Our Festivals - Vasant Panchami
Saraswati Puja 28 Jan 2012
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प्रणों देवी सरस्वती वाजेभिर वाजिनीवति धीनां वित्र्यवतु
Prano Devi Saraswati Vajebhir Vajineevati Dheenam Vitrayavatu
Vasant Panchami (वसन्त पञ्चमी), sometimes referred to as Basant Panchami or Shree Panchami (श्रीपञ्चमी), is a Hindu festival celebrating Saraswati, the goddess of knowledge, music and art. It is celebrated every year on the fifth day (Panchami) of Shukla Paksha of the Indian month Magh (January-February) i.e. the first day of spring. In Hinduism Saraswati (सरस्वती ) is the goddess of knowledge, music and the arts. She is the consort of Brahma. Saraswati is considered to be the "Mother of the Vedas.
The name Saraswati came from "saras" (meaning "flow") and "wati" (implying "a woman"). So, Saraswati is symbol of knowledge; its flow (or growth) is like a river and knowledge is supremely alluring, like a beautiful woman. In Vedic times the auspicious river Saraswati used to flow in North India to meet Ganga and Yamuna at the Triveni. This river is said to have vanished in Kaliyuga as people have become extremely materialistic and gyan (knowledge) has become sparse.
Also the Sanskrit word Sara means "essence" and Swa means "self." Thus Saraswati means "the essence of the self." Saraswati is represented in Hindu mythology as the divine consort of Lord Brahma, the Creator of the universe. Since knowledge is necessary for creation, Saraswati symbolizes the creative power of Brahma. Goddess Saraswati is worshipped by all persons interested in knowledge, especially students, teachers, scholars, and scientists.
In Her popular images and pictures, Goddess Saraswati is generally depicted with four arms, wearing a white sari and seated on a white lotus. She holds a book and a rosary in Her rear two hands, while the front two hands are engaged in the playing of a lute (veena).
There is a peacock by Her side gazing at Her. This symbolism illustrates the following spiritual ideas:
\ The lotus is a symbol of the Supreme Reality, and a white lotus also denotes supreme knowledge. By sitting on a lotus, Saraswati signifies that She is Herself rooted in the Supreme Reality, and symbolizes supreme knowledge. The white color symbolizes purity and knowledge. The white sari that the Goddess is wearing denotes that She is the embodiment of pure knowledge.
\ The four arms denote Her omnipresence and omnipotence. The two front arms indicate Her activity in the physical world and the two back arms signify Her presence in the spiritual world. The four hands represent the four elements of the inner personality. The mind (manas) is represented by the front right hand, the intellect (buddhi) by the front left hand, the conditioned consciousness (chitta) by the rear left hand, and the ego (ahankara) by the rear right hand.
\ The left side of the body symbolizes the qualities of the heart and the right side symbolizes activities of the mind and intellect. A book in the rear left hand signifies that knowledge acquired must be used with love and kindness to promote prosperity of mankind.
\ The rosary signifies concentration, meditation, and contemplation, leading to samadhi, or union with God. A rosary in the rear right hand representing ego conveys that true knowledge acquired with love and devotion melts the ego and results in liberation (moksha) of the seeker from the bondage to the physical world.
\ The Goddess is shown playing a musical instrument that is held in Her front hands, which denote mind and intellect. This symbol conveys that the seeker must tune his mind and intellect in order to live in perfect harmony with the world. Such harmonious living enables the individual to utilize acquired knowledge for the welfare of all mankind.
\ A swan is depicted on the left side of the Goddess. A swan is said to have a sensitive beak that enables it to distinguish pure milk from a mixture of milk and water. A swan, therefore, symbolizes the power of discrimination, or the ability to discriminate between right and wrong or good and bad. Saraswati uses the swan as Her carrier. This indicates that one must acquire and apply knowledge with discrimination for the good of mankind. Knowledge that is dominated by ego can destroy the world.
\ A peacock is sitting next to Saraswati and is anxiously waiting to serve as Her vehicle. A peacock depicts unpredictable behaviour as its moods can be influenced by the changes in the weather. Saraswati is using a swan as a vehicle and not the peacock. This signifies that one should overcome fear, indecision, and fickleness in order to acquire true knowledge.
