Saraswati
Saraswati is the aspect
of the Goddess epitomized as Knowledge; Wisdom; the Patroness of the Letters,
Sciences, and Music; and Mother of the Vedas.
She is represented clad
in white garments, seated on a white lotus, and with a swan as her vahana. In her four hands she holds a
rosary, the Vedas and the veena. The name ‘Saraswati’ is from sara (essence) and swa (self). White symbolizes purity – the purity of the Supreme
Self untainted by anything that is false. The word for swan is Sanskrit is hamsa. Hamsa also means soul. Though oftentimes a peacock may be depicted
in the background in the imagery of Saraswati, it stands for the magnificence
of scholastic or artistic attainment.
But the peacock is also representative of
vanity and fickle-mindedness. That’s why it’s the white hamsa (pure soul) which is the true vehicle of Saraswati.
The
rosary stands for contemplation and the meditative mind. The Vedas stand for
knowledge. The Veena is
representative of the sacred pranava
as well as harmony in thought, speech and action (trikarana shuddhi).
The Shringeri
Sharadamba Temple in Karnataka is one of the famous temples dedicated to
Goddess Saraswati.
Shringeri Sharadamba Temple, Karnataka
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