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Symbolism In The Image Of Goddess Saraswati

This article looks at the symbolism hidden in the images of Goddess Saraswati, the Hindu goddesses of all knowledge, words, learning,  music and art.

The Vedic Tradition in India has given women the highest place of respect and recognition. The Bhagavad Gita is known as Mother Geeta; Knowledge itself is personified as a feminine deity – the Goddess Saraswati.

But sadly...we lost this tradition and it is time to bring them back to save our future....
 
Goddess Saraswathi represents the ideal Guru, sitting on a lotus holding the sacred scriptures in one hand and a mala in the second hand. With the other 2 hands she plays the Veena.


Sitting on the Lotus symbolizes that the teacher herself is well established in the subjective experience of the Truth.

Holding the Scriptures - indicates that she upholds the knowledge of the scriptures which alone can lead to the truth.

The 4 Hands - represents the 4 aspects of the inner personality - Manas (mind), Buddhi (intellect), Chitta (conditioned consciousness, memory) and Ahamkara (ego).

The Veena - The suggestion is that the guru tunes up the mind and intellect of the seeker to be in perfect harmony with the universe, and thus he surrenders his individual conditioning and ego.

Source: Excerpt from an article published in the magazine October 2000 edition of Chinmayam a magazine of Chinmaya mission.

Additional Thoughts On The Topic -

Reviving the Vedic Tradition of Honoring Women: A Spiritual and Social Imperative

The Vedic tradition of India, rooted in the profound philosophy of Sanatana Dharma (Eternal Duty), once held women in the highest regard, recognizing their essential role not only in the family but also in society and the cosmic order. The Rig Veda and other ancient texts contain countless hymns and stories that reflect the power, wisdom, and spiritual authority of women. However, as time progressed and societal structures shifted, much of this reverence was eroded, giving way to patriarchal norms and the marginalization of women.

In today's world, where gender inequality, violence against women, and systemic discrimination are still prevalent—even in places once guided by Vedic wisdom—it is crucial to revisit and restore the original values of this sacred tradition.

The Vedic View of Womanhood

In Vedic literature, knowledge is personified as Saraswati, the goddess of wisdom, learning, and arts. She is not just a symbol; she is Shakti—the cosmic energy without which nothing in the universe can function. The Bhagavad Gita, one of the most revered scriptures in Hinduism, is affectionately referred to as Mother Gita, underscoring the nurturing and enlightening role associated with the feminine.

Women like Gargi and Maitreyi were revered philosophers who engaged in deep metaphysical discussions in ancient Vedic assemblies. Sita, Draupadi, and Savitri are not merely characters in epics—they represent strength, devotion, resilience, and justice. Vedic society saw women as equals, not subordinates. They were educators, priestesses, warriors, and spiritual leaders.

The Modern Disconnect

Despite these profound roots, modern India and much of the world have strayed far from this path. Over centuries, due to socio-political changes, invasions, colonialism, and internal decay, the status of women declined. Cultural misinterpretations of dharma and rigid social practices reduced women’s roles to subservience and silence. Today, even as laws evolve to protect women's rights, cultural and mental conditioning continues to restrict their true freedom.

India, a land that once worshiped the feminine as divine, now wrestles with issues like dowry deaths, female infanticide, child marriage, and gender-based violence. This dissonance between spiritual heritage and social reality is alarming.

The Path Forward: Reclaiming Vedic Wisdom

The solution lies not only in legislation or economic empowerment but in a cultural and spiritual renaissance—one that remembers and revives the sacred feminine. Hinduism, with its deeply embedded respect for womanhood, provides the philosophical and theological foundation for such a shift.

  1. Education in Dharma: Introducing both men and women to the true teachings of the Vedas, Upanishads, and Gita from a young age can reshape perspectives. When children grow up knowing that knowledge is a goddess and the Gita is a mother, they carry a different level of respect into adulthood.

  2. Women in Spiritual Leadership: Encouraging women to take up roles as priests, scholars, and gurus can restore the lost balance. Institutions must support female leadership within religious spaces.

  3. Cultural Representation: Arts, cinema, and literature should actively draw from Vedic ideals that empower women. Real stories of historical figures like Gargi and Maitreyi need wider platforms.

  4. Ritual Equality: Families can begin small changes at home—ensuring daughters perform rituals, inherit knowledge, and are included in spiritual conversations. Rituals must become gender-inclusive.

  5. Men as Allies: In Vedic tradition, Shiva is incomplete without Shakti. Men must embrace their dharma of honoring the feminine—not just in temples but in everyday life, relationships, and workspaces.

  6. Women in Political Leadership And Decision Making: Encouraging women to take up roles in politics and decision making can restore the lost balance. Institutions must support female leadership. We want real women who are independent in thought and action not those women who are sponsored by fathers, husbands and sons and clueless about their role and duty.

A Call to Remember

As the Bhagavad Gita teaches, “Whenever there is a decline in dharma… I manifest Myself.” The divine feminine must now manifest within society to restore balance. And we must aid in that manifestation—through action, reverence, and inner transformation.

The future of any civilization depends on how it treats its women. If we wish to see a peaceful, just, and spiritually evolved society, we must return to our roots—not to repeat the past, but to rekindle its wisdom. The Vedic tradition is not a relic; it is a living truth. Let us bring it back—not just to honor our women, but to save our collective future.

Related

The name Kali refers to her colour, which is black, and represents the infinite. But it also refers to time. That itself gives us a clue to her function, because time, space, and causation are all processes of maya, the great illusion.

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