Celebrating Vasant Panchami!
Who is Ma Saraswati and Why is She Important to Music in India?
Om Saraswati Namo Namah
❊
Om Saraswati Namo Namah ❊
The goddess Saraswati holds a very near and dear place in the hearts of people in India, especially in the field of music & education.
Saraswati, originally mentioned as the goddess of the river in Rig Veda, literally translates to “the flowing one.”
She is depicted with four arms, representing intellect, alertness, mind, and ego. Two of her hands hold her Veena, a stringed musical instrument. The other two hold a rosary and book, respectively. In some depictions, there is a peacock on her right, and on her left, a swan. She wears a simple white saree and rests upon a lotus.
So how did Saraswati become the Deity of Music and Wisdom?
There’s a story behind it!
The gods had asked Vishvavasu of the Gandharavas to protect the Somarasa, or nectar, of the gods. Being curious, Vishvavasu steals it and takes it back to the Gandharvas.
The Gods, in panic mode about their stolen Somarasa, go to Goddess Saraswati and ask her to help them retrieve the Somarasa. She goes to the Gandharavas and begins to enchant them with her Veena. Suddenly, she stops playing.
The Gandharavas break out of their trance and beg her to play more, but she refuses unless they agree to her conditions. She tells them to return the Somarasa in exchange for the knowledge of music and the wisdom to play well. This way, the Gandharava tribe became known as the celestial musicians with the blessings of Goddess Saraswati.
“Nava Par Nava Swara De...”
May she bless us with new swaras, or notes, day after day.
Let’s celebrate this auspicious day by learning more about Ma Saraswati, the goddess of music, and ask for Her blessings to remove the darkness of ignorance in our world to bring us closer to the brilliant truth through her river of knowledge.
