Today 14 February is Celebrated Vasant Panchami and Sharaswati Pooja.
Today Sharaswati PoojaMantra
Here is the text of the popular ‘pranam mantra’ or Sanskrit prayer, Saraswati devotees utter with utmost devotion on this day:
Om Saraswati Mahabhagey, Vidye Kamala Lochaney | Viswarupey Vishalakshmi, Vidyam Dehi Namohastutey || Jaya Jaya Devi, Charachara Sharey, Kuchayuga Shobhita, Mukta Haarey | Vina Ranjita, Pustaka Hastey, Bhagavati Bharati Devi Namohastutey || Saraswati Vandana: Sanskrit Hymn: The following hymn is also recited on Vasant Panchami:
Yaa Kundendu tushaara haaradhavalaa, Yaa shubhravastraavritha| Yaa veenavara dandamanditakara, Yaa shwetha padmaasana|| Yaa brahmaachyutha shankara prabhritibhir Devaisadaa Vanditha| Saa Maam Paatu Saraswatee Bhagavatee Nihshesha jaadyaapahaa|| 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.”
About Vasant Panchami
Vasant Panchami is a famous festival that marks the end of the winter season and ushers in the springtime. Sarasvati is the Hindu goddess of the Vasant Panchami festival. Young girls wear bright yellow dresses and participate in the festivities. The color yellow holds a special meaning for this celebration as it signifies the brilliance of nature and the vibrancy of life. The whole place bursts with yellow during the festival.
People dress in yellow and they offer yellow flowers to others and to the gods and goddesses. They also prepare and feast on a special pastry called kesar halwa or kesar halva, which is made from flour, sugar, nuts, and cardamom powder. This dish also includes saffron strands, which gives it a vibrant yellow color and mild fragrance. During the Vasant Panchami festival, India’s crop fields are filled with the color yellow, as the yellow mustard flowers bloom at this time of the year. Pens, notebooks, and pencils are placed near the goddess Devi’s feet to be blessed before they are used by students.
Today Vasant Panchami Legends
In the Vedas, Saraswati is a water deity and who is revered for purifying, fertilizing and enriching powers. The next stage in Saraswati’s mythological history was her identification with the holy rituals performed on the banks of river Saraswati. She is said to have invented Sanskrit, known as the mother of all languages, scriptures and scholarships. It is also believed that she was one who discovered soma or amrita.
According to the Matsya Purana, Saraswati evolved from the mouth of Brahma. Such was her beauty and grace that Brahma pursued her. As she fled in different directions a head appeared and that is how Brahma is attributed with five heads. Saraswati was the most unique creation of Brahma and the moon and the lotus associated with the Goddess are both symbols of eternal womanhood.
