Worship the Goddess of Success SOUL JOURNEY
Q: CAN you please give me a remedy for my son’s education? | SB
A: You didn’t send me your son’s birth details. I am therefore giving general advice for those who follow Hinduism to improve wisdom, gain knowledge and intelligence.
Astrologically, the day of Basant Panchami is on February 5 this year and is considered as “Abujha Muhurat”, which is an immensely auspicious day.
The Festival of Vasant Panchami is dedicated to Goddess Saraswati, the goddess of wisdom and knowledge, who is also the goddess of literature and fine arts. She is the wife of Lord Brahma, who created the universe.
It is believed that without Saraswati the world would be shrouded in ignorance, as she represents enlightenment. Basant Panchami is celebrated on the fifth day (Panchami Tithi) in the Hindu month of Magha, Shukla Paksha.
Saraswati pooja (prayer) can be performed at any time of the day. Although there is no specific Muhurat (auspicious time) to perform the prayer, it is advisable that Saraswati prayers be done when Panchami Tithi is prevalent and also during Purvahna Kaal, which is the time between sunrise and midday.
Basant Panchami is considered as the appearance day of Goddess Saraswati. As she is the goddess of learning, students seek blessings from her to remove ignorance, dullness and laziness.
According to another legend, the day is dedicated to celebrating the union of Kama Deva and his wife, Rati. The festival also symbolises the love and infinite bond of Lord Shiva and Maa Parvati, and is astrologically one of the best days to get married.
We are all blessed with different skills, talents, strengths and abilities and we acquire this only through the blessings of Mother Saraswati. It is through her grace that we become successful in our chosen field of work.
On this day, devotees offer prayers to Goddess Saraswati so that they are blessed with knowledge, intelligence and enlightenment, and also to avoid dark thoughts in their life.
Parents should utilise this day to teach their child something new, like learning a new subject or musical instrument.
It is believed that initiating studies on this day facilitates a child with no obstruction in education ever in future. Additionally, the child stays blessed with the boons of Goddess Saraswati and the brain becomes sharp just by worshipping her on this day.
Concentration power also increases. Exams start improving with flying colours. Sweetness and fluency are inculcated in speech. Children suffering from speech problems receive blessings.
Astrologically, do the following so that you are blessed with knowledge, wisdom, enlightenment and also avoid wrongdoings in life. This is most especially for schoolchildren or other students or professionals who always need clarity of mind.
1. They should offer prayer to Goddess Saraswati by seeking her blessings by placing the stationery items like pens, pencils and notebooks at her feet. Tell your children to use these stationery items after the prayer is over.
2. Encourage them to distribute stationery items like pens, pencils and notebooks to poor children.
3. If your children have not started going to school, instruct them to write an auspicious sign like Om or Swastika on a piece of paper and place it at the feet of the goddess. Explain to your children the significance of the act of donation on this day and instil this behaviour in them.
4. Offer saffron rice or kheer (also have a pinch of saffron) which are special offerings to the goddess on this occasion. Kichidi can also be cooked and offered, or yellow ladoos.
5. Wear yellow clothes on this day. The colour yellow is the dominating colour on this day and helps to tap the cosmic power.
6. Offer yellow marigolds or white flowers to Mother Saraswati. This pleases her easily.
7. Since ancient times there has been a ritual of writing the Beej Mantra of Goddess Saraswati “Ayem” on the tongues of kids as their first syllable of education. This is usually done with a soft stick and sweet water or honey. Kids should also chant this mantra.
8. Chant Tvameva Mata cha
Tvameva, Tvameva Bandhu cha Sakha Tvameva, Tvameva Vidya Dravinam Tvameva, Tvameva Sarvam Mama Deva Deva. Every child should read these lines once a day.
9. Another powerful mantra is: Om Aim (Ayem / Aiem ) Mahasarasvatyai Namah. Chant this mantra 108 times.
10. Teach children to respect their books, elders and teachers, to engage in good deeds and behaviour, to aspire to great heights of success and to cultivate good divine habits by reading spiritual texts etc.
11. For education, you can also chant the Beej Mantra of Lord Ganesha: Om Gan Ganpataye Namah. Worship Lord Ganesha first along with Mother Saraswati.
12. If one has any musical instrument, then dot it with a Swastika sign.
13. Put a yellow tilak like sandalwood on the forehead.
14. Before going to bed on this day, have milk with a pinch of turmeric powder.
15. Every day you should touch your parents’ feet, as they are a storehouse of blessings.
16. On your laptops/computers, sprinkle a few of the offered marigold petals.
These along with good intent, hard work, and blessings from elders and parents enables one to become a pillar of strength for society and a successful human being. Wishing you the blessings of Mother Saraswati.