Goddess Saraswati, also known as Sharada, the Hindu deity of knowledge and truth, is a manifestation of the Supreme Goddess, other forms being
Parvati,
Lakshmi,
Durga,
Shakti and so on. One who worships Saraswati is blessed with wisdom, knowledge and intelligence. She is believed to have granted language and writing to man. Her four hands symbolize mind, intellect, alertness and ego. Saraswati is dressed in white, the sign of purity, and seated on a white lotus. Her vehicle is the white swan. She is the giver of the power to reflect the essence of Parabrahma, the supreme god that is considered one with the universe. Saraswati is also the deity of music, and appears with the veena (a musical instrument) in one of her four hands. Others hold the sacred Hindu sculptures and a lotus.
Lord Brahma is Saraswati's divine partner.
Saraswati is worshipped all over India during the Saraswati Puja (
Navratri or Dussera, as it is variously called). During this festival, ritual worship is performed on books, tools and weapons.
