Goddess Radha

Goddess Radha

Goddess Radha is a well-known deity in Hindu Mythology. She is
also known as Radharani in the northern part of India. For her deep devotion
towards Krishna, Radha is usually depicted with Krishna. Radha is sometimes
considered as the incarnation of Goddess Lakshmi, the consort of Lord
Vishnu.

Radha- the Embodiment of Love
The love story of
Radha-Krishna has become a legend in the Hindu mythology. The story is believed
to have taken place in the Dwapar Yuga, when both of them took birth in this
world. Radha was a cowherdess, who through her beauty and charm captivated the
heart of Lord Krishna and became his beloved goddess. Lord Krishna is considered
to be the incarnation of Lord Vishnu, whose birth was predestined.

Krishna took avatar in order to slay the demon king Kansa and to spread
happiness. During his life, Krishna met Radha and they fell in love with each
other. Krishna had a motive behind his life i.e. to kill Kansa and to fulfill
this mission; he had to face many problems. But, Radha with her intense
affection and steady devotion helped Krishna to overcome the problems.

Radha – Devotee of Krishna
Radha represents the true devotee,
both in the form of male and female. And Lord Krishna represents the divine.
Intense love of Radha for Krishna symbolizes each devotee’s passionate longing
for ultimate unification with God. With her utmost devotion towards her lord,
she became the supreme devotee of Lord Krishna. Today people remember
Radha-Krishna in a single term. However, Radha was not the consort of Lord
Krishna, but their love had united them for ever. Radha is an inescapable part
of Krishna. Without Radha, Krishna doesn’t mean anything and without Krishna,
Radha is nothing.

Radha – The Goddess
Radha has attained the
status of goddess in the Hindu Religion. Radha’s immense love and dedication
towards lord Krishna got her this position, which she truly deserves. Radha is
the heavenly queen of Krishna’s celestial world. Today, Radha is worshipped like
any other goddesses in temples.

Radha Gayatri Mantra
Aum Vrashbhanujaye Vidmahe

Krishnapriyaye Dheemahi
Tanno Radha Prachodayat

Legends
The legends of
Radha-Krishna have become immortal. There are numerous legends and stories of
Radha and Krishna depicting their true love. Radha’s devotion and dedication
towards Sri Krishna is the most sincere one. Here are some legends of
Radha-Krishna portraying their love for each other.

Radha
Ashtami
Birthday of Radha is celebrated as Radhaashtami throughout the
country and especially in the north, with full devotion and joy. Radha Ashtami
is observed after 15 days of Janmashtami, which is celebrated as the birthday of
Lord Krishna. Radharani’s birthday is the sacred eighth day of the month of
Bhadrapada (August-September).

Basant Panchami

Basant Panchami

Basant Panchami marks the beginning of the spring season. The
festival of spring is celebrated with full vivacity and joy amongst the Hindu
people. In Hindi language, the word ” basant / vasant” means ”spring” and
”panchami” means the fifth day. In short, Basant Panchami is celebrated as the
fifth day of Spring Season. Vasant Panchami falls on the fifth day of the Indian
month, Maagh (January-February). This festival is also known as Saraswati
Puja.

Vasant Panchami and its Significance
The festival of
Basant Panchami is dedicated to Saraswati, the Goddess of Wisdom. According to
the Hindu mythology, the goddess symbolizes constant flow of knowledge and
wisdom. Vasant Panchami is also believed as the birthday of Goddess Saraswati.
The spring festival of Basant Panchami is especially celebrated in the
institutions of learning. As Saraswati is the goddess of learning, Students
observe the blessings from Maa Saraswati. Spring is the season when crops are
fully bloomed, so people also celebrate this occasion by flying kites.

Basant Panchami – Celebration
Yellow color is given special
attention and dominates everywhere on this particular day. Yellow color is
associated with Goddess Saraswati as well as the mustard crop. People wear
yellow clothes, make yellow color sweets on the day of Saraswati Puja. The
Goddess of art, learning, knowledge and wisdom, Maa Saraswati is worshipped with
full dedication. On this day, People also feed Brahmans with the feeling that
their ancestors are accepting the food. Kite-flying has become the part of this
festival and people really enjoy this event.

Basant Panchami is a
festival full of religious, seasonal and social significance. It is celebrated
by Hindus all over the world with enthusiasm and new sense of optimism.

Goddess Saraswati

Saraswati

 

Characteristics :	Knowledge
Other Names :	Vaagdevi, Sharda
Consort :	Lord Brahma
Vehicle (Vahana) :	Swan
Mula Mantra :	Om Aim Saraswatyai Namah
Saraswati Gayatri Mantra:	Aum Saraswatye Cha Vidmahe Brahmaputriye Cha Dheemahi Tanno Saraswati Prachodayat

 

Goddess Saraswati is the Goddess of arts, music, knowledge, and
wisdom. Saraswati is considered as the divine consort of Lord Brahma, the
Creator of the universe. Goddess Saraswati is said to possess the powers of
speech, wisdom and learning. Saraswati is regarded as the dispeller of chaos and
confusion.

Saraswati – the Consort of Brahma
Lord Brahma is
known for creating the universe. Since knowledge is required for creation, Maa
Saraswati signifies the creative power of Brahma. An apt creation requires sound
knowledge. The creation of Lord Brahma became fruitful with the knowledge
provided by Goddess Saraswati.

Maa Saraswati – The
Image
Goddess Saraswati is usually depicted as a beautiful woman with
yellow skin dressed in a pure white saree. Saraswati is portrayed sitting on a
white lotus with veena (a musical instrument) in her hands. The book in her hand
signifies the eternal and universal knowledge as well her perfection of the
scriptures. Lotus symbolizes the supreme reality and it suggests that the
goddess herself is rooted in the supreme reality.

The color white
represents purity and her rejection of everything that is base and
materialistic. The Swan represents the discrimination between the evil and the
good, the eternal and the transitory. The four arms of the goddess suggest the
four aspects of human personality i.e. mind, intellect, vigilance, and ego. The
pearl string represents the power of spirituality. The peacock standing near Maa
Saraswati represents arrogance and pride over its beauty. The Goddess teaches
that physical appearance could be deceptive, by not taking peacock as the
vehicle. Goddess Saraswati suggests that one should be wise regarding the
eternal truth.

Saraswati – Bestower of Knowledge
Musical
instruments, books, speech, knowledge, intellect are regarded as symbols of
Saraswati. Saraswati is believed to be the provider of knowledge that dispels
ignorance and unhappiness. Saraswati is worshipped by seekers of knowledge
especially students, scholars and scientists.

Basant
Panchami
Vasant Panchami marks the beginning of the spring season. The
festival of spring is celebrated with full vivacity and joy amongst the Hindu
people. In Hindi language, the word ” basant / vasant” means ”spring” and
”panchami” means the fifth day. In short, Basant Panchami is celebrated as the
fifth day of Spring Season.