View source for Religion:Saraswati

{{short description|Principal Hindu goddess, goddess of knowledge, music, and speech}}
{{EngvarB|date=September 2016}} 
{{Infobox deity<!--Wikipedia:WikiProject Hindu mythology-->
| type = Hindu
| image = Saraswati.jpg
| caption = Painting of Saraswati by Raja Ravi Varma
| name = Saraswati
| deity_of = Personification of the Saraswati River<br/>Goddess of Knowledge, Music, Art, Speech
| affiliation = [[Religion:Devi|Devi]], River goddess, [[Philosophy:Tridevi|Tridevi]], [[Religion:Gayatri|Gayatri]]
| abode = Satyaloka, [[Religion:Manidvipa|Manidvipa]]
| day = Friday
| parents = 
| siblings = 
| consort = [[Religion:Brahma|Brahma]]
| children = Narada
| other_names = Sharada, Savitri, [[Religion:Brahmani (Matrika)|Brahmani]], Bharadi, Vani, [[Unsolved:Vāc|Vagdevi]]
| symbols = The colour white, lotus, [[Engineering:Veena|Veena]], Saraswati river, books
| mount = Swan or peacock
| mantra = [Hindu]: ॐ ऐं महासरस्वत्यै नमः, om̐ aim mahāsarasvatyaya namaḥ; [Buddhist]: Oṃ hrīḥ mahāmāyāṅge mahāsarasvatyaya namaḥ||
| festivals = Vasant Panchami and seventh day of Navaratri
| member_of = [[Philosophy:Tridevi|Tridevi]]
| script_name = Devanagari
| script = सरस्वती
| Sanskrit_transliteration = Sarasvatī
}}

'''Saraswati''' ({{lang-sa|सरस्वती}}<!--Do not remove, WP:INDICSCRIPT doesn't apply to WikiProject Hinduism-->, {{IAST3|Sarasvatī}}), also spelled as '''Sarasvati''', is the [[Religion:Hinduism|Hindu]] [[Religion:Devi|goddess]] of knowledge, music, flowing water, abundance and wealth, art, speech, wisdom, and learning.<ref name=Kinsley1988>{{cite book |first=David |last=Kinsley |year=1988 |title=Hindu Goddesses: Vision of the divine feminine in the Hindu religious traditions |publisher=University of California Press |isbn=0-520063392 |pages=[https://archive.org/details/hindugoddessesvi0000kins/page/55 55–64] |url=https://archive.org/details/hindugoddessesvi0000kins/page/55 }}</ref> She is one of the [[Philosophy:Tridevi|Tridevi]], along with the goddesses [[Religion:Lakshmi|Lakshmi]] and [[Religion:Parvati|Parvati]].<ref>{{cite book |title=Encyclopaedia of Hinduism |year=1999 |page=1214 |publisher=Sarup & Sons |isbn=978-81-7625-064-1}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Female Hindu deities – the Tridevi - Nature of Ultimate Reality in Hinduism - GCSE Religious Studies Revision - Edexcel |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/guides/zrf6pbk/revision/5 |website=BBC Bitesize |access-date=23 March 2022}}</ref><ref name=":5" /> She is a pan-Indian deity, also revered in [[Philosophy:Jainism|Jainism]] and [[Religion:Buddhism|Buddhism]].<ref name="BMA">{{cite book |url=http://artsbma.org |title=Guide to the collection |publisher=Birmingham Museum of Art |year=2010 |isbn=978-1-904832-77-5 |series=Birmingham Museum of Art |location=Birmingham, Alabama |pages=55 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19980514044647/http://www.artsbma.org/ |archive-date=14 May 1998 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref name=":5">Ludvik (2007), pp. 1, 11.</ref>

The earliest known mention of Saraswati as a goddess is in the ''[[Religion:Rigveda|Rigveda]]''.<ref>{{cite web |title=Saraswati |url=https://www.worldhistory.org/Sarasvati/#:~:text=Saraswati%20(also%20Sarasvati)%20is%20the,is%20the%20goddess%20of%20speech. |website=[[Organization:World History Encyclopedia|World History Encyclopedia]] |access-date=9 January 2021}}</ref> She has remained significant as a goddess from the [[History:Vedic period|Vedic period]] through the [[History:Modern era|modern period]].<ref name="davidkinsley">{{cite book |last=Kinsley |first=David |url=https://archive.org/details/hindugoddessesvi0000kins |title=Hindu Goddesses: Vision of the divine feminine in the Hindu religious traditions |publisher=University of California Press |year=1988 |isbn=0-520-06339-2 |url-access=registration}}</ref> She is generally depicted with four arms (which hold four symbols: a book, a rosary, a water pot, and a musical instrument called the [[Engineering:Veena|veena]]). The festival of Vasant Panchami (the fifth day of spring, and also known as Saraswati Puja and Saraswati Jayanti in many regions of India) is celebrated in her honour,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://knowindia.gov.in/knowindia/state_uts.php?id=79 |title=Vasant Panchami Saraswati Puja |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140923070714/http://knowindia.gov.in/knowindia/state_uts.php?id=79 |archive-date=23 September 2014 |df=dmy-all |url-status=dead |series=Know India – Odisha Fairs and Festivals}}</ref> and mark the day by helping young children learn how to write the letters of the alphabet on that day.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.assemblies.org.uk/pri/1612/the-festival-of-vasant-panchami-a-new-beginning |title=The festival of Vasant Panchami: A new beginning |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151004145450/http://www.assemblies.org.uk/pri/1612/the-festival-of-vasant-panchami-a-new-beginning |archive-date=4 October 2015 |df=dmy-all |publisher=Alan Barker |location=United Kingdom}}</ref> {{Contains special characters|Indic}}

In [[Religion:Buddhism|Buddhism]], she is venerated in many forms, including the East Asian [[Religion:Benzaiten|Benzaiten]] (辯才天, "Eloquence Talent Deity").<ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-03-30 |title=5th Annual A World in Trance Festival Jayanthi Kumaresh: Invoking The Goddess Sarawati {{!}} TeRra Magazine |url=https://magazineterra.com/5th-annual-a-world-in-trance-festival-jayanthi-kumaresh-invoking-the-goddess-sarawati/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210411045657/https://magazineterra.com/5th-annual-a-world-in-trance-festival-jayanthi-kumaresh-invoking-the-goddess-sarawati/ |archive-date=11 April 2021 |access-date=2021-03-06 |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name="tdonaldson">{{cite book |last=Donaldson |first=Thomas |title=Iconography of the Buddhist Sculpture of Orissa |year=2001 |isbn=978-8170174066 |pages=274–275}}</ref>

==Etymology==
Saraswati, is a Sanskrit fusion word of ''saras'' (सरस्) meaning "pooling water", but also sometimes translated as "speech"; and ''vati'' (वती) meaning "she who possesses". Originally associated with the river or rivers known as Saraswati, this combination, therefore, means "she who has ponds, lakes, and pooling water" or occasionally "she who possesses speech". It is also a Sanskrit composite word of ''surasa-vati'' (सरसु+अति) which means "one with plenty of water".<ref>{{cite encyclopedia |url=http://spokensanskrit.de/index.php?script=HK&beginning=0+&tinput=surasa&trans=Translate&direction=AU |article=सुरस |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141204112824/http://spokensanskrit.de/index.php?script=HK&beginning=0+&tinput=surasa&trans=Translate&direction=AU |archive-date=4 December 2014 |df=dmy-all |title=Sanskrit English Dictionary |publisher=University of Koeln |location=Koeln, Germany}}</ref><ref name=jmuir>{{cite book |first=John |last=Muir |title=Original Sanskrit Texts on the Origin and History of the People of India – Their Religions and Institutions |year=1870 |volume=5 |pages=337–347 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ymLZAAAAMAAJ |via=Google Books}}</ref>

The word Saraswati appears both as a reference to a river and as a significant deity in the ''[[Religion:Rigveda|Rigveda]].'' In initial passages, the word refers to the Sarasvati River and is mentioned as one among several northwestern Indian rivers such as the Drishadvati. Saraswati, then, connotes a river deity. In Book 2, the Rigveda describes Saraswati as the best of mothers, of rivers, of goddesses.<ref name=jmuir/>

Her importance grows in the later Vedas composed after the ''Rigveda'' as well as in the later ''[[Religion:Brahmana|Brahmana]]'' texts, and the word evolves in its meaning from "waters that purify", to "that which purifies", to "''vach'' (speech) that purifies", to "knowledge that purifies", and ultimately into a spiritual concept of a goddess that embodies knowledge, arts, music, melody, muse, language, rhetoric, eloquence, creative work and anything whose flow purifies the essence and self of a person.<ref name="jmuir" /><ref name="emoor">{{cite book |author=Moor, Edward |title=The Hindu Pantheon |year=1810 |pages=125–127 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Ce2oxAVsZWgC&pg=PA125 |via=Google Books}}</ref>

=== Names and epithets ===
Saraswati (Sanskrit: ''Sarasvatī'') is known by many names. Some examples of synonyms for Saraswati include [[Religion:Brahmani|Brahmani]] (power of Brahma), Brahmi (goddess of sciences),<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.stephen-knapp.com/sarasvati_goddess_of_learning.htm |title=Sarasvati, The Goddess of Learning |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090427203916/http://www.stephen-knapp.com/sarasvati_goddess_of_learning.htm |archive-date=27 April 2009 |publisher=Stephen Knapp}}</ref> Bharadi (goddess of history), Vani and Vachi (both referring to the flow of music/song, melodious speech, eloquent speaking respectively), Varnesvari (goddess of letters), Kavijihvagravasini (one who dwells on the tongue of poets).<ref name="ebalf">{{cite book |first=Edward |last=Balf |title=The Encyclopædia of India and of Eastern and Southern Asia |year=1885 |page=534 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=iU0OAAAAQAAJ |via=Google Books}}</ref><ref name="Kinsley1988" />

Other names include: Ambika, Bharati, Chandrika, Devi, Gomati, Hamsasana, Saudamini, Shvetambara, Subhadra, Vaishnavi, Vasudha, Vidya, Vidyarupa, and Vindhyavasini.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2018-11-30 |title=Sri Saraswathi Ashtottara Shatanamavali - śrī sarasvatī aṣṭōttaraśatanāmāvalī |url=https://stotranidhi.com/en/sri-saraswathi-ashtottara-satanamavali-in-english/ |access-date=2022-06-17 |website=Stotra Nidhi |language=en-IN}}</ref>

In the [[History:Tiruvalluva Maalai|Tiruvalluva Maalai]], a collection of fifty-five Tamil verses praising the Kural literature and its author Valluvar, she is referred to as Nāmagal and is believed to have composed the second verse.{{sfn|Mohan Lal, 1992|p=4333}}{{sfn|Kamil Zvelebil, 1975|p=129}}

Outside Nepal and India, she is known in [[Social:Burmese language|Burmese]] as ''Thurathadi'' ({{my|သူရဿတီ}}, {{IPA-my|θùja̰ðədì|pron}} or {{IPA-my|θùɹa̰ðədì|}}) or ''Tipitaka Medaw'' ({{my|တိပိဋကမယ်တော်}}, {{IPA-my|tḭpḭtəka̰ mɛ̀dɔ̀|pron}}), in [[Social:Chinese language|Chinese]] as {{lang|pny|Biàncáitiān}} ({{lang|zh|辯才天}}), in [[Social:Japanese language|Japanese]] as ''[[Religion:Benzaiten|Benzaiten]]'' ({{lang|ja|弁才天/弁財天}}) and in [[Social:Thai language|Thai]] as ''Suratsawadi'' ({{lang|th|สุรัสวดี}}) or ''Saratsawadi'' ({{lang|th|สรัสวดี}}).<ref name="dk95">{{cite book |last=Kinsley |first=David |year=1988 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=hgTOZEyrVtIC |via=Google Books |title=Hindu Goddesses: Vision of the divine feminine in the Hindu religious traditions |publisher=University of California Press |isbn=0-520-06339-2 |page=95}}</ref>

== Literature ==
[[File:1895 CE Saraswati on hamsa सरस्वती हंस painting 2.jpg|thumb|Depiction of Saraswati from a market in Bengal (19th century, pre-1895 CE). The British Library curator's summary states, "Sarasvati, the goddess of learning and knowledge, is seated on the banks of a river. Her feet rest on a lotus flower, a palm leaf manuscript to represent the vedas is next to her and she holds a vina. Her mount, a swan, is positioned nearby."]]
[[file:Goddess Saraswati - Raja Ravi Varma.jpg|thumb|Saraswati by Raja Ravi Varma]]
In [[Religion:Hinduism|Hinduism]], Saraswati has retained her significance as an important goddess, from the [[History:Vedic period|Vedic age]] up to the present day.<ref name="davidkinsley" /> She is praised in the ''[[Religion:Vedas|Vedas]]'' as a water goddess of purification, while in the ''[[Religion:Dharmaśāstra|Dharmashastras]]'', Saraswati is invoked to remind the reader to meditate on virtue, and on the meaning ([[Philosophy:Artha|artha]]) of one's actions ([[Philosophy:Karma|karma]]).

