Saraswathi Puja

The Cosmic Mother, Adisakthi manifested herself as: Parvathi, Lakshmi, and Saraswathi. Navarathri (Nine Nights of the Goddess) is dedicated to the three Goddesses for blessings of peace and prosperity.

Saraswathi, sometimes spelled Sarasvati, is a Sanskrit fusion word of “Sara” which means essence, and “Sva” which means one self, the fused word meaning “essence of one self”, and Saraswathi meaning “one who leads to essence of self-knowledge”. It is also a Sanskrit composite word of surasa-vati which means “one with plenty of water”.

Saraswathi Puja is celebrated on the 9th day of Navarathri. Navami tithi should prevail before sunrise. If Navami tithi comes on 10th day under this criteria then we should celebrate Saraswathi Puja on 10th day of Navarathri.

Spiritual Significance

Saraswathi Puja is performed to invoke the blessings of Saraswathi, the Goddess of learning, and the presiding deity of the spoken word. The last three days of Navaratri is dedicated to Goddess Saraswathi to intensify spiritual practice. Goddess Saraswathi is the Goddess of Learning. Her blessings are vital to our advancement and happiness. In the form of “Jnana Saraswathi,” the Divine Mother removes all obstacles to learning and grants us knowledge. Goddess Saraswathi is a wonderful source of strength and refuge for young students and for all who seek to learn. Goddess Saraswathi is Divine Mother of both spiritual wisdom and material knowledge. So anybody traversing a spiritual path and seeking to discover the truth of their being will honor Mother Saraswathi and seek her blessings to attain the highest wisdom.

Goddess Saraswathi is described as being white colored and wearing radiant white garments that represent her pure Sattwic nature. She carries the veena, a musical instrument which symbolizes the vibrational harmony of all life. She holds the Vedas (all knowledge) and a japa mala, which represents constant meditation upon the Divine Names. While the Vedas represent knowledge and japa represents spiritual practice, by holding them both aloft, Mother Saraswathi shows us that for the attainment of any important goal—we need both knowledge and focus. Victory over the mind can be gained only through knowledge and through understanding. It is Goddess Saraswathi who represents this highest knowledge of the Self.

She is the Goddess of the Vedas, scriptures, dancing, musical power and poetry. She grants the gifts of learning and writing in man. She is fluidity in any aspect- water, speech, thought. The learned attach greater importance to the worship of Goddess Saraswathi. They worship her for knowledge and wisdom. They believe that Goddess Saraswathi can grant them ‘moksha’ – the final liberation of the soul.

Following are some ways to increase virtue on Saraswathi Puja

1. Feed the poor.
2. Help poor students by giving away in charity- books, money to pay their fees or donating schoolbags, pencils and other items relating to education.
3. One should pray to all the holy Gurus and masters for their spiritual knowledge and compassionate service to mankind.
4. One can donate money to educational organizations, spiritual institutions and orphanages.