Sarasvati Yoga is one of the several combinations of planets in Hindu astrology. A person having Saraswati Yog, as the name itself suggests, will be intelligent. This yoga is given in standard classical books on astrology, such as Phaladeepika by Mantreswara in adhyaya VI on 26th and 27th shloka (verses). When Jupiter (Guru or Brihaspati), Venus (Shukra), Mercury (Budha) occupy houses 1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 9, 10 of the horoscope jointly or separately, this yoga occurs. Jupiter (shukra) must be in this own, friendly or exaltation signs. Thus, Shukra must be powerful in Rashi.
The result of this yoga is that the person becomes famous and learned in all sciences/skills, is praised by all, and has a good wife and offspring. Thus, Mercury, Jupiter and Venus must occupy kendras (1, 4, 7 and 10) or trikonas (5,9). If all these three planets are strong, the yoga will be more powerful. For weak Venus or Mercury, it will be less powerful, and the results will be ordinary. For weak Jupiter, the yoga becomes defunct and the results are not seen.
The planets Venus and Mercury in signs Taurus and Gemini, respectively, for Taurus and Virgo ascendants, with strong Jupiter, will make this yoga powerful. The placements of Mercury in Virgo, Gemini and Capricorn as ascendant, with a powerful Jupiter will make this yoga very strong. When the maximum distance between these two interior planets is 28+48 degrees, this yoga is remarkable.
During the assessment of this yoga, the general principles of astrology should be applied, i.e., none of the planets should be afflicted by malefic. Secondly, the strength of the lord of the lagna (ascendant) is an essential parameter of judgment.
Sharada and Bharati are the names of Goddess Saraswati. But Sharada or Bharati Yogas are totally different and should not be confused with Saraswati Yoga. Similarly, there are Lakshmi and Gauri Yogas, too, but they have different combinations.
Sarasvati Yoga for kendra positions of Mercury, Venus and Jupiter (in own or exaltation signs) also cause Pancha Mahapurusha Yogas. For Mercury, it is Bhadra, for Venus, Malavya, for Jupiter it is Hamsa and so on. Any two can be present simultaneously along with Sarasvati Yoga.
Sarasvati Yoga is recommended for the commencement of education. It is a muhurta (auspicious time). For example,
A combination of Wednesday and star Hasta, when the Sun, the Moon and Mercury are posited in Gemini or Virgo, the ascendant also being one of these signs, or
On a Wednesday, when Mercury is in Virgo and the Sun is in the third drekkana of Virgo. There are several such prescribed combinations.