=== In Vedic literature ===

==== ''Rigveda'' ====
Saraswati first appears in the ''[[Religion:Rigveda|Rigveda]]'', the most ancient source of the [[Religion:Historical Vedic religion|Vedic religion]]. According to Catherine Ludvik, the Rigvedic Saraswati "is a deified river representing abundance and might. She is associated above all with the Waters (Apas) and the Storm Gods ([[Religion:Maruts|Maruts]]), and forms a triad with the sacrificial goddesses [[Religion:Ila (Hinduism)|Ila]] and Bharati."<ref name=":6">Ludvik (2007), pp. 11, 26.</ref>

Saraswati is described as a loud and powerful flood who roars like a bull and cannot be controlled.<ref>Ludvik (2007), pp. 11-12</ref> According to Witzel, she was associated with the [[Astronomy:Milky Way|Milky Way]], indicating that she was seen as descending from heaven to earth.<ref>Ludvik (2007), p. 13</ref>

The goddess is mentioned in many Rigvedic hymns, and has three hymns dedicated to her (6:61 exclusively, and 7:95-96 which she shares with her male counterpart, Sarasvant).<ref name=":6" /> In ''Rigveda'' 2.41.16 she is called: "Best of mothers, the best of rivers, best of goddesses".<ref>{{cite web |title=Rigveda |url=http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/rvsan/rv02041.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924134650/http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/rvsan/rv02041.htm |archive-date=24 September 2015 |at=Book&nbsp;2, Hymn&nbsp;41, line&nbsp;16 |df=dmy-all}}</ref>

As part of the [[Philosophy:Ap (water)|Apas]] (water deities), Saraswati is associated with wealth, abundance, health, purity and healing.<ref>Ludvik (2007), p. 17.</ref> In Book 10 (10.17) of the ''Rigveda'', Saraswati is celebrated as a deity of healing and purifying water.<ref>{{cite web |title=Rigveda |url=http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/rvsan/rv10017.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150508075500/http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/rvsan/rv10017.htm |archive-date=8 May 2015 |at=Book&nbsp;10, Hymn&nbsp;17 |df=dmy-all}}</ref> In the ''Atharva Veda'', her role as a healer and giver of life is also emphasized.<ref>Ludvik (2007), p 40.</ref> In various sources, including the ''[[Religion:Yajurveda|Yajur Veda]]'', she is described as having healed [[Religion:Indra|Indra]] after he drank too much [[Chemistry:Soma (drink)|Soma]].<ref>Ludvik (2007), p. 45.</ref>

Saraswati also governs ''[[Philosophy:Dhi (Hindu thought)|dhī]]'' (Rigveda 1:3:12c.).<ref>Ludvik (2007), p 27.</ref> ''Dhī'' is the inspired thought (especially that of the rishis), it is intuition or intelligence - especially that associated with poetry and religion. Saraswati is seen as a deity that can grant ''dhī'' (''Rigveda'' 6:49:7c.) if prayed to.<ref name=":6" /> Since speech requires inspired thought, she is also inextricably linked with speech and with the goddess of speech, [[Unsolved:Vāc|Vāc]], as well as with cows and motherhood.<ref>Ludvik (2007), pp. 26, 31.</ref> Vedic seers compare her to a cow and a mother, and saw themselves as children sucking the milk of ''dhī'' from her.<ref>Ludvik (2007), p. 31.</ref> In Book 10 of the ''Rigveda'', she is declared to be the "possessor of knowledge".<ref>{{cite book |last=Colbrooke |first=H.T. |url=https://archive.org/stream/essaysonreligio01colegoog#page/n28/mode/2up |title=Sacred writings of the Hindus |publisher=Williams & Norgate |location=London, UK |pages=16–17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160310162311/https://archive.org/stream/essaysonreligio01colegoog |archive-date=10 March 2016 |df=dmy-all}}</ref> In later sources, like the ''Yajur Veda'', Saraswati is directly identified with Vāc, becoming a deity called Sarasvatī-[[Unsolved:Vāc|Vāc]].<ref>Ludvik (2007), p. 38, 53.</ref>

In the ''[[Religion:Brahmana|Brahmana]]s,'' Saraswati-Vac's role expands, becoming clearly identified with knowledge (which is what is communicated through speech) and as such, she is "the mother of the [[Religion:Vedas|Vedas]]" as well as the Vedas themselves.<ref>Ludvik (2007), pp. 59-60.</ref> The ''Shatapatha Brahmana'' states that "as all waters meet in the ocean...so all sciences (vidya) unite (ekayanam) in Vāc" (14:5:4:11).<ref name="Ludvik 2007, p. 60">Ludvik (2007), p. 60.</ref> The ''Shatapatha Brahmana'' also presents Vāc as a secondary creator deity, having been the first deity created by the creator god [[Religion:Prajapati|Prajapati]]. She is the very instrument by which he created the world, flowing forth from him "ike a continuous stream of water" according to the scripture.<ref name="Ludvik 2007, p. 60"/> This is the basis for the Puranic stories about the relationship between [[Religion:Brahma|Brahma]] (identified with Prajapati) and Saraswati (identified with Vāc).<ref>Ludvik (2007), pp. 63-66.</ref>

In other ''Rigvedic'' passages, Saraswati is praised as a mighty and unconquerable protector deity. She is offered praises and compared to a sheltering tree in ''Rigveda'' 7.95.5, while in 6:49:7&nbsp;cd she is said to provide "protection which is difficult to assail."<ref>Ludvik (2007), p. 15.</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=www.wisdomlib.org |date=2021-08-27 |title=Rig Veda 7.95.5 [English translation] |url=https://www.wisdomlib.org/hinduism/book/rig-veda-english-translation/d/doc835373.html |access-date=2022-08-09 |website=www.wisdomlib.org |language=en}}</ref> In some passages she even takes a fiercesome appearance and is called a "slayer of strangers" who is called on to "guard her devotees against slander".<ref>Ludvik (2007), pp. 16-17.</ref> Her association with the combative storm gods called Maruts is related to her fierce fighting aspect and they are said to be her companions (at ''Rigveda'' 7:96:2c.).<ref>Ludvik (2007), pp 22-23.</ref>

Like Indra, Saraswati is also called a slayer of [[Astronomy:Vritra|Vritra]], the snake like demon of drought who blocks rivers and as such is associated with destruction of enemies and removal of obstacles.<ref>Ludvik (2007), pp. 47-48.</ref> The ''Yajur Veda'' sees her as being both the mother of Indra (having granted him rebirth through healing) and also as his consort.<ref>Ludvik (2007), p. 51.</ref>

The ''Yajur Veda'' also contains a popular alternative version of the Gayatri Mantra focused on Saraswati:<ref>Swami Vishnu Devananda, Vishnu Devananda (1999). ''Meditation and Mantras'', p. 77. Motilal Banarsidass Publ.</ref><ref>Sunil Bahirat, [https://www.siddhayoga.org/gayatri-mantra/sarasvati-gayatri Sarasvati Gayatri], siddhayoga.org

</ref><blockquote>
Om. May we know Saraswati. May we meditate on the daughter of Brahma. May the Goddess illuminate us.</blockquote>

In Book 2 of ''[[Religion:Taittirīya Brāhmaṇa|Taittiriya Brahmana]]'', Saraswati is called "the mother of eloquent speech and melodious music".<ref name="ebalf" />

=== Epic literature ===
In the Hindu epic ''[[Religion:Mahabharata|Mahabharata]]'', "Sarasvati appears above all as a sacred river, along which pilgrimages are made. She is also represented as goddess of speech and knowledge."<ref name=":7">Ludvik (2007), p. 97</ref> She is called "the best of rivers and greatest of streams", and with calm and tranquil waters, in contrast to the mighty torrential Vedic Sarasvati.<ref name=":7" /> Her banks are filled with priests and sages (rishis) who practice asceticism and sacrifices on her banks.<ref>Ludvik (2007), p. 99-100</ref> There are numerous depictions of people making pilgrimages to the river to perform sacrifices and bathe in her waters and she often appears in her human form to great seers like [[Biography:Vasishtha|Vasishtha]].<ref>Ludvik (2007), pp. 101-105</ref>

The ''Mahabharata'' also commonly presents her as a goddess of knowledge in her own right and sees Vac as merely a feature of hers.<ref>Ludvik (2007), p. 112</ref> She is called the mother of the Vedas in the ''Shanti Parva'' Book of the epic.<ref name="jmuir" /> Her beauty is also widely commented on by numerous passages and in one passage, the goddess herself states that her knowledge and her beauty arise from gifts made in the sacrifice.<ref>Ludvik (2007), pp. 114-115</ref> The ''Mahabharata'' also describes her as the daughter of the creator god Brahma.<ref>Ludvik (2007), p. 116</ref> Later she is describes as the celestial creative symphony who appeared when Brahma created the universe.<ref name="jmuir" />

In the epic ''[[Biology:Ramayana|Ramayana]]'', when the [[Unsolved:Rakshasa|rakshasa]] brothers Ravana, Vibhishana and [[Astronomy:Kumbhakarna|Kumbhakarna]], performed a penance in order to propitiate Brahma, the creator deity offered each a boon. The devas pleaded with Brahma to not grant Kumbhakarna his boon. Brahma called upon his consort Saraswati, and instructed her to utter that which the devas desired. She acquiesced, and when the rakshasa spoke to invoke his boon, she entered his mouth, causing him to say, "To sleep for innumerable years, O Lord of Lords, this is my desire!". She then left his form, causing him to reflect upon his misfortune.<ref>{{Cite web |last=www.wisdomlib.org |date=2020-09-27 |title=Concerning the Penances practised by Dashagriva and his Brother [Chapter 10] |url=https://www.wisdomlib.org/hinduism/book/the-ramayana-of-valmiki/d/doc424771.html |access-date=2022-08-09 |website=www.wisdomlib.org |language=en}}</ref>

=== Puranic literature ===
thumb|Bangladesh, 10th–12th century CE. Saraswati with an [[ālāpiṇī vīṇā.]]

thumb|Saraswati on a Lotus throne playing veena, sandalwood, Mysore, 18th century CE.

