> षटतिला एकादशी व्रत कथा:-

षटतिला एकादशी(4 फरवरी)

> एक समय दालभ्य ऋषि ने पुलस्त्य ऋषि से पूछा कि हे महाराज, पृथ्वी लोक में मनुष्य ब्रह्महत्यादि महान पाप करते हैं, पराए धन की चोरी तथा दूसरे की उन्नति देखकर ईर्ष्या करते हैं। साथ ही अनेक प्रकार के व्यसनों में फँसे रहते हैं, फिर भी उनको नर्क प्राप्त नहीं होता, इसका क्या कारण है?

> वे न जाने कौन-सा दान-पुण्य करते हैं जिससे उनके पाप नष्ट हो जाते हैं। यह सब कृपापूर्वक आप कहिए। पुलस्त्य मुनि कहने लगे कि हे महाभाग! आपने मुझसे अत्यंत गंभीर प्रश्न पूछा है। इससे संसार के जीवों का अत्यंत भला होगा। इस भेद को ब्रह्मा, विष्णु, रुद्र तथा इंद्र आदि भी नहीं जानते परंतु मैं आपको यह गुप्त तत्व अवश्य बताऊँगा।

> उन्होंने कहा कि माघ मास लगते ही मनुष्य को स्नान आदि करके शुद्ध रहना चाहिए। इंद्रियों को वश में कर काम, क्रोध, लोभ, मोह, अहंकार, ईर्ष्या तथा द्वेष आदि का त्याग कर भगवान का स्मरण करना चाहिए। पुष्य नक्षत्र में गोबर, कपास, तिल मिलाकर उनके कंडे बनाना चाहिए। उन कंडों से 108 बार हवन करना चाहिए।

> उस दिन मूल नक्षत्र हो और एकादशी तिथि हो तो अच्छे पुण्य देने वाले नियमों को ग्रहण करें। स्नानादि नित्य क्रिया से निवृत्त होकर सब देवताओं के देव श्री भगवान का पूजन करें और एकादशी व्रत धारण करें। रात्रि को जागरण करना चाहिए।

> उसके दूसरे दिन धूप-दीप, नैवेद्य आदि से भगवान का पूजन करके खिचड़ी का भोग लगाएँ। तत्पश्चात पेठा, नारियल, सीताफल या सुपारी का अर्घ्य देकर स्तुति करनी चाहिए-

> हे भगवान! आप दीनों को शरण देने वाले हैं, इस संसार सागर में फँसे हुअओं का उद्धार करने वाले हैं। हे पुंडरीकाक्ष! हे विश्वभावन! हे सुब्रह्मण्य! हे पूर्वज! हे जगत्पते! आप लक्ष्मीजी सहित इस तुच्छ अर्घ्य को ग्रहण करें।

> इसके पश्चात जल से भरा कुंभ (घड़ा) ब्राह्मण को दान करें तथा ब्राह्मण को श्यामा गौ और तिल पात्र देना भी उत्तम है। तिल स्नान और भोजन दोनों ही श्रेष्ठ हैं। इस प्रकार जो मनुष्य जितने तिलों का दान करता है, उतने ही हजार वर्ष स्वर्ग में वास करता है।

> 1. तिल स्नान, 2. तिल का उबटन, 3. तिल का हवन, 4. तिल का तर्पण, 5 तिल का भोजन और 6. तिलों का ‍दान- ये तिल के 6 प्रकार हैं। इनके प्रयोग के कारण यह षटतिला एकादशी कहलाती है। इस व्रत के करने से अनेक प्रकार के पाप नष्ट हो जाते हैं। इतना कहकर पुलस्त्य ऋषि कहने लगे कि अब मैं तुमसे इस एकादशी की कथा कहता हूँ।

> एक समय नारदजी ने भगवान श्रीविष्णु से यही प्रश्न किया था और भगवान ने जो षटतिला एकादशी का माहात्म्य नारदजी से कहा- सो मैं तुमसे कहता हूँ। भगवान ने नारदजी से कहा कि हे नारद! मैं तुमसे सत्य घटना कहता हूँ। ध्यानपूर्वक सुनो।

