VASANT PANCHAMI BIRTHDAY GREETINGS TO GODDESS SARASVATI
On Monday, January 22, 2018, I share my prayerful thoughts with Goddess Sarasvati on Her birthday as per Indian tradition.
I need heart that can understand, I need eyes that can see, and I need ears that can hear God’s plan for my mortal existence.
Rudra Narasimham Rebbapragada
BHAVANAJAGAT
VASANT PANCHAMI: BIRTHDAY OF GODDESS SARASVATI
Clipped from: https://www.thoughtco.com/vasant-panchami-1770222
As Diwali--the festival of light–is to Lakshmi, goddess of wealth and prosperity; and as Navratri is to Durga, goddess of power and valor; so is Vasant Panchami to Sarasvati, the goddess of knowledge and arts.
This festival is celebrated every year on the fifth day (Panchami) of the bright fortnight of the lunar month of the month of Magha, which falls during the Gregorian period of January-February.
The word “Vasant” (or “BASANT”) comes from the word “spring,” as this festival heralds the beginning of the spring season.
It is believed that on this day, goddess Sarasvati was born. Hindus celebrate Vasant Panchami with great fervor in temples, homes and even schools and colleges. Sarasvati’s favorite color, white, assumes special significance on this day. Statues of the goddess are dressed in white clothes and are worshiped by devotees adorned with white garments. Sarasvati is offered sweets that are given away as prasad to all people attending the ritual worship. There is also a custom of ancestor worship, known as Pitri-Tarpan in many parts of India during Vasant Panchami.
The Foundation of Education
The most significant aspect of Vasant Panchami is that it is also the most auspicious day to begin laying ones foundations of education–of how to read and write. Pre-school children are given their first lesson in reading and writing on this day, and all Hindu educational institutions conduct special prayer for Sarasvati on this day.
It is also a great day to inaugurate training institutes and new schools–a trend made famous by the renowned Indian educationist, Pundit Madan Mohan Malaviya (1861-1946), who founded the Banaras Hindu University on Vasant Panchami day in 1916.
A Springtime Celebration
During Vasant Panchami, the advent of spring is felt in the air as the season undergoes change.
New leaves and blossoms appear in the trees with the promise of new life and hope. Vasant Panchami also announces the arrival of another big springtime event in the Hindu calendar–Holi, the festival of colors.
Sarasvati Mantra: Sanskrit Prayer
Here is the text of the popular pranam mantra, or Sanskrit prayer, that Sarasvati devotees utter with utmost devotion on this day:
Om Sarasvati 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 ||
Sarasvati Vandana: Sanskrit Hymn
The following hymn is also recited on Vasant Panchami:
Yaa Kundendu tushaara haaradhavalaa, Yaa Shubhra vastraavritha|
Yaa veena vara danda manditakara, Yaa Shweta Padma asana||
Yaa Brahmaachyutha Sankara prabhritibhir Devai sadaa Vanditha|
Saa Maam Patu Sarasvati Bhagavatee Nihshyesha jyaadyaapaha||
English Translation:
“May Goddess Sarasvati,
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.”
Your Citation
Das, Subhamoy. “The History of Vasant Panchami, the Birth of Hindu Goddess Saraswati.” ThoughtCo, Oct. 12, 2017, thoughtco.com/vasant-panchami-1770222. Das, Subhamoy. (2017, October 12). The History of Vasant Panchami, the Birth of Hindu Goddess Saraswati. Retrieved from Das, Subhamoy. “The History of Vasant Panchami, the Birth of Hindu Goddess Saraswati.” ThoughtCo. (accessed January 22, 2018).
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