During Dasara festival, Aswiyuja suddha saptami, moola nakshatram has a special significance. The presiding deity at Indrakeeladri is adorned as Sri Saraswati Devi on the 5th day of the festival this year. Goddess Kanaka Durga is decorated as Saraswati Devi as she defeated Sumba and Nisumba.
She is attired in white silk saree (swetha vastra dharaini) and has a beautiful white swan as ‘vahana’ (vehicle). She brings in Her hands a Veena (symbolising the arts) and a lotus (or a parchment – symbolising learning), and a rosary. Her ‘vahana’ (vehicle) is a swan (or a peacock).
Moola nakshatram is the star of Sri Saraswati Devi, who designed and planned ‘yuddha tantra’ (war plan) for goddess Durga Devi to fight Mahishasura.
She is the goddess of education, literature, and music that are easily learnt with Her blessings. With Her ‘kripa kataksham’ (grace), even a fool can become a scholar. Vyasa, Valmiki, and Kalidas, were gifted ‘vakvaibhavam’ by Her. On this day, people, especially students, pray Her for all these.
The sloka, “Chintamani gnana neela ghatakinyam tarikshtaha..” tells us that Chintamani Saraswati, Gnyana Saraswati, Neela Saraswati, Ghata Saraswati, Kini Saraswati, Antariksha Saraswati, and Maha Saraswati are the seven forms in which the goddess is spread in the universe.
