divinity of wealth), and Vagishvari (mistress of speech). It is through speech that knowledge manifests in action. It is through her that language and writing is revealed.
Sarasvati is also the shakti or power and consort of Brahma,the secondary creator of the universe. Thus, she is also considered a mother of the universe. In this way, she is also connected with fertility.
Saraswati is worshipped as the consort of Brahma the creator. Legend has it that Brahma, the creator acquired the power to think and create only through the power of Saraswati and that it was Saraswati that enabled Bhrahma to listen to the naada-brahmam the primordial sound which is revered as the source of all creation.
The following popular ‘pranam mantra’ or Sanskrit prayer, Saraswati devotees utter with utmost devotion eulogizes the goddess of knowledge and arts:
Om Saraswati Mahabhagey,Vidye Kamala Lochaney |
Viswarupey Vishalakshmi,Vidyam Dehi Namohastutey ||
Jaya Jaya Devi, Charachara Sharey, KuchayugaShobhita, Mukta Haarey |
Vina Ranjita, Pustaka Hastey, Bhagavati BharatiDevi Namohastutey ||
The beautiful human form of Saraswati comes to the fore in this English translation of the Saraswati hymn:
“May Goddess Saraswati,
who is fair like the jasmine-colored moon,
and whose pure white garland is like frosty dewdrops;
who is adorned in radiant white attire,
on whose beautiful arm rests the veena,
and whose throne is a white lotus;
who is surrounded and respected by the Gods,protect me.
May you fully remove my lethargy, sluggishness,and ignorance.
I had to throw this in. Looking at the Hindu Sarasvati, Goddess of learning and the creative arts, She bears some striking resemblances to Brigit, as well as some important differences.