Saraswati Vandana

Om Saraswati Mahabhagey, Vidye Kamala Lochaney |

Viswarupey Vishalakshmi, Vidyam Dehi Namohastutey ||

Jaya Jaya Devi, Charachara Sharey, Kuchayuga Shobhita, Mukta Haarey |

Vina Ranjita, Pustaka Hastey, Bhagavati Bharati Devi Namohastutey ||

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.

This is an auspicious day for the students. They abstain from reading and writing on this day only as a mark of respect to the goddess. Notwithstanding this austere observance, students enjoy this festival with great pleasure. A learned Hindu Priest is invited to perform the holy Puja of the goddess.

Normally students wear new dress on this day. They pray the goddess for wisdom; they also offer flowers to the deity and sing the prayer-song in her honour. Another remarkable feature of the Puja is the breaking of coconuts in front of the deity. The Prasad is shared by the students, teachers and the guests.
Often, the students arrange feasts. Cultural programmers are also arranged on the evening.

The beautiful human form of Saraswati comes to the fore in this English translation of the Saraswati hymn:

"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."