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Saraswati Vandana Stotram - The term "Saraswati" originates from the Sanskrit words "Sara" and "Swa." "Sara" signifies essence or soul, while "swa" means self. Consequently, "Saraswati" can be interpreted as "the essence of self."
The depiction of Goddess Saraswati in her idol reflects significant symbolism. She is always portrayed seated on a white lotus, donning white garments, and adorned with four hands, symbolizing the four cardinal directions. The two front hands represent the materialistic world, while the two back hands represent the spiritual realm. Moreover, these four hands symbolize Manas (Mind), Buddhi (Intellect), Chitta (Consciousness), and Ahankara (Ego).
In this representation, Goddess Saraswati embodies the balance between the material and spiritual aspects of existence. The white lotus signifies purity and spiritual enlightenment, while her attire in white represents the pristine and unblemished nature of true knowledge and wisdom. The four hands illustrate her influence and guidance over various aspects of human consciousness, with the mind, intellect, consciousness, and ego all under her watchful care.
Through this symbolism, the idol of Goddess Saraswati serves as a reminder of the quest for knowledge, wisdom, and self-awareness, ultimately guiding individuals towards a harmonious integration of the material and spiritual dimensions of life.
Goddess Saraswati, the embodiment of wisdom, knowledge, and occult science, represents the innate ability of humankind to understand and contemplate difficult subjects. She is the divine source of success in education and mystical endeavors.
As the consort of Lord Brahma, the creator, Saraswati plays a vital role in the creativity and inspiration of the universe. She holds profound knowledge of the Vedas, scriptures, dance, music, and poetry. It is said that she bestowed language and writing upon humanity, making her a symbol of intellectual growth and cultural advancement. The Veena and Book in the hand represent the Music and knwoledge.
Saraswati's origin is associated with the ancient Vedic river Saraswati, which contributes to her deep connection with fluidity in various aspects, including water, speech, and thought. She personifies wisdom, fortune, intelligence, nourishment, brilliance, contentment, splendor, and devotion.
This Saraswati Stotram, dedicated to the beautiful Goddess of Intellect, is sung by Rishi Agastya, one of the revered sages born from the mind of Lord Brahma. The Stotram holds the power to bestow all the gifts related to wisdom and knowledge. It is believed that sincere recitation of this Saraswati stotra enables one to become well-versed in all the sacred texts and attain mastery over the tantric and mantra practices. Through devotion to Goddess Saraswati, individuals seek her blessings to enhance their intellectual abilities, gain profound insights, and excel in their educational and spiritual pursuits.
या: She who
कुन्देन्दुतुषारहारधवला: Looking white as a moon without any spots in it and with garland of white frosts.
या: She who
शुभ्रवस्त्रावृता: Adorned with pure white dress,
Here Sage Agastya rishi is trying to explain the appearance of Godess Saraswati, he is comapring the face of Godess saraswati to Moon and the garland she is wearing is to the perls made out of ice.
या: She who
वीणावरदण्डमण्डितकरा: Holding a veena (a musical instrument) and a book (symbolizing knowledge) in her hands,
या: She who
श्वेतपद्मासना: Seated on a white lotus,
Here he is explaining the properties what godess saraswati is holding, Veena and Book which denotes the godess saraswati is diety of music, knoweldge and seated on the white Lotus.
या: She who
ब्रह्माच्युतशंकरप्रभृतिभिर्देवै: सदा वन्दिता: Always worshipped by Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva, and other gods,
सा: That Goddess,
मां पातु सरस्वती: May Goddess Saraswati protect me,
भगवती: The divine goddess,
नि:शेषजाड्यापहा: Who removes all ignorance and shortcomings.
Here we can see the the agastya rishi is telling that this godess sarswati is worshipped by trimurtis i.e Brahma vishnu and Maheshwara to to remove all ostacles.
In this verse, the devotee praises Goddess Saraswati, describing her divine attributes and appearances. The verse seeks her blessings and protection, asking her to remove all ignorance and obstacles on the path of knowledge and learning. Goddess Saraswati, the embodiment of wisdom and creativity, is revered and worshipped for her guidance and blessings in various academic, artistic, and spiritual pursuits. There are total 15 shlokas which are mentioned below.