> प्राचीनकाल में मृत्युलोक में एक ब्राह्मणी रहती थी। वह सदैव व्रत किया करती थी। एक समय वह एक मास तक व्रत करती रही। इससे उसका शरीर अत्यंत दुर्बल हो गया। यद्यपि वह अत्यंत बुद्धिमान थी तथापि उसने कभी देवताअओं या ब्राह्मणों के निमित्त अन्न या धन का दान नहीं किया था। इससे मैंने सोचा कि ब्राह्मणी ने व्रत आदि से अपना शरीर शुद्ध कर लिया है, अब इसे विष्णुलोक तो मिल ही जाएगा परंतु इसने कभी अन्न का दान नहीं किया, इससे इसकी तृप्ति होना कठिन है।

> भगवान ने आगे कहा- ऐसा सोचकर मैं भिखारी के वेश में मृत्युलोक में उस ब्राह्मणी के पास गया और उससे भिक्षा माँगी। वह ब्राह्मणी बोली- महाराज किसलिए आए हो? मैंने कहा- मुझे भिक्षा चाहिए। इस पर उसने एक मिट्टी का ढेला मेरे भिक्षापात्र में डाल दिया। मैं उसे लेकर स्वर्ग में लौट आया। कुछ समय बाद ब्राह्मणी भी शरीर त्याग कर स्वर्ग में आ गई। उस ब्राह्मणी को मिट्टी का दान करने से स्वर्ग में सुंदर महल मिला, परंतु उसने अपने घर को अन्नादि सब सामग्रियों से शून्य पाया।

> घबराकर वह मेरे पास आई और कहने लगी कि भगवन् मैंने अनेक व्रत आदि से आपकी पूजा की परंतु फिर भी मेरा घर अन्नादि सब वस्तुओं से शून्य है। इसका क्या कारण है? इस पर मैंने कहा- पहले तुम अपने घर जाओ। देवस्त्रियाँ आएँगी तुम्हें देखने के लिए। पहले उनसे षटतिला एकादशी का पुण्य और विधि सुन लो, तब द्वार खोलना। मेरे ऐसे वचन सुनकर वह अपने घर गई। जब देवस्त्रियाँ आईं और द्वार खोलने को कहा तो ब्राह्मणी बोली- आप मुझे देखने आई हैं तो षटतिला एकादशी का माहात्म्य मुझसे कहो।

> उनमें से एक देवस्त्री कहने लगी कि मैं कहती हूँ। जब ब्राह्मणी ने षटतिला एकादशी का माहात्म्य सुना तब द्वार खोल दिया। देवांगनाओं ने उसको देखा कि न तो वह गांधर्वी है और न आसुरी है वरन पहले जैसी मानुषी है। उस ब्राह्मणी ने उनके कथनानुसार षटतिला एकादशी का व्रत किया। इसके प्रभाव से वह सुंदर और रूपवती हो गई तथा उसका घर अन्नादि समस्त सामग्रियों से युक्त हो गया।

> अत: मनुष्यों को मूर्खता त्यागकर षटतिला एकादशी का व्रत और लोभ न करके तिलादि का दान करना चाहिए। इससे दुर्भाग्य, दरिद्रता तथा अनेक प्रकार के कष्ट दूर होकर मोक्ष की प्राप्ति होती है।

🌅🔔🌿प्रतिदिन स्मरण योग्य शुभ सुंदर मंत्र। संग्रह

🔹 प्रात: कर-दर्शनम्🔹

कराग्रे वसते लक्ष्मी करमध्ये सरस्वती।
करमूले तू गोविन्दः प्रभाते करदर्शनम्॥

🔸पृथ्वी क्षमा प्रार्थना🔸

समुद्र वसने देवी पर्वत स्तन मंडिते।
विष्णु पत्नी नमस्तुभ्यं पाद स्पर्शं क्षमश्वमेव॥