Saraswati remains an important figure in the later medieval [[Religion:Puranas|Puranic literature]], where she appears in various myths and stories. Many Puranas relate the myth of her creation by the creator god Brahma and then describe how she became his consort. Sources which describe this myth include ''Markandeya Purana'', ''Matsya Purana'' (which contains the most extensive account), ''Vayu Purana'' and ''[[Biology:Brahmanda Purana|Brahmanda Purana]]''.<ref>Ludvik (2007), pp. 117-118.</ref> Other Puranas give her slightly different roles and see her as the consort of other gods, such as Vishnu. In various Puranas, rites for her worship are given, and she is mainly worshiped for her command over speech, knowledge, and music.<ref>Ludvik (2007), p. 127</ref>

Puranas like the ''Matsya'' also contain iconographic descriptions of Saraswati, which provide the basis for her classic four armed form holding a book (representing the Vedas), [[Unsolved:Japamala|mala]], [[Engineering:Veena|veena]], and a water pot while being mounted on a [[Biology:Swan|swan]] (hamsa).<ref>Ludvik (2007), pp. 131-133</ref>

==== Association with Brahma ====
According to the ''Matsya Purana'', Brahma generated Saraswati, here also called by other names like [[Religion:Shatarupa|Shatarupa]], Savitri, [[Religion:Gayatri|Gayatri]] and [[Religion:Brahmani (Matrika)|Brahmani]], out of himself for the purpose of creation.<ref>Ludvik (2007), p. 119</ref>

The ''Matsya Purana'' then describes how Brahma begins to desire her intensely and cannot stop looking at her. Noticing his amorous glances, she begins circumambulating him. Not wishing to keep turning his face to see her, Brahma produced faces on the sides and back of his head. Saraswati then leapt into the sky and a fifth face emerged from Brahma, looking upwards. Unable to escape, Saraswati marries him and they make love for one hundred years.<ref>Ludvik (2007), p. 120.</ref><ref name="www.wisdomlib.org" /> Brahma felt shame and due to his [[Social:Incest|incest]]uous act, the god loses his ascetic power ([[Religion:Tapas (Indian religions)|tapas]]) and his sons are left to create the world.<ref>Ludvik (2007), p. 121.</ref>

The birth of Saraswati from the mind of Brahma is also described in the ''[[Biology:Brahmanda Purana|Brahmanda Purana]]'' (chapter 43). Saraswati is tasked to reside on tip of the tongue of all beings, a river on the earth and as a part of Brahma.<ref name="www.wisdomlib.org">{{Cite web |last=www.wisdomlib.org |date=2019-01-28 |title=Story of Sarasvatī |url=https://www.wisdomlib.org/hinduism/compilation/puranic-encyclopaedia/d/doc241934.html |access-date=2022-08-09 |website=www.wisdomlib.org |language=en}}</ref>

==== In the ''Bhagavata Purana'' ====
A legend in the [[Religion:Bhagavata Purana|Bhagavata Purana]] describes Saraswati as originally being one of the three wives of [[Religion:Vishnu|Vishnu]], along with [[Religion:Lakshmi|Lakshmi]] and [[Religion:Ganga (goddess)|Ganga]]. In the midst of a conversation, Saraswati observed that Ganga playfully kept glancing at Vishnu, behind Lakshmi and her back. Frustrated, Saraswati launched a furious tirade against Ganga, accusing her of stealing Vishnu's love away from her. When Ganga appealed to her husband to help her, he opted to remain neutral, not wishing to participate in a quarrel between his three wives, whom he loved equally. When Lakshmi attempted to soothe Saraswati's anger by reasoning with her, the jealous goddess grew angry with her as well, accusing her of disloyalty towards her. She cursed Lakshmi to be born as the [[Biology:Tulasi in Hinduism|Tulasi]] plant upon the earth. Ganga, now enraged that Lakshmi had been cursed because she had defended her, cursed Saraswati that she would be incarnated as a river on earth. Saraswati issued the same [[Unsolved:Curse|curse]] against Ganga, informing her that sinful men would cleanse themselves of their sins with her water. As a result, Vishnu proclaimed that one part of Saraswati would remain with him, that another would exist as a river on earth, and that another would later become the spouse of Brahma.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Williams |first=George M. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=N7LOZfwCDpEC&dq=three+wives+vishnu&pg=PA137 |title=Handbook of Hindu Mythology |date=2008-03-27 |publisher=OUP USA |isbn=978-0-19-533261-2 |pages=137 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Sharma |first=Bulbul |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=on_ZhlB5taUC&dq=bhagavata+purana+lakshmi+ganga+saraswati&pg=PA67 |title=The Book of Devi |date=June 2010 |publisher=Penguin Books India |isbn=978-0-14-306766-5 |pages=67–71 |language=en}}</ref>

=== Shakta texts ===
[[File:Rajamatangi.jpg|thumb|19th century South Indian painting of Raja-Matangi with veena and parrot.]]

Saraswati is a key figure in the Indian goddess centered traditions which are today known as Shaktism. Saraswati appears in the Puranic ''[[Religion:Devi Mahatmya|Devi Mahatmya]]'' (''Glory of the [[Religion:Devi|Goddess]]''), a central text for Shaktism which was appended to the ''Markandeya Purana'' during the 6th century CE.<ref name="CDC_1988">{{cite book |author=Charles Dillard Collins |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=pQNi6kAGJQ4C&pg=PA36 |title=The Iconography and Ritual of Siva at Elephanta: On Life, Illumination, and Being |publisher=SUNY Press |year=1988 |isbn=978-0-88706-773-0 |pages=36}}</ref> In this text, she is part of the "triple goddess" (''[[Philosophy:Tridevi|Tridevi]]'') along with [[Religion:Mahakali|Mahakali]], and Mahalakshmi.<ref name=":4">{{cite book |last=Lochtefeld |first=James |url=https://archive.org/details/illustratedencyc0000loch |title=The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Hinduism |year=2002 |isbn=978-0823931804 |volume=A-M |page=[https://archive.org/details/illustratedencyc0000loch/page/n365 408] |url-access=limited}}</ref> In Shaktism, this trinity (the Shakta response to the male [[Philosophy:Trimurti|trimurti]] of the other Hindu sects) is a manifestation of [[Religion:Mahadevi|Mahadevi]], the supreme goddess (and the highest deity out of which all deities, male or female, are born), which is also known by other names like Adi Parashakti ("Primordial Supreme Power").<ref name="hindufaqs">{{cite web |date=18 March 2015 |title=Tridevi - the three supreme Goddess in Hinduism |url=https://www.hindufaqs.com/tridevi-the-three-supreme-goddess-in-hinduism/ |publisher=Hindu FAQS {{!}} Get answers for all the questions related to Hinduism, the greatest religion!}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Hay |first=Jeff |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=1n5mDwAAQBAJ&dq=shaktism+mahadevi&pg=PA284 |title=World Religions |date=2009-03-06 |publisher=Greenhaven Publishing LLC |isbn=978-0-7377-4627-3 |pages=284 |language=en}}</ref>

According to the ''Devi Mahatmya'', this supreme goddess is the primordial creator which is supreme formless (nirguna) consciousness (i.e. [[Philosophy:Para Brahman|parabrahman]], absolute reality) and the tridevi are her main saguna ("with form", manifest, incarnated) emanations.<ref name="HarperBrown2002p81">{{cite book |author=Thomas Coburn |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=M7Fbj5hrmQoC |title=The Roots of Tantra |publisher=State University of New York Press |year=2002 |isbn=978-0-7914-5305-6 |editor=Katherine Anne Harper, Robert L. Brown |pages=80–83}}</ref> Mahasaraswati is said to be creative and active principle (which is [[Philosophy:Rajas|Rajas]]ic, energetic and active), while Mahalakshmi is the sustainer ([[Philosophy:Sattva|sattvic]], "goodness") and Mahakali is the destroyer ([[Philosophy:Tamas|tamasic]], "darkness").<ref name="HarperBrown2002p81" />

In other influential Shakta texts, such as the ''[[Religion:Devi Bhagavata Purana|Devi Bhagavata Purana]]'' and the ''[[Religion:Devi Upanishad|Devi Upanishad]],'' Saraswati (along with all Hindu goddesses) is also said to be a manifestation of the supreme Mahadevi.

In [[Philosophy:Tantra|Tantric]] Shakta sources, Saraswati takes many forms. A key tantric form is [[Religion:Matangi|Matangi]], a deity considered to be the "Tantric Saraswati". Mātaṅgī retains many attributes of Saraswati, like music and learning, but is also associated with defeating enemies, disease, pollution/impurity, and outcasts (chandalas).<ref>Kinsley, David R. (1988). "Tara, Chinnamasta and the Mahavidyas". ''Hindu Goddesses: Visions of the Divine Feminine in the Hindu Religious Tradition'' (1 ed.), p. 217. University of California Press. pp. 161–177. <nowiki>ISBN 978-0-520-06339-6</nowiki>.</ref> She is often offered half eaten or leftover food and is green in color. Matangi is also part of the Shakta set of goddesses known as the ten [[Mahavidya]]s.

Matangi is important in Shri Vidya Shaktism, where she is also known as the dark blue Shyamala ("dark in complexion") and is a manifestation of Lalita Tripurasundari's [[Philosophy:Jñāna|Jñana]] Shakti (wisdom power), having arisen out of Lalita's sugarcane bow.<ref>Saligrama Krishna Ramachandra Rao (1990). ''The Tāntric Practices in Śrī-Vidyā: With Śrī Śāradā-chatuśśatī,'' p. 205. Kalpataru Research Academy.</ref> She is celebrated in the holiday Syamala Navaratri and is seen as Lalita's prime minister. There are various chants and odes ([[Religion:Stotra|stotra]]s) to this deity, perhaps the most important being the ''Śrī Śyāmalā Daṇḍakam'' by the great Indian Sanskrit poet [[Biography:Kalidasa|Kalidasa]].<ref>Alok Jagwat; Mahakavi Kalidasa (2021). ''[https://books.google.com/books?id=5EgwEAAAQBAJ&pg=PT13#v=onepage&q&f=false Sri Shyamala Dandakam: Syamala Dandakam].'' Bhartiya Ved Vigyan Parishad.</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2018-11-24 |title=Sri Shyamala Dandakam - śrī śyāmalā daṇḍakam |url=https://stotranidhi.com/en/shyamala-dandakam-in-english/ |access-date=2023-11-05 |website=Stotra Nidhi |language=en-IN}}</ref>

== Symbolism and iconography ==
{{multiple image
| direction         = vertical
| align             = right
| width             = 220
| footer            = Iconography of Saraswati: the goddess depicted with her [[Engineering:Veena|veena]], swan, peacock, crystal [[Unsolved:Japamala|japamala]] and lotus. (Two images: above, a [[Engineering:Tile|tile]] mural in Kerala, below, a sculpture in cultured marble in Karnataka).
| image1            = 2 Hindu deity Sarasvati Saraswati on ceramic tile in Munnar Kerala India March 2014.jpg
| image2            = Saraswathidavanagere.JPG
}}

The goddess Saraswati is often depicted as a beautiful woman dressed in pure white, often seated on a white [[Biology:Nelumbo nucifera|lotus]], which symbolizes light, knowledge and truth.<ref>{{cite book |last=Ludvík |first=Catherine |title=Sarasvatī, Riverine Goddess of Knowledge: From the Manuscript-carrying Vīṇā-player to the Weapon-wielding Defender of the Dharma |publisher=BRILL |year=2007 |page=1}}</ref> She not only embodies knowledge but also the experience of the highest reality. Her iconography is typically in white themes from dress to flowers to swan – the colour symbolizing Sattwa Guna or purity, discrimination for true knowledge, insight and wisdom.<ref name="Kinsley1988" /><ref name="jholm">{{cite book |last1=Holm |first1=Jean |title=Picturing God |last2=Bowke |first2=John |publisher=Bloomsbury Academic |year=1998 |isbn=978-1855671010 |pages=99–101}}</ref>
 
Her dhyana mantra describes her to be as white as the moon, clad in a white dress, bedecked in white ornaments, radiating with beauty, holding a book and a pen in her hands (the book represents knowledge).<ref name="Hinduism 101 Saraswati Symbolism">{{cite web |title=Hinduism 101 Saraswati Symbolism |url=https://www.hafsite.org/resources/hinduism-101-2/Saraswati-Symbolism |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171016005521/https://www.hafsite.org/resources/hinduism-101-2/Saraswati-Symbolism |archive-date=16 October 2017 |access-date=2018-02-10 |website=Hindu American Foundation (HAF) |language=en |df=dmy-all}}</ref>

She is generally shown to have four arms, but sometimes just two. When shown with four hands, those hands symbolically mirror her husband Brahma's four heads, representing ''manas'' (mind, sense), ''buddhi'' (intellect, reasoning), ''citta'' (imagination, creativity), and ''ahamkāra'' (self consciousness, ego).<ref name="gpollock">{{cite book |last1=Pollock |first1=Griselda |title=The Sacred and the Feminine: Imagination and sexual difference |last2=Turvey-Sauron |first2=Victoria |year=2008 |isbn=978-1845115203 |pages=144–147 |author-link=Griselda Pollock}}</ref><ref>For Sanskrit to English translation of the four words: {{cite web |title=Monier Williams' Sanskrit-English Dictionary |url=http://www.sanskrit-lexicon.uni-koeln.de/scans/MWScan/tamil/index.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160820092052/http://www.sanskrit-lexicon.uni-koeln.de/scans/MWScan/tamil/index.html |archive-date=20 August 2016 |publisher=University of Koeln |location=Koeln, Germany}}</ref> Brahma represents the abstract, while she represents action and reality.