या कुन्देन्दुतुषारहारधवला या शुभ्रवस्त्रावृता
या वीणावरदण्डमण्डितकरा या श्वेतपद्मासना ।
या ब्रह्माच्युतशङ्करप्रभृतिभिर्देवैः सदा वन्दिता
सा मां पातु सरस्वती भगवती निःशेषजाड्यापहा ॥1॥
आशासु राशीभवदङ्गवल्लीभासैव दासीकृतदुग्धसिन्धुम् ।
मन्दस्मितैर्निन्दितशारदेन्दुं
वन्देऽरविन्दासनसुन्दरि त्वाम् ॥2॥
शारदा शारदाम्भोजवदना वदनाम्बुजे ।
सर्वदा सर्वदास्माकं सन्निधिं सन्निधिं क्रियात् ॥3॥
सरस्वतीं च तां नौमि वागधिष्ठातृदेवताम् ।
देवत्वं प्रतिपद्यन्ते यदनुग्रहतो जनाः ॥4॥
पातु नो निकषग्रावा मतिहेम्नः सरस्वती ।
प्राज्ञेतरपरिच्छेदं वचसैव करोति या ॥5॥
शुक्लां ब्रह्मविचारसारपरमामाद्यां जगद्व्यापिनीं
वीणापुस्तकधारिणीमभयदां जाड्यान्धकारापहाम् ।
हस्ते स्फाटिकमालिकां च दधतीं पद्मासने संस्थितां
वन्दे तां परमेश्वरीं भगवतीं बुद्धिप्रदां शारदाम् ॥6॥
वीणाधरे विपुलमङ्गलदानशीले
भक्तार्तिनाशिनि विरञ्चिहरीशवन्द्ये ।
कीर्तिप्रदेऽखिलमनोरथदे महार्हे
विद्याप्रदायिनि सरस्वति नौमि नित्यम् ॥7॥
श्वेताब्जपूर्णविमलासनसंस्थिते हे
श्वेताम्बरावृतमनोहरमञ्जुगात्रे ।
उद्यन्मनोज्ञसितपङ्कजमञ्जुलास्ये
विद्याप्रदायिनि सरस्वति नौमि नित्यम् ॥8॥
मातस्त्वदीयपदपङ्कजभक्तियुक्ता
ये त्वां भजन्ति निखिलानपरान्विहाय ।
ते निर्जरत्वमिह यान्ति कलेवरेण
भूवह्निवायुगगनाम्बुविनिर्मितेन ॥9॥
मोहान्धकारभरिते हृदये मदीये
मातः सदैव कुरू वासमुदारभावे ।
स्वीयाखिलावयवनिर्मलसुप्रभाभिः
शीघ्रं विनाशय मनोगतमन्धकारम् ॥10॥
ब्रह्मा जगत् सृजति पालयतीन्दिरेशः
शम्भुर्विनाशयति देवि तव प्रभावैः ।
न स्यात्कृपा यदि तव प्रकटप्रभावे
न स्युः कथञ्चिदपि ते निजकार्यदक्षाः ॥11॥
लक्ष्मीर्मेधा धरा पुष्टिर्गौरी तुष्टिः प्रभा धृतिः ।
एताभिः पाहि तनुभिरष्टाभिर्मां सरस्वति ॥12॥
सरस्वत्यै नमो नित्यं भद्रकाल्यै नमो नमः ।
वेदवेदान्तवेदाङ्गविद्यास्थानेभ्य एव च ॥13॥
सरस्वति महाभागे विद्ये कमललोचने ।
विद्यारुपे विशालाक्षि विद्यां देहि नमोऽस्तु ते ॥14॥
यदक्षरं पदं भ्रष्टं मात्राहीनं च यद्भवेत् ।
तत्सर्वं क्षम्यतां देवि प्रसीद परमेश्वरि ॥15॥
