Date
and Time – 15th February 2013
Important
Note: Some people are celebrating Basant Panchami on 14th
February 2013 also as Panchami Tithi starts at 08.19 a.m. on 14th February
2013 and will end on 09:05 a.m. on 15th February 2013. However in my
opinion on the basis of tithi prevailing on sunrise, it should be celebrated on
15th February 2013 but pooja of Maa Saraswati should be completed
before 09:05 a.m. because Shashthi Tithi will start after this time. Any way I
would suggest you to worship Maa Saraswati at all times of the year and especially
on both dates of this year 14th February 2013 and 15th
February 2013.
Significance
of Basant/Vasant Panchami – Birth Date of Maa Saraswati
Vasant
means
spring, whereas Panchami means the fifth day. And Vasant Panchami falls on
the fifth day of spring. This day is celebrated as birthday of Maa Saraswati. This
festival highlights the coming of spring. This festival is usually celebrated
in Magh, which is between the months
of January and February in Gregorian calendar. As per another mythological
story, on this day Lord Rama ate half tasted grapes of Shabari and to
commemorate this day, the festival of Vasant Panchami is celebrated.
Since ancient times,
there is a tradition of worshipping Goddess Saraswati on the day of Basant
Panchami. There is a belief that Goddess Saraswati appeared on this day and to
celebrate her birthday, her devotees perform her pooja. On this day Goddess
Saraswati is worshipped in various names and fames - the Goddess of Learning, the deity of Gayatri,
the fountain of fine arts and
science, and the symbol of
supreme vedantic knowledge. This day is of special significance for Students
and Teachers. Goddess Saraswati is also considered the Devi of art and
is also worshipped by peoples related to this field. On this day the students
also worship the books, copies and pens along with the Goddess Saraswati.
Musicians worship their instruments and the Painters worship their
paint-brushes and colors.
Legend
associated with birth of Goddess Saraswati
After
building the universe, Lord Brahma saw that his creation is quiet like a dead
body. It has neither a sound nor any music. Lord Brahma was not happy with the
sadistic view of his universe. Then Lord Brahma went to Vishnu and told him
about his creation. Lord Vishnu told Brahma that Goddess Saraswati can help him
solve his problem. He advised him to evoke Goddess Saraswati and the sound of
her Veena will give voice to his creation.
On
suggestion of Lord Vishnu, Brahma ji evoked Goddess Saraswati. When she
appeared, Brahma requested her to give sound to his creation from her Veena.
The moment Saraswati touched the wires of Veena, 'sa' alphabet came out from
it. This alphabet is the first sound of the seven sounds of music.
The flow
of this music gave voice to the voice less universe. Winds, rivers, sea, birds,
animals and all other things got voice. This made Brahma ji happy and He gave
the name Vageshwari to Goddess Saraswati. Godddess Saraswati holds a Veena in
her hand and thus she is also called Veenapaani.
Method of worshipping
Maa Saraswati
While
performing Saraswati Pooja, the idol or photo of Goddess Saraswati is kept in
front. After this, pinnacle or kalash is enshrined and Lord Ganesha and the
nine planets are worshipped. After this Mata Saraswati is worshipped. While
worshipping Mother Saraswati, Aachman is performed and she is bathed. After
this, flowers, garlands, Vermilions and other make up things are offered. On
this day, Gulaal is also offered on the feets of Mother Saraswati. Devi
Saraswati wears white clothes so she should be coated with that. On occassion
of Saraswati Poojan, yellow flowers are offered and seasonal fruits and
boondiyas are offered as Prasad. On this occasion, Malpua and Kheer are also
offered to the Goddess.
Mantra for worshipping Maa Saraswati
The following mantra should be recited or alternatively it can be
listened.
Maa
Saraswati Mantra
Ya
Kundendu Tusharhar Dhavalaa, Ya Shubhra Vastravritaa;
Ya Veenavardandmanditkara, Ya shwet Padmasana.
Ya Brahmascheut Shankar Prabhritirbhirdewah Sadabanditah;
Sa Maam Patu Saraswati Devi, Ya Nishesh Jadyapahaa.
(या कुन्देन्दु तुषारहार धवला, या शुभ्र वस्त्रावृता !
या वीणावरदंडमंडितकरा, या श्वेत पद्मासना !!
या ब्रह्मास्च्युत शंकर प्रभृतिर्भिरदेवाः सदाबंदिताः
सा मां पातु सरस्वती देवी, या निशेष जाड़यापहा !!)
Ya Veenavardandmanditkara, Ya shwet Padmasana.
Ya Brahmascheut Shankar Prabhritirbhirdewah Sadabanditah;
Sa Maam Patu Saraswati Devi, Ya Nishesh Jadyapahaa.
(या कुन्देन्दु तुषारहार धवला, या शुभ्र वस्त्रावृता !
या वीणावरदंडमंडितकरा, या श्वेत पद्मासना !!
या ब्रह्मास्च्युत शंकर प्रभृतिर्भिरदेवाः सदाबंदिताः
सा मां पातु सरस्वती देवी, या निशेष जाड़यापहा !!)
May the revered occasion of Basant Panchami,
Bring the wealth of knowledge to you,
May you be blessed by Goddess Saraswati and all your wishes come true.
Happy Basant Panchami.
Bring the wealth of knowledge to you,
May you be blessed by Goddess Saraswati and all your wishes come true.
Happy Basant Panchami.
Jai Maa Saraswati
"Jai
Shree Krishna"
"Hari
Om Tat Sat"
Acharya
Vikas Malhotra
Astrologer,
Numerologist and Spiritual Healer
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