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Hi all, [sm=jump1.gif]
Next Sunday, 21 January, 11:00am to 12:30pm. (or thereabouts). An important Puja in the Hindu year.
Ma Sarasvati is traditionally visualised as a Devi (deity) with the Veena and sacred scroll in her hands. She represents purity, learning and the arts. Her bAhana (mount) is the white Swan. Hence she is also called Hamsa-bAhini. Some details here: [link= http://hinduism.about.com/library/weekly/aa020700.htm ] http://hinduism.about.com/library/weekly/aa020700.htm [/link]
and here [link= http://www.vishvarupa.com/print-information-about-saraswati.html ]http://www.vishvarupa.com/print-information-about-saraswati.html[/link]
Saraswati Mantra here: [link= http://hinduism.about.com/library/weekly/extra/bl-saraswatimantra.htm ] http://hinduism.about.com/library/weekly/extra/bl-saraswatimantra.htm [/link]
A good poster or wallpaper (quite dramatic, this one)[link= http://www.sanatansociety.com/free_stuff/free_wallpaper_saraswati_800x600.htm ] http://www.sanatansociety.com/free_stuff/free_wallpaper_saraswati_800x600.htm [/link]
A picture from: 
A good programme for Puja 2007 here: [link= http://www.gsca.us/Saraswatipuja2007/index.htm ] http://www.gsca.us/Saraswatipuja2007/index.htm [/link]
Although to non-Hindus, Ma Sarasvati might seem to be yet another Hindu deity, in fact this is not so. This is confirmed even with a cursory study of Sri Sri Chandi, or Devi Matmyam (English translation ISBN 81-7120 –139-3). Sloka 11:23 reads thus:
Medhe Sarasvati bare
___bhuti bAbhrabi tamasi !
Niyate tvam praseedeshe
___nArAyani namahstu te !!
My own English translation would be:
You are the highest as medhA(*1) and Sarasvati
___You are the synthesis of Satva, Rajah and Tamah (*2)
Niyati (*3) and Ishvari (*4), pray be propitious
___Narayani (*4), Salutations to thee.
*1 : medhA – Nearest English equivalent, awareness or consciousness
*2 : The three Gunas:
RE: Sarasvati Puja
Hi Prashna,
Thank you for the lovely reminder of one of my favourite pujas whilst I was growing up. On the day of the puja I would put as many of my books and pens on our mandir altar to have her blessings. I would then offer honey coated puffed wheat with yogurt (the breakfast cereal Sugar Puffs came in handy here), "ajmeri bore" (I think this is a a dry tasting fresh date with a yellow skin), upto 4 other yellow foods or fruits, and off-white flowers. I also chanted a set of long prayers in Sanskrit. I continued this puja for at least a decade up until I left formal study. However, even once my studies had finished I knew I was still studying and learning every day. So I now say simple prayers seeking Her blessings every morning.
Jai Shree Saraswati Mata,
Cub
RE: Sarasvati Puja
ORIGINAL: Crystal Cub
Hi Prashna,
1. On the day of the puja I would put as many of my books and pens on our mandir altar to have her blessings. I would then offer honey coated puffed wheat with yogurt (the breakfast cereal Sugar Puffs came in handy here),
2. "ajmeri bore" (I think this is a a dry tasting fresh date with a yellow skin), upto 4 other yellow foods or fruits, and off-white flowers.
3. I also chanted a set of long prayers in Sanskrit. I continued this puja for at least a decade up until I left formal study. However, even once my studies had finished I knew I was still studying and learning every day. So I now say simple prayers seeking Her blessings every morning.
Jai Shree Saraswati Mata, Cub
Bless you Cub,
For replying to this at all. It seems most Hindus are simply not interested in celebrating their own glorious Sanatana Dharma. But you at least are.
Ayushmati bhaba, bhagyabati bhaba
That means
live long and may fortune smile upon you!
Now allow me to respond:
1. That's exactly right. You know what we used to do as children in Gaudiya (West Bengal now). The toughest texts, ones that we could not get our heads around AT ALL, we used to place surreptitiously at the feet of mA Sarasvati the night before. Then collect it at the end! I suppose we assumed that somehow, Ma would take pity on us and inject the total understanding of those texts into us.
OK, we too used to give her various bribes. We had a lot more choice. We figured that if we bribed her enough she would be extra kind to us and make our parents proud.
2. nArkel Kul. That's what you are thinking of. An elongated palm fruit, green but sweet.
3. Here are a few sites for you to savour:
[link= http://hindunet.com/multimedia/digiprayers/saraswati/index.html ]http://hindunet.com/multimedia/digiprayers/saraswati/index.html[/link]
[link= http://www.goddessherself.com/mantras/sarasvati.htm ]http://www.goddessherself.com/mantras/sarasvati.htm[/link]
[link= http://www.sanatansociety.org/hindu_gods_and_goddesses/saraswati.htm ]http://www.sanatansociety.org/hindu_gods_and_goddesses/saraswati.htm[/link] for Online mantra and beautiful posters
Enjoy.
Prashna
RE: Sarasvati Puja
Hi Cub,
I thought that you might appreciate the singing of my favourite mantras, the gAyatri.
Here are three:
[link= http://www.bhaktisangeet.com/bhajan/mantra/index.html ]http://www.bhaktisangeet.com/bhajan/mantra/index.html[/link] Very Musical. Male voice
By Anuradha Paudwal - Gayatri Mantra EXCELLENT first plain then music accompanied 22m 17 s Female voice.
[link= http://www.dishant.com/album/Anuradha_Paudwal_-_Gayatri_Mantra.html ]http://www.dishant.com/album/Anuradha_Paudwal_-_Gayatri_Mantra.html[/link]
and another
[link= http://www.bhaktisangeet.com/bhajan/gayatri/gayatri.html ]http://www.bhaktisangeet.com/bhajan/gayatri/gayatri.html[/link]
Enjoy.
Prashna
RE: Sarasvati Puja
Thank you so much for sharing, Prashna! If you know Gujarati, "Tamaro abhar". 😀
I'm going to have fun playing the mantras on in the background whilst I work. Thanks for introducing me to the sites, I know I'll be visiting them a lot. And I love going to sleep at night saying the Gayatri Mantra. 🙂
Perhaps about a year ago I found myself "remembering" a mantra in my dreams. I've never heard anyone else use this particular phrasing and I've not been able to track it down in any books, but I remember the teacher being very insistent in my dream. The mantra has helped me with my focus greatly.
Once again, thank you.