Saraswati, revered as the goddess of learning, wisdom, music, and aesthetics, holds a prominent place in Hindu tradition. Known by many names—Bharati (eloquence), Shatarupa (existence), Vedamata (mother of the Vedas), Brahmi, Sarada, Vagisvari, and Putkari—Saraswati embodies the free flow of wisdom and consciousness. She is the divine manifestation of vak (the divine word), inspiring not just the arts and sciences, but all forms of knowledge and creativity.

वेदायै वेदरूपायै वेदान्तायै नमो नमः ।
गुणदोषविवर्जिन्यै गुणदीप्त्यै नमो नमः ॥

The significance of Saraswati extends far beyond mere intellectual pursuits. She represents chit-shakti, the power of consciousness, and her essence influences all Hindu goddesses, each arising from this supreme force.

Saraswati in the Vedas and Scriptures

In the Vedas, Saraswati is eulogized as Veda Mata, the mother of Vedic knowledge and all the deities associated with the Vedas. She is celebrated in the Rigveda as a purifying, healing force, embodying the flowing rivers of knowledge and wisdom. The Taittiriya Brahmana calls her the mother of mellifluous music and fluent speech, associating her with the highest expressions of sound and articulation. In the Rigveda, she is lauded as the “epitome of knowledge,” and her significance continues in the later Dharma Shastras and Upanishads, where she is invoked in prayers that encourage contemplation on the virtues of life.

Her connection to water—particularly the ancient Saraswati River, now lost to time—is symbolic of the divine flow of consciousness that nourishes the mind and spirit. In this context, Saraswati represents not only physical rivers but also the river of thought, purity, and wisdom that guides human civilization.

Saraswati’s Iconography

Saraswati is often depicted as a graceful woman playing a veena, a stringed instrument, with her other hand holding a book, symbolizing inner knowledge. She also carries a mala (prayer beads), representing the power of mantra. In her imagery, she rides a swan or a peacock, both animals symbolizing grace and beauty. The swan, in particular, is a symbol of elegance and discernment, while the peacock represents creativity and the unbounded nature of artistic expression.

Her name, Saraswati, literally means “she who abounds in wide currents and lakes,” which symbolizes the calm, still mind upon which the lotuses of meditation bloom. Saraswati directs us to look beyond the outer forms of the world and seek the deeper, inner essence of bliss and spiritual fulfillment—rasa—that underlies all experiences.

Saraswati Puja: A Celebration of Knowledge

The festival of Saraswati Puja or Basant Panchami, celebrated on the fifth day of the Bengali month Maagh, marks the arrival of spring and honours the goddess as the patron of knowledge, learning, and arts. In Bengal, this day is dedicated to Saraswati, where devotees honour her with prayers, rituals, and a celebration of education.

Saraswati Puja is not just about the formal study of books but about the joyous overflow of awareness and understanding. It is a reminder that learning is a celebration of life itself, a pursuit not just of memorization but of wisdom and consciousness. On this day, students place their books and pens before the goddess, seeking her blessings for knowledge and success.

Saraswati holds at once the pure white light of spiritual knowledge and all the rainbow colours of artistic expression. She represents the dance of nature as a spiritual effulgence. The inability to see the divine iconic light through an artistic image shows a limited perception.

Hatay Khori: The First Step in Learning

One of the most endearing traditions associated with Saraswati Puja is the ritual of Hatay Khori, or the first writing. This is a tradition in Bengali families where young children, usually between 3 and 4 years old, are made to write their first letters under the guidance of a priest, typically starting with the divine syllable Om or the first few letters of the alphabet e.g. A, B, C as well as some Bengali alphabets like ক, খ, গ. This marks the beginning of their formal education, and the ritual is often performed with the purchase of new slates, chalk, books, and copies, symbolizing the new beginning of knowledge.

सरस्वति नमस्तुभ्यं वरदे कामरूपिणि ।
विद्यारम्भं करिष्यामि सिद्धिर्भवतु मे सदा ॥

In many Bengali families, Saraswati Puja also becomes a moment to reflect on personal growth. It marks not just an academic milestone but also a spiritual awakening, as the pursuit of knowledge is seen as part of the broader spiritual journey of life.

Saraswati Puja in Bengali Culture

Saraswati Puja holds immense cultural significance in Bengali households and institutions. In schools, universities, and homes, the Puja is performed with great devotion, honoring Saraswati as the source of wisdom and creativity. It is not just a festival but an integral part of Bengali life, deeply embedded in the community’s consciousness.

For many, this is also a time to reconnect with the deeper aspects of their being—wisdom, creativity, and inner peace. The goddess is revered as the source of all artistic expression, and her presence is thought to inspire every form of creativity, from music and literature to visual arts and scientific discoveries.

Saraswati Puja is also “হাতে খড়ি” for our management skills: organizing, crowdfunding, fund-raising, event management, and resource management. talent management, teamwork, and budgeting skills when we started organising Saraswati Puja as young kids in our community (পাড়া), school, and university. We are more connected to Saraswati Puja during our teens.

The Prayer for Knowledge

One of the most beautiful invocations to Saraswati comes from the Saraswati Stotram by Maharishi Agastya:

या कुन्देन्दुतुषारहारधवला या शुभ्रवस्त्रावृता
या वीणावरदण्डमण्डितकरा या श्वेतपद्मासना ।
या ब्रह्माच्युत शंकरप्रभृतिभिर्देवैः सदा वन्दिता
सा मां पातु सरस्वती भगवती निःशेषजाड्यापहा ॥

English Translation:

“May Goddess Saraswati,
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.”

This prayer beautifully captures the essence of Saraswati as a goddess who brings enlightenment and clarity, dispelling ignorance and lethargy.

Conclusion

Saraswati Puja is a day to honour the goddess who represents the divine forces of wisdom and creativity. It reminds us that true learning is not just about acquiring knowledge but about awakening the inner consciousness that connects us to the universal truth. Whether through the simplicity of honouring one’s books or through grand temple rituals, Saraswati Puja is a reminder to seek knowledge, express creativity, and embrace the spiritual path of learning.

As we celebrate this festival, let us remember that Saraswati, in all her forms, is the embodiment of the pure knowledge that transcends the material world and leads us toward spiritual fulfilment. Whether we are learning a new skill, embarking on a creative journey, or seeking deeper understanding, we are guided by her eternal light.