Worship of Shri Saraswati Devi and Shri Saraswati yantra

There are several ways to worship Shri Saraswati Devi. But since She is a deity of knowledge, mere outward rituals are not sufficient to attract Her benevolence. To know how to worship Her, it is absolutely necessary to understand Her Swaroop (subtle appearance of Her idol) by getting to know the Science underlying Shri Saraswati Devi’s Idol. A good devotee of Shri Saraswati Devi is one who tries to grasp Her Divine Functions, and also strives to imbibe the qualities necessary to become Her devotee.

1. The qualities and components necessary
in the devotee for the worship of Shri Saraswati Devi

1A. Curiosity and learning attitude

‘Since knowledge is limitless, for the devotee to be able to imbibe all the knowledge, it is extremely necessary that the devotee has constant curiosity and a learning attitude. Due to these qualities, despite a low spiritual level, a jiva can get knowledge of higher stages of knowledge, talent and art.

1B. Intense yearning (to learn)

When a jiva has intense yearning, it can imbibe knowledge even though its spiritual level is low.

1C. Obtaining guidance

It is extremely necessary that the devotee (along with worshipping the Deity), obtains guidance from a Guru. As a result of continuous guidance, mistakes and shortcomings of the devotee can be realised and corrected immediately. This helps in preventing many years of his life from getting wasted.

1D. Perseverance and continuity

Knowledge, art or talent are not imbibed in a day. (Only Incarnations like Shrikrushna can imbibe various talents in a day.) To do this, it is extremely necessary that the devotee has perseverance and consistency. Due to perseverance and consistency, artists are able to create sattvik objects.

1E. Concentration

If a devotee has concentration, he can worship Shri Saraswati Devi properly and can imbibe greater knowledge in shorter time.

1F. Having righteous and good behaviour

For a devotee to make proper use of the knowledge, spiritual knowledge and art imbibed from Shri Saraswati Devi, it is necessary that the devotee’s behaviour be righteous and good. Knowledge, spiritual knowledge and art are mostly misused by those who behave unrighteously, because of which they cannot get knowledge, spiritual knowledge and art of the next level from Shri Saraswati Devi. Instead, they incur Her wrath.

1G. Sadhana

For the seeker to imbibe knowledge of the higher level, having continuity in sadhana is essential. Sadhana increases the capacity to absorb knowledge. To make appropriate use of the knowledge, it is necessary to have a sattvik intellect. Continuity in sadhana helps in making the intellect sattvik.

1H. Humility, less ego, spiritual emotion
of surrender and spiritual emotion of gratitude

As per the saying ‘विद्या विनयेन शोभते ।’ Shri Saraswati Devi likes a devotee who has less ego. Shri Saraswati Devi, on Her own bestows greater knowledge and talent to the devotee who is humble, has spiritual emotion of surrender and spiritual emotion of gratitude, even without his asking for it.

1I. Having a spiritual level above 50%

The jiva should have a spiritual level of at least 50% to worship Shri Saraswati Devi. The jiva’s intellect is sattvik if its spiritual level is above 50%, it is able to worship Shri Saraswati Devi appropriately and can easily imbibe knowledge, talent and the art from Her. In Kaliyug, aspiritual level above 40% is adequate, because in Kaliyug, the average spiritual level is 20%.

1J. More thoughts of samashti than vyashti

Shri Saraswati Devi prefers a devotee who has an expansive attitude, when compared with those who have a guarded or narrow minded attitude. Knowledge given to such devotees does not stay limited to them alone as they share that knowledge with all the other jiva as well.

 

2. What is achieved through the worship

Upanishads accept the relationship between Shri Saraswati Devi and speech. A prayer is made to Her to increase the intellect and for acquiring a sweet tone.

2A. Acquiring the art

Deity Shiva, ShriGanapati and Shri Saraswati Devi are the primary Deities of art and knowledge. To acquire art, the jivashould have concentration, intense yearning and preparedness for hard work; along with this, it should have an inborn spiritual knowledge to acquire the art. On worshipping the above Deities or any Deity for that matter, the jiva can easily imbibe any of the arts. ShriGanapati’s worship destroys the black covering on the subtle-body of the devotee and he can easily imbibe the subtle finer points of that art form. Similarly, worship of  Deity Shiva prevents the wastage of mental energy and helps in the concentration of the mind. The benediction of Shri Saraswati Devi helps in achieving extraordinary intellect.