Saraswati Mantras
Saraswati Mantras
या कुंदेंदु तुषारहार धवला, या शुभ्र वस्त्रावृता |
या वीणावर दण्डमंडितकरा, या श्वेतपद्मासना ||
या ब्रह्माच्युतशंकरप्रभ्रृतिभिर्देवै: सदा वन्दिता |
सा मां पातु सरस्वती भगवती नि:शेष जाड्यापहा ||
Ya Kundendu Tushar Har dhawala, Ya Shubhra Vastravrita
Ya Veena Var Danda Manditakara, Ya Shweta Padmasana
Ya Brahmachyut Shankar Prabhritibhih, Devai Sada Vandita,
Sa Mam Patu Saraswati Bhagavati, Nihshesh Jadya Paha
Ya Veena Var Danda Manditakara, Ya Shweta Padmasana
Ya Brahmachyut Shankar Prabhritibhih, Devai Sada Vandita,
Sa Mam Patu Saraswati Bhagavati, Nihshesh Jadya Paha
Hindi / हिंदी अनुवाद:
जो कुंद फूल, चंद्रमा और बर्फ़ के हार के समान श्वेत हैं, जो शुभ्र वस्त्र धारण करती हैं|
जिनके हाथ, श्रेष्ठ वीणा से सुशोभित हैं, जो श्वेत कमल पर आसन ग्रहण करती हैं||
ब्रह्मा, विष्णु और महेश आदिदेव, जिनकी सदैव स्तुति करते हैं|
हे माँ भगवती सरस्वती, आप मेरी सारी (मानसिक) जड़ता को हरें||
English Translation
She, who is as fair as the Kunda flower, the moon, and a garland of Tushar flowers;
She, whose hands are adorned by the excellent veena, and whose seat is the pure white lotus;
She, who is constantly praised and glorified by Brahma, Vishnu, Mahesh and other divinities;
O Mother Goddess, remove my mental inertia!
2.
प्रणों देवी सरस्वती वाजेभिर वाजिनीवति धीनां वित्र्यवतु
Prano Devi Saraswati Vajebhir Vajineevati Dheenam Vitrayavatu
Hindi / हिंदी अनुवाद:
हम देवी माँ सरस्वती से प्रार्थना करते हैं की अपने भक्तों की बुद्धि को जागृत करें व अज्ञान को हटायें
English Translation
Salutations to Mother Saraswati who removes the ignorance of the intellects. Salutations to the Goddess of speech. May Devi Saraswati, who protects those who worship Her, protect and awaken our intelligence!
There are some local variations in celebrating Vasant Panchami in India. However, yellow colour is given special importance on this day. Mata Saraswati’s idol is dressed in yellow garments and worshipped (with Puja, Havan etc.). Men and women try to wear yellow clothes on this day. Sweetmeats of yellowish hues are exchanged with relatives and friends
Some people feed Brahmans on this day. Pitri-Tarpan (ancestor worship) is also done on this day.
Children are taught their first words on this day (as an auspicious beginning to learning). Schools, colleges etc. organise special worship of Saraswati.
Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya laid the foundations of Kashi Hindu Vishwa Vidyalaya on Vasant Panchami. This has become a world famous top class academic institution.
In Bengal, idols of Saraswati are brought and worshipped. Floral offerings are made in a big scale. Books, articles, instruments of music and arts are placed before her. In the evening after the Puja is over, the idol is immersed in the sea with serenity unlike other major festivals. In all educational institutions of music, arts and science, Saraswati Puja is observed with great reverence.
The Festival of Vasant Panchami is observed on a grand scale in Punjab and the North when the mustard crop is ripe. They cook yellow rice and also wear yellow garments.
Simple ways to celebrate Vasant Panchami:
Depending on time available (i.e. in morning or evening), sit with family in the Puja Room (place of worship)
Light a Deepak and Aggarbatti
Worship deities by:
· Offering flowers
· Applying tilak
· Offering naivedya (halwa or sweets)
· Offering fruit
· Offering Dhoopam/ Deepam
\ Worship Lord Ganesh: Om Ganeshaya Namah (12 times)
\ Worship Shri Shankar Bhagwan: Om Namah Shivaye (12 times)
\ Worship Shri Narayana : Om Namo Bhagwate Vasudevaye (5 times)
\ Worship Devi :
· Om Durga Devyai Namah (3 times)
· Om Maha Lakshmyai Namah (3 times)
· Om Maha Saraswatyai Namah ( 108 times)
May also chant Saraswati mantras mentioned on page 3
\ Worship Spiritual Books/ Educational Books by offering flowers, dhoopam/deepam
\ Worship Musical Instruments by offering flowers, dhoopam/deepam
\ Take blessings of elders
· Involve children in Pujas for passing on our religion, culture and traditions to them
· What we are today is because of our parents.
· We should be aware of our culture and religion and it’s a matter of pride to be Hindus which doesn’t come in the way of respecting other faiths, beliefs and culture.
· A true Hindu believes in Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam (The whole world is my family).
With Best Wishes -on behalf of Hindu Samaj Australia Inc
Pandit Akashdeep
Phone: 03 83388937
Mobile: 040 2659 605