The four hands hold items with symbolic meaning – a ''pustaka'' (book or script), a ''mālā'' (rosary, garland), a water pot and a musical instrument (vīnā).<ref name="Kinsley1988" /> The book she holds symbolizes the [[Religion:Vedas|Vedas]] representing the universal, divine, eternal, and true knowledge as well as all forms of learning. A mālā of crystals, representing the power of meditation, inner reflection, and spirituality. A pot of water represents the purifying power to separate right from wrong, the clean from the unclean, and essence from the inessential. In some texts, the pot of water is symbolism for [[Chemistry:Soma (drink)|soma]] – the drink that liberates and leads to knowledge.<ref name="Kinsley1988" /> The most famous feature on Saraswati is a musical instrument called a veena, represents all creative arts and sciences,<ref name="gpollock" /> and her holding it symbolizes expressing knowledge that creates harmony.<ref name="Kinsley1988" /><ref>Some texts refer to her as "goddess of harmony"; for example: {{cite book |last=Wilkes |first=John |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=3BnL4ahP4DEC |title=Encyclopaedia Londinensis |year=1827 |volume=22 |page=669 |via=Google Books}}</ref> Saraswati is also associated with ''anurāga'', the love for and rhythm of music, which represents all emotions and feelings expressed in speech or music.

A hamsa – either a [[Biology:Swan|swan]] or a goose – is often shown near her feet. In [[Religion:Hindu mythology|Hindu mythology]], the hamsa is a sacred bird, which if offered a mixture of milk and water, is said to be able to drink the milk alone. It thus symbolizes the ability to discriminate between good and evil, essence from the outward show, and the eternal from the evanescent.<ref name="gpollock" /> Due to her association with the swan, Saraswati is also referred to as ''Hamsavāhini'', which means "she who has a hamsa as her vehicle". The swan is also a symbolism for spiritual perfection, transcendence and [[Philosophy:Moksha|moksha]].<ref name="jholm" /><ref>{{cite book |last=Schuon |first=Frithjof |title=Spiritual Perspectives and Human Facts |year=2007 |isbn=978-1933316420 |page=281}}</ref>

Sometimes a ''citramekhala'' (also called ''mayura'', peacock) is shown beside the goddess. The peacock symbolizes colorful splendor, the celebration of dance, and – as the devourer of snakes – the alchemical ability to transmute the serpent poison of self into the radiant plumage of [[Philosophy:Enlightenment in Buddhism|enlightenment]].<ref>{{cite book |last=Werness |first=Hope B. |title=Animal Symbolism in World Art |publisher=Bloomsbury Academic |year=2007 |isbn=978-0826419132 |series=Continuum Encyclopedia |pages=319–320}}</ref>

=== As a water and river goddess ===
thumb|A Japanese painting depicting Saraswati as a [[water deity, by Utagawa Yoshitora (1836–1880).]]

thumb|A Calcutta Art Studio lithograph of Saraswati by the river, ca. 1885–95.

In early texts like the [[Religion:Rigveda|Rigveda]], Saraswati was a river goddess and the personification of the Sarasvati river.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book |last=Kinsley |first=David |url= |title=Hindu goddesses : visions of the divine feminine in the Hindu religious tradition |publisher=University of California Press |year=1997 |isbn= |pages=55–56 |oclc=}}</ref> As a river goddess, she represented fertility and purity.<ref name=":0" /> There are three hymns in the Rigveda which are dedicated to the Sarasvati River.<ref name=":1">{{Cite book |last=Warrier |first=Shrikala |url= |title=Kamandalu : the seven sacred rivers of Hinduism |publisher=Mayur University London |year=2014 |isbn= |location=London |pages=97 |oclc=}}</ref> A Rigvedic prayer also describes her as 'the best of mothers, of rivers and of goddesses'.<ref name=":1" />

The story of Saraswati becoming a river is mentioned in the Srishti Khanda of Padma Purana as well as in Skanda Purana. In the Skanda Purana, after the events of the Tarakamaya War, the [[Religion:Deva (Hinduism)|devas]] deposited their arsenal of weapons at the hermitage of Dadhichi. When they sought the return of these weapons, the sage informed them that he had imbibed all of their power with his penance, and offered his own bones instead, which could serve as the source of new weapons. Despite the objections of the deities, the sage sacrificed himself, and his bones were employed in the manufacture of new arms by [[Religion:Vishvakarma|Vishvakarma]]. The sage's son, Pippalada, upon hearing these events, sought to wreak his vengeance on the devas by performing a penance. A mare emerged from his right thigh, which in turn gave birth to a fiery man, Vadava, who threatened to be the doom of all of creation.<ref>{{Cite web |last=www.wisdomlib.org |date=2021-04-13 |title=Vaḍavānala Outwitted [Chapter 32] |url=https://www.wisdomlib.org/hinduism/book/the-skanda-purana/d/doc626820.html |access-date=2022-08-09 |website=www.wisdomlib.org |language=en}}</ref>

[[Religion:Vishnu|Vishnu]] convinced Vadava that his best course of action would be to swallow the devas one by one, and that he should begin by consuming the primordial water of creation, which was the foremost of both the devas and the asuras. Vadava wished to be accompanied to the source of these waters by a virgin, and so Saraswati was dispatched for his purpose, despite her reluctance. She took him to [[Astronomy:Varuna|Varuna]], the god of the ocean, who then consumed the being. For good measure, Saraswati transformed into a divine river, flowing with five channels into the sea, making the waters sacred.<ref>{{Cite web |last=www.wisdomlib.org |date=2021-04-13 |title=The Descent of Sarasvatī [Chapter 34] |url=https://www.wisdomlib.org/hinduism/book/the-skanda-purana/d/doc626822.html |access-date=2022-08-09 |website=www.wisdomlib.org |language=en}}</ref>

In the Padma Purana, it is stated that there was a terrible battle between the Bhargavas (a group of Brahmanas) and the Hehayas (a group of Kshatriyas). From this, an all-consuming fire called [[Religion:Vadavagni|Vadavagni]] was born, which threatened to destroy the whole world. In some versions, a sage named Auva created it. [[Religion:Indra|Indra]], Vishnu, and the [[Religion:Deva (Hinduism)|devas]] visited Saraswati, requesting her to deposit the fire in the western ocean, in order to protect the universe.<ref>{{Cite book |last=General |first=India Office of the Registrar |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=zQEdAQAAMAAJ&q=Vadavagni+Saraswati |title=Census of India, 1961: Gujarat |date=1965 |publisher=Manager of Publications |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Danino |first=Michel |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8yc7-OirxKEC&q=vadavagni+and+Saraswati |title=The Lost River: On the Trail of the Sarasvatī |date=2010 |publisher=Penguin Books India |isbn=978-0-14-306864-8 |language=en}}</ref>

Saraswati told Vishnu that she would only agree to assist them if her consort, [[Religion:Brahma|Brahma]], told her to do so. Brahma ordered her to deposit the Vadavagni in the western ocean. Saraswati agreed, and accompanied by [[Religion:Ganga (goddess)|Ganga]], she left Brahmaloka, and arrived at Sage Uttanka's [[Philosophy:Ashram|ashram]]a. There, she met [[Religion:Shiva|Shiva]], who had decided to carry Ganga. He gave the Vadavagni in a pot to Saraswati, and told her to originate from the [[Biology:Ficus religiosa|plaksha]] tree. Saraswati merged with the tree, and transformed into a river. From there, she flowed towards Pushkara. Saraswati continued her journey towards the ocean, and stopped once at Pushkarini, where she redeemed humans from their sins. At last, she reached the end of her journey, and immersed the fire into the ocean.<ref>{{Cite web |last=www.wisdomlib.org |date=2019-01-28 |title=Story of Sarasvatī |url=https://www.wisdomlib.org/hinduism/compilation/puranic-encyclopaedia/d/doc241934.html |access-date=2022-10-21 |website=www.wisdomlib.org |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=N. A. Deshpande |url=http://archive.org/details/padma_purana_part1_english |title=Padma Purana Part 1 Srishti Khanda Motilal Banarsidass 1988 |date=1988-01-01}}</ref>

==Forms and avatars==
[[File:1150 CE Hoysaleswara temple Halebidu Karnataka, Dancing Saraswati.jpg|thumb|Dancing Sarasvati with eight-hands (above) is depicted in three panels of the Hoysaleswara temple, Halebid Karnataka ({{Circa|1150 CE}}). One of these is shown above. She is in a classical Indian dance posture, and in one of her eight hands she holds a pen, a palm leaf manuscript, a musical instrument and the tools of major arts. The ''shilpins'' thus depicted her as the goddess of knowledge and all arts.]]

There are many avatars and forms of Goddess Saraswati.

She is venerated as Mahasaraswati in the Kashmir Shakti Peetha, as Vidhya Saraswati in Basara and Vargal, and as Sharadamba in Sringeri. In some regions, she is known by her twin identities, Savitri and [[Religion:Gayatri|Gayatri]].

In Shaktism, she takes her Matrika (mother goddess) avatar as [[Religion:Brahmani|Brahmani]]. Saraswati is not just the goddess of knowledge and wisdom, but also the Brahmavidya herself, the goddess of the wisdom of ultimate truth. Her Mahavidya form is [[Religion:Matangi|Matangi]].

*[[Philosophy:Vidya|Vidhya]], she is the formless concept of wisdom and knowledge in all of its aspects.
*[[Religion:Gayatri|Gayatri]], she is the personification of the Vedas
*Savitri, She is the personification of purity, the consort of Brahma

=== Maha Saraswati ===
In some regions of India, such as Vindhya, Odisha, West Bengal and Assam, as well as east Nepal, Saraswati is part of the ''[[Religion:Devi Mahatmya|Devi Mahatmya]]'' Shakta mythology, in the ''[[Philosophy:Tridevi|Tridevi]]'' of [[Religion:Mahakali|Mahakali]], Mahalakshmi and Mahasaraswati.<ref name=":4" /><ref>{{cite book |last=Eck |first=Diana L. |title=India: A sacred geography |publisher=Random House |year=2013 |isbn=978-0385531924 |pages=265–279 |author-link=Diana L. Eck}}</ref> This is one of many different Hindu legends that attempt to explain how the Hindu [[Philosophy:Trimurti|trimurti]] of gods (Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva) and [[Philosophy:Tridevi|goddesses]] (Saraswati, Lakshmi and Parvati) came into being. Various Purana texts offer alternate legends for Maha Saraswati.<ref>{{cite book |last=Brown |first=C. Mackenzie |title=The Triumph of the Goddess |publisher=State University of New York Press |year=1990 |isbn=978-0791403648}}</ref>

Maha Saraswati is depicted as eight-armed and is often portrayed holding a Veena whilst sitting on a white lotus flower.