2B. Acquiring skill

It is necessary for the jiva to worship Shri Saraswati Devi to acquire the 18  main vidyas and upa-vidyas and also the various subjects or knowledge required in the worldly aspects of our life.

2C. Acquiring knowledge

Shri Saraswati Devi holds the Vedas in Her hands. This indicates that She is the Deity of worship for knowledge and She has supreme knowledge. Hence, Her worship helps the jiva easily imbibe the most complicated of knowledge.

2D. Making the intellect sattvik

Worship of Shri Saraswati Devi makes the devotee’s intellect sattvik. He starts paying minute attention to every action of his and the proportion of mistakes committed by him reduces. Just as the swan separates the milk from the water and drinks it, the evolved devotee‘s intellect becomes so sattvik that God begins to guide him from within. He can then differentiate between Maya and Brahman and look at the Brahman only. Thus, he gets the spiritual experience of Brahman and and reaches the state of Brahman.’

– God (Through the medium of Ms. Madhura Bhosale [11.3.2005], 8.20 p.m. to 9.58 p.m.)

 

3. Shri Saraswati Devi’s worship
does not enable every devotee to acquire all talents

‘Some might feel that with the worship of Shri Saraswati Devi, if one is able to achieve so many skills, then why is it that each and every devotee is not able to acquire all talents. Given ahead are the reasons why all devotees do not acquire all talents :

1. Lack of faith in Shri Saraswati Devi

2. Not worshipping with spiritual emotion

3. Lack of continuity in worship

4. A devotee being rewarded as per his ability : It is not appropriate to expect too much.

5. Devotee has only intense desire for acquiring spiritual knowledge

It is not enough for the devotee to have only intense desire to acquire spiritual knowledge. It is also necessary that he have more than 50% of the qualities mentioned above as well.

When a devotee is attempting to acquire spiritual knowledge or arts under the guidance of a Guru, then with the grace of the Guru, he can acquire a difficult art in a very short time.

(From this, the importance of a Guru can be understood. – Compiler)

Arjun had worshipped Deity Shiva; but along with this, he took guidance from Dronacharya because of which he became the superiormost archer.

 

4. The importance of Saraswati yantra (A device or
shape which represents a Deity), drawing it on a slate and its worship

4A. The commonly drawn Shri Saraswati yantra

4B. Giving of ‘Saraswati-yantra’ by Shri Saraswati Devi

In Satyayug, some Seers began worshipping Brahmadev. At that time, they had a vision of a Goddess. There was an akashvani (Divine message) that ‘She is Shri Saraswati Devi’. Some of the Seers had already understood this from within (at the subtle level). This pleased Shri Saraswati Devi and She gave them the ‘Saraswati yantra’. – God (Through the medium of Ms. Madhura Bhosale, 11.3.2005, 8.20 p.m. to 9.58 p.m.)

4C. Shri Saraswati yantra and its meaning as narrated by ‘A Scholar’

‘Through this yantra, according to the bhav of the devotee, the sagun and nirgun Principle manifests through all the hands of Shri Saraswati Devi, takes form and works for the devotee in a short period.

4C 1. Rounded lines

The figure with rounded lines made in the middle of the yantra is symbolic of the veena held in Shri Saraswati Devi’s hand which represents Her kriyashakti (Energy of action).

1, 2, 3, 4 – Four Vedas (Nirgun level)

5, 6, 7 – The number 3 (Represents the three energies : Ichha (Will), kriya (Action) and dnyan(Knowledge)

8, 9 – The number 2 (Level of function in dvait [Duality])

10 – Oneness (Advait) (End of the task)

A – Emission of and absorption of Shakti

B – Kriyashakti (The fl ow of energy)

C – A circle denoting grossness (Ichhashakti)

(Collection of waves)

4C 2. Number

This is the symbol of dnyanshakti in the form of Veda and the japamala in Her hands.

