Chinmaya Mission- Bal Vihar10 February 2008

maho arnah sarasvatiprachetayati ketuna|dhiyo vishvaa viraajati

||

““Vast is the ocean of Vast is the ocean of Divine Knowledge, Divine Knowledge,

That illuminates the That illuminates the Universe,Universe,

And brightens every pious And brightens every pious thoughtthought””

Rigveda 1.3.12Rigveda 1.3.122

In the fifth day (‘PANCHAMI’) of the bright fortnight of the lunar month of ‘Magha’ (January-February) of the Hindu Calendar

VASANT = ‘Spring’, and ‘Yellow’

VASANT PANCHAMI marks the end of Winter and the beginning of Spring in most parts of India and neighboring countries.

On this day, Brahma-ji created Devi Saraswati to remove ignorance and to make human beings wise. She was given four hands for mind, intellect, ego and alertness.

Therefore, we worship Mother Saraswati – the Devi of wisdom, arts, education, discrimination

Children are taught their first letters

We also worship ‘Surya’ (Sun) and Ma Ganga (Ganges River) especially in northern India to thank them for providing life giving energy and water

OBJECT SIGNIFICANCE

WHITE SWAN White represents purity (sattva-guna). Swan represents ‘viveka’, or the ability to make right choices, and discriminate good from evil. It also represents the Soul.

VEENA (Stringed instrument) being played by her

Represents ‘speech’, music, arts, beauty. With speech or language, we cannot learn anything.

JAPAMALA: Rosary of Beads in Her hand

Represent the power and energy of letters (biijaakshara), and also faith and devotion

VEDAS: Revealed Hindu scriptures in Her hand

Four Vedas (Rigveda, Yajurveda, Samaveda and Atharvaveda) – the source of all knowledge and wisdom.

Lotus flowers (Padma, Pankaj, Kamal)

Represent Creation. And also the ability to remain pure in this world full of evil. Lord Shiva burned Kamadeva on this day.

Lord Krishna worshipped Mother Saraswati this day and became a master of ‘Shodashakala’ (16 arts)

Dramas of Kalidasa and other famous dramatists were played for audiences this day

Musicians, poets, dancers, artists organized celebrations and functions on this day to worship Devi Saraswati

Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya innaugarated Kashi Hindu Vishwavidyalaya at Varanasi

Children are taught their first letters (especially in Bengal, Assam, Orissa, Bihar, Kerala etc). They are given a pen or a chalk to write the first letter. Big celebrations are held in Shantiniketan (a University in West Bengal)

Books are placed before murtis of Devi Saraswati for her blessings

They start with worshipping Saraswati, burning incense, applying ‘tilak’ of sandalwood paste

Brahmins are fed and honored and homage paid to ancestors (Pitr-tarpana)

People wear yellow clothes They make yellow garlands

and offer it to Devi-Devatas and to guests

Sweet-meats (deserts) are made yellow by adding saffron

YELLOW REPRESENTS: Spirituality, Prosperity, Energy. Many of our Deities wear yellow clothes (‘pitamambara’). Hindu Sadhus also wear ‘saffron’ (yellow-orange) robes.

In northern India, miles and miles of farmlands turn yellow from Mustard blooms

In northern India and Pakistan, Kite Flying contests are held – In memory of Hakikat Rai Puri of Sialkot

People eat saffron-rice, suuji-halwa with saffron in it, have musical functions, wear marigold garlands