Saraswathi: Goddess of Wisdom and Knowledge

Introduction

Saraswathi, Goddess of Knowledge, Wisdom, Arts, and Learning, is among the most venerated deities of Hinduism. She forms a part of the sacred trinity of goddesses (Tridevi) and is joined by Lakshmi and Parvati. Typically, Saraswathi is illustrated sitting on a lotus and holding a veena in her hand. Representing purity, creativity, and intelligence, she is desired for blessings by scholars, artists, and students from all around the globe.

The Symbolism of Saraswathi

Every element in Saraswathi’s depiction carries deep symbolic meaning:

Veena: Represents the harmony of knowledge and art.
White Lotus: Signifies supreme knowledge and purity.
White Attire: Reflects simplicity and detachment from material desires.
Hamsa (Swan): Symbolizes discernment—the ability to differentiate between right and wrong.

Famous Saraswathi Temples

Saraswathi temples are institutions of learning and worship. Following are some of the well-known ones:

Gnana Saraswathi Temple, Basar, Telangana: Located on the Godavari Riverbanks, this temple is one of the two most celebrated Saraswathi temples in India, attracting students and followers who want to seek the blessings of Saraswathi for academic success.
Kuthanur Saraswathi Temple, Tamil Nadu: It is famously known as the “Abode of Knowledge” and is most revered by students and budding poets.
Saraswathi Temple, Koothanur, Tamil Nadu: This temple is of great importance to those who seek literary and artistic inspiration.
Saraswathi Amman Temple, Sri Lanka: This temple, located in the northern region of Sri Lanka, is an important cultural and spiritual site.

Slogans and Mantras of Saraswathi

Saraswathi slogans and mantras are chanted by devotees seeking her blessings to be wise and successful. A few popular ones are:

“Om Aim Saraswatyai Namah”: A mighty mantra calling the blessings of Goddess Saraswathi for intellectuality and creativity.
“Saraswati Mahabhage Vidye Kamalalochane, Vidyarupe Vishalakshi, Vidyam Dehi Namostute”: A supplication for the divine blessing of Saraswathi to attain knowledge and wisdom.
“Jaya Jaya Devi Charachara Share, Kuchayuga Shobhita Mukta Haare”: A song in praise of the majesty of the Goddess.
“Hamsa Vahini Vidya Dayini”: In praise of Saraswathi as the Goddess riding a swan who grants knowledge.
“Om Saraswati Namastubhyam Varade Kamarupini”: A prayer recited by students prior to studies or exams.

Festivals and Celebrations

Saraswathi is revered with fervor and splendor, especially during:

Saraswati Puja: Celebrated on the day of Vasant Panchami, the festival is meant for worshipping the Goddess for studies and arts.
Navaratri: Throughout this nine-day festival, Saraswathi is revered as one of the Tridevi on the last three days.

The Spirit of Saraswathi Worship

Saraswathi shows us that knowledge is the basis of individual and spiritual development. Her worship reminds us to seek wisdom humbly and apply knowledge for the welfare of society. Her divine presence sparks creativity, intellect, and an enduring passion for learning.