4C 3. The circle within the lines

This is a symbol of Her vehicle, the peacock, and is related to ichhashakti

In this way, the Saraswati-yantra is the actual representation of Her sagun form, and works at a subtler level than the actual Idol.

4C 4. Numbers that go from many to one

The level of the first four numbers in the yantrarepresent the nirgun energy of the four Vedas. Thereafter, through the medium of three numbers, on the basis of ichha, kriya and dnyanshakti, the same energy manifests at the sagun level. Then, at the level of two numbers, it assumes a dvait form and performs the task.

After performing the task, at the level of one number, it attains oneness, meaning merges into advait. Hence, the fl ow of energy from the yantra begins from above, that is, the nirgunlevel, gathers momentum and direction and then, after completing the work, returns to oneness; and thus helps in attaining advait.

4C 5. Rounded lines as in the Marathi numeral 1

The pattern of the rounded lines, like in the Marathi numeral 1, in the upper levels of the yantra denotes absorption and emission of Shakti as per the requirement through the yantra at the universal level.

4C 6. The connection between the yantra’s dnyanshakti, kriyashakti and ichhashakti

Shri Saraswati Devi’s work at three levels is clearly understood in the form of the number yantra. In the number yantra, sankhyabrahma is dnyanshakti. The rounded lines joining the numbers, and clearly showing the direction of the movement of energies in the middle level, is kriyashakti. The circular and rounded lines represent the concentration of the Shakti, which symbolises grossness and is thus related to actual ichhashakti.’ – A Scholar (Through the medium of Mrs. Anjali Gadgil, 14.12.2005, 11.47 a.m.)

4D. The main function of the yantra

‘The main function of the yantra is to attract a particular Deity’s Principle and then emit tarak and marak Shakti that are necessary for the devotee in the worship of the Deity.’ – God (Through the medium of Ms. Madhura Bhosale, 11.3.2005)

4E. Adi Shankaracharya re-activated many yantras

‘Making a yantra is, in a way, samashti sadhana. Sankalp (Resolve) of making some yantras was unexpressed because of which the effectiveness of these yantras was reducing. Adi Shankaracharya made an expressed sankalp about these yantras and thus re-activated them. For some other yantras there was no sankalp. For such yantras, Adi Shankaracharyamade a sankalp and re-activated these yantras. In this way, many yantras were re-activated by Adi Shankaracharya.

4F. The necessary element for effective functioning of the yantras

For the yantra to be effective and for the effect to last till the end of Kaliyug, it is essential that the maker of this yantra make an expressed or unexpressed sankalp about the effective objective of the yantra. The correctness of the yantra depends upon the spiritual level and bhav of the maker of the yantra, and the yantra’s effectiveness depends on the maker‘s sankalp shakti (Energy of resolve).

4G. The importance and benefits of the Saraswati yantra

1. There is 3% Saraswati Principle in the Saraswati-yantra. This is benefi cial to the worshipper.

2. Shri Saraswatidevi’s 60% tarak and 40% marak Shakti is emitted by the yantra. Due to this, even though the worshipper’s spiritual level may be as less as 30-40%, he still gets Shri Saraswati Devi’s Shakti and can easily benefi t from Saraswati Principle.

3. The Saraswati-yantra does not work only at the level of Shakti. It also works at the levels of Anand (Bliss) and Shanti (Peace).

4. The yantra contains the tarak and marak Principles of Shri Saraswati Devi along with some special qualities of Mahasaraswatidevi as well.

5. When the worshipper’s spiritual level is above 60%, he can get the spiritual experience of Anand and Shanti from the yantra.

6. The yantra prevents the formation of a black sheath around the mind of the worshipper. The worshipper’s intellect and speech are purified and become sattvik by performing sadhana such as chanting of mantra etc. while looking at the yantra.

7. Shri Saraswati Devi is pleased with and graces the person who worships the yantra regularly with bhav. He is able to grasp difficult subjects in a very short period.

