Saraswati: The Source of Wisdom

Key idea: Saraswati is knowledge, speech, music and the arts, the flow of learning itself. Her message: wisdom is not hoarded, it is practised and passed on.

Symbolism

• Veena: harmony of mind and creativity

• Books (Vedas): knowledge as the highest wealth

• Mala (rosary): concentration and disciplined practice

• Swan and white sari: discernment, which separates truth from noise, and purity

Temples

• East: see note below

• West: Saraswati Temple, Pushkar

• North: Sharada Peeth (Kashmir, historic) or Maa Sharda Temple, Maihar

• South: Sringeri Sharadamba Temple, Karnataka (Basar's Gnana Saraswati in Telangana is a strong alternate)