Sri Panchami Sri Saraswati Puja
Penusila Ashram, A.P., India
January 24, 2007
On Sri Panchami, Sri Saraswati Devi is worshipped by millions around the globe. Some worship her for good grades in school, some worship her for artistic inspiration, and some worship her for the realization of the supreme truth.
Pure white is the color most strongly associated with Sri Maha Saraswati Devi. When we wear this color and also make white-colored offerings to her, it is like a color therapy for the mind, and we will be flooded with the peace and divine virtues of Mother Saraswati Devi.
This year, Sri Panchami came during the meditation retreat for Westerners, so all the participants were very fortunate to be with Amma in the Lalita Parameswari temple on this auspicious day.
Puja is performed to a special moveable image of Sri Saraswati Devi. Just behind and to the right of this image is the permanently installed granite vigraha of Sri Maha Saraswati Devi. For the occasion of Sri Panchami, Mother Saraswati’s face has been covered in fine sandalwood paste, as white sandalwood is sacred to Saraswati Devi.
As the priest chants the 108 names of Saraswati Devi, everyone participates in the puja, offering white jasmine flowers in a small plate. Later, all the offered flowers were collected and placed at Saraswati Devi’s lotus feet, making it seem as if she was standing on a fragrant, white mountain of jasmine flowers. One of her 108 names is “Sura Pujita”; she is worshipped by even the gods and goddesses for peace, proficiency in the arts, and the nectar of true wisdom.
Nine ladies are very fortunate to offer harati to Amma on this auspicious day. Amma seems to be like Parama Hamsini, the supreme divine swan, surrounded by her baby swans.
In honor of Sri Panchami, Divine Mother’s lotus feet have been decorated with turmeric, sindhura, kumkum, and yellow and white flowers. Yellow-gold is another color associated with Sri Saraswati; this color stimulates and protects the intellect.
“Sri Saraswati Devi’s beauty is visible in this world in the form of sweet, pure and truthful speech, in the fine arts, in the wisdom and peace of all saints, and in selfless service.” ~ Amma, in her book Vedic Mantras for Peace, Healing and Spiritual Illumination.
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Om shantih shantih shantihi
May all be in peace
Lokah samastah sukhino bhavantu
May all be happy
