Saraswati, the Flowing One

     Hindu goddess of learning, speech, intelligence, organization, dancing, music and poetry. She revealed language and writing to humans. Her origin is the lost Vedic river Sarasvati. This is the source of her profound connection to fluidity in any aspect (water, speech, thought...).

    She is wisdom, fortune, intelligence, nourishment, brilliance, contentment, splendor and devotion. Also associated with any of the creative arts, she is called the Mother of the Vedas and the repository of Brahma's creative intelligence.  Saraswati is also called Vak Devi, the Goddess of Speech.

    Dressed in white, She holds a mala (strand of Hindu prayer beads), and a palmleaf scroll. Usually, she rides a swan and sometimes a peacock, while playing music on a veena.

    The Vilma Vashi temple in Dilwara is dedicated to Saraswati. Students call on her to help with performing well in examinations.  Calling on her is appropriate when one wishes to improve memory, power and concentration.

     Sarasvati holds a swastika in her left hand. Swastika is an ancient Indian sanskrit word meaning love, life, and light, and is often used in ceremonial blessings.  This Goddess is credited with the creation of sanskrit.