Her meditation [[Religion:Shloka|verse]] given at the beginning of the fifth chapter the ''Devi Mahatmya'' is:<blockquote>Wielding in her lotus-hands the bell, trident, ploughshare, conch, pestle, discus, bow, and arrow, her lustre is like that of a moon shining in the autumn sky. She is born from the body of [[Religion:Parvati|Gauri]] and is the sustaining base of the three worlds. That Mahasaraswati I worship here who destroyed Sumbha and other asuras.<ref>Glory of the Divine Mother (Devi Mahatmyam) by S.Sankaranarayanan. Prabha Publishers, Chennai. India.({{ISBN|81-87936-00-2}}) Page. 184</ref></blockquote>Mahasaraswati is also part of another legend, the ''Navshaktis'' (not to be confused with ''Navdurgas''), or nine forms of Shakti, namely Brahmi, Vaishnavi, Maheshwari, Kaumari, Varahi, Narsimhi, Aindri, Shivdooti, and Chamunda, revered as powerful and dangerous goddesses in eastern India. They have special significance on ''Navaratri'' in these regions. All of these are seen ultimately as aspects of a single great Hindu goddess, with Maha Saraswati as one of those nine.<ref>{{cite book |last=Lochtefeld |first=James |url=https://archive.org/details/illustratedencyc0000loch/page/467 |title=The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Hinduism |date=15 December 2001 |isbn=978-0823931804 |volume=N-Z |page=[https://archive.org/details/illustratedencyc0000loch/page/467 467]}}</ref>

=== Mahavidya Nila Saraswati ===
In Tibet and parts of India, Nilasaraswati is sometimes considered as a form of [[Mahavidya]] [[Religion:Tara (Devi)|Tara]]. Nila Saraswati is not much a different deity from traditional Saraswati, who subsumes her knowledge and creative energy in tantric literature. Though the traditional form of Saraswati is of calm, compassionate, and peaceful one: Nila Saraswati is the ''ugra'' (angry, violent, destructive) manifestation in one school of Hinduism, while the more common Saraswati is the ''saumya'' (calm, compassionate, productive) manifestation found in most others. In tantric literature of the former, Nilasaraswati has 100&nbsp;names. There are separate dhyana shlokas and mantras for her worship in Tantrasara.<ref name="davidkinsley" />
She is worshipped in parts of India as an incarnate or incarnation of Goddess Tara but mostly outside India. She is not only worshipped but also been manifested as a form of Goddess Saraswati.{{clarify|date=February 2019}}{{citation needed|date=February 2019}}

=== Sharada avatar in Kashmir ===
[[File:DT5248.jpg|thumb|A carved idol of the crowned goddess Sharada from late-9th century Kashmir]]
The earliest known shrine dedicated to goddess worship in Kashmir is Sharada Peeth (6th–12th centuries CE), dedicated to the goddess Sharada. It is a ruined Hindu temple and ancient centre of learning located in present-day Azad Kashmir. The goddess Sharada worshipped in Sharada Peeth is a tripartite embodiment of the goddess [[Philosophy:Shakti|Shakti]]: Sharada (goddess of learning), Saraswati (goddess of knowledge), and Vagdevi (goddess of speech, which articulates power).<ref>{{Cite book |last=Raina |first=Mohini Qasba |title=Kashur the Kashmiri Speaking People: Analytical Perspective |publisher=Partridge Publishing |year=2013 |isbn=9781482899474 |location=Singapore |quote=Goddess Sharda is believed to be the earliest representation of Shakti in the valley, which is embodying three separate manifestations of energ y, i.e. goddess of learning, fine arts and beauty.}}</ref> Kashmiri Pandits believe the shrine to be the abode of the goddess.<ref>{{Cite book |title=Kashmir and its people : studies in the evolution of Kashmiri society |date=2004 |publisher=A.P.H. Pub. Corp |others=Kaw, M. K., 1941-, Kashmir Education, Culture, and Science Society. |isbn=81-7648-537-3 |location=New Delhi |oclc=55147377}}</ref> In line with the Kashmiri Pandit belief that springs which are the abode of goddesses should not be looked at directly, the shrine contains a stone slab concealing the spring underneath, which they believe to be the spring in which the goddess Sharada revealed herself to the ''rishi'' Shandilya. It advanced the importance of knowledge and education in Kashmiri Pandit culture, which persisted well after Kashmiri Pandits became a minority group in Kashmir.<ref>{{Cite web |title=What about a university by Kashmiri Pandits? {{!}} Curriculum Magazine |url=http://www.curriculum-magazine.com/what-about-a-university-by-kashmiri-pandits/ |access-date=2020-04-06 |language=en-US}}</ref>

As one of the ''Maha Shakti Peethas'', Hindus believe that it represents the spiritual location of the goddess [[Religion:Sati (Hindu goddess)|Sati's]] fallen right hand. Sharada Peeth is one of the three holiest sites of pilgrimage for Kashmiri Pandits, alongside the Martand Sun Temple and the Amarnath Temple.

== Worship ==

=== Temples ===
{{multiple image
| direction         = vertical
| align             = right
| width             = 220
| footer            = Saraswati temple at Pilani in North Indian style (above), and South Indian style (below). Her temples, like her iconography, often resonate in white themes.
| image1            = Saraswati Mandir Temple.jpg
| image2            = Basara Temple view.jpg
}}
There are many Hindu temples dedicated to Saraswati around the world. Some notable temples include the Gnana Saraswati Temple in Basar on the banks of the River Godavari, the Wargal Saraswati and Shri Saraswati Kshetramu temples in Medak, Telangana. In Karnataka, one of many Saraswati/Sharada pilgrimage spots is Shringeri Sharadamba Temple. In Ernakulam district of Kerala, there is a famous Saraswati temple in North Paravur, namely, Dakshina Mookambika Temple North Paravur. In Tamil Nadu, Koothanur hosts a Saraswati temple. In her identity as [[Religion:Brahmani|Brahmani]], [[Religion:Brahmani#Some famous Brahmani temples in India|additional Saraswati temples]] can be found throughout Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh. Jnaneshwari Peeth in Karki village of coastal Karnataka also houses a temple dedicated to Saraswati, where she is known as ''Jnaneshwari''.{{citation needed|date=December 2023}}

=== Festivals and pujas ===

One of the most famous festivals associated with Goddess Saraswati is the Hindu festival of Vasant Panchami. Celebrated on the 5th day in the Hindu calendar month of Magha, it is also known as Saraswati Puja and Saraswati Jayanti in India.

==== In south India ====
In Kerala and Tamil Nadu, the last three days of the Navaratri festival, i.e., Ashtami, Navami, and Dashami, are celebrated as Saraswati Puja.<ref>{{cite news |date=2013-10-05 |title=Navratri rituals: Golu, Saraswati Puja, Vidyarambham&nbsp;... |page=4 |newspaper=The Deccan Chronicle |url=http://www.rediff.com/getahead/slide-show/slide-show-1-specials-festival-navratri-rituals-golu-saraswati-puja-vidyarambham/20131005.htm#4 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131015051420/http://www.rediff.com/getahead/slide-show/slide-show-1-specials-festival-navratri-rituals-golu-saraswati-puja-vidyarambham/20131005.htm#4 |archive-date=15 October 2013 |df=dmy-all}}</ref>[[File:Saraswathi Devi.JPG|200px|thumb|Saraswati Devi idol at home]] The celebrations start with the ''Puja Vypu'' (Placing for Worship). It consists of placing the books for puja on the Ashtami day. It may be in one's own house, in the local nursery school run by traditional teachers, or in the local temple. The books are taken out for reading, after worship, only on the morning of the third day (Vijaya Dashami). It is called ''Puja Eduppu'' (Taking [from] Puja). On the Vijaya Dashami day, Kerala and Tamil Nadu celebrate the ''Eḻuthiniruthu'' or "Initiation of writing" for children, before they are admitted to nursery schools. This is also called ''Vidyarambham''. The child is often ritually taught to write for the first time on rice spread in a plate with their index finger, guided by an elder of the family, or by a teacher.<ref>{{cite news |date=2013-10-11 |title=Thiruvananthapuram gears up for Vidyarambham day |newspaper=The Hindu |url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Thiruvananthapuram/thiruvananthapuram-gears-up-for-vidyarambham-day/article5224518.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131014192143/http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Thiruvananthapuram/thiruvananthapuram-gears-up-for-vidyarambham-day/article5224518.ece |archive-date=14 October 2013 |df=dmy-all}}</ref>

==== In east and northeast India ====
[[File:Goddess Saraswati Puja Festival.jpg|thumb|Saraswati Puja preparations in Bangladesh]]
thumb|Saraswati statue in Central [[Kolkata, 2011.]]

In Assam, Odisha, West Bengal and Tripura, Goddess Saraswati is worshipped on Vasant Panchami, a Hindu festival celebrated every year on the 5th day in the Hindu calendar month of Magha (about February). Hindus celebrate this festival in temples, homes and educational institutes alike.<ref>{{cite book |last=Roy |first=Christian |url=https://archive.org/details/traditionalfesti0000royc/page/192 |title=Traditional Festivals: A multicultural encyclopedia |publisher=ABC-CLIO |year=2005 |isbn=9781576070895 |volume=2 |pages=[https://archive.org/details/traditionalfesti0000royc/page/192 192–193]}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last=Knapp |first=Stephen |title=The Power of the Dharma: An introduction to Hinduism and Vedic culture |publisher=iUniverse |year=2006 |isbn=9780595837489 |page=94 |chapter=The Dharmic Festivals}}</ref>

==== In north, west, and central India ====
In Bihar and Jharkhand, Vasant Panchami is commonly known as Saraswati Puja. On this day, Goddess Saraswati is worshipped in schools, colleges, educational institutes as well as in institutes associated with music and dance. Cultural programmes are also organised in schools and institutes on this day. People especially students worship Goddess Saraswati also in pandals (a tent made up of colourful clothes, decorated with lights and other decorative items). In these states, on the occasion of Saraswati Puja, Goddess Saraswati is worshipped in the form of idol, made up of soil. On Saraswati Puja, the idol is worshipped by people and prasad is distributed among the devotees after [[Religion:Puja (Hinduism)|puja]]. Prasad mainly consists of boondi (''motichoor''), pieces of carrot, peas and Indian plum (ber). On the next day or any day depending on religious condition, the idol is immersed in a pond (known as Murti Visarjan or Pratima Visarjan) after performing a Havana (immolation), with full joy and fun, playing with abir and gulal. After Pratima Visarjan, members involved in the organisation of puja ceremony eat khichdi together.{{citation needed|date=December 2023}}

In Goa, Saraswati Puja starts with Saraswati Avahan on Maha Saptami and ends on Vijayadashami with Saraswati Udasan or Visarjan.<ref name="goa">{{cite news |last1=Kerkar |first1=Rajendra |date=5 October 2011 |title=Saraswati Puja: Worshipping knowledge, education |newspaper=Times of India |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/Saraswati-Puja-Worshipping-knowledge-education/articleshow/10242689.cms |url-status=live |access-date=19 October 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180610073619/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/Saraswati-Puja-Worshipping-knowledge-education/articleshow/10242689.cms |archive-date=10 June 2018 |df=dmy-all}}</ref>

In 2018, the Haryana government launched and sponsored the annual National Saraswati Mahotsav in its state named after Saraswati.<ref name="maho1">{{cite news |date=7 January 2017 |title=Haryana to celebrate Saraswati Mahotsav on Jan 28 |newspaper=The Daily Pioneer |url=http://www.dailypioneer.com/state-editions/chandigarh/haryana-to-celebrate-saraswati-mahotsav-on-jan-28.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180117131332/http://www.dailypioneer.com/state-editions/chandigarh/haryana-to-celebrate-saraswati-mahotsav-on-jan-28.html |archive-date=17 January 2018}}</ref>

==== In Indonesia ====
thumb|Pura Taman Saraswati, [[Place:Bali|Bali]]
Watugunung, the last day of the pawukon calendar, is devoted to Saraswati, goddess of learning. Although it is devoted to books, reading is not allowed. The fourth day of the year is called Pagerwesi, meaning "iron fence". It commemorates a battle between good and evil.<ref name="Eiseman184185">Eiseman (1989) pp 184–185</ref>

