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Sairam The information on Goddess Saraswati is available in WIKIPEDIA, free encyclopedia. Regards Lakshmigopal Basanthie Sewsunker <sewsunkerb wrote: Dear Sai Brothers and sistersA friend of mine has been invited to give a discourse on Saraswathee Ma, at the temple where she normally attends service. It would be appreciated if anyone could please forward me information on this topic as soon as possible.thanking you in

advance.Jai Sai Ram.Bessie SewsunkerAssistant AdministratorInformation Systems & TechnologyUniversity of Kwa-Zulu Natal (Westville Campus)Private Bag X54001Durban 4000SOUTH AFRICATel : 031 - 2607051Fax : 031 - 2607251e-mail : sewsunkerb (AT) ukzn (DOT) ac.zaPlease find our Email Disclaimer here: http://www.ukzn.ac.za/disclaimer/

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[Guest guest]

Thank you very much Renuka.

 

Bessie Sewsunker

Assistant Administrator

Information Systems & Technology

University of Kwa-Zulu Natal (Westville Campus)

Private Bag X54001

Durban 4000

SOUTH AFRICA

 

Tel : 031 - 2607051

Fax : 031 - 2607251

e-mail : sewsunkerb

 

>>> " RENUKA PATRA " <renukariyadh 9/26/2007 2:10 PM >>>

Sairam,

 

I am sending information on maa saraswati here.Please go through them.I have

also given the site at the end if you need any more information.Hope this

will help you.Wish you happy discourse.......................Renuka Patra

,Riyadh.

 

Saraswati is a Hindu goddess of learning. She is the goddess of speech

(Vac), the Flowing-One. She represents the union of power and intelligence

from which organized creation arises. Saraswati posseses all the learnings

of the the Vedas, scriptures, dancing, musical power and poetry. She

revealed language and writing to man. Her origin is the lost Vedic river

Saraswati. This is the source of her profound connection to fluidity in any

aspect (water, speech, thought, etc.). She is wisdom, fortune, intelligence,

nourishment, brilliance, contentment, splendour and devotion. This page is

dedicated to this Beautiful Goddess of Intellect.

 

*Origins of Saraswati*

 

The Sarasvati river was one of the major water causeways in northwest India.

The river was navigable in the third and fourth millennium, BCE, from the

Gulf of Khambat (Lothal) throughout Surkotada and Kotda (Dholavira, close to

Bet Dwaraka) and upward th rough Nara-Hakra-Ghaggar-Sarasvati channels,

right through to Mathura. It flowed directly through the Marusthali desert,

one of the largest deserts in the world. During the third and fourth

millennium BCE, an extensive civilization lived along its banks . Although

considered a part of the Indus Valley Civilization, these groups of people

shared a different lifestyle and different religious practices. All of the

sacrifices and worship practices were primarily done on the banks of the

river; the river wa s considered the most pure and auspicious place to do

these sacrifices. The river was described in the Vedas as the " Mother of all

rivers. "

 

One such religious practice used the river directly. As each of us live and

interact in this material world, where the majority of our action s are

considered unclean and unhealthy, we accumulate residues of these actions

inside and outside of our body. The practice entailed submerging the whole

body into the river. As the waters engulf and surround, the purity of the

waters wash away all the foulness from the body, leaving the body fresh and

pure when emerged from the river. Like a clean slate.

 

This practice is interesting to note when discussing the migration of the

civilization and the migration of religious practices. In the fourth

millennium, the Sarasvati River was drying up due to the dryness of the

prevailing monsoon winds, which did not bring enough rain to keep the region

moist. Consequently, the civilization migrated to the Kubha River, where

they renamed the river to the Avestan Sarasvati.

 

This drying up of the river was a turning point in many of the beliefs of

the people, and is noted in the Upanishads. Here, this act is explained in a

myth. The Gods wanted someone to transport " fire " or Agni to the sea. The

gods entrusted the Sarasvati River to perform this task. After gaining

permission from her father Brahma, Sarasvati gathered up all her waters, and

formed a body. She then carried the fire to the sea. The myth holds many

symbolic meaning to the religious changes that were developing with the

emergence of the Upanishads, as well as the physical changes of the river.

The fire in reference, Agni, was the sacrificial fire and served as the link

between hu mans and the gods. Sarasvati's mission was to take this fire and

deliver it to the sea, which can be associated with the ocean of

consciousness, an aspect of the absolute. In doing so , the fire would

become extinguished, and at the same time, would be removed form the world

of man (the relative). The gods choose the Sarasvati River as the only one

able to perform this task. Due to the purity of her waters, and the fact

that she is water, she is able to accomplish the task.

