Saraswati Prarthana

Saraswati Devi is the wife of Lord Brahma (the Creator) and is the Hindu goddess of music and learning.

She is portrayed with a white sari (a typical Indian costume worn by the women) carrying a Veena (a stringed musical instrument played by the Carnatic classical musicians). Madalasa is the name of the Veena held by Saraswati Devi and she uses hamsa or swan as her vehicle.
Every Hindu family worship Goddess Saraswati when they perform aksharabhyasam - the first education of their child and seek Her blessings for good education for their children. Basant Panchami / Siri Panchami is celebrated as the birth day of Saraswati Devi.

Saraswati Prarthana
1. Saraswati Namastubhyam Varade Kaamarupini|
Vidyarambham Karishyami Siddhir Bhavatume Sada|
Padmapatra Visalaakshi Padmakesara Varnini|
Nityam Padmalayam Devim Saamam Paatu Saraswati|
Bhagawati Bharati NishyeSha Jaadyapaha||

सरस्वती नमस्तुभ्यं वरदे कामरूपिणी|
विद्यारम्भं करिष्यामि सिद्धिर्भवतुमे सदा|
पद्मपत्र विसालाक्षी पद्मकेसर वर्णिनी|
नित्यं पद्मालयम देवीं सामांपातु सरस्वती|
भगवती भारती निष्येश जाड्यापहा||

2. Yaakundendu Tushaara Haara Dhavala Yaa Subhra Vastraanvita|
Yaa Veena Varadanda Manditakara Yaa Sweta Padmaasana|
Yaa Brahmaachyuta Sankara Prabhrutibhi Devyai Sadaa Poojita|
Saamaam Paatu Saraswati Bhagawati Nishyesha Jaadya Pahaa|

याकुन्देन्दु तुषारहार धवला या शुभ्र वस्त्रान्विता|
या वीणा वरदण्डा मंडितकरा या श्वेतपद्मासना||
या ब्रह्माच्युत शंकर प्रभृतिभि देव्यै सदा पूजित|
समामपातु सरस्वती भगवती ननिष्येश जाड्यापहा||

Vani, Bharati, Veenapustakadharani, Vagdevi, Brahmani are few names of Saraswati Devi.

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