SARASWATI POOJA

“Roop youvan sampanna, vishaal kul sambhavah; vidyaaheenaa na shobhante, nirgandhaa iv kinshukah.” Today is Saraswati Pooja. Everyone wants the grace of Maa Shaarada. When Wagdevee is pleased, ordinary person tops. When she is angry, all efforts become fruitless and the person becomes unsuccessful. Sometimes she fulfills the wishes by her negative action.
In TretaaYug Ram took birth as king Dashrath’s son. Among four brothers he was the eldest and most capable to be the king. When Dashrath became old, he wanted to make Ram his heir. Every preparation was ready to make Ram the king, the next day. Gods became anxious. After prayers, Lord Vishnu had agreed to come on the earth as Dasrath’s son. The main mission was to send Ram in the forest and kill Ravan, the king of Lanka (now a day Shrilanka). Ravan was great terror of the world. All famous gods were his prisoners. He had snatched the powers of gods. Giants were enjoying gods’ share. Sages were unable to perform recitations of God’s name and penance due to his disturbance. Gods were doing servants’ job in his palace. They went to Lord Vishnu and prayed for long. Lord became pleased and asked them to ask, they wanted. Gods narrated the whole story about the anarchic actions of Ravan. Vishnu assured to come on the earth as a son of king Dasrath. With Ram, his companions Lakshaman, Bharat, Shatrughna became his brothers. So many other friends took birth in Ayodhya and at different other places, to enjoy the company of Lord at different times and places. Gods also took birth as monkeys like Hanumaan, Sugreev, Angad; as bear like Jambbaan and as birds like Jataayu, Sampaatee, Garur, Kakbhushundee etc. Ravan (king of Lanka) kidnapped Sita (Ram’s consort). Ram with the help of monkeys, bears and birds attacked Lanka and killed Ravan with his armies and notorious giants Kumbhakarna, Meghnad, Mareech, subahu etc. He made Vibheeshan (Ravan’s brother) the king of Lanka. He was a pious man and devotee of Ram. He always prohibited his brother from doing illegal acts.
When gods saw the preparation of making Ram the king, they became anxious. They ran to Bhagvati Saraswati for help. Saraswati sat on the tongue of Manthara, the maid servant of queen Kaykeyee. Manthara taught Kaykeyee and reminded the word of king Dasrath. Dasrath had promised to fulfill her two wishes she wanted when she saved his life in the war between gods and giants. Kaykeyee begged to make his son Bharat the king of Ayodhya and send Ram to forest for fourteen years. Thus the mission of gods was fulfilled.
There are several other occasions when gods have utilized Maan Saraswati for their purposes. Ravan, Kumbhkaran and Bibheeshan performed tough penance. Lord Brahma appeared before them and offered them to ask for anything they wanted. Ravan begged not to be killed by any specie except human being and monkeys whom they daily ate and it was beyond dignity to beg such a futile request. At the end of Mahaabhaarat war when all his great warriors were killed, Duryodhan fled and hid himself in a pond. Pandavs started to search and shouted and abused him saying coward's son. This pinched him too much. He came out and told that he was alone while they were many. Yudhisthir offered to fight with anybody he liked and further told that they would be his servants if he won. This made Lord Krishna a bit anxious but he took the help of Bagdevi. Only Bheem was superior in club fighting. Duryodhan could defeat everyone in club fight except Bheem. Had he chosen someone else, he would have won and the scene would havebeen changed. But it was beyond dignity to fight with inferior. Moreover Lord Krishna aroused his ego. He chose to fight with Bheem. Bheem killed him with the help of proxy by Krishna and violating the rules of club fighting. Bibheeshan begged devotion of god. Now, it was the turn of Kumbhkaran. He was very strong with giant body. He wanted to beg six months awakening and one day sleep. Gods were afraid of his intention. They prayed Maan Saraswati. Maan sat on his tongue. His tongue slipped. He begged just reverse of what he wanted. He begged to sleep six months and to awake one day. Gods became pleased.
“Vidwatwan cha nripatwan cha, naivtulyokadaachana; swadeshepoojyateraajaa, vidwaansarvatrapoojyate.” Knowledge is always heavier over wealth and power. The latter two can be achieved by the first, but the first cannot be achieved by the two. Lakshami follows Saraswati. About Lakshami, it is called that she never stays at one place. But she can be made stable if one worships Maan Shaardaa. One should never hanker after money. It will automatically come when one worships Shaardaa and makes her pleased. Always give good education to your children. “Poot kapoot to kaa dhansanchay, poot sapoot to kaa dhansanchay.” If your son has not got education, he will spoil all the wealth you have earned. He will be fraud, drinker, cheat, criminal and prostitute. Perversely, if he has got better education, don’t be anxious about him. He will be capable for his maintenance.------Jay maan Shaarde.