It is because of this importance and benefi t of the Saraswati-yantra that it has become customary to draw it on a slate (like the one used by children) and worship it on the day of Gudhipadva. This is an integral part of the worship of Shri Saraswati Devi.’ – God (Through the medium of Ms. Madhura Bhosale, 11.3.2005, 8.20 to 9.58 p.m.)

4H. The Saraswati-yantra that is usually
drawn,and the one which has been told by ‘A Scholar’

 

Note 1 – A. The line waves radiating from the pinnacle of the triangle in the yantra are related to desire and spread in the downward direction in the atmosphere. Since there is a greater proportion of Pruthvitattva in these waves, they create a strip of Chaitanya adjacent to Patal(Hell region).

B. A limited amount of other waves coming out of the frontal portion of the rounded shapes spread the desire waves in an upward direction to a limited extent.

Note 2 – The waves drawn out of the frontal portion of the circular drawing showed that the waves are very effi cient in the process of emitting and imbibing at a superior level in an upward direction. – A Scholar (Through the medium of Mrs. Anjali Gadgil, 7.3.2006, 11.53 a.m.)

4I. The importance of worshipping Shri Saraswati Devi
on Gudhipadva and drawing Her yantra on a slate and then worshipping it

‘Gudhipadva is one of the three and half auspicious days. On this day, along with Brahmatattva, Shri Saraswati Principle also descends onto earth 30% more than on other days. On this auspicious day, many begin to imbibe knowledge. For this reason, Her puja (Worship) as well as the puja of Her yantra and Her worship are necessarily performed.’ – God (Through the medium of Ms. Madhura Bhosale)

 

5. On Gudhipadva, Shri Saraswati Devi’s tarak form and
on Dushehra, Mahasaraswatidevi’s marak form should be worshipped

‘Saraswati Devi should be worshipped on Gudhipadva and Dushehra. On Gudhipadva, Shri Saraswati Devi’s waves of taraktattva are active in the universe, while on Dushehra Mahasaraswatidevi’s waves of maraktattva are active in the universe.

Shri Saraswati Devi is a Deity who gives direction to kriyashakti; hence, in the beginning of the New Year She is invoked and worshipped so that She blesses us for the entire year. Shri Saraswati Devi’s worship activates the jiva’s Brahmatej (Radiance of a Brahman). Every action performed on the strength of Brahmatej is conducive to the jiva’s spiritual progress. Worshipping Saraswati Devi on Gudhipadva activates the Shaktitattva in the waves related to Brahmatattva that are active in the universe, and they work for the jiva. The jiva’s mind becomes pure and sattvik as it comes in contact with waves, and its Shaktitattva helps make its intellect sattvik. This makes it possible for the jiva to combine good thoughts with good actions.

The jiva’s Kshatratej (Radiance of a warrior) is activated by the worship of Shri Saraswati Devi’s maraktattva on Dushehra.’ – A Scholar (Through the medium of Mrs. Anjali Gadgil)

 

6. Worshipping Mahakali,
Mahasaraswati and Mahalakshmi during Navaratri

During Navaratri, worship of Shri Saraswati, Shri Lakshmi and Parvati is performed. Three night’s fast is kept thrice, which is called triratri-vrat.

During the first three days of Navaratri, Mahakali is worshipped with the objective of combating trouble, destroying enemies etc. Then, for the next three days, Mahasaraswati is worshipped to increase the Sattva component. During the last three days, Mahalakshmi is worshipped for nurturing and obtaining wealth.

According to one school of thought, in the fi rst 3 days, Tama-predominant Mahakali is worshipped to reduce the Tama component. During the next 3 days, for increasing Sattvacomponent, Raja-predominant Mahalakshmi is worshipped. Finally, during the last 3 days, to increase sadhana, Sattva-predominant Mahasaraswati is worshipped.

Now a days, no one thinks about the subtle aspect of Shri Durgadevi and so on all the nine days, Shri Durgadevi alone is worshipped. – Compiler

Reference: Sanatan sanstha’s Holy Text titled ‘Shri Saraswatidevi’