 

In this event, Sarasvati has moved from a sacred river, to a goddess; she is

a goddess of purity. She has also deposed of the sacrifice as the sole mode

of reaching the gods and the absolute. As mentioned in the Upanishads, the

sacrifice changes from fi re and rituals, to internalizing the process. In

pursing knowledge, a sacrifice of the self is necessary to exit from the

karmic world. In this knowledgeable state, the person becomes liberated

through disciplines of the body, breathing, and mind. As a result, from

removing the sacrificial fire and replacing it with a sacrifice of the self

through obtaining knowledge, Sarasvati has now become the goddess of

knowledge and learning. Also, the conventional modes of ritual movements as

the concentration o f the sacrifice was extinguished. In its place, sounds,

such as the sound OM and mantras became the most important quality.

Sarasvati was given the title of music and speech.

 

Although the waters of the ancient Sarasvati River are all dried up, one can

still ride on the currents and waves of Sarasvati to become pure. In the

pursuit of knowledge and learning and through proper use of sound and

speech, ultimate purity can now be achieved: moksa.

 

*Saraswati and the Gods*

 

The Puranas relate Saraswati to Brahma and Vishnu. Most frequently, she is

associated with Brahma. Her connection with him dates earlier than to any

other God. She is portrayed mostly as his wife and occasionally as his

daughter. When Vishnu's popularity in India increased, myths relating

Saraswati to him appeared.

 

Saraswati and Brahma: When Saraswati is pictured as a wife of Brahma, she is

usually portrayed as white complexioned, wearing white or yellow garments,

and accompanied by a peacock or/and a swan (symbols of Brahma).

 

Origin of Brahma's 5 heads due to Saraswati: Brahma created Satarupa

(Saraswati) out of his own body, and became enamoured with her. He was

looking at her amorously. In order to avoid his glances, Satarupa turned to

the right side from his gaze. In order to see her then, Brahma created a

second head. As she passed to his left and his rear, in order to avoid his

lustful glances, two other heads of the god successively appeared. At last

she sprang to the sky, and following her, a fifth head of Brahma was also

formed.

(From the Matsya Purana)

 

Brahma's Great Sacrifice:Brahma decided to perform a great sacrifice and for

that purpose he and his wife Savitri (one of the names for Saraswati) went

to Pushkara. When all the preparations were made with due rites and

ceremonies for performing the sacrifice, Savitri, detained by some household

affairs, was not in attendance. A priest was immediately advised to call

her. But she replied that she had not yet completed her dress, nor arranged

several affairs. Since without a wife no advantage could be derived by

performing a sacrifice, Brahma advised Indra to bring a wife from wherever

he could find one. Indra proceeded accordingly and, he found a milkmaid

Gayatri (another name for Saraswati) who was young, beautiful . Indra seized

her and brought to the assembly. Then Brahma told that he would espouse the

mikmaid and she would be regarded as the mother of the Vedas. Thus Brahma

was united with Gayatri.

At this time Savitri, accompanied by the wives of Vishnu, Rudra and other

gods, come to the place of sacrifice. Seeing the milkmaid in the bride's

attire, Savitri became furious and cursed Brahma and all the other gods and

left. But Gayatri repaired most of the curses by performing proper

sacrifices.

(From the Skanda Purana)

 

Origin of Saraswati and Her Marriage to Vishnu: Once Krishna felt an

inclination to create and thus sprang from him Radha, his shakti. Their

union produced the mundane egg, which Radha threw into the numdane waters.

Krishna was incensed at this unmotherly conduct of Radha and cursed her with

everlasting youth and barrenness. At this point, suddently from the lip of

Radha sprang forth a lovely daughter Saraswati of white complexion wearing

yellow dress, bedecked with jewels and holding a Veena and a book in her

hands. Radha again parted herself into two and her left half was transformed

into Kamala or Lakshmi. At this, Krishna also parted into two and produced

the four-armed Vishnu from the left side of his body. Krishna gave Sarasvati

and Lakshmi to Vishnu as wives.

(From the Brahma-Vaivarta Purana)

 

Fight Between Saraswati and Ganga: Besides Saraswati, Vishnu married Ganga.

One day Ganga was looking wistfully at her husband, and Vishnu was

reciprocating the glances. This was too much for Saraswati who began to

accuse Vishnu of partiality. Vishnu left the place to give Saraswati time to

calm herself down. But this only served to anger Saraswati more. She

advanced threatingly to Ganga when Lakshmi intervened. Lakshmi held

Saraswati away from Ganga. Saraswati then cursed Lakshmi. Vishnu, having

found out about what happened, cursed both Saraswati and Ganga with

transformation into rivers, and also gave both of them to other husbands.

