Saraswathy Pooja to achieve perpetual happiness and prosperity

Navarathri Festival concludes on September 28:

by Chelvatamby MANICCAVASAGAR

Saraswathy puja or Sakthi worship or Navarathri is a period of festivity observed by Hindus for nine days or rather nights after sunset in temples and homes in the month of September - October.

The object or aim with which it is observed is said to be to propitiate the Goddess of the universe. The chief forms in which this Goddess of the Universe is worshipped are Kali or Durgai, Lakshmi and Saraswathy.

Goddess Kali or Durgai is the wife of Siva representing the destructive aspect of the intelligence presiding over the universe. Lakshmi is the consort of Vishnu, the preservative aspect, while Saraswathy the Goddess of Learning is linked to Brahma, the creative aspect. Hence, the three forces in the universe - the creative, the preservative and the destructive are represented by these three forms.

It is believed by the Hindus that there are two aspects in the universe namely, the positive aspect and the negative aspect. The positive aspect in creation, preservation and destruction is represented by Brahma, Vishnu and Rudra, while the negative aspect is represented and personified by the three Goddesses namely Durgai Lakshmi and Saraswathy.

The personified sakthi in the destructive aspect of the universe goes by different names. In her mild aspect she is worshipped as Uma or Parvathi who is the consort of Siva. In her fearful aspect, she is worshipped as Durgai or Kali.

Lakshmi is the consort of Lord Vishnu. Vishnu represents the power of maintenance. In order to maintain anything in life, one should possess wealth. Further, wealth in this context does not mean only money. It also includes the noble values of life, the power of the mind and the intellect, moral and ethical qualities etc., which constitute the spiritual wealth. That is why Goddess Lakshmi is worshipped on the second set of three days in the Devi Puja.

Lakshmi is expressed as Swarnahasta by virtue of the fact that she pours out wealth to the community. This wealth is gained by invoking the Goddess Lakshmi.

Lakshmi is described as seated on a lotus. She also holds a lotus in her hand.

Goddess Saraswathy is represented as sitting on a lotus, holding the sacred scriptures in one hand and a lotus in her second hand. With the other two hands she plays the Veena, the four hands of Goddess Saraswathy represents the four aspects of the inner personality of man namely Mind, Intellect Consciousness and Ego.

In the nine-day festival (Navarathri) Goddess Saraswathy is worshipped in the last three days. On the first three days Goddess Durgai is invoked and on the second set of three days Goddess Lakshmi is worshipped.

Goddess Durgai is the mighty power of destruction. She is invoked in order that the seeker may destroy all his negative tendencies within him. Lakshmi, the Goddess of Wealth is worshipped to cultivate and preserve the nobler traits and emotions which are one's inner wealth.The invocation of Saraswathy, the Goddess of Knowledge is the last and final stage in the spiritual evolution of man. Just as she brings out the music and melody from her well tuned Veena, one can manifest the Divinity and harmony with a well integrated mind.

The last day of Navarathri is called Vijaya Dasami Day. On this day, a huge bonfire of the Devil is made and burnt down indicating the transcendence of the Ego.