Tag Archives: Whole Pursuit

Whole Knowledge – The Celebration of Vasant Panchami

Vasant Panchami: Birthday of Goddess Sarasvati

Goddess Sarasvati, the Goddess of Knowledge, the Source of Consciousness and Intelligence that is required to establish the living functions of man’s mortal existence.
Bharat Darshan-Vasant Panchami-Birthday Greetings to Goddess Sarasvati

On Monday, February 03, 2025, I submit my prayerful thoughts to Goddess Sarasvati on Her birthday as per the Indian tradition.

I need a heart that can understand, I need eyes that can see, and I need ears that can hear God’s plan for my mortal existence.

Goddess Sarasvati, the Goddess of Knowledge, the Source of Consciousness and Intelligence that is required to establish the living functions of man’s mortal existence.
Vasant Panchami 2025. Birthday Greetings to Goddess Sarasvati.

Clipped from: https://www.thoughtco.com/vasant-panchami-1770222

As Diwali--the festival of light–is to Lakshmi, goddess of wealth and prosperity; and as Navratri is to Durga, goddess of power and valor; so is Vasant Panchami to Sarasvati, the goddess of knowledge and arts.

This festival is celebrated every year on the fifth day (Panchami) of the bright fortnight of the lunar month of the month of Magha, which falls during the Gregorian period of January-February.

The word “Vasant” (or “BASANT”) comes from the word “spring,” as this festival heralds the beginning of the spring season.

It is believed that on this day, goddess Sarasvati was born. Hindus celebrate Vasant Panchami with great fervor in temples, homes and even schools and colleges. Sarasvati’s favorite color, white, assumes special significance on this day. Statues of the goddess are dressed in white clothes and are worshiped by devotees adorned with white garments. Sarasvati is offered sweets that are given away as prasad to all people attending the ritual worship. There is also a custom of ancestor worship, known as Pitri-Tarpan in many parts of India during Vasant Panchami.

The Foundation of Education

Goddess Sarasvati, the Goddess of Knowledge, the Source of Consciousness and Intelligence that is required to establish the living functions of man’s mortal existence.

The most significant aspect of Vasant Panchami is that it is also the most auspicious day to begin laying ones foundations of education–of how to read and write. Pre-school children are given their first lesson in reading and writing on this day, and all Hindu educational institutions conduct special prayer for Sarasvati on this day.

It is also a great day to inaugurate training institutes and new schools–a trend made famous by the renowned Indian educationist, Pundit Madan Mohan Malaviya (1861-1946), who founded the Banaras Hindu University on Vasant Panchami day in 1916.

A Springtime Celebration

Goddess Sarasvati, the Goddess of Knowledge, the Source of Consciousness and Intelligence that is required to establish the living functions of man’s mortal existence.

During Vasant Panchami, the advent of spring is felt in the air as the season undergoes change.

Goddess Sarasvati, the Goddess of Knowledge, the Source of Consciousness and Intelligence that is required to establish the living functions of man’s mortal existence.

New leaves and blossoms appear in the trees with the promise of new life and hope. Vasant Panchami also announces the arrival of another big springtime event in the Hindu calendar–Holi, the festival of colors.

Sarasvati Mantra: Sanskrit Prayer

Goddess Sarasvati, the Goddess of Knowledge, the Source of Consciousness and Intelligence that is required to establish the living functions of man’s mortal existence.

Here is the text of the popular pranam mantra, or Sanskrit prayer, that Sarasvati devotees utter with utmost devotion on this day:

Om Sarasvati 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 ||

Sarasvati Vandana: Sanskrit Hymn

Goddess Sarasvati, the Goddess of Knowledge, the Source of Consciousness and Intelligence that is required to establish the living functions of man’s mortal existence.

The following hymn is also recited on Vasant Panchami:

Yaa Kundendu tushaara haaradhavalaa, Yaa Shubhra vastraavritha|
Yaa veena vara danda manditakara, Yaa Shweta Padma asana||
Yaa Brahmaachyutha Sankara prabhritibhir Devai sadaa Vanditha|
Saa Maam Patu Sarasvati Bhagavatee Nihshyesha jyaadyaapaha||

English Translation:

“May Goddess Sarasvati,
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.”

Your Citation

Das, Subhamoy. “The History of Vasant Panchami, the Birth of Hindu Goddess Saraswati.” ThoughtCo, Oct. 12, 2017, thoughtco.com/vasant-panchami-1770222. Das, Subhamoy. (2017, October 12). The History of Vasant Panchami, the Birth of Hindu Goddess Saraswati. Retrieved from Das, Subhamoy. “The History of Vasant Panchami, the Birth of Hindu Goddess Saraswati.” ThoughtCo. (accessed January 22, 2018).

Goddess Sarasvati, the Goddess of Knowledge, the Source of Consciousness and Intelligence that is required to establish the living functions of man’s mortal existence.

Whole Dude – Whole Values

Whole Dude – Whole Values: Bharat, the Land of Cultural Values. Vande Mataram. Salutations to Mother India.

Bharat: The Land of Cultural Values:

Whole Dude – Whole Values: Bharat, the Land of Cultural Values.

Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth”.

The Book of Matthew, Chapter 5,verse 5 of The Holy Bible teaches that humility has its own rewards. But, Bible fails to offer the tools to practice the Art of Humility.

Whole Dude – Whole Values: Bharat, the Land of Cultural Values

I inherited a sense of humility from the Land of Bharat.I consider humility as my acquired behavior and my Culture helped me to learn it through repeated practice and by giving me opportunities to display it in every aspect of my life. My Indian Identity is defined by this Cultural value. The ultimate purpose of life is defined as getting back to the Lotus Feet of the Lord. I am encouraged to touch and worship feet to reach my goal with a sense of humility. I began the process of learning with a sense of meekness. First I was directed to humble myself before Lord Shiva. I seek pure and perfect knowledge and humility is the light that shines on the path to wisdom. Humility is the gentle wind that dispels the dark clouds that prevent you from viewing the brilliant sun shining in the sky. Ego, like the cloud that causes darkness, could be driven away by learning to be humble. In my daily life, I am given the opportunity to humble myself several times.

Whole Dude – Whole Values: Bharat, the Land of Cultural Values

My living experience is full of interactions with objects which I am guided to treat with a sense of reverence. The Sun, the Sky, the Moon and the Stars, the Wind, the Earth, the River and Water, the Fire and the Light, the Mountain and the Hill, the Plants and the Trees, the flowers, the fruits, the grains and the orchards, the lion, the tiger, the elephant, the Cow, the Bull, the Monkey, the Eagle and the Peacock, the Snake, the Spider, the Rat and the changing seasons I view with respect. As a kid , my learning experience began with showing respect to my parents, my elders, my teachers and the idols and the images that receive worship. The essence of my learned behavior is humility. The Land has given me a sense of meekness and with that I may inherit the Identity of the Ultimate Reality.

Whole Dude – Whole Values: Bharat, the Land of Cultural Values. THIS ARTICLE IS DEDICATED TO THIS INDIAN LADY WHO SYMBOLIZES THE PRINCIPLE OF UNITY THAT APPEARS AS THE VERBAL SOUND OR SHABDA CALLED “ASMI” WHICH MEANS ALWAYS PRESENT, OR EVER-EXISTING.