पावका नः सरस्वती  वाजेभिर्वाजिनीवती ।

यज्ञं वष्टु धियावसुः ||

– Rig Veda

May Goddess Saraswati make our Yajna (of life) successful with the eternal knowledge and action that nourishes, sanctifies, and bestows wealth & intelligence.

Many people think of intelligence as an attribute that they are born with. Yet, Intelligence certainly isn’t just a particular trait. It’s a dynamic ability to learn and keep your brain active through positive habits. Intelligence allows you to solve problems and complete different tasks related to life, academics, and professional career.

Apart from that, intelligence is also a collection of diverse abilities like singing, dancing, acting, painting, etc. Needless to say, intelligence is not less than wealth that can decorate a life. And in India we seek the wealth of intelligence from Goddess Saraswati.

When the spring season begins people celebrate the ‘Basant Panchami’ festival-may be with different names- in many parts of India wherein Goddess Saraswati is worshipped with festive fervour. And Goddess Saraswati showers Her blessings upon all in the form of knowledge, art, music, and intelligence.

The story of Her birth is very interesting.

How the ‘quintessence of blessings’ took birth?

According to a mythological tale, when the entire existence was created, Lord Vishnu felt there is something missing in the cosmos. He told Lord Brahma that it seems yet another power is still required for the maintenance and growth of existence as it still lacks the passion and rhythm of life. There is no happiness or positive energy in sight.

So Lord Brahma recalled His celestial internal world and imagined the beautiful form of Goddess Saraswati. Afterward, Goddess Saraswati appeared, dressed in pristine white and She infused the positive energy, vibrancy, and knowledge in the cosmos making it complete.

She had a divine appearance; a powerful form, having 4 hands; in one hand, she had a book, in one a large musical instrument, harp, in the 3rd hand, a prayer bead, and the 4th one was in the form of offering blessings.

The Goddess with a book in Her hand!

The Goddess of knowledge is holding a book in one of Her hands; it denotes everyone should seek knowledge for renewing the mind. It is quite necessary. Understand that life is a journey of progress. Our body grows each day and along with that, the mental power should also grow. So, learning should be an endless process even when academic studies end. For that, make the world around you your school and keep learning. The spirit of learning keeps renewing the mind and consciousness every day.  Further, Books are a wonderful medium of inner development. They help you in your progress in a great way so never leave them.

Also, realize that the world is full of two types of knowledge- Real Knowledge and Pseudo-Knowledge. The knowledge that creates confusion and misunderstanding is ‘pseudo-knowledge’ while the knowledge that raises consciousness and makes one rational or prudent is true knowledge. So, you must know what to read and what not to read. Once you know what to read, your life will lead you on the journey of progress.

Knowledge should accompany devotion as well

Goddess Saraswati has a prayer bead in one of Her hands. It denotes devotion. The knowledge must also lead you towards awareness, devotion, and salvation, so that it can free you from grief and despair.

After that, Goddess Saraswati has a big musical instrument in her hand. It symbolizes the presence of positivity all around, beauty all around. And of course, when art, music, and education blend, the result would be sheer beauty, naturally.

So invite art, music, skills, and education to your life, yet with all that, develop devotion as well and that’s why Goddess Saraswati holds prayer beads in one of Her hands.

Finally, the 4th hand is in the mode of offering blessings. It shows knowledge should not lead to destruction but creation and social welfare. It must bless the life existing all around making it abundant and comfortable for everyone.

So, at the onset of the spring season- when the whole atmosphere is glowing with new energy, colour, and beauty- the blessings of Goddess Saraswati is visible all around. Feel Her presence in each element and offer your devotion.

And on the pious occasion of Saraswati Puja, seek the wealth of intelligence and along with that also focus on further enhancing your knowledge, devotion, and skills in art & music. It will make you soft-hearted, full of love, care and abundance.

Wishes for beautiful Basant Panchami celebrations!

Vasant Panchami