Saraswati Puja :” Devotion to the Goddess of Wisdom and Knowledge”
वद वद वाग्वादिनी सरस्वती ऐं ह्रीं नमः स्वाहा॥
Vad Vad Vagvadini Saraswati Aim Hreem Namah Svaha॥
Devi Maa Saraswati (सरस्वती) is the mother goddess (Devi) of knowledge, music, art, wisdom, and learning.
Saraswati is one of the trinities (Tridevi) – Devi Saraswati, Devi Lakshmi, and Devi Parvati and this Trinity (Tridevi)- three forms help the trinity of Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva to create, maintain, and regenerate the Universe, respectively.
Goddess Saraswati is the wife of Lord Brahma and resides in Bramhapura (the adobe of Lord Brahma) as stated in Bhagwat Purana.
Rigveda (ऋग्वेद), one of the 4 Vedas also mentions Saraswati as a goddess of Knowledge and has remained significant as a goddess from ancient times through modern times of the Hindu Religion.
What is Saraswati Puja?
In ancient times, the rishis had their ashrams on the banks of the river Saraswati. Sage Veda Vyasa too had his dwelling there. It was on the banks of the Saraswati River that the Vedas, Upanishads, and other scriptures were composed and compiled. The river thus became associated with Goddess Saraswati, the deity of knowledge and wisdom.
Thus, Saraswati Puja is performed for devotion to the Goddess of knowledge and wisdom. The Goddess of learning is worshiped among the students, authors and other learned people who firmly follow all the customs to worship her.
As per Hindu Scriptures, if one tries to appease the Goddess with the purest of emotions and true heart, she will bestow them with the power to overcome any obstacles in their path, especially obstacles one faces in their educational life and career.
How is Saraswati Puja Done?
Devotees took early morning baths and wore clean clothes. Before taking the path, devotees apply a mixture of neem and turmeric paste on the body to purify themselves.
A Kalash (URN) is placed on a clean white cloth in the (house) temple. Lord Ganesha is also kept beside Goddess Saraswati. Turmeric, Kumkum, and rice are placed requesting the god to be the guest. The Kalash is filled with water and mango leaves and betel leaves are placed over it. Devotees then keep an art piece i.e., book, pen, inkpot, etc. which is related to knowledge and learning before Goddess Saraswati. Painters and musicians place colors and their musical instruments in front of the goddess.
Devotees also flock to huge podiums/temples where Maa Saraswati is instituted and perform prayers, worship, and food offerings. There they relish Prasad/ Bhog and take blessings from the divinity.
In the evening cultural programs, performances, games, and music/ art competitions are commenced.
Significance of Saraswati Puja
Different mantras are recited during Saraswati Puja. During Puja, small girls are seen in yellow saris. Bright Palash flowers are offered as Push-Anjali along with chanting mantras that are a significant part of the worship.
Devotees recite various Saraswati mantras which are meant for different reasons. These mantras bring positive change in their lives. Some of the mantras are: –
- Beej Mantra –The Beej Mantra is chanted by devotees as an offering or salutation to Maa Saraswati to increase their intelligence and the power of speech.
ॐ ऎं सरस्वत्यै ऎं नमः ll
Aum Aing Saraswathye Namah ||
Meaning – Salutations to Goddess Saraswati.
- Vidya Mantra – For students who struggle to score well or pass their exams, this mantra is known to improve the power of concentration and memory in students.
सरस्वति नमस्तुभ्यं वरदे कामरूपिणि ।
विद्यारम्भं करिष्यामि सिद्धिर्भवतु मे सदा ॥
Saraswati Namasthubhyam Varade Kamarupini |
Vidhyarambam Karishyami Siddhir Bavathume Sadha ||
Meaning – O Saraswati, salutations for you, O Giver of boons, O Kamarupiṇi, I am going to start studies, may success be mine, always.
- Saraswati Vandana – This mantra is chanted by devotees to seek Ma Saraswati’ s blessing and protection from lethargy, sluggishness, and ignorance.