Saraswati is an important goddess in Balinese Hinduism. She shares the same attributes and iconography as Saraswati in Hindu literature of India – in both places, she is the goddess of knowledge, creative arts, wisdom, language, learning and purity. In [[Place:Bali|Bali]], she is celebrated on Saraswati day, one of the main festivals for Hindus in Indonesia.<ref>{{cite news |year=2013 |title=Saraswati, day of knowledge descent |newspaper=The Bali Times |url=http://www.thebalitimes.com/2013/01/14/saraswati-day-of-knowledge-descent/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141205124019/http://www.thebalitimes.com/2013/01/14/saraswati-day-of-knowledge-descent/ |archive-date=5 December 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last=Pande |first=G.C. |title=India's Interaction with Southeast Asia |isbn=978-8187586241 |volume=1 |pages=660–661}}</ref> The day marks the close of 210&nbsp;day year in the Pawukon calendar.<ref name="msz">{{cite book |last=Zurbuchen |first=Mary Sabine |title=The Language of Balinese Shadow Theater |publisher=Princeton University Press |year=2014 |isbn=978-0691608129 |pages=49–57}}</ref>

On Saraswati day, people make offerings in the form of flowers in temples and to sacred texts. The day after Saraswati day, is ''Banyu Pinaruh'', a day of cleansing. On this day, Hindus of Bali go to the sea, sacred waterfalls or river spots, offer prayers to Saraswati, and then rinse themselves in that water in the morning. Then they prepare a feast, such as the traditional ''bebek betutu'' and ''nasi kuning'', that they share.<ref>{{cite book |last=Kruger |first=Vivienne |title=Balinese Food: The traditional cuisine & food culture of Bali |date=22 April 2014 |isbn=978-0804844505 |pages=152–153}}</ref>

The Saraswati Day festival has a long history in Bali.<ref>{{cite book |last=Gonda |first=Jan |title=Handbook of Oriental Studies |publisher=Brill Academic |isbn=978-9004043305 |page=45 |chapter=Section&nbsp;3: Southeast Asia Religions}}</ref> It has become more widespread in Hindu community of Indonesia in recent decades, and it is celebrated with theatre and dance performance.<ref name="msz" />

==== Southeast Asia ====
Saraswati was honoured with invocations among the Hindus of Angkorian Cambodia.<ref name="oww">{{cite book |last=Wolters |first=O.W. |title=History, Culture, and Region in Southeast Asian Perspectives |year=1989 |isbn=978-9971902421 |pages=87–89}}</ref> She and Brahma are referred to in Cambodian epigraphy from the 7th century onwards, and she is praised by Khmer poets for being the goddess of eloquence, writing, and music. More offerings were made to her than to her husband Brahma. She is also referred to as ''Vagisvari'' and ''Bharati'' in the Khmer literature of the era of Yasovarman, Hindu king of the Khmer Empire.<ref name="oww" />

== In Buddhism ==
thumb|A statue of Vajraśāradā, a classic Buddhist form of Saraswati, [[Pala Empire|Pala Period (8th Century CE), Indian Museum, [[Place:Kolkata|Kolkata]].]]

thumb|Tibetan style Saraswati from a Chinese edition of the [[Kangyur|Kanjur]]

In [[Religion:Buddhism|Buddhism]], Saraswati became a prominent deity which retained many of her Vedic associations, such as speech, texts, knowledge, healing and protection. She also became known as the consort of Manjushri, the bodhisattva of wisdom ([[Philosophy:Prajñā (Buddhism)|prajña]]). According to Miranda Shaw's ''Buddhist Goddesses of India'':<blockquote>Sarasvati's association with the intellectual sphere assured that she would find favor among Buddhists, who highly value wisdom and its servants: mental clarity, reasoning ability, memorization, and oratorical skill. Sarasvati thus has an affinity with Prajñaparamita, the goddess of perfect wisdom. They may be in voked by the same mantra, reflecting the kinship between the wisdom goddess and the patroness of learning.<ref name="Shaw 2006, p. 236">Shaw (2006), p. 236.</ref> </blockquote>Shaw lists various epithets for Saraswati used by Buddhist source including: "Emanation of Vishnu," "Gandharva Maiden," "Swan Child," "Daughter of Brahma", "Lady of the Lake", "Sister of the Moon", "Goddess of Speech", "Divine Lady Who Empowers Enlightened Speech", "Goddess Rich with the Power of Adamantine Speech", "Bestower of Understanding", "Goddess of Knowledge", and "Wisdom Goddess."<ref name="Shaw 2006, p. 236"/> 
According to Shaw, Buddhist depictions of Saraswati are influenced by Hindu ones. A popular depiction is called "Lady of the Adamantine Lute" (Vajravina) which is described by Shaw as.<blockquote>a white, two-armed epiphany in which she plays her supernal lute, or vina. The instrument is made oflapis lazuli and has a thousand strings capable of eliciting every musical note. Sarasvati's melodies pervade the universe and delight all types of beings in accordance with whatever is most pleasing to their ears. She sits with ankles crossed and knees raised in a distinctive posture suitable for balancing a musical instrument.<ref>Shaw (2006), p. 238.</ref> </blockquote>According to Catherine Ludvik, Saraswati's earliest appearance in a Buddhist text is in the 1st century CE [[Philosophy:Mahayana|Mahayana]] ''Golden Light Sutra'' (of which there are different versions / translations). This text is first attested in a Chinese translation in 417 CE and includes an entire chapter devoted to the goddess, which is our best source for the earliest Buddhist depictions of Saraswati.<ref>Ludvik (2007), p. 145.</ref>

=== In the ''Golden Light Sutra'' ===
thumb|A Japanese depiction of Saraswati as a protector deity with eight arms holding various weapons (c. 1212), University Art Museum, [[Tokyo University of the Arts.]]

In the ''Golden Light Sutra'' (''Suvarṇaprabhāsa Sūtra''), Saraswati appears and pays homage to the Buddha. As Shaw writes, she then "promises that she will grace the preachers of the scripture with eloquence, oratorical power, perfect memory, inconceivable knowledge, penetrating wisdom, illumination, skill in liberating others, scholarly expertise in every field, proficiency in all the arts, merit, prosperity, and long life."<ref name="Shaw 2006, p. 237">Shaw (2006), p. 237.</ref>

Saraswati's chapter in the ''Golden Light Sutra'' presents three main aspects of the goddess. First, it presents her as a goddess of eloquence and speech, then it presents her as a healing goddess who teaches a ritual which includes a medicinal bath, finally it presents Saraswati as a goddess of protection and war.<ref name=":2">Ludvik (2007), p. 157</ref> Ludvik mentions that the earliest version of the ''Golden Light Sutra'' (the translation by Dharmaksema) actually only includes the first depiction.<ref name=":2" /> The early Chinese Buddhist translators chose to translate her name as "great eloquence deity" (大辯天) the later translations by Yijing use "Eloquence Talent Goddess" (Biancai tiannu), though phonetic translations were also applied (e.g. Yijing's "mohetipi suoluosuobodi").<ref name=":2" />

In the ''Golden Light Sutra'', Saraswati is closely associated with eloquence, as well as with the closely connected virtues of [[Memory|memory]] and [[Philosophy:Knowledge|knowledge]].<ref>Ludvik (2007), p. 158</ref> Saraswati is also said to help monks memorize the Buddhist [[Philosophy:Sutra|sutra]]s and to guide them so they will not make mistakes in memorizing them or forget them later. She will also help those who have incomplete manuscripts to regain the lost letters or words. She also teaches a [[Philosophy:Dharani|dharani]] (a long mantra-like recitation) to improve memory.<ref>Ludvik (2007), pp. 158-59</ref> The ''Golden Light'' goes as far as to claim that Saraswati can provide the wisdom to understand all the Buddhist teachings and skillful means ([[Philosophy:Upaya|upaya]]) so that one may swiftly attain Buddhahood.<ref>Ludvik (2007), pp. 160-161</ref>

In some versions of the ''Golden Light Sutra'', such as Yijing's, the goddess then teaches an [[Social:Apotropaic magic|apotropaic]] ritual that can combat disease, bad dreams, war, calamities and all sorts of negative things. It includes bathing in a bath with numerous herbs that has been infused with a [[Philosophy:Dharani|dharani]] spell. This passage contains much information on ancient materia medica and [[Medicine:Herbal medicine|herbology]].<ref>Ludvik (2007), pp. 162-164.</ref> Ludvik adds that this may be connected to her role as healer of Indra in the ''[[Religion:Yajurveda|Yajur Veda]]'' and to ancient Indian bathing rites.<ref>Ludvik (2007), p. 172.</ref>

In the latter part of the ''Golden Light''{{'}}s Saraswati chapter, she is praised as a protector goddess by the Brahman Kaundinya. This section also teaches a dharani and a ritual to invoke the goddess and receive her blessings in order to obtain knowledge.<ref>Ludvik (2007), p. 190</ref> In latter sections of Kaundinya's praise, she is described as an eight armed goddess and compared to a lion. The text also states that is some recites these praises, "one obtains all desires, wealth and grain, and one gains splendid, noble success."<ref>Ludvik (2007), pp. 197-205</ref> The poem describes Saraswati as one who "has sovereignty in the world", and states that she fights in battlefields and is always victorious.<ref name="Harivamsa2">{{cite journal |last1=Ludvik |first1=Catherine |date=2004 |title=A Harivaṃśa Hymn in Yijing's Chinese Translation of the Sutra of Golden Light |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/4132114 |journal=Journal of the American Oriental Society |volume=124 |issue=4 |pages=707–734 |doi=10.2307/4132114 |jstor=4132114}}</ref> The hymn then describes Saraswati's warlike eight-armed form. She carries eight weapons in each hand — a bow, arrow, sword, spear, axe, [[Religion:Vajra|vajra]], [[Engineering:Chakram|iron wheel]], and [[Biology:Pasha (Hinduism)|noose]].<ref>{{cite book |last1=Faure |first1=Bernard |title=Protectors and Predators: Gods of Medieval Japan, Volume 2 |date=2015 |publisher=University of Hawaii Press |isbn=978-0824857721 |pages=165–166.}}</ref>

Kaudinya's hymn to Saraswati in Yijing's translation is derived from the ''Āryāstava'' ("praise of she who is noble"), a hymn uttered by Vishnu to the goddess Nidra (lit. "Sleep", one of the names applied to [[Religion:Durga|Durga]]) found in the ''[[Religion:Harivamsa|Harivamsha]]''.<ref>{{cite web |title=AryAstavaH - hymn to Arya |url=http://mahabharata-resources.org/harivamsa/vishnuparva/hv_2_003.html |access-date=2022-05-21 |website=Mahabharata Resources Page}}</ref> As the ''Golden Light Sutra'' is often concerned with the protection of the state, it is not surprising that the fierce, weapon-wielding Durga, who was widely worshiped by rulers and warriors alike for success in battle, provides the model for the appearance assumed by Saraswati, characterized as a protectress of the Buddhist Dharma.<ref>Ludvik (2007). pp. 265-267.</ref> Bernard Faure argues that the emergence of a martial Sarasvatī may have been influenced by the fact that "Vāc, the Vedic goddess of speech, had already displayed martial characteristics. [...] Already in the ''Vedas'', it is said that she destroys the enemies of the gods, the asuras. Admittedly, later sources seem to omit or downplay that aspect of her powers, but this does not mean that its importance in religious practice was lost."<ref>Faure (2015). pp. 168-169.</ref>