🔺त्रिदेवों के साथ नवग्रह स्मरण🔺

ब्रह्मा मुरारिस्त्रिपुरान्तकारी भानु: शशी भूमिसुतो बुधश्च।
गुरुश्च शुक्र: शनिराहुकेतव: कुर्वन्तु सर्वे मम सुप्रभातम्॥

♥ स्नान मन्त्र ♥

गंगे च यमुने चैव गोदावरी सरस्वती।
नर्मदे सिन्धु कावेरी जले अस्मिन् सन्निधिम् कुरु॥

♥ सूर्यनमस्कार ♥

ॐ सूर्य आत्मा जगतस्तस्युषश्च।
आदित्यस्य नमस्कारं ये कुर्वन्ति दिने दिने॥
दीर्घमायुर्बलं वीर्यं व्याधि शोक विनाशनम्।
सूर्य पादोदकं तीर्थ जठरे धारयाम्यहम्॥

ॐ मित्राय नम:
ॐ रवये नम:
ॐ सूर्याय नम:
ॐ भानवे नम:
ॐ खगाय नम:
ॐ पूष्णे नम:
ॐ हिरण्यगर्भाय नम:
ॐ मरीचये नम:
ॐ आदित्याय नम:
ॐ सवित्रे नम:
ॐ अर्काय नम:
ॐ भास्कराय नम:
ॐ श्री सवितृ सूर्यनारायणाय नम:

आदिदेव नमस्तुभ्यं प्रसीदमम् भास्कर।
दिवाकर नमस्तुभ्यं प्रभाकर नमोऽस्तु ते॥

🔥दीप दर्शन🔥

शुभं करोति कल्याणम् आरोग्यम् धनसंपदा।
शत्रुबुद्धिविनाशाय दीपज्योति नमोऽस्तु ते॥

दीपो ज्योति परं ब्रह्म दीपो ज्योतिर्जनार्दनः।
दीपो हरतु मे पापं संध्यादीप नमोऽस्तु ते॥

🌷 गणपति स्तोत्र 🌷

गणपति: विघ्नराजो लम्बतुन्ड़ो गजानन:।
द्वै मातुरश्च हेरम्ब एकदंतो गणाधिप:॥
विनायक: चारूकर्ण: पशुपालो भवात्मज:।
द्वादश एतानि नामानि प्रात: उत्थाय य: पठेत्॥
विश्वम तस्य भवेद् वश्यम् न च विघ्नम् भवेत् क्वचित्।

विघ्नेश्वराय वरदाय शुभप्रियाय।
लम्बोदराय सकलाय जगद्रिताय॥
नागाननाय श्रुतियज्ञविभूषिताय।
गौरीसुताय गणनाथ नमो नमस्ते॥

शुक्लाम्बरधरं देवं शशिवर्णं चतुर्भुजं।
प्रसन्नवदनं ध्यायेतसर्वविघ्नोपशान्तये॥

⚡आदिशक्ति वंदना ⚡

सर्वमंगल मांगल्ये शिवे सर्वार्थसाधिके।
शरण्ये त्र्यम्बके गौरि नारायणि नमोऽस्तु ते॥

🔴 शिव स्तुति 🔴

कर्पूर गौरम करुणावतारं।
संसार सारं भुजगेन्द्र हारं॥
सदा वसंतं हृदयार विन्दे।
भवं भवानी सहितं नमामि॥

🔵 विष्णु स्तुति 🔵

शान्ताकारं भुजगशयनं पद्मनाभं सुरेशं।
विश्वाधारं गगनसदृशं मेघवर्ण शुभाङ्गम्॥
लक्ष्मीकान्तं कमलनयनं योगिभिर्ध्यानगम्यम्।
वन्दे विष्णुं भवभयहरं सर्वलोकैकनाथम्॥

