Saraswati – Hindu Goddess Of Knowledge, Learning And Vedic Symbol Of Speech, Vach

A. Sutherland - AncientPages.com - In Hindu mythology, Saraswati (in Sanskrit: Sarasvati) is the goddess of learning and knowledge, and the Vedic goddess of speech, Vach.

She is the source of the Holy Scriptures, and it is believed she created Sanskrit (‘perfectly done’), the sacred language of the Hindus. She is also the guardian of art and music and is said to be the source of the art of writing.

The iconography of Saraswati : the goddess depicted with her veena, swan, peacock, crystal japamala and lotus. Credit: Jean-Pierre Dalbéra - CC BY 2.0

Usually depicted as white-skinned, Saraswati is sometimes shown riding a swan or peacock, standing on a lotus flower. She is very frequently depicted sitting on a seashell and holding or playing the Saraswati vina, an Indian string instrument that is traditionally associated with her.

Goddess Saraswati Is A Symbol Of Speech

As the companion of Lord Brahma (The Creator), Saraswati represents speech (Vach), the mechanism or divine energy with which Brahma created the universe. Her name combines two words, saras, which means flow and wati, which means woman.

Goddess of Wisdom Saraswati for Vasant Panchami India festival background. Credit: Adobe Stock - vectomart

She became Brahma's wife after being handed to him by Vishnu, one of the principal deities of Hinduism, the Supreme Being in its Vaishnavism tradition, and the "preserver" in the Hindu trinity (Trimurti) also including Brahma and Shiva. Vishnu was Saraswati’s former husband, but continuous wrath between her and Vishnus's second wife, Lakshmi, forced them to separate.

How Brahma Convinced Saraswati To Marry Him

One story tells that after he created the physical universe and Earth. Brahma created a female consort, Saraswati, from his own powerful energy. She was so beautiful that Brahma wanted to marry her, but unfortunately, she was his daughter; she knew it and did not like his plans. So she avoided him as much as she could. In order to see her from any direction, Brahma grew three additional heads, and now he had four heads so he could feast his eyes upon beautiful Saraswati.

Left: Saraswati goddess is found in temples of Southeast Asia, islands of Indonesia, and Japan. Image credit: Fabio/Wikipedia; Right: Saraswati idol carved of black stone from Chalukya dynasty (12 century CE).  Idol on display in Prince of Wales Museum, Mumbai. Credit: AKS.9955 - CC BY-SA 4.0

Unable to escape, she hid in the sky but Brahma grew the fifth head to follow her with his eyes. He eventually convinced her to marry him and promised her that through them, the living beings of the world would be born, and so it happened.

From the earliest times, Saraswati has been associated with the Saraswati River, one of the Rigvedic Rivers that emerged from the Himalayas in northern India and is mentioned in the Rig Veda and later Vedic and post-Vedic texts.

The goddess was known to have a fiery temper. Once, when Brahma summoned his new companions to attend an important religious ceremony, Saraswati told him to wait for her because she was not yet ready for it. Furious, Brahma married a sage’s daughter in response, and when Saraswati found out what he had done, she cursed Brahma to enjoy just one day of worship each year.

The goddess is mentioned first in the Rigveda, ancient Sanskrit hymns dated to about 1500 – 1200 BC. She has been worshiped continuously since the Vedic period until today, and many temples in India are dedicated to her.

Goddess Saraswati And Saraswati Puja - Beautiful Educational Ceremony

Saraswati Puja is a beautiful educational celebration associated with Saraswati. It occurs on the waxing moon, symbolizing the beginning of spring. This ceremony dedicated to Sarasvati’s honor takes place during the spring festival Sarasvati Puja, which is the fifth day of the Hindu calendar.

Basara Gnana Saraswathi temple dedicated to Goddess Saraswathi Devi. Credit: Kiran Kollepalli - CC BY 2.0 

On this day, children are traditionally initiated into the art of writing. This day is important for students, professionals, musicians, artists, and scholars seeking wisdom, artistic, and technical skills. Saraswati puja celebration can also be performed on any day you feel at home.

According to tradition, pupils and teachers then carry a statue of the goddess to the river, where it is lowered into the water.

Updated on April 6, 2024

Written by – A. Sutherland AncientPages.com Staff Writer

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