=== Other Indian Mahayana sources ===
thumb|Saraswati, 4-armed, in the posture of royal ease, [[Mahabouddha Temple, Patan, Nepal]]
thumb|Japanese illsutration of Benzaiten (Saraswati) riding a dragon.
In some later [[Philosophy:Mahayana|Mahayana Buddhist]] sources like the ''Sādhanamālā'' (a 5th-century collection of ritual texts), Saraswati is symbolically represented in a way which is similar to Hindu iconography.<ref name="tdonaldson" /> The description of the deity (here called Mahāsarasvatī) is as follows:<blockquote>The worshipper should think himself as goddess Mahāsarasvatī, who is resplendent like the autumn moon, rests on the moon over the white lotus, shows the ''varada-mudrā'' in her right hand, and carries in the left the white lotus with its stem. She has a smiling countenance, is extremely compassionate, wears garments decorated with white sandal-flowers. Her bosom is decorated with the pearl-necklace, and she is decked in many ornaments; she appears a maiden of twelve years, and her bosom is uneven with half-developed breasts like flower-buds; she illumines the three worlds with the immeasurable light that radiates from her body.<ref>Bhattacharyya, Benoytosh (1924). ''The Indian Buddhist Iconography Mainly Based on the Sādhanamālā and Other Cognate Tāntric Texts of Rituals,'' p. 151. Oxford University Press.</ref></blockquote>In the ''Sādhanamālā,'' the mantra of Saraswati is: oṃ hrīḥ mahāmāyāṅge mahāsarasvatyai namaḥ

The ''Sādhanamālā'' also depicts other forms of Saraswati, including Vajravīṇā Sarasvatī (similar to Mahāsarasvatī except she carries a [[Engineering:Veena|veena]]), Vajraśāradā Sarasvatī (who has three eyes, sits on a white lotus, her head is decorated by a crescent and holds a book and a lotus), Vajrasarasvatī (has six hands and three heads with brown hair rising upwards), and Āryasarasvatī (sixteen year old girl carrying the Prajñapramita sutra and a lotus).<ref>Bhattacharyya, Benoytosh (1924). ''The Indian Buddhist Iconography Mainly Based on the Sādhanamālā and Other Cognate Tāntric Texts of Rituals,'' pp. 151-152. Oxford University Press.</ref>

According to the ''Kāraṇḍavyūha Sūtra'' ({{circa}} 4th century - 5th century CE.''), Saraswati was born from the eyetooth of [[Religion:Avalokiteśvara|Avalokiteshvara]].<ref name="Shaw 2006, p. 237"/>

Saraswati is also briefly mentioned in the [[Philosophy:Vajrayana|esoteric]] ''Vairochanabhisambodhi Sutra'' as one of the divinities of the western quarter of the Outer Vajra section of the [[Philosophy:Womb Realm|Womb Realm Mandala]] along with [[Religion:Prithvi|Prithvi]], Vishnu (Narayana), Skanda (Kumara), [[Religion:Vayu|Vayu]], Chandra, and their retinue. The text later also describes the [[Engineering:Veena|veena]] as Saraswati's symbol.<ref>{{cite book |url=https://www.bdk.or.jp/document/dgtl-dl/dBET_T0848_Vairocana_2005.pdf |title=The Vairocanābhisaṃbodhi Sūtra |date=2005 |publisher=Bukkyō Dendō Kyōkai; Numata Center for Buddhist Translation and Research |series=BDK English Tripiṭaka Series |pages=33, 141 |translator=Rolf W. Giebel}}</ref><ref>Faure (2015). p. 166.</ref> The Chinese translation of this sutra renders her name variously as 辯才 (Ch. ''Biàncái''; Jp. ''Benzai'', lit. "eloquence"),<ref>{{cite web |title=大毘盧遮那成佛神變加持經 第1卷 |url=https://tripitaka.cbeta.org/T18n0848_001 |access-date=2022-05-21 |website=CBETA Chinese Electronic Tripiṭaka Collection (漢文大藏經)}}</ref> 美音天 (Ch. ''Měiyīntiān''; Jp. ''Bionten'', "goddess of beautiful sounds"),<ref>{{cite web |title=大毘盧遮那成佛神變加持經 第2卷 |url=https://tripitaka.cbeta.org/T18n0848_002 |access-date=2022-05-21 |website=CBETA Chinese Electronic Tripiṭaka Collection (漢文大藏經)}}</ref> and 妙音天 (Ch. ''Miàoyīntiān''; Jp. ''Myōonten'', "goddess of wonderful sounds"<ref>{{Cite book |last=Pye |first=Michael |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=3Ywz2XOlqEcC&pg=PA279 |title=Strategies in the study of religions. Volume two, Exploring religions in motion |date=2013 |publisher=De Gruyter |isbn=9781614511915 |location=Boston |pages=279 |oclc=852251932}}</ref>).<ref>{{cite web |title=大毘盧遮那成佛神變加持經 第4卷 |url=https://tripitaka.cbeta.org/T18n0848_004 |access-date=2022-05-21 |website=CBETA Chinese Electronic Tripiṭaka Collection (漢文大藏經)}}</ref> Here, Saraswati is portrayed with two arms holding a veena and situated between Narayana's consort Narayani and Skanda (shown riding on a peacock).

Saraswati was initially depicted as a single goddess without consort. Her association with the bodhisattva of wisdom Manjusri is drawn from later tantric sources such as the ''[[Religion:Yamari|Kṛṣṇayamāri]] tantra,'' where she is depicted as red skinned (known as "Red Saraswati").<ref>Wayman, Alex (1984). ''Buddhist Insight: Essays,'' p. 435. Motilal Banarsidass Publ. (Buddhist Traditon Series).</ref>

In various Indian tantric sadhanas to Saraswati (which only survive in Tibetan translation), her [[Philosophy:Bīja|bija (seed) mantra]] is Hrīḥ.<ref>Wayman, Alex (1984). ''Buddhist Insight: Essays,'' pp. 436-437. Motilal Banarsidass Publ. (Buddhist Traditon Series).</ref>

=== Nepalese Buddhism ===
Saraswati is worshiped in Nepalese Buddhism, where she is a popular deity, especially for students. She is celebrated in an annual festival called Vasant Pañcami and children first learn the alphabet during a Saraswati ritual.<ref name=":3">Shaw (2006), p. 244.</ref> In Nepalese Buddhism, her worship is often combined with that of Manjusri and many sites for the worship of Manjusri are also used to worship Saraswati, including Svayambhu Hill.<ref name=":3" />

=== In East Asian Buddhism ===
{{main|Religion:Benzaiten}}
[[File:Eight-Armed Benzaiten - 八臂弁才天.jpg|thumb|Eight armed Benzaiten, Japan.]]

Veneration of Saraswati migrated from the Indian subcontinent to China with the spread of Buddhism, where she in known as Biàncáitiān (辯才天), meaning "Eloquent Devī", as well as Miàoyīntiān (妙音天), meaning "Devī of Wonderful Sounds".<ref>{{Cite web |date=2016-03-04 |title=佛教二十四诸天_中国佛教文化网 |url=http://wh.zgfj.cn/ChangShi/2010-09-01/4595.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304090051/http://wh.zgfj.cn/ChangShi/2010-09-01/4595.html |archive-date=4 March 2016 |access-date=2021-10-15}}</ref>

She is commonly enshrined in Chinese Buddhist monasteries as one of the [[Religion:Twenty-Four Protective Deities|Twenty-Four Devas]], a group of protective deities who are regarded as protectors of the Buddhist dharma. Her Chinese iconography is based on her description in the ''Golden Light Sutra,'' where she is portrayed as having eight arms, one holding a bow, one holding arrows, one holding a knife, one holding a lance, one holding an axe, one holding a pestle, one holding an iron wheel, and one holding ropes. In another popular Buddhist iconographic form, she is portrayed as sitting down and playing a pipa, a Chinese lute-like instrument.<ref>{{Cite web |title=辯才天 |url=http://buddhaspace.org/dict/fk/data/%25E8%25BE%25AF%25E6%2589%258D%25E5%25A4%25A9.html |access-date=2021-10-15 |website=buddhaspace.org}}</ref> The concept of Saraswati migrated from India, through China to Japan, where she appears as [[Religion:Benzaiten|Benzaiten]] (弁財天, lit. "[[Religion:Deva (Buddhism)|goddess]] of eloquence").<ref>{{cite thesis |first=Catherine |last=Ludvik |year=2001 |title=From Sarasvati to Benzaiten |type=Ph.D. |location=University of Toronto |publisher=National Library of Canada |url=https://tspace.library.utoronto.ca/bitstream/1807/15465/1/NQ58639.pdf |format=PDF download |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140911123839/https://tspace.library.utoronto.ca/bitstream/1807/15465/1/NQ58639.pdf |archive-date=11 September 2014 |df=dmy-all}}</ref> Worship of Benzaiten arrived in Japan during the 6th through 8th centuries. She is often depicted holding a ''biwa'', a traditional Japanese lute musical instrument. She is enshrined on numerous locations throughout Japan such as the Kamakura's Zeniarai Benzaiten Ugafuku Shrine or Nagoya's Kawahara Shrine;<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Suzuki |first=T. |year=1907 |title=The seven gods of bliss |url=http://opensiuc.lib.siu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2130&context=ocj |magazine=The Open Court |volume=7 |issue=2 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140407072735/http://opensiuc.lib.siu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2130&context=ocj |archive-date=7 April 2014}}</ref> the three biggest shrines in Japan in her honour are at the Enoshima Island in Sagami Bay, the Chikubu Island in Lake Biwa, and the Itsukushima Island in Seto Inland Sea.

In Japanese esoteric Buddhism (mikkyo), the main mantra for this deity is:<blockquote>''Oṃ'' ''Sarasvatyai [[Religion:Svāhā|svāhā]]'' (Sino-Japanese: ''On Sarasabatei-ei Sowaka'')''.''<ref>Saroj Kumar Chaudhuri (2003). ''Hindu Gods and Goddesses in Japan,'' p. 54. Vedams eBooks (P) Ltd.</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Goddess Benzaiten, A-to-Z Dictionary of Japanese Buddhist / Shinto Statues |url=https://www.onmarkproductions.com/html/benzaiten.shtml |access-date=2023-11-04 |website=www.onmarkproductions.com}}</ref></blockquote>

=== In Indo-Tibetan Buddhism ===
[[File:The Goddess Sarasvati LACMA M.84.32.6.jpg|thumb|Saraswati in an 18th-century CE Tibetan artwork, holding a stick zither]]

In the Indo-Tibetan Buddhism of the Himalayan regions, Saraswati is known as ''Yangchenma'' ({{Bo|t=དབྱངས་ཅན་མ|w=dbyangs can ma|s=yang chen ma}}),<ref>{{cite book |author=Jamgon Mipham |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=c6Z8KqdF6LoC |title=Mo: The Tibetan Divination System |publisher=Shambhala |year=2000 |isbn=978-1-55939-848-0 |pages=149–150 |via=Google Books}}</ref> which means '"Goddess of Melodious Voice". She is also called the Tara of Music ({{Bo|t=དབྱངས་ཅན་སྒྲོལ་མ|w=dbyangs can sgrol ma|s=yang chen dröl ma}}) as one of the 21 [[Religion:Tara (Buddhism)|Taras]]. She is also considered the consort of Manjushri, [[Philosophy:Bodhisattva|bodhisattva]] of Wisdom.<ref name="Sherab2007p65">{{cite book |author=Khenchen Palden Sherab |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ZZ5g8dpx8yQC&pg=PA65 |title=Tara's Enlightened Activity: An oral commentary on the twenty-one praises to Tara |publisher=Shambhala |year=2007 |isbn=978-1-55939-864-0 |pages=65–68 |via=Google Books}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |author=Jampa Mackenzie Stewart |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=GSSXAgAAQBAJ&pg=PT231 |title=The Life of Longchenpa: The Omniscient Dharma King of the Vast Expanse |publisher=Shambhala Publications |year=2014 |isbn=978-0-8348-2911-4 |via=Google Books}}</ref> Saraswati is the divine embodiment & bestower of enlightened eloquence & inspiration. For all those engaged in creative endeavours in Tibetan Buddhism she is a patroness of the arts, sciences, music, language, literature, history, poetry & philosophy.

