Saraswati

Saraswati is revered in Hindu households across the world, especially amongst students and scholars as she is believed to bring prosperity and success in the fields of learning and art. The name is associated with intelligence, creativity, and culture. In India, the collapse of the Ganga in Benaras during the month of Magh has great significance as it marks the commencement of the Saraswati Pooja. This eighteen-day festival is devoted entirely to Saraswati in the hopes of attaining her blessings for success in learning and arts. The Saraswati Vandana or prayer to Saraswati is a daily practice for students in India, as it is believed to sharpen the intellect and awaken one's creativity.

Saraswati is considered the embodiment of pure knowledge (Satya Shakti) and eternal for she gives birth to the universe continuously through her thoughts. Her spiritual significance lies in her being a symbol of the discerning mind and the one who helps us attain spiritual enlightenment by liberating us from the shackles of ignorance and delusion. The Upanishads speak of the Sacred Word or the Adhyatma or the Self (Atma) as the Saraswati Vak or the divine speech that creates the universe and sustains it. The purifying effect of chanting the name Saraswati renders one pure at heart and in turn aids in self-realization.

Vedic name • Root: Sanskrit/Mythology/Vedic • Saraswati is one of the major deities in Hinduism and is the goddess of knowledge, music, arts, wisdom, and learning. She is often depicted holding a veena (a musical instrument), a book, and a lotus flower.