vasant panchami
TRANSCRIPT
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