Mata Saraswati

 The Hindus consider Mata Saraswati to be the goddess that will grant them knowledge, learning and aesthetics, particularly in the realm of arts. Mata Saraswati is the one who is represented by the feeling of being aware and dispensing with ignorance. She is also called by a different name that is Vaagdevi, which is the goddess of speech and communication. The Hindus worship her in order to get rid of confusion from their lives by the light of knowledge.

Mata Saraswati is always shown in the idols as someone who is dressed in complete white and is seated on the white lotus along with a veena one of her favorite instruments. The four Vedas that are a part and parcel of her doing are actually considered to be her children. She is always shown to be riding swans, which are supposed to symbolize the purest form of knowledge that one could ever possibly acquire. Any place where knowledge is transpired is considered to be the home of Mata Saraswati. She is the goddess that will help you in your pursuit of knowledge and learning and allow you to be joyful by the dispensing of ignorance away from you.

Mata Saraswati is also called the consort of Lord Brahma, who was the one who created the universe. According to folklore, Brahma had the power to analyze and think things out only because of the presence of Mata Saraswati by his side. It was she who persuaded him to listen to naadabhramam which is supposed to be the sound that is the main fount for all creations on this earth.

The other name that is given to this goddess is Sharda. This name means the fountain head from where all of knowledge arises. This is the only way to be able to dispense off with all the darkness from one’s life and allow the light and illumination of knowledge to enter ones path. This enables one to turn into a more advanced being and pursue other things in life.

The river Saraswati that no longer flows was actually a very part of the Vedic culture at that point of time. This is the river that is considered part of the goddess. What is written scriptures is that when Lord Shiva opened his third eye the flame that came out of it was so very furious that it could have destroyed everything that it encountered. In that situation, everyone was petrified of the flame, but it was only Mata Saraswati, who was not frightened by the deadly flame that was flowing towards her. She was extremely certain that the flame was such that it would not touch those who are pure and true to their creator. And, this is exactly. What was witnessed at that point of time? Mata Saraswati turned herself into a river and took the flame away along with her. When the river carrying the flame reached the river, the flame was turned into a fire spewing female horse. Then the Mata Saraswati ordered the horse not to step out of the water and this would continue as long as people on the earth wanted wisdom and knowledge coming their way. In case knowledge and wisdom were not what people wanted any longer, then the mare would come back to earth spewing the same dangerous fire.

Mata Saraswati has many shrines that are built in her memory all over south India. These shrines are Saivite temples and most of them are built to the right of Parvati’s shrines. Mata Saraswati does not have temples standing all by themselves dedicated to her. You will only find one such temple in Thanjavur in Tamil Nadu. You will also be able to find shrines for Brahma and Mata Saraswati at Uttamar Koyil which is close by two Tiruchirappalli in Tamil Nadu.

Hindus worship Mata Saraswati because of the knowledge and wisdom that she can embody on them. She is supposed to be the goddess of dawn that will be able to enlighten the being and dispel darkness away from them. If there is no knowledge and wisdom on this earth, then the earth will be thrown into darkness and mayhem. In order to get the true meaning of wisdom for oneself, one has to give up the pleasure that is sensual and dependent on our senses but must search for the peace and calmness of the spiritual well being.

The way the goddess is portrayed is a point to be noted. Mata Saraswati does not have any jewelry or bright colors adorning her. All that she wears is white and this symbolizes the purity and simplicity that she embodies. She is the kind who is not lured by materialistic wealth or baseless pursuits.

This is the goddess that has arisen above the wanting of the fulfillment of desires and has the will power and control over her mind to be able to withstand all kinds of temptations. Everything that she stands for is simple, pure and a part of nature, away from materialistic pursuits.

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