Saraswati was given to Brahma and Ganga to Shiva.

(From the Brahma-Vaivarta Purana)

 

*Saraswati: Iconographic Symbolism*

 

The river imagery of Sarasvati represents a migration from a world of

ignorance or bondage to a shore that represents enlightenment and freedom.

This religious quest represents a state of transition or rebirth in which a

spiritual pilgrim sloughs off his old self and is born again, free and

enlightened.

 

Sarasvati's female form demonstrates the great respect and recognition that

women held in the Vedic tradition. She extols tolerance, as well as moral

and spiritual strength. She can withstand roughness and bear pain. She is

the consort of Brahma, so this shows that knowledge and creation are in

harmony. Her white complexion and garments point to her absolute purity. Her

four arms represent the four directions, giving the notion that Sarasvati is

all-pervading. The front arms relate to the manifest world, and the back

arms to the subjective world. She also demonstrates the four aspects of the

personality-the mana, the buddhi, the chitta and the ahankara. The book

symbolizes the totality of knowledge. Placing it in the left hand means that

acquisition and application of knowledge should be controlled by the softer

side of the human personality. The rosary symbolizes concentration or the

meditative process involved in the acquisition of knowledge. The swan

demonstrates the discriminatory power between right and wrong, as well as

the real and unreal. It states, " live in the world, but do not be possessed

by it. It symbolizes " jiva " and the " prana " which manifest through the

inhaling and exhaling processes. The swan floats above the water in a state

of samadhi. The peacock represents mundane knowledge that is unstable and

leads to worldly desires. The peacock points to the chance of ignorant

activity taking charge of the human personal ity--the dominates the head and

the right side. Sarasvati as she is represented in the middle demonstrates a

need for for a balance between both. The lotus represents supreme knowledge

in activity. It is a symbol of evolution and detachment. It makes its way

through the ocean of life by rising above its surface--it is the path from

the outer being to the inner being.

 

The Veena points to the collective sound of all our thoughts and actions as

it is manifest as music in the cosmic universe; it marks the withdrawal of

the senses and the focus needed to attain knowledge. Placing the left hand

on top of the veena closer to the heart shows that knowledge should be used

for the good of others. Placing the right hand on the bottom shows that

negative knowledge should be kept under control. The veena points to the

potential for the negative and positive purposes of knowledge--the choice is

left to the person as to which type of knowledge is used.

 

There is a special type of Veena called Saraswati Veena. The Sarasvati Veena

is one of the oldest instruments of the world. It is a fretted organ which

can produce notes in four octaves. Four strings are attached to the main

bridge and three extra strings are used to keep count of the 'taala' or the

cycle of beats. The drum to the right is the sound box, the drum to the left

is used for support. The goal is to create a melodious, continuous sound or

'taanam' which awakens the inner senses. The Veena imparts a vocalized

quality, or 'Gayaki' which creates the feeling that divinity itself is

speaking through the flow of music. The Veena is considered the spinal cord,

and the creation of music stirs the invocation of knowledge within the soul.

 

*Saraswati: Connection to Yoga*

 

Sarasvati gives the essence of one's self. She provides us with the mundane

and spiritual knowledge of our lives. She is a representation of the science

of life, or the Vedanta, which attempts to unravel the essentials of human

existence and the universe concealed within. She points to the ultimate aim

of human life which is to realize the true nature of the self even if it

requires an enormous amount of determination, perseverance and patience. The

knowledge that Sarasvati renders through continual worship, devotion and

discipline is one of an integral vision in which both temporal and spiritual

levels of study are meditated upon, practiced and developed. Therefore, she

allows one to exist in the material world while striving for the plane of

Brahman. The connection one forms with Sarasvati is one with words and

music, which are the very source of the cosmos, the Brahman. She is the

impeller of true, sweet speech, she is the creative process with the

syllable, 'OM.' She is the potent quality of sound.

 

Sarasvati is the ocean of understanding, the consciousness which vibrates

with different types of knowledge. She is the cause of all movements, the

source of spiritual light, remover of all ignorance and promoter of

knowledge. Students that are here to discover, invent and create a new world

fall under Sarasvati''s grace, that is why we must be open and disciplined

to acquire the knowledge which she can give to us. Sarasvati shows that

human destiny involves the refinement of nature. Being fully human

necessitates molding, enhancing and refining the natural world to make it

habitable. Artistic creation as well as knowledge of the sciences epitomize

human culture; integrated knowledge refines the world into something

beautiful and special.

