In the folklore of Durga Puja in Bengal, Saraswati is considered to be a daughter of Shiva along with her sister Lakshmi and her brothers Ganesha and en.wikipedia.org Saraswati: Goddess of Knowledge & Arts Goddess Hindu God Arts Festival Greek God Goddess Hindu Food Culture
Saraswati, the goddess of knowledge and arts, 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.
Saraswati is the daughter of Lord Shiva and Goddess Durga. It is believed that goddess Saraswati endows human beings with the powers of speech, wisdom and learning. She has four hands representing four aspects of human personality in learning: mind, intellect, alertness and ego. She has sacred scriptures in one hand and a lotus – the symbol of true knowledge – in the second.
With her other two hands she plays the music of love and life on a string instrument called the veena. She is dressed in white – the symbol of purity – and rides on a white swan – symbolizing Sattwa Guna or purity and discrimination. Saraswati is also a prominent figure in Buddhist iconography - the consort of Manjushri.
The learned and the erudite attach greater importance to the worship of goddess Saraswati. As a practice, only educated people worship her for knowledge and wisdom. They believe that only Saraswati can grant them 'moksha' - the final liberation of the soul.
Saraswati's birthday - Vasant Panchami - is a Hindu festival celebrated every year on the 5th day of the bright fortnight of the lunar month of Magha. Hindus celebrate this festival with great fervor in temples, homes and educational institutes alike.
Read more about Vasant Panchami
The following prayer is recited on this day:
"May Goddess Saraswati,
who is fair like the jasmine-colored moon,
and whose pure white garland is like frosty dew drops;
who is adorned in radiant white attire,
on whose beautiful arm rests the veena,
and whose throne is a white lotus;
who is surrounded and respected by the Gods, protect me.
May you fully remove my lethargy, sluggishness, and ignorance."
Saraswati is the goddess of arts, music, knowledge, and wisdom. Saraswati is considered as the divine consort of Lord Brahma, the Creator of the universe as per the Hindu Religion. Saraswati is regarded as the destroyer of chaos and confusion. Slokas on Saraswati form the part of prayers offered to the goddess. Saraswati Slokas/ Shlokas are as follows:
"Ya Devi Stuyate Nityam Vibhuhairvedaparagaih
Same Vasatu Jihvagre Brahmarupa Saraswati"
Same Vasatu Jihvagre Brahmarupa Saraswati"
Meaning: Saraswati, the goddess of knowledge, is praised by the intelligent who have mastered the Shastra (scriptures). She is the wife of the Creator. May she live on my tongue.
"Shrii Saraswatii Namahstubhyam Varade Kaama Ruupini
Twaam Aham Praarthane Devii Vidyaadaanam Cha Dehi Me"
Twaam Aham Praarthane Devii Vidyaadaanam Cha Dehi Me"
Meaning: I bow to Goddess Saraswati, who fulfills the wishes of the devotees. I pray her to enlighten me with knowledge.
"Sarasvathi Namastubhyam, Varade Kaamaroopini
Vidyaarambham Karishyaami, Siddhir Bhavatu Mey Sada"
Vidyaarambham Karishyaami, Siddhir Bhavatu Mey Sada"
Meaning: Saraswati is the provider of boons and the one, who grants all our desires. As I begin my studies, I bow to the Goddess to help me in making it fruitful and make me successful in all my efforts.
Saraswati, the goddess of knowledge and arts, represents the free flow of Names GlossaryNavratri, Durga Puja, DussheraNavadurga: Nine Forms of Durgahinduism.about.com When is Saraswati Puja in 2010? - When-Is.com
Saraswati Puja in 2010 is on Wednesday, the 20th of January. Saraswati Puja is celebrated every year on the fifth day of the Indian month Magh Vasant Panchami : Saraswati Puja in Bengal In Bengal, Vasant Panchami is known as Saraswati Puja as on this day, Saraswati, Throughout Bengal, Saraswati Puja is celebrated in schools