⚫ श्री कृष्ण स्तुति ⚫

कस्तुरी तिलकम ललाटपटले, वक्षस्थले कौस्तुभम।
नासाग्रे वरमौक्तिकम करतले, वेणु करे कंकणम॥
सर्वांगे हरिचन्दनम सुललितम, कंठे च मुक्तावलि।
गोपस्त्री परिवेश्तिथो विजयते, गोपाल चूडामणी॥

मूकं करोति वाचालं पंगुं लंघयते गिरिम्‌।
यत्कृपा तमहं वन्दे परमानन्द माधवम्‌॥

⚪ श्रीराम वंदना ⚪

लोकाभिरामं रणरंगधीरं राजीवनेत्रं रघुवंशनाथम्।
कारुण्यरूपं करुणाकरं तं श्रीरामचन्द्रं शरणं प्रपद्ये॥

♦श्रीरामाष्टक♦

हे रामा पुरुषोत्तमा नरहरे नारायणा केशवा।
गोविन्दा गरुड़ध्वजा गुणनिधे दामोदरा माधवा॥
हे कृष्ण कमलापते यदुपते सीतापते श्रीपते।
बैकुण्ठाधिपते चराचरपते लक्ष्मीपते पाहिमाम्॥

🔱 एक श्लोकी रामायण 🔱

आदौ रामतपोवनादि गमनं हत्वा मृगं कांचनम्।
वैदेही हरणं जटायु मरणं सुग्रीवसम्भाषणम्॥
बालीनिर्दलनं समुद्रतरणं लंकापुरीदाहनम्।
पश्चाद्रावण कुम्भकर्णहननं एतद्घि श्री रामायणम्॥

🍁सरस्वती वंदना🍁

या कुन्देन्दुतुषारहारधवला या शुभ्रवस्त्रावृता।
या वींणावरदण्डमण्डितकरा या श्वेतपदमासना॥
या ब्रह्माच्युतशङ्करप्रभृतिभिर्देवैः सदा वन्दिता।
सा माम पातु सरस्वती भगवती
निःशेषजाड्याऽपहा॥

🔔हनुमान वंदना🔔

अतुलितबलधामं हेमशैलाभदेहम्‌।
दनुजवनकृषानुम् ज्ञानिनांग्रगणयम्‌।
सकलगुणनिधानं वानराणामधीशम्‌।
रघुपतिप्रियभक्तं वातजातं नमामि॥

मनोजवं मारुततुल्यवेगम जितेन्द्रियं बुद्धिमतां वरिष्ठं।
वातात्मजं वानरयूथमुख्यं श्रीरामदूतं शरणम् प्रपद्ये॥

🌹 स्वस्ति-वाचन 🌹

ॐ स्वस्ति न इंद्रो वृद्धश्रवाः
स्वस्ति नः पूषा विश्ववेदाः।
स्वस्ति नस्तार्क्ष्यो अरिष्ट्टनेमिः
स्वस्ति नो बृहस्पतिर्दधातु॥

❄ शांति पाठ ❄

ऊँ पूर्णमदः पूर्णमिदं पूर्णात्‌ पूर्णमुदच्यते।
पूर्णस्य पूर्णमादाय पूर्णमेवावशिष्यते॥

ॐ द्यौ: शान्तिरन्तरिक्ष (गुँ) शान्ति:,
पृथिवी शान्तिराप: शान्तिरोषधय: शान्ति:।
वनस्पतय: शान्तिर्विश्वे देवा: शान्तिर्ब्रह्म शान्ति:,
सर्व (गुँ) शान्ति:, शान्तिरेव शान्ति:, सा मा शान्तिरेधि॥

॥ॐ शान्ति: शान्ति: शान्ति:॥

After a whole busy day you expect a complete rest for your body & mind. And bedroom is the place where you get the relief from your stress, workout and other tension. So it becomes very necessary to take utmost care while placing the interiors for your bedroom according to the vastu shastra precepts.

