As 'Diwali' – the
festival of light – is to Lakshmi, goddess of wealth, and 'Navaratri'
is to Durga, goddess of strength, might and power, Vasant
Panchami is to Saraswati, the goddess of knowledge and learning.
She represents the free flow of wisdom and consciousness. She is
the mother of the Vedas, and chants to her, called the 'Saraswati
Vandana' often begin and end Vedic lessons. The 5th day of the
bright fortnight of the lunar month of Maagha is the day of
Vasant Panchami. Hindus all over the world celebrate this
festival with great enthusiasm. This Panchami is also known as
Saraswati Day. It is believed that this auspicious day is the
day when Goddess Saraswati appeared. Hindu temples are full of
activities on this day. Yellow colour is given special
importance on this day. On Vasant Panchami, Saraswati is dressed
in yellow garments and worshipped (with Puja, Yajna etc.). Men
and women try to wear yellow clothes on this day. Sweetmeats of
yellowish hues are exchanged with relations and friends.
Some people feed Brahmanas on this day. Pitri-Tarpan (ancestor worship;
water offerings to the forefathers) is done on this day. The god of love
(Kaamadeva) is also worshipped on this day. On this day Goddess
Saraswati is worshipped as the Goddess of Learning, the deity of Gayatri,
the fountain of fine arts and science, and the symbol of supreme
vedantic knowledge. Religious paintings depict each of these goddess
alighted on a vehicle that symbolizes their special power. The white
swan of Saraswati symbolizing Satwa Guna (purity and discrimination),
the lotus of Lakshmi the Rajas Guna and the tiger of Durga the Tamas
Guna. Saraswati is shown possessing four hands and plays "Veena", an
Indian string musical instrument. Children are taught their first words
on this day (as an auspicious beginning to learning). Schools, colleges
etc., (places of learning) organise special worship of Saraswati.
Hinduism has taken into account special significance of seasons and
interwoven that with religious festivals e.g., Makar Sakranti, Vasant
Panchami. People generally feel inclined to worship the presiding deity
of the family (IshtaDeva or IshtaDevi) according to the individual’s
faith and desires. Also, people generally tend to accumulate wealth and
power. During the KaliYuga (present age), the pursuit of money (wealth,
power, name and fame) is everything to most people. Money is accorded
god-like status. But men of principle (men who can discriminate) worship
goddess Saraswati for spiritual enlightenment. In their opinion, there
can be no comparison between the king and the learned (spiritually
advanced). The king is honoured within his kingdom, whereas the learned
is respected (or worshipped) everywhere. Saintly people and people
inclined towards spiritual progress attach great importance to the
worship of goddess Saraswati.
The vehicle assigned to each of the three goddesses also symbolically
represent their special powers. The white swan of Saraswati is
symbolising SattvaGuna (the quality of purity and discrimination
possessed by someone). The owl of Lakshmi and the lion or tiger of Durga
symbolise the other two gunas (Rajas and Tamas). The first faint signals
of the forthcoming festival of Holi manifest at Vasant Panchami. Seasons
undergo change. The coming of springtime is heralded. Trees are
displaying new shoots. New life is evident in the woods and fields.
Nature decorates Mango trees with new blossoms. Wheat and other crops
enliven with evidence of new life.
Vasant Panchami is a festival full of religious, seasonal and social
significance and is celebrated by Hindus all over the world with verve
and new sense of optimism. The most significant aspect of this day is
that Hindu children are taught reading and writing their first words on
this day - as it is considered an auspicious day to begin a child's
education. Educational institutions organize special prayers for
Saraswati on this day. Saintly people and people inclined towards
spiritual progress attach great importance to the worship of goddess
Saraswati. As a practice, only educated people and men of principle
worship goddess Saraswati for spiritual enlightenment. In their opinion,
there can be no comparison between the king and the learned or the
spiritually advanced. They believe that the king is honoured within his
kingdom, whereas the learned are respected or worshipped throughout the
world.
