Saraswati
literally means 'the flowing one'. In the Rigveda it is said she
represents a river and the deity presiding over it. In the later
mythology, Saraswati was identified with Vach or Speech. The
`flowing one' in allegorical sense may mean speech also; perfect
speech which denotes intelligence. On this Vasant Panchami day,
Brahma is said to have created Saraswati and infused speech into
her and bestowed the Vina in her hands. She was thus named as 'VeenaVandini
(Vina player) and 'VaniDayyani' (giver of speech). As the spouse
of Brahma and the goddess of wisdom and eloquence, She is known
by various names such as Vinapani (due to holding the Vina),
Saarada (giver of essence), Vagisvari (mistress of speech),
Braahmi (energy of Lord Brahmaa), Mahavidya (knowledge supreme)
and so on. Saraswati is the consort of Lord Brahma and is the
Goddess of Wisdom and Knowledge. She is the personification of
knowledge - arts, science, crafts. She represents Shakti,
creativity and inspiration and presents herself when the weather
is complacement and Nature is in its full grandeur. It is a
season of inspiration and passion.
Vasant (spring) is the season when nature is at its beautiful
and bountiful best. Flowers are in full bloom and trees sprout
new shoots. It is a season when nature regenerates and every
thing is fresh and new. New life is evident in the woods and
fields. In North India the cool morning air is laden with the
faint smell of Mango blossoms. Shrill loud calls of the Indian
song birds pierce the tranquillity of the morning without in
anyway disturbing it! Wheat and other crops enliven with new
life and vitality. Mustard fields turn into a heady mix of
yellow and green as the blossoms add color, poetry and romance
to life. There are various traditions, customs and rituals that
are followed in the worshipping of goddess Saraswati. The ones
common to all those worshipping Saraswati are that the idol of
the goddess is clothed in white, the other predominant colour in
the celebrations is yellow, to indicate the onset of spring and
the blossoming of marigolds, mustard flowers etc. Flowers and
wild berries are offered to the goddess and students place their
books before the deity and do not do any reading or writing that
day. An elaborate puja, with sandalwood, ghee, joss sticks, and
incense is done to the sound of shlokas, conch shells, and
drums. A ritual not connected to the worship but equally
essential to the celebration is that of flying kites on this day.
Celebrated on the onset of spring, it marks the beginning of new life
with yellow mustard flowers starting to bloom and nature displaying her
majestic best. Thus the colour of the festival is yellow and women can
be seen dotted in saffron dresses. The puja on this day is devoted to
Saraswati and people pray for wisdom and understanding. There are
several ways in which puja is conducted on this day. In Bengal, the
place where the statue of Saraswati is kept is decorated with a rangoli.
The design of a fish is considered auspicious. Family members bathe
early in the morning and dress in whit or yellow coloured clothes. Then
they gather around the idol, where the priest commences the
puja.Indiafairs.com Aarti is taken of the idol and the flame is passed
arounfd the devotees to warm there hands and touch there foreheads.
Children place their books at the goddesses feet. No books our touched
that day, signifying that the books are being blessed by the goddess. In
Rajsthan also the puja is conducted in a very colourful manner. The
youngest girl of the house present sets the stage for the puja by
putting a teeka on everyone's forehead. This is followed by the devotees
sprinkling water, aipun and roli on the diety. The puja ends with the
lady of the house giving a few bers, some sangaris and a laddoo and a
paan to everyone present. Not only is the celebration of Basant, a Hindu
festival, some sections of the Muslims also celebrate the advent of this
colourful season. People pray for wisdom and understanding on this day.
Rangolis—traditional designs inscribed on the floor or ground—are often
drawn at the foot of the goddess’s statue, fish designs considered
particularly auspicious. Family members bathe early in the morning and
dress in white or yellow clothes, and children bring their school books
to be blessed by Saraswati.
Floral offerings are made in a big scale. Books, articles, instruments
of music and arts are placed before her. In the evening after the Puja
is over, the idol is immersed in the sea with serenity unlike other
major festivals. In all educational institutions of music, arts and
science, Saraswati Puja is observed with great reverence. The Festival
of Vasant Panchami is observed on a grand scale in Punjab and the North
when the mustard crop is ripe. They cook yellow rice and also wear
yellow garments. Although, Saraswati Puja is once again performed during
the Navaratri or Dussehra.
Legend, about worshipping Kamadeva, has it that on this day Lord Shiva
burnt the God of Love, Kamadeva. Lord Shiva was lost in Samadhi (divine
unconscious state, while meditating), and to break his Samadhi and
impassion him to beget a son powerful enough to kill the demon Taaraka,
Gods sent the God of Love. Kamadeva discharged an arrow at Lord Shiva
from behind a tree. But, Shiva gets terribly ferocious with anger for
breaking his meditation, and reduced Kamadeva to ashes with his third
eye. Though Kamadeva was reborn, and got a new body, because love (and
lust) is also an essential part of the creation, and for the races to
proceed.
