Goddess Saraswati

Goddess Saraswati


In Her popular images and pictures, Goddess Saraswati is generally depicted with four arms (some pictures may show only two arms), wearing a white sari and seated on a white lotus. She holds a book and a rosary in Her rear two hands, while the front two hands are engaged in the playing of a lute (veena). Her right leg is shown slightly pushing against Her left leg. She uses a swan as Her vehicle. There is a peacock by Her side gazing at Her. This symbolism illustrates the following spiritual ideas:


The Goddess (God manifestation) of all knowledge and art for Balinese Hindus is Sang Hyang Aji Saraswati. Saraswati is a day devoted specially to this God manifestation. For the Balinese, this day is for making offerings to books, especially the sacred lontar palm leaf books. This celebration is mostly conducted in academic institutions and family compounds throughout Bali. The Saraswati day comes twice a year on Saturday Umanis Watugunung, every 210 days and is based on the Pawukon calendar (the Balinese calendar).

Like other religious day in Bali, Saraswati also has ritual steps before and after the actual day. The day before the Saraswati is called Pengeradanaan, a day to prepare for Saraswati both spiritually and physically . Books are cleaned and placed properly.

On Saraswati day itself the Balinese make offerings to their books. Students celebrate at school, usually in the morning. The Saraswati day is not a work holiday and all island offices remain open.

The day after Saraswati is called Banyu Pinaruh, Banyu means water and Pinaruh means wisdom. Taken together, the words mean that man must have wisdom which always flows like water and is useful for human kind. On Banyu Pinaruh day, early in the morning people will go the beaches, rivers and springs to purify themselves and pray for wisdom.

Canang Saraswati


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