"Saraswati" or "Sarasvati" came from the Sanskrit word "saras" meaning "flow" or "essence," and "wati" that translates as "she who has flow." As one of the few prominent goddesses in the Vedas; Saraswati remains significant in later Hinduism.
Saraswati as a River
In the book Hindu Goddesses David Kinsley points out that Saraswati's personality is linked strongly with the Saraswati river. As the earliest river goddess she is said to give fertility and riches to her worshippers, and is praised for her nourishing and cleansing properties. She also represents purity due to her flowing nature. The Vedas often mention rituals that were performed on the banks of the river and suggest purifying or sacred powers. Vedic literature describes Saraswati as flowing down to earth from heaven - adding a transcendental dimension to the goddess.
Depiction of Saraswati in Later Hinduism
Saraswati is usually depicted as a woman dressed in white and seated on a white lotus, symbolizing the Absolute Truth. Her brilliant gleaming body signifies the purity of true knowledge and she is portrayed almost exclusively as serene and peaceful. Her four arms are said to represent the mind, intellect, alertness and ego. She carries the following in her arms:
- A pot of sacred water that symbolizes purity;
- The sacred Vedas, representing the eternal, divine knowledge;
- A japa mala (rosary) signifies the power of meditation and spirituality;
- The vina - a musical instrument that represents her perfection of all arts and speech.
A swan is the goddess's vehicle and stands for discrimination between good and the bad. Later Hinduism emphasizes her association with fine speech. Names such as Vagdevi (goddess of speech), Sabdavasini (she who dwells in sound) and Mahavani (possessing great speech) are often used. Her identification with sound and speech is further underlined in her mythological association with the tongues of Brahma, Krishna and Visnu.
Worship of the Goddess of Wisdom and Learning
Worshipping Saraswati is believed to bring wisdom, eloquence, musical skill and artistic talent. Her special day of worship takes place in early spring and is called Vasant Pancami. On this day musical instruments, books, pens and gurus are worshiped.
The goddess Saraswati attracts devotees who are scholars and artists. Her association with knowledge and science reinforces her nature as the goddess of speech. Representing purity and culture, she is more likely to be worshiped in schools and libraries than in the home.
Source:
Kingsley, David Hindu Goddesses University of California Press, 1988.
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