Vasant Panchami: Power of Goddess Saraswati

Today, people are more brutal and unkind than animals. We as unqualified and boorish… people are doing those kind of things which are harmful to the society. Rape, Molestation, corruption, violence, and insurgency cases are still rampant in our society and this is only because of lack of proper education. We need holistic education through which will help us better society. We have to understand the worth of education. In Sanskrit, it said that ‘Vidavaaneva vijaanaati vidwajjana parishramam’ which means only a man who has proper education can understand the worth of education. Only an educated person is respected by the society.

We know that there is no end to learning. Learn as much as you can. We should not stop learning. The more you learn, the more you gain knowledge. So, keep learning. It is said that learning gives you knowledge and knowledge gives you power. But, with all these, you must not forget to learn about yourself.

Before all these, we should keep ‘Goddess Saraswati’ in our mind while reading and learning. According to Hindu mythology, Goddess Saraswati is considered as the mother of knowledge and learning. Saraswati Puja is also known as “Vasant Panchami” as it is believed that Saraswati was born on the day of Vasant Panchami. It is celebrated to pay obeisance to Goddess Saraswati. On this day, the ritual of first word writing for the Hindu children is taught. It is believed as a propitious day to begin a child’s education. Traditionally, priests make children write the word 'Om'.

Spiritual progress is the great significance attached to the worship of Goddess Saraswati. We can achieve spiritual enlightenment through the worship of Goddess Saraswati. “The learned is worshipped right through the world,” Saints believe.

Saraswati Puja is a celebration of complete religious and social significance. It is celebrated all over the world with vim and vigor. Incredibly, Vasant Panchami is the second most celebrated festival in Lahore, the city of Pakistan. It is celebrated in Lahore with the same spirit and enthusiasm which was evident in the pre-partition of times. On this day, people fly kites in the sky that looks bright, enchanting and the breeze cooler. Everyone’s face covers with happiness and hope. People also execute ‘Pitri-Tarpan’ (homage to the souls of one’s ancestors) on this day.

Goddess Saraswati presents the free flow of knowledge and perception. She is the mother of the Vedas. Goddess Saraswati holds the learning of the Vedas. In Matsya-Purana, Brahma whose body is estranged into two halves, one is Male and other female. Captivated by his female half is Goddess Saraswati, Brahma requests her, mates with her and jointly they form the demigod Manu who in turn created the world. It is believed that when Lord Brahma starts the creation the world through creative speech, Devi Saraswati is born in his tongue.

I personally find Goddess Laxmi in Goddess Saraswati as Saraswati offers the source of wealth related to seeking knowledge. However, one doesn’t need to be a graduate academically to become a millionaire. But gaining knowledge of any field is a must.

More, it is learned that Devi Saraswati had embodied in the form of Maa Saradadevi, the most spiritual consort of Sri Ramakrishna. Sri Ramakrishna Paramhansa himself informed us about her real identity. He quoted, “Sarada is Goddess Saraswati indeed. She can place the highest knowledge of God in the hearts of her followers.” Hence, we need to study and reflect on the life of Maa Saradadevi. She showed the best classes of purity in thought, words and deed. Her words are the ultimate scriptures as regards of spiritual truths.