या कुन्देन्दुतुषारहारधवला या शुभ्रवस्त्रावृता
या वीणावरदण्डमण्डितकरा या श्वेतपद्मासना ।
या ब्रह्माच्युतशंकरप्रभृतिभिर्देवैः सदा पूजिता
सा मां पातु सरस्वति भगवती निःशेषजाड्यापहा ॥
Yaa Kundendu tushaara haaradhavalaa, Yaa shubhravastraavritha
Yaa veenavara dandamanditakara, aa shwetha padmaasana |
Yaa brahmaachyutha shankara prabhritibhir Devaisadaa Vanditha
Saa Maam Paatu Saraswatee Bhagavatee Nihshesha jaadyaapahaa ||
Meaning – O Goddess Saraswati, who is fair as a jasmine flower, the moon, or a snowflake, who is dressed in white and whose hands are adorned by veena, who is seated in a white lotus, to whom Brahma, Vishnu, and Maheshwar pray, please protect us.
- Maha Saraswati Mantra – This mantra is chanted by devotees to offer salutations to Maa Saraswati.
ॐ ऐं महासरस्वत्यै नमः |
Om Aim MahaSaraswatyai Namah |
Meaning – Salutations to Goddess Maha Saraswati.
- Maa Saraswati Mantra to attain knowledge – This mantra is chanted to seek blessings to eradicate the evils of ignorance and bestow the devotee with intelligence.
शुक्लां ब्रह्मविचारसारपरमांद्यां जगद्व्यापनीं
वीणा–पुस्तक–धारिणीमभयदां जाड्यांधकारपहाम्।
हस्ते स्फाटिक मालिकां विदधतीं पद्मासने संस्थिताम्
वन्दे तां परमेश्वरीं भगवतीं बुद्धिप्रदां शारदाम्।।
Shuklaam Brahmvichaar Saar Paramaadyaam Jagadvyaapineem ,
Veennaa Pushtak Dhaarinneebhamay Daam Jaad Yaapandhkaaraapahaam |
Haste Sfatik Maalikaam Vidhateem Paramaasane Sansthitaam ,
Vande Taam Parameshwareem Bhagwateem Buddhi Pradaam Shaaradaam ||
Meaning – I pray to Bhagwati Saraswati who has a fair complexion, who is the first and foremost divine energy, who is present in the world in the form of knowledge, who wields a veena, Vedas, sfatik rosary in her hands and one of whose hands is raised in blessing. She is capable of removing ignorance and bestowing intelligence.
- Saraswati Mantra for remembrance – This simple mantra is mainly chanted by students to make learning easy and help them score well in exams.
ॐ ऐं ह्रीं क्लीं महासरस्वती देव्यै नमः ||
Om Aim Hrim Kleem Maha Saraswati Devaya Namaha ||
Meaning – The giver of wisdom, intelligence, wealth, destroyer of the enemy, Saraswati Devi we bow before you.
Recipes Relished during Saraswati Puja
Goddess Saraswati prasad in the form of sweets and fruits. Prasad is a typical religious food offering given during all Hindu ceremonies.
The Saraswati Puja Festive feast is full of delightful recipes.
1. Khichdi:- One of the traditional dishes of Saraswati Puja includes khichdi. Blended with the basic ingredients of scented rice, moong dal, and vegetables like cauliflower, carrots, potatoes, and peas, the distinct taste is derived from the aromatic spices of garam masala, cumin seeds, green chilies, and ginger-garlic powder.
2. Meetha Chawal:- Known as Kesari baat, meetha chawal is prepared with ghee, nuts, saffron, jaggery and white rice. To add more flavor to the dish, garnish it with some chopped cashews, nuts, raisins, and saffron.
3. Dhokla:- Dhokla is a popular dish in Gujarati cuisine. Made by steaming a fermented batter of rice and chana dal, this delicacy is easily prepared using a pressure cooker, microwave oven, or steamer. Using lots of water and adding some baking soda gives dhoklas a fluffy texture and look, and the addition of turmeric gives antiseptic properties along with the yellow color. Serve the dish with a tempering tadka of mustard seeds and split green chilies.
4. Kesar Halwa:- Also known as Rava Kesari, it’s a mouth-watering dessert made using lots of ghee, jaggery, soaked saffron strands, and semolina (Soji). Once it is ready, garnish it with a handful of chopped nuts, raisins, and a pinch of cardamom powder, to add extra flavor to the dish.
Some famous Bengali recipes include Topa Kui, Khichuri, and Gota Sheddho which is a selection of Mishti and a bowl full of Ddadhi-karma.
Wishing you all a Prosperous, Blissful, and Joyful Saraswati Puja.
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