♦Some general vastu shastra principles relating to the Bedroom are as follows:

The master bedroom is the place where the head of the family gets peace and privacy. Thus it is preferred in the Southwest or South since it is considered to be cool place. Avoid constructing the master bedroom in the Northeast direction. Southeast is also not recommended for this room. While placing mirror in your bedroom see to it that no part of your body is directly visible in the mirror while sleeping. Because that part of your body might face health problems e.g. if your head is visible in the mirror while sleeping it may cause migraine or if your legs are visible then you may face problem such as joints pain, etc.

Always keep your feet away from the main door, while sleeping it should not face the main door. Place the bed in the Southwest of the room but it should not obstruct the door of the room. Do not sleep keeping your head towards the north. Avoid having bedroom near the drawing room. Always keep room well-maintained, along with some scenery. Keep it well-lit and pleasant looking. Always sleep with your head towards south. See that the bed never touches the wall. People sleeping in South-East in East bedrooms suffer from sleeplessness, anxiety and short temper.

The owner sleeping in North-West bed rooms suffers instability. It is best for the house owner to sleep in the South-West room and in case not possible in the South-West room and then arrangements can be made in the South or West rooms.Square and rectangular shaped bedrooms are the best, so construct according to this method, the unsystematic typed bedrooms may not be fulfilled the inmates needs. Care has to take on bed room construction because a place to unwind,let your hair down and put up your feet-all very casual and private activities.For all the time spent and the intimacy it demands,a bedroom takes very careful and detailed planning.Not because it is the most personal room in a house but because it is a room WHERE YOU DREAM.

The bedrooms of the head of the family should be in the south-west corner of the west side. If there are more than one floor, the head of the family should have a bed room on the upper store in the south-west corner of the west direction. This room is also good for adult married children. But under no condition it should be a bedroom of the younger children. There are clashes and unnecessary quarrels in the house. A bedroom in the south direction can also be tolerated. Avoid placing the divine idols in the bedroom., and also divine photo frames As a part of Vastu guidelines for bedroom, if you want to have a bookshelf in your bedroom, then west or southwest corner is apt for this purpose.

The beds should be of good quality wood. They should be solid and must not be shaky. The mattress should provide good support to the body while resting. Box beds are ideally not recommended, but due to paucity of space in houses these days, getting rid of box beds is easier said than done. Make sure you de-clutter and sort out things kept in the box-beds from time to time. Shoes should not be kept under a bed try to keep the area under the bed, as clean as possible. Your bedroom should be a place where you can totally relax. Keep objects that remind you of unfinished tasks out of the room, or at least out of sight. A bedroom should be aesthetically designed with soothing colors and pictures. Have pleasant pictures associated with happy memories around you. The foot of the bed should not directly face the door of the room.

The bed should not be placed under a beam. The South-West area of the bedroom should not be kept empty. Keep heavy furniture or an cupboard here. Do not have your temple in the bedroom.

Avoid fixing doors in the South-West of the bedroom, otherwise you will suffer with ill health, sudden damage to your sovereignty . Finance weak. Disturbed life with no peace etc. Bedrooms on the northeast side of the house will also cause trouble. Upon rising from bed, the right foot should be placed on the floor first. If one is to study in the
bedroom, the east side should be used. The wardrobe should be located on the northwest or southwest side of the bedroom. TV, heaters, and air conditioners should be located in the southeast corner.

Everything around us is all about the energy. Generate the right energy to fill in your lives

with love, laughter and happiness. Everything that we associate with has energy link ups.

POSITIVE ENERGY or NEGATIVE ENERGY. the more positive we think about our actions,

lives and work in hand…the more and more of positive energy is created in and around us

No matter how much we read, listen and learn we tend to fail in creating the perfect positive

environment around us. How we attract positive energy and thereby attract health, wealth

and love in life solely depends on us. The choice is ours…whether we exhibit calmness in all

that we do and attract Positive energy or we show negative feelings to everything around us

and therby attract Negative energy.

