Author – Padmaja Vangala
Sri Ganeshaya Namaha
Sri Gurubhoy Namaha
Sri Lakshmi Nrusimha Parabrahmane Namaha
“शरदिंदु समाकारे परब्रह्म स्वरूपिणी वसरा पीठ निलये सरस्वती नामोस्थूते”
Vasanta Panchami falls on Shishir Rityu (winter). It is on 5th February 2022. It comes on Magha Shukla Panchami. After winter-spring follows. Shishir welcomes Vasant rityu and also Vasant Utsav starts from Vasant Panchami ends on Ranga Panchami.
Vasant Panchami is also called as Basant Panchami, Sri Panchami and Madan Panchami. It is Saraswati Jayanthi. Matha Saraswati is one of three Shakti and Shanta Swaroopini. In Durga Sapthasathi slokas of Mata Saraswati is recited as Madyama Charitra. On Vasant Panchami, Saraswati and Lakshmi Matha are worshipped.
Saraswati Devi is the Goddess of Education, knowledge, wisdom, and Music. Saraswati means to produce the best nector within the body. Seven notes Sa, Re, Ga, Ma, Pa Da, Ni, Sa are Sapthasvaralu a boon given by Saraswati Devi to the music world. Whether it is classical or western music or any form of dance is based on Sapthasvaralu.
On the day of Vasant Panchami idol of Saraswati Devi or copper, yantra is worshipped. Devotees wear white cloths, offer white flowers, white Chandan and Basundi sweet made with milk is offered. It is the day of Education. It is auspicious to perform Aksharabhyasam of the child on this day. Slate and chalk pieces are distributed to Children on this occasion. Books, pencils, and pens are kept at the time of Saraswati pooja. Children and students are given Saraswati Deeksha writing “I’m” bheejakshar with Honey on their tongue.
In some parts of India being Sri Panchami devotees wear yellow clothes, offer yellow flowers and yellow sweets, and worship Sri yantra and Lakshmi Devi for wealth and prosperity.
Furthermore, it is also Madana Panchami who is famous as Kamadev. He is also Pradhyumna grandson of Lord Krishna. Vasant Rityu is “God of Grain,” Kamadev is “God of Love “ and his wife Rati Devi is “ Goddess of Devotion” and three of them are celebrated together from Vasant Panchami to Holi as Rati Kama Madan Utsav for healthy cordial relation among people. Kamadev was burnt to ashes with the opening of the third eye of Lord Shiva.
It is important to note Vasant is Lord Vishnu. Therefore Vishnu is worshipped along with Lord Krishna. Even though Saraswati Devi is the Goddess of Sapthasvaralu, she learned Eighth Swaram (note) from Lord Krishna. It is clearly evident Goddess Saraswati holds an instrument Veena having seven strings, while Lord Krishna plays Flute having eight holes (8th notes). Thereafter Saraswati Devi is crowned with peacock feather as the glory of Eighth note.
According to Hindu Puran Mata Saraswati is the wife of Brahma and Sharada is Brahma Kumari, the daughter of Brahma. There are two famous temples of Saraswati Devi one in Kashmir and another at Basara in Telangana state.
Vimala, Vagdevi, Neelatara, VeenaVani, Neela Saraswati and Maha Saraswati are other names of Saraswati devi. Even on Vasant Panchami marriage and other Hindu rituals are performed.
In Brahma Vaivartha Puran Narada Rushi questioned Lord Narayan regarding the Pooja procedure of Saraswathi Devi. Prior to worship of Saraswathi, Ganesh, Surya, Agni, Vishnu, Shiv, a and Parvathi Devi pooja to be performed.
Naivedhyam:
After the performance of Shodashavupachara pooja offers Butter, curd. Milk, popcorn. Sesame Laddu, white Sugarcane, and Juice, jaggery, Honey, Swastik sweet, Sugar or Sugarcandy, Poha white color Laddu, Kichidi with sea salt and Ghee, wheat flour Halwa or Kheer made with ghee, Banana fruits salad and ripe banana sugar rice with ghee, coconut and coconut water, Turnip, Kesar Ginger, Bhel fruit, raspberry, and Seasonal fruits as Naivedyam to Saraswati Devi. These are favorite foods to Devi.
Offerings:
Scented flowers like Jasmine and Garland, Pearl and precious stones mala, Mango flowers, White Chandan, New clothes and Shank.
Sadhana Procedure:
After completion of pooja recite Saraswathi Kavacham and chant Four lakhs Moola Mantra Shreem Hreem Saraswathye Swaha to attain Siddhi as Brihaspati. This Mantra is given by Lord Narayan to Valmiki Rushi on the bank of river Ganges. On Surya Grahan at Pushkar Brighu Maharshi gave this Mantra to Shukdev. While in Chandragrahan Kashyap Rushi gave this Mantra to Lord Brihaspati and many more gods performed this Sadhana to attain siddhi as Brihaspati. During Magha Month Saraswati Navaratri Utsav is celebrated from Magha Shukla Padyami to Navami named as Guptha Navaratri.
During Magha Month Saraswati Navaratri Utsav is celebrated from Magha Shukla Padyami to Navami named as Guptha Navaratri or Magh Navaratri or Saraswati Navaratri. In Plavanama year it starts from 2nd February ends on 10th February 2022. Reciting Saraswati Stotram and Kavacham is auspicious for health, wealth, and intelligence.
