Saraswati: Goddess of Wisdom, Poetry, Art, Speech and Flowing Rivers
In the Hindu tradition, the end of winter and return of the light is known as Vasant Panchami or Sarasvati Puja in honor of the goddess Saraswati. this day falls on the 5th of February and is celebrated by lighting candles and offering Saraswati Prasad or sweets. Yellow cooked foods like Besan Laddoo, Mangos, Mango leaves, sweets, fruit and deserts are left on her alter in hopes that the goddess will grant inspiration, creativity and truth un all matters. This festival that marks the preparation for the arrival of spring. The festival is celebrated by people in the Indian subcontinent in various ways depending on the region. On this day, people rise early and bathe or fast for purification until mid day. They adorn each other with saffron and marigold flower garlands and offer yellow flowers to each other and the Goddess. Saraswati is the Goddess of divine light, poetry, wisdom, speech and art. She is source to call upon when inspiration or enlightenment is needed.
Below are two mantras to invoke Saraswati's inspiration, creativity , and wisdom. It enhances memory retention and concentration, so it is great for students. It is also a powerful mantra to chant when embarking on new projects, creative or academic endeavours. This mantra imbues sharp focus, concentration and also purifies the heart and mind in order to dissolve Maya or illusion. It brings truth, knowledge and light to the seeker.
1. Saraswati mantra:
"Aum Aim Hrim Klim Saraswatiye Namaha"
meaning:
Om - bija of creation
Eim - Saraswati’s bija
Hrim-bija of the sacred heart which helps us see the real reality
Klim -bija of magnetism to bring the energy of the following word
Saraswati - Devi of Knowledge, Learning, the Arts, Music, Speech, Power of Spoken Mantras, etc.
Devibhyo - powerful Goddess (as praise)
Namaha - Nama=Divine Name, Ha=Salutation.
2. Saraswati Mantra ( English)
Saraswathi Namasthubhyam, Varadey Kaamarupinee
Vidhyarambham Karishyami, Sidhir bhavathu mey sada”
Saraswati Mantra (Sanskrit(
सरस्वति नमस्तुभ्यं वरदे कामरूपिणि ।
विद्यारम्भं करिष्यामि सिद्धिर्भवतु मे सदा ”
Meaning of Saraswati Mantra 2
The Saraswati Mantra is chanted to enhance the focus, concentration and memorizing powers of the reciter. It literally translates as - “I bow down to Goddess Saraswati, the one who grants wishes and fulfills desires, to enhance the concentrating power and the retention capacity of my mind. O Goddess, please bestow upon me the skills of understanding things clearly right from the beginning of my studies.”