There are few simple steps which can always asisst us in attracting positive energy

1) Meditate on a regular basis

2) Treat everyone with calmness and respect

3) Let positivity be the way you look at things

4) Dream of a peaceful life

5) remove all clutters from your workplace and home

6) Give up your ego

7) Stop always worrying for the future

8) Enjoy the beauty of nature

9) Give away the anxiety which fills the large part in you

10) Always stand with a yes to everything…think you can always do it!!

By – k. s .saraswat

One should avoid sleeping or living in South-east as this place been given to Fire element and known for aggression & stubbornness.
East or North-east is good for children study room as it makes them develop their skills to the par progressively.
For over all success and knowledge make your children study facing East or north-east because this place is scared and renders mental strength, determination and knowledge.
Kitchen in South-east is considered ideal because this place is governed by element Fire and incorporating gas stove in this direction help occupants towards the success and progress. When fire is given its place, the outcome directly is positive leading to inmate’s development.
South-West is governed by element Earth attributed with stability and firmness. Therefore people residing in this portion develop confidence with firmness in their personality.
North-west renders its residing inmates with leadership quality, expressive communication and ability to analyze.

The Conjunction: Planets and points that form a conjunction are energies that are united. They are blended; therefore, they act together. The closer they are to conjunction, the more subjective these combined energies are. They don’t stand alone, and they have a difficult time truly acknowledging each other as distinct or separate. In effect, conjunctions can be a blind spot. When the Sun is in close conjunction to Neptune, for example, others may note the distinction, but it can be hard for the native to distinguish between their sense of individuality and their spiritual, evasive, or roundabout nature. The native may just assume, naturally, that others are much the same way.
The Sextile: The sextile is often read quite like a trine, although there is a distinction between the two aspects. Sextiles, like trines, point to some talent and ease. However, sextiles have a little more “oomph” to them. While trines come so naturally to people that they might have to be reminded of their own talents or tendencies, sextiles are a little more overt to the native. These are the talents that people appreciate in themselves. They may be more inclined to notice and work on these talents. Sextiles are communicative and relationship-friendly aspects. They point to energies that are capable of being directed. Sextiles reveal the potential for intelligent use of the energies.

The Chinese Feng-Shui is based on ‘Tao’ principles, whereas Indian Vastu has religious overtones. The Chinese rely on animals as also the constructive/destructive cycles while Indians rely on rituals, yantras, mantras and deities. For instance, if one is born in a fire year, he would be benefited from having green or wooden objects around him, and so on. Feng-Shui is the fundamental base for constructing buildings and has fancied the Western World, though of late. The Principles of Feng-Shui are widely used in assessing, choosing, designing sites, buildings and interior and the idea to live in harmony with nature.

When done traditionally, a Tarot card reading can put everything into perspective in a clear and understandable way. Every Tarot card reading is prefaced by a question, one that you do not have to reveal to your Tarot card reader but that you keep to yourself. Each card will come up in the past, present, or future position and will shed some light on the topic of your question.

Peace of mind has lost by most home-owners because of negative energies and sleeping direction which makes an important factor for losing peace of mind. Sleeping position of people is utmost significant because this is the position in which we spend our 8-10 hours. Our bed surrounds with energies and if a person sleeping on it faces wrong direction then he/she has to encounter undesirable results effecting their health and peace of mind.

The position of our sleeping bed is primary concern in incurring better peace of mind because this place provides us strength and enhance decision making power. We usually spend maximum time on our bed and if this place is not favorable would affect all round peace and health. Vastu for Peace of Mind.Therefore it is advisable to check your sleeping position to get back the power of peace and decision.Always sleep with head towards South or East and avoid head towards North or West.

