| Saraswati | |
|---|---|
 | |
|
Other Names |
Vagdevi, Sharada, Savitri, Brahmani, Bharati, Vani |
|
First Appearance |
Hindu Mythology |
|
Created by |
Unknown |
Origin[]
Saraswati is a major Hindu goddess celebrated as the embodiment of knowledge, learning, arts, music, speech, creativity, and culture. Alongside Lakshmi and Parvati, she forms the Tridevi. She is honored across Hinduism, Jainism, and Buddhism. In the Vedic period, Saraswati was originally linked to the Saraswati River as a purifying and life-nurturing river goddess. Over time, she became identified with Vac, the goddess of speech, eventually evolving into the singular deity of wisdom, language, poetry, and artistic inspiration—and is even regarded as the inventor of Sanskrit.
She is associated with Brahma as either his creation or consort, representing his creative power, yet she is also widely worshipped as an independent, celibate goddess. She holds an important place in Shaktism and appears in some Vaishnava traditions as a consort of Vishnu.
Saraswati is depicted in white garments with four arms holding a book, rosary, water pot, and veena, accompanied by a swan or peacock. Her worship spans India and the world, with major reverence during Vasant Panchami, when students traditionally begin learning to write.
In Buddhism she appears in forms like Benzaiten, and in Jainism she is honored as the deity who enables the teachings of the Tirthankaras.
Public Domain Appearances[]
All published appearances of Saraswati from before January 1, 1931 are public domain in the US.
Some notable appearances are listed below:
Public Domain Literary Appearances[]
- Rigveda
- Brahmana
- Mahabharata
- Shanti Parva
- Ramayana
- Markandeya Purana
- Matsya Purana
- Vayu Purana
- Brahmanda Purana