Basanta Panchami Vrata (Sarswati Pooja)

सरस्वती मया दृष्टा
वीणापुस्तक धारिणी ।

हंसवाहन संयुक्ता विधादानं करोतु मे ॥

Meaning: Mother Saraswati, who is as bright as the moon,
adorned with a white robe, a harp in her hand, and a gift-giving crystal garland, a goddess seated on a white lotus flower, worshiped by Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva, disintegrate our ignorance and give us pure knowledge.

Started with the simple translation of this mantra, Happy Saraswati puja everyone.

Saraswati Puja or say Shri Panchami or Basant Panchami, is a special day celebrated by worshiping goddesses Saraswati, the epitome of knowledge and music. It is believed that the spring season will start from today. From this heart-wrenching winter and the drizzle of chilling cold, now welcome to the Kuhu Kuhu of cuckoo and the starting of spring, the king of all seasons.

Vedic Sanatan Hindu rites have very practical dimensions.

These rites have become an integral part of Nepalis. Plough, oxen, soil, plants, dogs, including daughters, tools, and food, we worship and acknowledge the presence of everything in our life. Today is the day to worship creation and knowledge.

It is mentioned in the Brahma Bhivarta Purana that Goddess Saraswati, the Goddess of knowledge, art, words, science, and thought, is worshiped by everyone today. After waking up in the morning, after bathing in the morning, the urn is set up with a clean cloth, and the deities Ganesha,Vishnu, Shiva, etc. are worshiped respectively, the sun is also worshiped and Saraswati is worshiped.

There is a special atmosphere in the schools today.

Although most of the schools are operating online due to the risk of covid
infection, the schools are physically closed. This year's Saraswati Puja is
advocating for knowledge and discipline to the growing generation through a new teaching method.

In the Terai, the colorful and juicy buniya, fruits, and other sweets are distributed as prasadi. In some schools, a huge fiesta has been organized with the active participation of the students. Many schools today are adorned with colorful pylons, entrances are decorated with Ashoka tree leaves banana stalks, and bamboo stems. however, the COVID 19 risk has impacted the enthusiasm of every festival and gathering including Saraswoti Puja.

In Kathmandu, fairs are held at various Saraswati temples such as Nirbarahi, Lazimpat, Swayambhu, Nilsaraswati of Garidhara, Lele of Lalitpur, etc., while gatherings are held in many temples and central schools across Nepal. The idol of Saraswati in Pashupati is also worshiped by Buddhists as Manjushri. Special worship is performed on the same idol today.

Speaking in the context of Nepal, we Nepali certainly do not live in a really small context, our context of living is really wide. Most of the government schools across Nepal have a small or large Saraswati temple somewhere on their premises. It is important to look at Goddess Saraswati as more proximal to human learning than to Hinduism or culture. Regardless of our religion or belief, we can take Saraswati as a fulfillment of our creation and knowledge.

Today's Basant Panchami is celebrated by the Muslim community as the Sufi Basanti. This fact is documented in various documents and Muslim legends since the 12th century. Nizamuddin was deeply saddened by the untimely death of Takuddin, the nephew of the then Fakir Nizamuddin of Delhi.

The great Sufi poet Amir Fusro was able to make the fakir laugh by gifting him an unexpected flower pot and yellow cloth and making him happy. Thus, the day got commemorated as Sufi Basant since that time. We may be of any religion or culture but we all need to appreciate creation and creator. Basanta Panchami is the day for it.

May the writer's ink never run out, may the speaker's voice be always correct, and may the viewer's eye and judgment always be open. Let the alphabets and word configurations from A to Z always accompany us in expressing knowledge, let us continue to use the letters and right articulation and grammar accompany us, let all the melodies of music and expressions accompany us. The main thing is to fill your life with Shriganar Rasa, Jai Saraswati Mata.

 Suyog Dhakal