The beauty of Indian culture perhaps, lies in the fact that each day of the year is held special for some auspicious reason or the other. Naturally, rituals are followed and people celebrate and rejoice to mark the occasion. One such auspicious occasion of importance is the ‘Saraswati Utsav’. It is celebrated on the Magha month of the Shukla Panchami (5th day of the fortnight following the new moon during Spring) and is also known as Vasant Panchami. As Devi Saraswati is associated with knowledge and learning, this day is celebrated by students across the country with much gaiety and fervor. The youth, especially the students, offer ‘puja’ to the Devi and invoke her blessings in order to gain true knowledge and become successful in their academic field. Musicians and artists too, show their reverence to goddess Saraswati and seek her blessings as she is considered to be the patron deity of music and arts. Let us know about the essence of this festival and the importance of Devi Saraswati in Indian mythology.

♦Devi Saraswati- an embodiment of beauty and learning

Bhagawati Saraswati is the deity of divine knowledge, intellect, learning, creativity, arts, consciousness and eloquence. It is believed that she invented Sanskrit- the scholarly language. She is the one from whom the knowledge of scriptures is derived. The Hindus believe that a man’s ability to speak, sing melodious tunes, absorb knowledge or create a thing is possible only by the power of the blessings of Ma Saraswati. With her blessings even a mute can utter words and an ordinary man can compose extraordinary verses. Such is the power of Ma Saraswati. The learned men seek her blessings to gain wisdom and enlighten their minds to reach their desired goal of life.

According to Indian mythology, at the beginning of creation, Adyashakti divided herself into five parts- Radha, Padma, Savitri, Durga and Saraswati and emerged from different parts of Shree Krishna’s body. As soon as the fifth part emerged, Shree Krishna gave her the name of ‘Saraswati’. In ‘Shreemaddevibhagwat’ and ‘Shreedurgasaptashati’ Adyashakti dividing herself into three forms is depicted. These three forms are famous as Mahakali, Mahalakshmi and Mahasaraswati.

Devi Saraswati is a representation of beauty, poise, serenity, intellect, peace and purity. She is known by many names of which Vak, Vaani, Gih, Giri, Bhasha, Sharda, Vacha, Dhishwari, Brahmi, Gow, Somlata, Vakdevi and Vakdevta are popular. The magnificent powers of Devi Saraswati are aptly described in Rigveda. According to the verses of this scripture, Vakdevi is the provider of exceptional virtues. She is a protector of the gods and is responsible for the creation of this universe. She is the one who infuses the emotions of patriotism and selfless work for the nation in the minds of human beings. It is stated that if a man devotedly worships Devi Saraswati and pleases her then he is sure to experience ultimate happiness and pleasure of this world. With her blessings, a man can become a genius in his field of work and create a marvel.

♦Rituals of the festival

According to the Hindu calendar, the Panchami of Shuklapaksha of the Magh month is the day designated for worshipping Devi Saraswati. Vasant Panchami is considered as the birthday of this powerful deity. Therefore, this day is also known as Vagishwari Jayanti or Shreepanchami. On this day, people follow rituals and worship goddess Saraswati with all their devotion. Apart from this particular day, goddess Saraswati is also invoked on the day when young children are introduced to the world of learning and commence their formal academic life. In fact, Saraswati Puja, Akshay Trithiya and Vijaya Dashami have a unique significance. These three days are considered extremely favourable for commencing any work or for any auspicious event to be held.

Nowadays, Saraswati Puja is held in massive grandeur by installing an idol of the goddess at temporary structures (pandal) built in a public place for the purpose of offering ‘puja’ to the deity. However, in ancient scriptures, it is stated that the deity should be worshipped at home. The rituals to be followed on this auspicious day are as mentioned below-

For a devotee of Devi Saraswati, rituals start a day prior to Shukla Panchami that is on the Magh Shukla Chaturthi. On this day, he should practice restrain and follow the norms for the day. On the day of Magh Shukla Panchami, that is the day of Saraswati Puja, the devotee should wake up early morning and get ready for the day. After bathing and wearing clean clothes, it is time for him to install a ‘kalash’ (water pot) and start the rituals for the ‘puja’. After offering prayers to Lord Ganesh, the ‘kalash’ should be installed while chanting Vedic prayers and invoking Devi Saraswati. After this, all the things required for the ‘puja’ should be offered one by one to the deity by chanting the mantra “Shreeng Hreeng Saraswatyai Swaha”. It should be followed by offering an ‘aarti’ ( a ritual of waving lamps in circular motion in front of the deity) . During the puja, the following mantra should be chanted:

