Saraswati Poojan

 

Saraswati is worshiped during 3 out of 9 days of the Navarati festival.

Goddess Saraswati is dressed in white garments, signifying pureness and peace. A devotee who worships her should also be pure by mind, speech and actions. A teacher is a worshiper of Saraswati, from whom the disciple gains knowledge both through speech and actions. As actions speak louder than words the teacher should endeavour to perform duties righteously.

Goddess Saraswati represents devotion, consciousness, creativity, education, enlightenment, intelligence, eloquence, cosmic knowledge, music, the arts and power. This is known from the Scripture and rosary she holds where the Scripture represents the various elements of knowledge and devotion is represented by the rosary. Devotees worship her not for academic knowledge, but for divine transcendental knowledge essential for achieving salvation. She is also referred to as Sharda; the Mother of the Vedas, and prayers to her referred to as Saraswati Vandana often begin and end spiritual lessons. While we worship Goddess Saraswati, we pray and ask for her benediction that may she remove the ill habits existent in our lives and grant us the knowledge and wisdom to guide us through devotion unto Shree Hari.

Sage Agastya composed a 21 verse prayer to glorify Mother Saraswati. Today the first verse of this prayer is commonly sung before students/disciples begin their lessons.

Yaa Kunde[a-I]ndu-Tusshaara-Haara-Dhavalaa Yaa Shubhra-Vastra-[A]avrtaa
(Salutations to Devi Saraswati), pure white like the Jasmine flower, with the coolness of the Moon, brightness of snow shining like a garland of pearls and clad in pure white garments.

Yaa Viinnaa-Vara-Danndda-Mannddita-Karaa Yaa Shvetapadmaasanaa |
Whose Hands are adorned with a Veena (stringed musical instrument) and the benediction staff; who is seated on pure white lotus.

Yaa Brahmaacyutashamkaraprabhrtibhirdevah Sadaa Vanditaa Saa Maam Paatu Sarasvati Bhagavatii Nihshessajaaddyaapahaa
Who is always worthy of praise by Lord Brahma, Lord Acyut (Lord Vishnu), Lord Shankar and other demigods, O Goddess Saraswati, please protect me and remove my ignorance completely.

In the Swaminarayan Sampraday, Tyaganand Varni has composed Saraswati Stotram and Krushnanand Swami has composed Saraswati Aarati (Jay Bhagawati Vaani), which can be found in the Panch Dev pooja booklet (In Sanksrit).