Devine Posture of Sri Saraswathi – Jatin Kuberkar
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The Devine Posture of Goddess Saraswathi The posture in which Maa Saraswathi sits is unique in itself. Does this posture have any meaning? What does the Veena and peocock represent? Why is Maa Saraswathi always depicted in White saari? Read this article to know what Maa Saraswathi posture represents and the significance of the veena, lotus, river etc. Goddess Saraswathi is depicted wearing a White Saari which symbolizes purity and peace.
Her four arms denote four sides. Saraswathi is everywhere. Her face always beams with motherly love and eyes twinkle with mercy. This ensures that only by her grace, one can exempt himself from the cycles of life and death and can attain Moksha. She is never shown giving Ashirvaad. This reconfirms the Gita Saar ”Just do your karma don’t wait for results” She hands no weapon to prove that Knowledge is all powerful. She has a Japa Mala in one of her hands. The Mala symbolizes Practice and meditation. She is not shown laud with Jewels and ornaments. This signifies Simplicity as her Abode. A River at the background confirms her association with an ancient River (River Saraswathi).
Lotus is the symbol of spirituality and seated on a lotus affirms the presence of Saraswathi in spiritual world. With an exception to some artistic endeavors, Saraswathi Maa is always seated on a rock or on a Lotus which defines Stability. Her Mount is a Swan. Swan is renowned for its unique ability of separating water from a mixture of water and milk. This indicates power of discrimination of Good and Bad. A Peacock is always shown besides her but seldom is that her mount. This implies choice of truth (Swan) over false appearance and worldly delights (peacock) She is Shown playing Veena. Many meanings can be brought forth by associating Maa Saraswathi to Veena. Veena signifies the artistic world.
Right String needs to be plucked for the desired music. Like wise, Right effort needs to be put in for the desired result.
Veena needs both hands to be played upon and so is the relation of karma with the heart and the mind. If Veena is taken in a spiritual sense then the heavier side (the second resonator) is the divine Bharma and the lighter side (the main resonator) is creation. She holds the balance between the heavier side and the lighter side. While enabling the lighter side to do its activity she controls the heavier side.
The left side of her body denotes subjects related to emotions and the right side relates to intellect. That is reason why the Vedas are always in the right hand and Japa mala on the left.
The four hands represent the four elements of the inner personality, the mind (manas), the intellect (buddhi), the consciousness (chitta) and The Ego (ahankara).
- Jatin Kuberkar
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