 

*Saraswati: Rituals and Festivals*

 

Ritual worship of Saraswati in the Bengali Tradition:

The idol is in white , symbolizing purity. The sari of the Deity is white or

yellow dyed in the natural dye made from " Shiuli " flowers. The place where

the idol is kept for the puja is decorated with Rangoli and the design of a

fish is considered auspicious. A flat low stool made of wood is covered with

yellow cloth and the idol is placed on it, facing East. Then, the face of

the idol remains covered till the priest begins chanting the mantras at the

commencement of the puja. A green coconut is placed on an earthen pot with a

red checked cotton cloth called " Gamcha " . For the actual puja, flowers are

used but the most significant is the Palash or flame of the forest and

marigold flowers. Students place their books in front of the goddess. The

offerings to the goddess are mainly fruits: most significant are Berries

from the wild plum tree. Other fruits include tapioca. Sweets must include

puffed rice, jaggery and yogurt. Family members bathe early and dress in

yellow attire and assemble in front of the Goddess. The earthen pot is tied

with a string which will be untied only on the next day by the priest before

Bisarjan. A havan puja is done by the priest using special wood, ghee, joss

sticks and incense. There absence of a burnt smell signifies the success of

the puja. A diya or lamp is also kept lit along with the prasad. A handful

of flowers particularly marigolds and flame of the forest are given to each

devotee to offer to the goddess as " pushpanjali " --Pushp, meaning flowers and

Anjali meaning offering. The offering is done in batches of devotees who

repeat mantras after the priest. Arati is performed by the priest in the

morning and again in the evening. this is done while chanting sanskrit

slokas and accompanied by the blowing of conch shells and the beating of

drums. The lit lamp used during the Arati is passed around for each devotee

to warm his/ her hand and touch their heads. Nobody touches books on that

day. This signifies that the goddess is blessing the books placed in front

of her that day.

 

Basant Panchami: is celebrated on the fifth lunar day of the month of Magh,

which is between the moths of January and February. It is also celebrated as

Shikshapatri Jayanti. On this day, yellow is the predominant color as all

are garbed in bright yellow clothes. This has to do with the onset of spring

and the blooming of yellow mustard flowers in the fields. There is a great

deal of festivity with the flying of colorful kites. It also happens to be

the second most popular festival in Lahore, Pakistan and the incorporation

of this traditionally hindu festival into modern Islamic culture has an

interesting story behind it.

 

*Temples Dedicated to Saraswati*

 

There are Saraswati temples in Deupatan, Kamalakshi, Thimi, Bhadrakali and

Swyambhu, Neel Saraswati at Gairidhara, among others in the Kathmandu

Valley. Saraswati Temple in the University of Roorkee. Prthudakeshwara

Temples in Pehowa, Haryana. They were built by the Marathas in honour of

Saraswati. Saradamba Temple in Sringeri. Sarada Temple in the Neelam Valley

in Kashmir. Basar: Situated 50 Kms from Nizamabad at Basara ,on the banks of

river Godavari, the Sri Gnana Saraswathi Temple is the only temple in South

India dedicated to the Goddess of Learning.

 

*Saraswati: Connection to Other Religions*

 

Sarasvati is well known in a variety of other religions outside of Hinduism.

She appears in Jainism and Buddhism, and has made her way from India to

Japan as well as to other places around the world.

 

In Jainism, Saravsvati has been given many titles, a few of these include:

The Dispeller of Darkness & Ignorance, The Remover of Infatuations, The

Destroyer of Miseries and The Bestower of Knowledge. As in Hinduism, she

also stands as a symbol of purity.

 

In the transition from early (Theravada) Buddhism to Mahayana Buddhism, may

elements of Hinduism were transplanted into Buddhism. In early Buddhist

mandalas, various divinities were depicted of Mahayana Buddhism. In those

early Buddhist mandalas, Sarasvati is located in the south-west of the

innermost circle, between Brahma and Vishnu, symbolizing her close

connection with these two deities. In Buddhism, Sarasvati is the Bestower of

Knowledge, Intelligence & Memory; and she confers wisdom and learning upon

her worshippers. She possesses many forms within Buddhism, including

Vajra-Sarasvati, Vajrana-Sarasvati, Vajra-Sarada and Mahasarasvati. During a

period of Tantric dominance within Buddhism, many of the Mahayana Buddhist

texts were transmitted through the Himalayan passes to Nepal, Tibet, Java,

China and eventually Japan.

