
Sarasvatī Pujā, the ritual worship of the goddess Sarasvatī,is done today on Magha Pañcamī day everyyear. The festival celebrates the goddess of knowledge and learning. Templesand households are full of activity on this day. As per the Mahā Sarasvatī Upaniṣad,her mantra is
ॐ ऐं गुरु-सरस्वत्यै नमः
om aiṁ guru-sarasvatyai namaḥ
It is believed that on this day, goddess Sarasvatī was born, although this is a metaphysical reality implying the birth of knowledge in Revatī nakṣatra (the last constellation of the zodiac).
Sarasvatī is the consort of Lord Brahma who is not worshipped in Kali Yuga except as the Vedic teacher (see Preparatory lesson –Languageof Seers Part#3) Bṛhaspati or Guru. Sarasvatī is the Goddess of Vāc (Vedic speech,sound) and Knowledge in every form and manner. Therefore this mantra is simultaneous prayer to the joint form of Bṛhaspati-Sarasvatī. Please note that this form is ‘one’ and not two separate deities and that is why the Mahā Sarasvatī Upaniṣad refers to the joint form as being feminine and singular as ‘yai’ instead of ‘bhyo’ after guru-sarasvatī.
Please recite four rounds (108 x 4 times) of this mantra today.
ॐ ऐं गुरु-सरस्वत्यै नमः
om aiṁ guru-sarasvatyai namaḥ
Thereafter, meditate on the sound
ऐं (aiṁ)