01/25/2023
Vasant Panchmi is dedicated to the worship of Maa Saraswati. Devotees will worship Maa Saraswati to get knowledge, increase their learning capacity, but also to get rid of lethargy (laziness), sluggishness, and ignorance.
Vasant Panchmi is celebrated on January 25, 2023 The tithi lasts from 2:05 AM on January 25th to 11:59 PM on January 25th. Astrologers consider Vasant Panchmi as Abujha, which is a good time to start all good work.
Vasant meaning the Spring season, Panchmi meaning 5, is the 5th day of the Hindu month of Maagh is the bright half known as Shukla Paksha. In India, there are 6 seasons and their winter in India is coming to an end. Each of the other 5 seasons gives 8 days to the Spring season which totals 40 days. Hence the Holi Season is 40 days from Vasant Panchmi to the Burning of Holika. This also starts 40 days of fast in which we give up something that we like such as sweets, soft drinks, and so on.
In Guyana, a castor oil tree is planted on this day and then in 40 days is burned. This signifies the destroying of anything evil or hardships that may come our way. A new season, a new beginning comes to us and we start by worshipping Maa Saraswati.
Students are encouraged to bring their books, pens, and the tools they use to be blessed. Also, musicians bless their instruments, dancers bless their gungaroos, and others may bless the tools they use daily.
Yellow clothing is recommended as yellow is seen as a nourishing color, auspicious, togetherness and most of all, love.
Note: These were not fully my compilation.
Prayer for Maa Saraswati
या कुन्देन्दुतुषारहारधवला या शुभ्रवस्त्रावृता।
Ya Kundendutu shaarahaara dhavala ya shubhravastraa vrta।
She is white with necklaces of k***a and moon and snow and covered with white clothes
या वीणावरदण्डमंडितकरा या श्वेतपद्मासना॥
Ya veenaa varadanda mandita kara ya shveta padmaasana ॥
That woman with her hands adorned with the staff of a veena and her seat on a white lotus
या ब्रह्माच्युत शंकरप्रभृतिभिर्देवैः सदा वन्दिता।
Ya brahmaachyut shankara prabhrtibhir devaih sada vandita ।
She is always worshiped by Brahma, Acyuta, Shankara and other gods.
सा मां पातु सरस्वती भगवती निःशेषजाड्यापहा॥
Saa maan paatu sarasvatee bhagavatee nihshesha jaadyapaha ॥
May that divine Saraswati, destroyer of all illusion, protect me.
शुक्लां ब्रह्मविचार सार परमामाद्यां जगद्व्यापिनीं।
Shuklaam brahma vichaar saar paramaam aadyaan jagadvyaapini ।
The white, the essence of Brahman thought, the supreme beginning, pervading the universe.
वीणा-पुस्तक-धारिणीमभयदां जाड्यान्धकारापहाम्॥
Veena-pustak dhaarineem abhayadaam jaadyaandhakaaraa pahaam ॥
She holds a book of veeṇas and bestows fearlessness and dispels the darkness of illusion.
हस्ते स्फटिकमालिकां विदधतीं पद्मासने संस्थिताम्।
Hastay sphatika maalikaan vidadhati padmaasane sansthitaam ।
She was seated on a lotus seat, holding a garland of crystals in her hand.
वन्दे तां परमेश्वरीं भगवतीं बुद्धिप्रदां शारदाम्॥
Vande taam parmeshwareem bhagwati buddhim pradam shaardaam
I salute that divine divine autumnal goddess who bestows intelligence.
