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White lotus is a symbol of
the supreme knowledge. By sitting on a white
lotus, Saraswati symbolizes supreme knowledge.
The white color represents purity and knowledge.
The white sari that Saraswati is wearing signifies
that she is the personification of pure knowledge.
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The four hands represent the four fundamentals
of the inner character. The front right represents
the mind (manas),
the front left hand signifies the intellect
(buddhi), the
rear left hand represents the accustomed awareness
(chitta), and
the rear right hand signifies the ego (ahankara). |
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A book in the rear left hand signifies
that knowledge acquired must be used with
love and kindness to promote prosperity of
mankind. |
| • |
A rosary in the rear right hand represents
concentration and meditation which leads to
unification with God (samadhi).
|
| • |
A musical instrument (sitar)
in her front hands signifies mind and intellect.
This symbol indicates that one must tune his
mind and intellect in order to live in perfect
harmony with the world for the welfare of
all mankind. |
| • |
A swan symbolizes the ability to discriminate
between right and wrong or good and bad. Saraswati
uses the swan as her vehicle. This conveys
that one must acquire and apply knowledge
for the good of mankind. |
On
Saraswati Day, from morning to evening, Balinese
people perform ceremonies to worship Goddess Saraswati
who has delivered knowledge to human beings for
the sake of their prosperity and happiness.