Saraswati also became associated with the Tibetan deity [[Unsolved:Palden Lhamo|Palden Lhamo]] (Glorious Goddess) who is a fierce protector deity in the Gelugpa tradition known as Magzor Gyalmo (the Queen who Repels Armies).<ref>{{Cite web |title=Buddhist Protector: Shri Devi, Magzor Gyalmo Main Page |url=https://www.himalayanart.org/search/set.cfm?setID=358 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171026111616/https://www.himalayanart.org/search/set.cfm?setID=358 |archive-date=26 October 2017 |access-date=2017-10-26 |website=www.himalayanart.org |df=dmy-all}}</ref> Saraswati was the [[Religion:Yidam|yidam]] (principal personal meditational deity) of 14th century Tibetan monk Je Tsongkhapa, who composed a devotional poem to her.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Tsongkhapa |first1=Je |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=pwZfBwAAQBAJ&q=Sarasvati+Tsongkhapa&pg=PT413 |title=Prayer to Sarasvati |date=24 March 2015 |publisher=Simon and Schuster |isbn=9780861717705 |via=Google Books}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Kilty |first1=Gavin |url=http://www.wisdompubs.org/book/splendor-autumn-moon |title=The Splendor of an Autumn Moon: The devotional verse of Tsongkhapa |date=June 15, 2001 |publisher=Wisdom Publications |isbn=0861711920 |access-date=24 January 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180125015414/http://www.wisdompubs.org/book/splendor-autumn-moon |archive-date=25 January 2018 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all}}<br />Also: {{cite book |last1=Tsongkhapa |first1=Je |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=pwZfBwAAQBAJ&q=Sarasvati+Tsongkhapa&pg=PT413 |title=The Splendor of an Autumn Moon: The devotional verse of Tsongkhapa |date=24 March 2015 |publisher=Simon and Schuster |isbn=9780861717705 |access-date=24 January 2018 |via=Google Books}}</ref>

Tibetan Buddhism teaches numerous mantras of Saraswati. Her seed syllable is often Hrīṃ.<ref>{{Cite web |title=White Sarasvatī Sādhana |url=https://www.lotsawahouse.org/tibetan-masters/mipham/white-sarasvati-sadhana |access-date=2023-11-04 |website=www.lotsawahouse.org}}</ref> In a [[Unsolved:Sādhanā|sadhana]] (ritual text) revealed by the great Tibetan female lama Sera Khandro, her mantra is presented as:<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sarasvatī Meditation and Mantra |url=https://www.lotsawahouse.org/tibetan-masters/sera-khandro/concise-sarasvati |access-date=2023-11-04 |website=www.lotsawahouse.org}}</ref><blockquote>Oṃ hrīṃ devi prajñā vārdhani ye svāhā</blockquote>

=== In South East Asian Buddhism ===
[[File:Thurathadi, Insein Kyaukdawgyi Buddha.JPG|thumb|Statue of Thurathadi at Kyauktawgyi Buddha Temple (Yangon)]]

In Burmese Buddhism, Saraswati is worshipped as Thurathadi ({{lang-my|သူရဿတီ}}), an important nat (Burmese deity) and is a guardian of the [[Religion:Buddhism|Buddhist]] scriptures (Tipitaka), scholars, students and writers.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Chew |first1=Anne-May |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=09fVAAAAMAAJ&q=Thurathadi |title=The Cave-temples of Po Win Taung, Central Burma: Architecture, Sculpture and Murals |publisher=White Lotus Press |year=2005 |isbn=978-974-480-045-9 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=L0UuAQAAIAAJ&q=Thurathadi |title=Myanmar (Burma). |publisher=Lonely Planet Publications |year=2000 |isbn=978-0-86442-703-8 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last=Silverstein |first=Josef |title=Independent Burma at forty years |publisher=Cornell University |year=1989 |isbn=978-0877271215 |series=Monograph Southeast Asia Program |volume=4 |page=55}}</ref><ref name="Seekins 20062">{{cite book |last=Seekins |first=Donald |title=Historical Dictionary of Burma (Myanmar) |year=2006 |isbn=978-0810854765}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Badgley |first1=John H. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xo4MEAAAQBAJ&q=Thuyathadi&pg=PT221 |title=Red peacocks : commentaries on Burmese socialist nationalism |last2=Kyaw |first2=Aye |publisher=Readworthy |isbn=978-93-5018-162-1 |language=en}}</ref> Students in Myanmar often pray for her blessings before their exams.<ref name="Seekins 20062"/>{{rp|327}} She is an important deity to the esoteric [[Religion:Weizza|weizza]]s (Buddhist wizards) of Burma.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Scott |first1=Sir James George |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=zo8rAQAAIAAJ&q=Thurathadi |title=The Burman: His Life and Notions |publisher=Macmillan and Company, limited |year=1910 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Maung |first1=Shwe Lu |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=CCRwAAAAMAAJ&q=Thurathadi |title=Burma, Nationalism and Ideology: An Analysis of Society, Culture, and Politics |publisher=University Press |year=1989 |isbn=978-984-05-1114-3 |language=en}}</ref>

In ancient Thai literature, Saraswati ({{lang-th|สุรัสวดี}}; {{RTGS|''Suratsawadi''}}) is the goddess of speech and learning, and consort of Brahma.<ref>{{cite book |last=McFarland |first=George |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=h3lb3jZaYI4C&pg=PA790 |title=Thai-English Dictionary |publisher=Stanford University Press |year=1944 |isbn=9780804703833 |page=790 |via=Google Books}}</ref> Over time, Hindu and Buddhist concepts merged in Thailand. Icons of Saraswati with other deities of India are found in old Thai ''wats''.<ref>{{cite book |author=Patit Paban Mishra |title=The History of Thailand |year=2010 |isbn=978-0313340918}}</ref> Amulets with Saraswati and a peacock are also found in Thailand.

== In Jainism ==
[[File:Saraswati Pata.jpg|thumb|Saraswati Pata. The painting is divided into nine parts. In three central panels a temple enshrining Saraswati and her vahana, Hamsa, are depicted. Other panels are filled with attendants, musicians, dancers and Jain monks. Jain style, Gujarat, 1475–1500. National Museum, New Delhi.]]
Saraswati is also revered in Jainism as the goddess of knowledge and is regarded as the source of all learning. She is known as Srutadevata, Sarada, and Vagisvari.<ref>{{Cite book |last=S |first=Prasad |url= |title=River and Goddess Worship in India: changing perceptions and manifestations of sarasvati. |publisher=Routledge |year=2019 |isbn=978-0-367-88671-4 |location=New York: New York |pages=280 |oclc=}}</ref> Saraswati is depicted in a standing posture with four arms, one holding a text, another holding a rosary and the remaining two holding the [[Engineering:Veena|Veena]]. Saraswati is seated on a lotus with the peacock as her vehicle. Saraswati is also regarded as responsible for dissemination of tirthankars sermon.{{Sfn|Prasad|2017|p=192}} The earliest sculpture of Saraswati in any religious tradition is the Mathura Jain Saraswati from [[Religion:Kankali Tila|Kankali Tila]] dating from 132 CE.{{Sfn|Kelting|2001|p=}}

== See also ==
{{col div|colwidth=20em}}
* [[Biology:Aban|Aban]], "the Waters", representing and represented by Aredvi Sura Anahita.
* [[Biology:Anahita|Anahita]] – the Old Persian goddess of wisdom
* [[Place:Arachosia|Arachosia]] name of which derives from Old Iranian ''*Harahvatī'' (Avestan ''{{transliteration|ae|Haraxˇaitī}}'', Old Persian ''Hara(h)uvati-'').
* Athena – the Greek goddess of wisdom and knowledge
* Koothanur Maha Saraswathi Temple 
* Minerva – the Roman goddess of wisdom and knowledge
* [[Biology:Rhea (mythology)|Rhea]] – the Greek goddess consort of Cronos and mother of the gods and titans.
* Sága – the Norse goddess of learning and knowledge 
* Saraswati Vandana Mantra
* Saraswati yoga
{{colend}}

== References ==

=== Citations ===
{{Reflist|30em}}

===Works cited===
* {{cite book |title=Singing to the Jinas: Jain Laywomen, Mandal Singing, and the Negotiations of Jain Devotion |first=M. Whitney |last=Kelting |publisher=[[Organization:Oxford University Press|Oxford University Press]] |date=2001 |isbn=978-0198032113}}
* {{cite book |last=Kinsley |first=David |title=Tantric Visions of the Divine Feminine: The ten mahāvidyās |year=1998 |publisher=Motilal Banarsidass |location=Delhi |isbn=81-208-1523-8}}
* {{cite book |first=Mohan |last=Lal |title=Encyclopaedia of Indian Literature: Sasay to Zorgot |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=KnPoYxrRfc0C&pg=PA4341 |year=1992 |publisher=Sahitya Akademi |isbn=978-81-260-1221-3 | ref={{sfnRef|Mohan Lal, 1992}}}}
* {{cite book |last=Ludvik |first=Catherine |year=2007 |title=Sarasvatī: Riverine Goddess of Knowledge |series=Brill's Indological Library |volume=27 |publisher=BRILL}}
* {{cite book |title=River and Goddess Worship in India: Changing Perceptions and Manifestations of Sarasvati |first=R. U. S. |last=Prasad |publisher=[[Company:Routledge|Routledge]] |date=2017 |isbn=9781351806541}}
* {{cite book |last=Sankaranarayanan |first=S. |title=Glory of the Divine Mother (Devī Māhātmyam) |year=2001 |publisher=Nesma Books |location=India |isbn=81-87936-00-2}}
* {{cite book |last=Shaw |first=Miranda |year=2006 |title=Buddhist Goddesses of India |publisher=Princeton University Press}}
* {{cite book |first=Kamil |last=Zvelebil |title=Tamil Literature |series=Handbook of Oriental Studies |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Kx4uqyts2t4C&pg=PA124 |year=1975 |publisher=BRILL |isbn=90-04-04190-7 |ref={{sfnRef|Kamil Zvelebil, 1975}}}}

== Further reading ==
* {{Cite book |last=Ankerl |first=Guy |series=INU societal research: Global communication without universal civilization |year=2000 |volume=1 |title=Coexisting contemporary civilizations: Arabo-Muslim, Bharati, Chinese, and Western |publisher=INU Press |location=Geneva |isbn= 2-88155-004-5 |ref=none}}
* {{cite book |first=Sailen |last=Debnath |title=The Meanings of Hindu Gods, Goddesses and Myths |isbn=978-8129114815 |publisher=Rupa & Co. |place=New Delhi |ref=none}}
* {{cite book |last=Saraswati |first=Swami Satyananda |title=Saraswati Puja for Children |isbn=1-877795-31-3 |ref=none}}

== External links ==
* {{cite web |url=https://www.britannica.com/topic/Sarasvati |title=Sarasvati |website=Encyclopædia Britannica }}
* {{cite web |url=http://www.stephen-knapp.com/sarasvati_goddess_of_learning.htm |website=Stephen Knapp |title=Sarasvati, The Goddess of Learning}}
<!--======================== {{No more links}} ============================
    | PLEASE BE CAUTIOUS IN ADDING MORE LINKS TO THIS ARTICLE. Wikipedia  |
    | is not a collection of links nor should it be used for advertising. |
    |                                                                     |
    |           Excessive or inappropriate links WILL BE DELETED.         |
    | See Wikipedia:External links & Wikipedia:Spam for details.  |
    |                                                                     |
    | If there are already plentiful links, please propose additions or   |
    | replacements on this article's discussion page, or submit your link |
    | to the relevant category at the Open Directory Project (dmoz.org)   |
    | and link back to that category using the {{dmoz}} template.         |
    ======================= {{No more links}} =============================-->
{{Hindu Deities and Texts}}
{{Hindudharma}}

[[Category:Hindu goddesses]]

{{Sourceattribution|Saraswati}}