Sarasvati
Sarasvati
The Flowing One; The Flowering One
ALSO KNOWN AS:
Medha (āWisdomā)
ORIGIN:
India
In her earliest incarnations, Sarasvati was a river spirit with dominion over fertility, procreation, and purification. She retains those powers but has evolved into a matron of literature and wisdom, too. Sarasvati sponsors learning and creative sciences. She is the goddess of music and credited with inventing Sanskrit. A generous, bountiful spirit, she places the fetus in the womb and is the giver of all beautiful things. Sarasvati is invoked frequently in the Rig Veda, the oldest surviving Indian writings, sacred hymns composed approximately 1200 BCE. She was born from a golden egg from the sea.
Sarasvatiās answers to petitions may come in the form of artistic inspiration.
FAVOURED PEOPLE:
Musicians, writers, students; she loves librarians and archivists. Students invoke her assistance prior to academic exams.
Manifestations:
Sarasvati wears the crescent moon upon her forehead and may be recognized by her dazzling white skin and vivid clothing. Her four arms show that her power extends in all directions.
ICONOGRAPHY:
Sarasvati is usually depicted seated upon her lotus blossom throne accompanied by her white swan, the bird that in Hindu mythology is able to distinguish between substance and illusion, truth and falsehood. She may also be venerated in the form of books, inkwells, pens, and musical instruments.
ATTRIBUTES:
Sarasvati holds a book formed from palm leaves in one hand and either a string of prayer beads or pearls in another. Her other two hands play the veena, an Indian stringed musical instrument.
Bird:
Swan, her sacred creature and vehicle
Creature: Lizard
ELEMENT
Fresh Water
PLANET:
Moon
Day: Sunday
Place: Sarasvati is the presiding spirit of the Sarasvati River.
Time:
The Vasant Panchami is the festival honoring Sarasvati. Consult a Hindu calendar for dates.
OFFERINGS:
Fruit, flowers, incense
SEE ALSO:
Benten; Lakshmi; Metis; Sophia; Swan Goddesses; Vishnu
SOURCE:
Encyclopedia of Spirits: The Ultimate Guide to the Magic of Fairies, Genies, Demons, Ghosts, Gods & GoddessesĀ – Written by :Ā Judika Illes Copyright Ā© 2009 by Judika Illes.
