Transcript Vasant Panchami - Chinmaya Mission Twin Cities

Chinmaya Mission- Bal Vihar
10 February 2008
VASANT PANCHAMI
maho arnah sarasvati
prachetayati ketuna|
dhiyo vishvaa viraajati ||
“Vast is the ocean of Divine
Knowledge,
That illuminates the Universe,
And brightens every pious
thought”
Rigveda 1.3.12
2
VASANT PANCHAMI –
WHEN IS IT CELEBRATED?
In the fifth day (‘PANCHAMI’) of the bright
fortnight of the lunar month of ‘Magha’
(January-February) of the Hindu Calendar
 VASANT = ‘Spring’, and ‘Yellow’
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VASANT PANCHAMI marks the end of Winter and
the beginning of Spring in most parts of India
and neighboring countries.
VASANT PANCHAMI – WHO DO WE
WORSHIP?
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On this day, Brahma-ji created
Devi Saraswati to remove
ignorance and to make human
beings wise. She was given four
hands for mind, intellect, ego and
alertness.
Therefore, we worship Mother
Saraswati – the Devi of wisdom,
arts, education, discrimination
Children are taught their first
letters
We also worship ‘Surya’ (Sun) and
Ma Ganga (Ganges River)
especially in northern India to
thank them for providing life
giving energy and water
WHAT DOES MA SARASWATI REPRESENT?
OBJECT
SIGNIFICANCE
WHITE SWAN
White represents purity (sattva-guna).
Swan represents ‘viveka’, or the ability to
make right choices, and discriminate good
from evil. It also represents the Soul.
VEENA (Stringed instrument) being played
by her
Represents ‘speech’, music, arts, beauty.
With speech or language, we cannot learn
anything.
JAPAMALA: Rosary of Beads in Her hand
Represent the power and energy of letters
(biijaakshara), and also faith and devotion
VEDAS: Revealed Hindu scriptures in Her
hand
Four Vedas (Rigveda, Yajurveda, Samaveda
and Atharvaveda) – the source of all
knowledge and wisdom.
Lotus flowers (Padma, Pankaj, Kamal)
Represent Creation. And also the ability to
remain pure in this world full of evil. Lord
Shiva burned Kamadeva on this day.
VASANT PANCHAMIHISTORICAL FACTS
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Lord Krishna worshipped
Mother Saraswati this day and
became a master of
‘Shodashakala’ (16 arts)
Dramas of Kalidasa and other
famous dramatists were
played for audiences this day
Musicians, poets, dancers,
artists organized celebrations
and functions on this day to
worship Devi Saraswati
Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya
innaugarated Kashi Hindu
Vishwavidyalaya at Varanasi
VASANT PANCHAMIHOW IS IT CELEBRATED -1
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Children are taught their first
letters (especially in Bengal,
Assam, Orissa, Bihar, Kerala etc).
They are given a pen or a chalk to
write the first letter. Big
celebrations are held in
Shantiniketan (a University in
West Bengal)
Books are placed before murtis of
Devi Saraswati for her blessings
They start with worshipping
Saraswati, burning incense,
applying ‘tilak’ of sandalwood
paste
Brahmins are fed and honored
and homage paid to ancestors
(Pitr-tarpana)
VASANT PANCHAMI –
HOW IS IT CELEBRATED - 2
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People wear yellow clothes
They make yellow garlands and
offer it to Devi-Devatas and to
guests
Sweet-meats (deserts) are made
yellow by adding saffron
YELLOW REPRESENTS:
Spirituality, Prosperity, Energy.
Many of our Deities wear yellow
clothes (‘pitamambara’). Hindu
Sadhus also wear ‘saffron’
(yellow-orange) robes.
In northern India, miles and miles
of farmlands turn yellow from
Mustard blooms
VASANT PANCHAMI –
HOW IS IT CELEBRATED -3
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In northern India and
Pakistan, Kite Flying
contests are held – In
memory of Hakikat
Rai Puri of Sialkot
People eat saffronrice, suuji-halwa with
saffron in it, have
musical functions,
wear marigold
garlands