The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Hinduism (2 Vol Set)

Saraswati

Goddessassociated with art, aesthetics,

learning, sacred speech, and wisdom.

Saraswati is the patron deityof culture

in all its manifestations. The spoken

word is considered very powerful in

Hindu culture and Saraswati can either

promote or frustrate one’s efforts by

conferring or withdrawing the ability to

speak clearly. Her association with

sacred speech goes back to the time of

the sacrificial manuals known as the

Brahmanas, in which the cult of sacri-

ficewas based on the precise perfor-

mance of sacred speech and ritual.

Her iconography emphasizes her

connection with the life of the mind:

She holds a book, a crystal (symbolic

Saraswati

A depiction of Saraswati, the goddess associated with art, aesthetics, learning, sacred speech, and wisdom.