 

In Tibet, she is known as Vajra-Sarasvati and is often depicted as wielding

a Thunderbolt (vajra). In Japan, the goddess Benten is seen as a

manifestation of Sarasvati. Her full name in Japanese is Dai-Ben-Zai-Ten or

The Great Divinity of Reasoning Faculty. She is believed to confer power,

happiness, riches, long life, fame and reasoning powers. In later times she

came to be regarded as one of the seven deities of good fortune. A myth in

Japan speaks of a hideous pond dwelling serpent that terrorized the villages

and devoured the children for miles around. Benten could not bear to witness

such destruction. Therefore she stirred up an earthquake and hovered above

the serpent's lair in the dust clouds. Descending, she called it forth. At

first Benten was filled with loathing. But the serpent king wooed her with

soft and tender words until her heart was melted, and--making him promise to

mend his savage ways--she married him. It is interesting to note that

Ben-Ten, as goddess of speech was won by words.

 

*Names of Saraswati*

 

Bharati - eloquence; Mahavidya - transcendent knowledge; Vac - speech;

Mahavani - transcendent word; Arya - the noble one; Brahmi - power of the

immense being; Kamadhenu - the wish cow; Bijagarbha - womb of the seed or

womb of the elements of speech; Dhanesvari - divinity of wealth; Vacdevi -

divinity of speech; Vinapani - the one that holds the vina; Sarada - giver

of essence; Vageshvari - mistress of speech; Brahmi - wife of Brahma and

Gayatri.

 

Curtesy of: *Vishvarupa.com*

website----

 

Information about *Saraswati Devi* and Goddess *Sarasvati*

information.<http://www.vishvarupa.com/print-information-about-saraswati.html>

Information about Goddess *Sarasvati* and *Saraswati Devi* information.

www.vishvarupa.com/print-information-about-*saraswati*.html - 23k -

 

On 9/26/07, Basanthie Sewsunker <sewsunkerb wrote:

>

> Dear Sai Brothers and sisters

>

> A friend of mine has been invited to give a discourse on Saraswathee Ma,

> at the temple where she normally attends service. It would be appreciated if

> anyone could please forward me information on this topic as soon as

> possible.

>

> thanking you in advance.

>

> Jai Sai Ram.

>

> Bessie Sewsunker

> Assistant Administrator

> Information Systems & Technology

> University of Kwa-Zulu Natal (Westville Campus)

> Private Bag X54001

> Durban 4000

> SOUTH AFRICA

>

> Tel : 031 - 2607051

> Fax : 031 - 2607251

> e-mail : sewsunkerb <sewsunkerb%40ukzn.ac.za>

>

> Please find our Email Disclaimer here: http://www.ukzn.ac.za/disclaimer/

>

>

 

 

 

--

Renuka Patra

Riyadh

Saudi Arabia

 

Please find our Email Disclaimer here: http://www.ukzn.ac.za/disclaimer/

[Guest guest]

Thank you for your help, Lalitha.

 

Bessie Sewsunker

Assistant Administrator

Information Systems & Technology

University of Kwa-Zulu Natal (Westville Campus)

Private Bag X54001

Durban 4000

SOUTH AFRICA

 

Tel : 031 - 2607051

Fax : 031 - 2607251

e-mail : sewsunkerb

 

>>> Lakshmi Lalitha <lakshmigopal84 9/26/2007 1:52 PM >>>

Sairam

 

The information on Goddess Saraswati is available in WIKIPEDIA, free

encyclopedia.

 

Regards

 

Lakshmigopal

Basanthie Sewsunker <sewsunkerb wrote:

Dear Sai Brothers and sisters

 

A friend of mine has been invited to give a discourse on Saraswathee Ma, at the

temple where she normally attends service. It would be appreciated if anyone

could please forward me information on this topic as soon as possible.

 

thanking you in advance.

 

Jai Sai Ram.

 

Bessie Sewsunker

Assistant Administrator

Information Systems & Technology

University of Kwa-Zulu Natal (Westville Campus)

Private Bag X54001

Durban 4000

SOUTH AFRICA

 

Tel : 031 - 2607051

Fax : 031 - 2607251

e-mail : sewsunkerb

 

Please find our Email Disclaimer here: http://www.ukzn.ac.za/disclaimer/

 

 

 

 

 

 

Save all your chat conversations. Find them online.

 

Please find our Email Disclaimer here: http://www.ukzn.ac.za/disclaimer/