Moola Nakshathram Day Saraswati Devi - Goddesses of Sixth day of Navratri

 

Saraswati, goddess of knowledge and the arts, embodies the wisdom of Devi.  She is the river of consciousness that enlivens creation; she is the dawn-goddess whose rays dispel the darkness of ignorance.  Without her there is only chaos and confusion.  To realize her one must go beyond the pleasures of the senses and rejoice in the serenity of the spirit. 

Saraswati wears neither jewels or paints herself with bright colors.  The white sari she adorns reflects her essential purity, her rejection of all that is base and materialistic.

She transcends the cravings of the flesh and rejoices in the powers of the mind as the patron of pure wisdom.  She embodies all that is pure and sublime in Nature.

Generally, during Durga Navratri, Moola nakshatra day falls on Maha Saptami and Shravana nakshatram day falls on Vijaya Dashami. Saraswati pooja is observed as Saraswati Devi Triratra vratam in Andhra Pradesh and some parts of Karnataka. In Maharashtra and some parts of Gujarat, Saraswati Pooja is performed for three days starting from Maha Saptami. Saraswati Pooja during Sharada Navratri is a breath taking event in Gnana Saraswathi Devi Devasthanam at Basara in Adilabad district in Andhra Pradesh and Shringeri Sharada Peetham at Shringeri of Karnataka.

Few mantras of Saraswati Devi :

Yaa Kundendu tushaara haara-dhavalaa,

Yaa shubhra-vastra'avritha

Yaa veena-vara-danda-manditakara,

Yaa shwetha padma'asana

Yaa brahma'achyutha shankara prabhritibhir Devai-sadaa Vanditha

Saa Maam Paatu Saraswati Bhagavatee Nihshesha jaadyaa-pahaa.

Shuklam Brahm Vichar Saar parma Madhyam Jagadvyapini,

Haste Sfatik Malikam Kamlam Padmasane Sanstitham .

Vandetam Parmeshwari Bhagwati.....

Saa maam Paatu Saraswati Bhagwati Buddhi Pradam Shardam.

Mantra to be chanted before you begin your studies:

Mantra:

Saraswati namastubhyam
Varde Kaamarupini
Vidyarambham karishyami
Siddhir bhavatu me sadaa

Meaning:

My humble prostrations unto Thee, O Goddess Saraswati,
You are the fulfiller of all my wishes, I start my studies, with the request that I achieve perfection in them.

Source adapted from various internet sources

Image Source : Google images

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