Sārasvata Vrata
Sārasvata Vrata, simply known as Sarasvata Vrata, Sanskrit: सारस्वत व्रत, Telugu: సారస్వత వ్రతం, Hindi: सारस्वत व्रत.
The Sārasvata Vrata is a vrata for Gāyatrī-Sarasvatī. It is kept for thirteen months, on the Śukla Pañcamī of each month. It gives jñāna, saubhāgya, skill in all the vidyās, harmony between those who are close, and long life. The Matsya Purāṇa gives it in Chapter 66.
Why the vrata was taught
Manu asked Bhagavān Nārāyaṇa in the form of Matsya for a vrata that would give jñāna, saubhāgya, vidyā-kauśalam (skill in all the arts), abhedabhāva (oneness of heart) between husband and wife and among kinsmen, and long life. Nārāyaṇa answered that even hearing the name of the Sārasvata Vrata brings the pleasure of Sarasvatī.
The vidhi
The first day
On the first day, or on an Ādityavāra (Sunday) when the planets stand well, four brāhmaṇas are fed with pāyasa. They perform svasti-puṇyāhavācana. They receive white vastra (cloth) and gold. Then Gāyatrī is worshipped with white flowers and fragrant offerings.
The prayer to Gāyatrī
The prayer to Gāyatrī holds:
- a call to her as one who is never apart from Brahmādeva
- a request for mastery of all the Vedas, the śāstras, and the vidyās of dance (nṛtta) and song (gīta)
- the recognition of her eight forms: Lakshmī, Medhā, Parā, Pushṭi, Gaurī, Tushṭi, Prabhā and Mati
Gāyatrī is described as holding the vīṇā, the japa-mālā, the kamaṇḍalu and a book (pustaka). She is worshipped with white flowers and white akshatas.
The monthly rite
On each Śukla Pañcamī, the one who keeps the vrata:
- worships Gāyatrī with the established pūjā vidhi
- honours a suvāsinī (a married woman)
- keeps the maunavrata (vow of silence) at the sandhyā times, morning and evening
- takes only havishyānna (rice with mild vegetables, without salt, oil or spice)
- gives to the suvāsinī a kuñcheḍu of fine rice, a ghṛta-pātra (vessel of ghee), milk and gold, with the mantra “Gāyatrī prīyatāṃ”
Between the two pūjā times, the one who keeps the vrata takes nothing outside the appointed meal. This goes on for thirteen months.
The dāna at the end
At the end of thirteen months, the one who keeps the vrata gives:
- white rice in a vessel
- a pair of white vastra
- a white netra-āvaraṇa-vastra (eye-cover cloth)
- a kapilā cow of good character
- a piece of wood taken from the maṇḍapa of the pūjā
- sandal paste (candana)
- a pair of aṅga-vastras
- a karakaṃ (clay pot) of curd-rice
The guru who gave the dīkshā is worshipped with vastra, mālya and gandha. Wealth must not be held back out of miserliness.
The phala
The one who keeps the Sārasvata Vrata becomes vidyāvān (learned), dhānavān and sweet-voiced, by the grace of Sarasvatī. He lives in Brahmaloka for thirty thousand kalpas. Women who keep it receive the same phala. Those who hear or read this account live in Vidyādharaloka for thirty thousand kalpas.
Sources
- Matsya Purāṇa, Chapter 66