GGoddess Saraswati is venerated by Hindus as the eptiome of knowledge and speech. She is the patron of arts, music, philosophy, creativity, wisdom and learning. The consort of Brahma, she forms the holy Tridevi of Saraswati, Lakshmi and Parvati.
Vasant Panchami or Saraswati Puja is a popular Hindu festival dedicated to the goddess of learning Saraswati, who is the deity of knowledge, art and music. She is generally shown seated on a white lotus, wearing a white silk sari and holding a book in her lower left hand.
Goddess Saraswati holds a book in one of her hands. It represents that she is the epitome of true knowledge. The rosary of crystals, in another hand, signifies the power of meditation and spirituality. The musical instrument — veena — stands for her expertise in various art forms. The fourth hand has a pot of sacred water that is symbolic of creative and purification powers.
Her four arms represent the various aspects of human personality — learning, mind, intellect, alertness and ego. These four arms are also known to reflect the 4 Vedas — Rigveda, Atharvaveda, Samveda and Yajurveda. Goddess Saraswati is also known to guide the souls of the deceased to find peace in their afterlife. ‘Moksha”, as they say, is a part of the “divine knowledge” imparted by the goddess.