“Saraswating Shuklavarnang Sasmitang Sumanoharam Kotichandraprabhamushtapushtashreeyuktavigraham
Vanhishuddhang Shukaadhaanang Veenapustakdhaarinim
Ratnasaarendranirmannavabhushanbhushitam Supujitang Surganaibrahmavishnushivadivi Vande Bhaktya Vandita Cha Munindramanumanavai”

It is believed that Devi Saraswati also resides in all the objects related to study, music and art such as pen, notebooks, pencils, musical instruments and art tools and hence these should be kept at the feet of the idol and worshipped on the day of the festival. After the ‘puja’ is over, the ‘bhog’ or the food offered to the deity should be taken as ‘prasad’. As Devi Saraswati is associated with white colour and represents Sattwaguna, all the things offered, as a part of ritual, to the goddess should also be white in colour. Hence, white foods and objects such as milk, curd, butter, white sesame, sugarcane, white sandalwood, white flowers, white attire (clothes made of silk or cotton), white jewellery (silver jewellery), radish, white colored sweets(sweets made of khoyakheer or condensed milk), grains of white rice, clarified butter (ghee), coconut and different varieties of white fruits are the appropriate offerings for the deity.

Apart from following the rituals on the particular day of the festival, the devotees need to follow certain rituals always- They should show reverence towards all the Hindu scriptures such as Veda, Purana, Ramayana, Geeta and should consider them as the symbolic representation of goddess Saraswati. These scriptures should be kept in a clean place and should be touched when one is clean and pure in both body and mind. They should take care that these books are never carelessly thrown or neglected in any manner. A person can only become a true devotee of Devi Saraswati by following these rituals in the best manner.

♦The power of Saraswati Mantra (hymn)

In Devibhagwat and Brahmavaivartapuran, it is described that during the ancient age, Shreemannarayanbhagwan had told the Saraswati mantra (hymn) to Valmiki. By chanting that mantra or hymn, Valmiki realized his poetic talents. In fact, learned saints like Maharshi Valmiki, Vyas, Vashistha, Vishwamitra and Shainik empowered themselves with pure knowledge by chanting special mantras or hymns of Saraswati. Poet Kaalidas worshipped Devi Saraswati in the form of Kaali and got recognition and fame in the whole world. In Vedas, goddess Saraswati is described as a water deity. Goswamiji rightly said that both Ganga and Saraswati rivers are same in nature. While one cleanses your sins and leads you to purity, the other cleanses ignorance and leads you to the bright world of knowledge and liberation.

♦A day of celebration and fun

Students are in their best form on this day of festivity. They wait eagerly for this day as unlike other days, this is the only time of the year when they can officially skip their studies. Hence, they happily take a break from studies and participate in the celebration without the fear of being reprimanded by the elders.

Young boys and girls dressed in traditional clothes actively participate in the rituals of the festival and offer ‘pushpanjali’ (an offering of flowers along with mantras to the deity). They seek blessings from the deity to empower them with knowledge and help them realize their innate talents. Saraswati Puja is celebrated with the same zeal and spirit at home as in educational institutions. In many schools and colleges, students not only organize the ‘puja’ but also a cultural event in which all the students participate and showcase their talents. After the event, it is time for eating ‘prasad’ of piping hot ‘khichdi’.

The epitome of grace and beauty known as Saraswati who is dressed in white, with four hands, riding on a swan or seated on a lotus fills the lives of her devotees with unlimited wealth- the wealth of knowledge. Without this wealth, even a rich person can turn a pauper within no time.

Dr. Surendra Kapoor