Indian Hindu mythology Goddess of knowledge Devi Saraswati story

The fundamental expression of the supreme power, Goddess Parameshwari, who is the cause of the entire universe, manifests in three forms - Mahakali, Mahalakshmi, and Mahasaraswati. The original nature of these forms is Mahalakshmi herself. She manifests as Mahasaraswati imbued with the pure essence of goodness. She has a complexion as fair as the moon. Adorning her hands are a rosary, a goad, a veena, and a book. She is known by various names such as Mahavidya, Mahavani, Bharati, Vak, Saraswati, Arya, Brahmi, Kamadhenu, Vedagarbha, and Dhishwari (the mistress of intellect). 

She is considered the presiding deity of speech and knowledge. In the Rigveda, she is named Vagdevi, Saraswati. She occupies three realms - heaven, earth, and space. In heaven, she is known as Bharati, on earth as Ila, and in space as Saraswati. In tantric texts, the famous Tara Devi is also called Saraswati. Saraswati's name is also mentioned among the Shaktis of the Neel Saraswati Peethas in tantric scriptures. One of the forms of Tara Devi is also named Saraswati. Goddess Saraswati is the embodiment of enlightenment and the dispeller of all doubts. 

Through her worship, all kinds of accomplishments are attained. She is also considered the presiding deity of musicology. Rhythm, melody, tempo, and the emergence of ragas and raginis are attributed to her. Her remembrance is invoked through the seven types of musical notes, thus she is called Swaratmika. She is named Saraswati because she imparts knowledge of the seven musical notes. It is written in 'Devi Bhagavat' that Saraswati Devi manifested from the tip of Lord Sri Krishna's tongue. Lord Krishna dedicated her to Lord Narayana. 

It was Lord Krishna who popularized the worship of Saraswati Devi in the world. In ancient times, Lord Narayana had three wives - Lakshmi, Ganga, and Saraswati. All three lived with great affection and worshipped Lord Narayana with undivided devotion. One day, due to Lord's desire, a situation arose where Lakshmi, Ganga, and Saraswati had to move away from Lord's feet for some time. When the Lord arrived in the inner chambers, the three goddesses were sitting together, conversing affectionately. Seeing the Lord, they got up to welcome him. At that time, Ganga looked at the Lord with special affection. The Lord also responded with a smile of affection towards her gaze; then, due to some necessity, they had to leave the inner chambers. At that moment, Goddess Saraswati criticized Ganga's behavior towards the Lord. Ganga also responded harshly to her words.

 Seeing their argument intensify, Lakshmi tried to pacify them both. Saraswati considered Lakshmi's behavior towards Ganga as biased and cursed her. "You will turn into a tree and a river," Saraswati cursed Ganga. Ganga also received Saraswati's curse. Eventually, the Lord returned to the inner chambers. The goddesses realized their mistake and, feeling regretful and saddened by the separation from the Lord's feet, they started crying.

Upon hearing this, the Lord felt remorseful. Seeing their distress, he became compassionate. He said, "All of you shall become rivers in part, while your other parts will dwell near me. Saraswati shall become a river in part. A portion of her shall reside in service to Brahma, and the remaining parts shall stay with me. After five thousand years of the Kali Yuga, your curses will be lifted. Accordingly, Saraswati descended partially into the land of India and came to be known as Bharati. Due to her being the beloved wife of Brahma from the same body, she gained fame as 'Brahmi'. In some epochs, Saraswati manifests as the daughter of Brahma and observes the vow of lifelong celibacy while serving him. 

Once, Brahma contemplated that all the deities have their pilgrimage sites on earth, except for him. With this thought, he resolved to establish a pilgrimage site in his name. With this intention, he caused a gem-studded stone to fall on the earth. This miraculous stone fell near Chamatkarapur. Therefore, Brahma established his pilgrimage site in that area. The lotus that emerged from the navel of Lord Vishnu, on which Brahma appeared, is also considered the same place. It became famous as the Pushkar Tirtha. Its greatness is extolled in the Puranas. After establishing the pilgrimage site, Brahma contemplated creating a sacred lake there. For this purpose, he remembered the Saraswati River. Despite transforming into a river, Saraswati remained hidden in fear of sinful beings and flowed secretly into the netherworld. Upon Brahma's remembrance, she emerged, revealing herself as a river and distinguishing herself from the aforementioned stone. Seeing her, Brahma said, "You shall always reside near me; I shall offer my homage to you daily in your waters." 

Upon hearing Brahma's command, Saraswati felt great fear. Folding her hands, she said, "Lord! I reside in the netherworld, away from contact with people. I never manifest openly, but violating your command is beyond my power; therefore, please consider this matter carefully and make suitable arrangements." Then, Brahma had a massive lake dug for Saraswati's residence. Saraswati took shelter in that lake. Subsequently, Brahma summoned large, fearsome serpents and instructed them, "Be vigilant and protect this lake from all sides so that no one can touch Saraswati's body."

Once, Lord Vishnu ordered Saraswati, "Take the raging river of yours and merge it into the ocean." Saraswati sought Brahma's permission for this. After considering the welfare of the world, Brahma also gave her permission for this task. Then Saraswati said, "Lord! If I manifest as a river on the earth's surface, there is fear of contact with sinful beings, and if I take this fire through the path of the netherworld, there is fear of burning my own body." Brahma said, "Do as it is convenient for you. If you want to avoid contact with sinners, take the path of the netherworld. Do not manifest openly on the earth's surface, and where the heat of that fire becomes unbearable, it will not appear on the earth's surface either. This way, the effect of its heat will not affect your body."