Saraswathi potri

Om Arivuruvē pōtri
Om Ariyāmai tīrppāy pōtri
Om Anbin vaṭivē pōtri
Om Anubūthi aruḷvāy pōtri
Om Arivukkaṭalē pōtri
Om Aḷatharku ariyavaḷē pōtri
Om Anna vākiṉiyē pōtri
Om Akila lōka guruvē pōtri
Om Aruḷin piṟappiṭamē pōtri
Om Ācāṉ āṇavaḷē pōtri
Om Ānanda vaṭivē pōtri
Om Ādhāraśaktiyē pōtri
Om Inṉaruḷ surappāy pōtri
Om Ikapara sukham taruvāy pōtri
Om Īra neṉcam koṇḍāy pōtri
Om Īṭēṟac ceipavaḷē pōtri
Om Uṇmaip poruḷē pōtri
Om Uḷḷattu uṟaipavaḷē pōtri
Om Ūmaiyai pēṣavaittāy pōtri
Om Eṇṇam niṟaivēṟṟuvāy pōtri
Om Ēṭu kaiyil ēntiyavaḷē pōtri
Om Ōṅkāra vaṭiviṉaḷē pōtri
Om Kalaik kaḷañciyamē pōtri
Om Karpōrkk iṉiyavaḷē pōtri
Om Kalaijñāṉac ceḷviyē pōtri
Om Karai cēṟkkum kaṇṇē pōtri
Om Kalaiyāṇit tēyvamē pōtri
Om Kāṭcikku iṉiyavaḷē pōtri
Om Kāyatrīyāy aruḷpavaḷē pōtri
Om Guruvāka upadēśippavaḷē pōtri
Om Kuṟai tīrttarulvāy pōtri
Om Kuṇakkunṟāṉavaḷē pōtri
Om Kuṟṟam poṟuppavaḷē pōtri
Om Cantekam pōkkuvāy pōtri
Om Saccidānandap poruḷē pōtri
Om Cānta sorūpiṉiyē pōtri
Om Cāṉṟōr neṉciṉaḷē pōtri
Om Cāratāmbikayē pōtri
Om Cittam teḷivippāy pōtri
Om Cittiyaḷippavaḷē pōtri
Om Surutikku ādhārāmē pōtri
Om Suththajñāna vaṭivē pōtri
Om Jñānakkaṭalāṉāy pōtri
Om Jñānam tanṟarulvāy pōtri
Om Jñānapūṅkōṭaiyē pōtri
Om Jñāṇēśvariye pōtri
Om Jñāṉattiṉ varampē pōtri
Om Jñāṉ āciriyāyē pōtri
Om Jñāṉattiṉ kāvalē pōtri
Om Tavatthil āḻndavaḷē pōtri
Om Takaimai tarupavaḷē pōtri
Om Taṉcam aḷippavaḷē pōtri
Om Tāyāṉa tayāpariyē pōtri
Om Taṇṉaruḷ taruvāy pōtri
Om Tutittavarkku tuṇaiyē pōtri
Om Navami dēvataiyē pōtri
Om Navarāṭhiri nāyakiyē pōtri
Om Nanneṟi tarupavaḷē pōtri
Om Naḷam aḷippavaḷē pōtri
Om Nāvikku araciye pōtri
Om Nallavarkaḷiṉa manamē pōtri
Om Nāṉṟam arulvāypōtri
Om Nāṉmaraṉai nāyakiyē pōtri
Om Nāvil uṟaipavaḷē pōtri
Om Nāthattiṉ taḷaiviyē pōtri
Om Nātha veḷḷamāṉāy pōtri
Om Niththiya oḷivaṭivē pōtri
Om Nimalayāy niṉṟavaḷē pōtri
Om Niththam vaḷarpavaḷē pōtri
Om Niṟaivu aḷippavaḷē pōtri
Om Nuṭpam koṇḍavaḷē pōtri
Om Paṇṇiṉ iśaiyē pōtri
Om Pāṭṭiṉ ādhārāmē pōtri
Om Pāvalar nāṭum paṇpē pōtri
Om Praṇava sorūpamē pōtri
Om Brahmaṉiṉ nāyakiyē pōtri
Om Brahma jñāna vaṭivē pōtri
Om Piṟavippiṇi aṟuppāy pōtri
Om Pūraṇa vaṭivāṉavaḷē pōtri
Om Puvanaṯṯai kāppavaḷē pōtri
Om Puththakaththil uṟaipavaḷē pōtri
Om Manamvākkuk kaṭanta vaḷē pōtri
Om Maṅkala vaṭivāṉavaḷē pōtri
Om Manthirap poruḷāṉavaḷē pōtri
Om Māyaiyai aḻippavaḷē pōtri
Om Munivar neṉcamarndāy pōtri
Om Muṟṟaṟinda arivē pōtri
Om Mukkālam uṇarndavaḷē pōtri
Om Mūlamantra vaṭivinaḷē pōtri
Om Mūla nāḷil vantavaḷē pōtri
Om Mukthi aḷippavaḷē pōtri
Om Mēthaiyākkupavaḷē pōtri
Om Mēṉmai tarupavaḷē pōtri
Om Yāgattiṉ paḷanē pōtri
Om Yōgattiṉ payanē pōtri
Om Vazhithuṇai varuvāy pōtri
Om Varam arulpavaḷē pōtri
Om Vāṇi Sarasvatīyē pōtri
Om Vākkina nāyakiyē pōtri
Om Vittaka vaṭivinaḷē pōtri
Om Vidhyā Lakṣmīyē pōtri
Om Veṇkalai pūṇṭavaḷē pōtri
Om Veḷḷai maṉattaḷē pōtri
Om Veṇṭhāmaraiyiṉāḷē pōtri
Om Vīṇai ēndiyavaḷē pōtri
Om Vīṭṭiṉpaṯṯam taruvāy pōtri
Om Vēthattiṉ uṭporuḷē pōtri
Om Vaiyam vāḻvippāy pōtri…