Devotee:
Salutations, Gurudev.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Salutations, salutations. Tell me, brother, what is on your mind?
Devotee:
Saraswati Puja—the worship of the Goddess of Speech—is about to be celebrated in homes across Bengal. Before we begin the festivities, I would like to ask you to share your insights about Goddess Saraswati.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Goddess Saraswati is Adi Shakti—the primal power. She was worshipped by the fourteen Manus. It is not possible for just anyone to worship her so easily. During the battles against the demons Shumbha and Nishumbha, she was present on the battlefield in a subtle form.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
In our Tantric traditions, the form of Mahasaraswati is depicted with eight hands. She is draped in a tiger skin and wears a garland of skulls. This is the form we find in the Tantras and the Chandi, specifically during the rituals of creation, preservation, and destruction involving Mahalakshmi, Mahasaraswati, and Mahakali.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
There is a significant difference between Tantric worship and the worship performed in households. In homes, Goddess Saraswati is depicted with two hands, playing the Veena. In this form, she does not have a third eye; she has two eyes and is seated upon a swan.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Lord Brahma also rides a swan. Saraswati is the presiding deity of Brahma. It is said that Saraswati resides on the right side of Brahma, while Savitri resides on his left. Although Savitri once cursed Brahma, Saraswati remained by his side as his presiding power.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Her origin dates back to the time of Lord Brahma. The fourteen Manus worshipped her because she is not a deity of recent times. Even during the slaying of Shumbha and Nishumbha, Mahasaraswati was there. In the mantras, we say, "Saraswatya namo nityam Bhadrakalyai namo namah" (Salutations to Saraswati, who is also Bhadrakali). This "Bhadrakali" is a form of Mahasaraswati who once resided in the netherworld. The poet Ramprasad sang about her, noting how many deities worshipped her with human sacrifices.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Another name for her is Vishalakshi. The sage Kapil Muni—the ancient Adi-Kapil—worshipped her in this form. If you ever visit the ocean (Ganga Sagar), you will see the idol of Vishalakshi there.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
She is the goddess of the Vedas and Vedangas. While Lord Ganesha is credited with the physical transcription of the Vedas, it was Mahasaraswati who provided the knowledge and support. That is why she is called Veda.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
However, I have noticed something troubling: as the outward celebrations of Saraswati Puja increase, actual knowledge (Vidya) seems to be declining in our society.
Devotee:
Gurudev, if you could, please recite the Dhyana Mantra (Meditation Mantra) for us.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
The mantra we use for household worship is as follows: "Taruna-sakalam-indu-bibhrati subhra-kanti... Kucha-bharanam-itangi sanni-shanna sitabje... Nija-kara-kamala-udyane lekhani-pustaka-shri... Sakala-bibhava-patu dakshina nah."
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
This describes her holding a pen and a book in her hands.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
The Tantric Dhyana Mantra is different: "Ghanta-shula-halani shankha-mushale chakkram dhanu-shayakam... Hasta-abjai-dhadhatim ghananta-vilasacchit-anshu-tulya-prabham... Gauri-deha-samudbhavam tri-jagatam-adharam... Saraswati-manu-bhaje Shumbha-adi-daitya-ardinim."
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
This describes her eight hands holding a bell, a trident, a plow, a conch, a mace, a discus, and a bow and arrow. She emerged from the body of Gauri as the support of the three worlds to slay Shumbha and other demons. She is three-eyed, wears a garland of skulls, and is draped in tiger skin.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Then there is the Pranama Mantra: "Saraswati mahabhage vidye kamala-lochane, Vidya-rupe vishalakshi vidyam dehi namostute." (O Great Goddess Saraswati, the lotus-eyed embodiment of knowledge, O Vishalakshi, please grant me knowledge; I bow to you.)
Devotee:
There is a common belief that if one starts performing Saraswati Puja at home, they must continue it for at least three consecutive years. Is that true?
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
No, there is no such hard rule. These are ideas born of human sentiment. Whether you perform it once or ten times, the spiritual result is the same. It is not as if the Mother will grant a huge reward for three years and nothing for one.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
These rituals are symbolic. Take, for example, the late Lata Mangeshkar. She was world-renowned for her music, and even she would not drink water in the morning without first worshipping Saraswati. She held onto the Goddess of Knowledge. This doesn't mean that the Goddess won't bless an atheist; many people don't believe in these things but still succeed.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Puja is meant to purify the mind, bring peace to the home, and bind society together. It brings children and neighbors together to share thoughts and devotion. Without these festivals, the fabric of society would fray. Even though many people today call upon God while continuing to act dishonestly, these traditions remain the bond that holds us.
Devotee:
Speaking of children, many parents today are deeply stressed about their education.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Every morning, parents bring their children to me, complaining that they won't study. I often ask the parents how much they themselves studied. Today, children are burdened with so many books that they might develop spinal issues just from the weight. We didn't have this kind of pressure in our time.
Devotee:
You mentioned the decline of knowledge. We see Saraswati Puja everywhere, yet people seem to be chasing only wealth (Lakshmi). Could you speak on the relationship between Saraswati (Knowledge) and Lakshmi (Wealth)?
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Lord Brahma created the three great powers: Mahalakshmi, Mahasaraswati, and Mahakali. Each has a presiding masculine counterpart or Bhairava. For Mahalakshmi, it is Lord Narayana, who represents preservation and stability. This is why people worship Lakshmi every Thursday—for wealth and stability in the home.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
The relationship between the three is explained in the mantra: "Arka-jyotir-aham Brahma, Brahma-jyotir-aham Shivah, Shiva-jyotir-aham Vishnu, Vishnu-jyoti-Shiva-paro."
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Knowledge (Vidya) is a far greater wealth than money. Parents and friends may leave you, but the knowledge you have gained will never betray you. I tell every child: "Acquire knowledge." An educated person can never be truly deceived.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
But modern education is missing something vital: Vinaya (Humility). There is a saying: "Vidya dadati vinayam" (Knowledge grants humility). Today, parents tell their children to study only so they can get a high-paying job. They don't teach them to be humble. Without humility, education is just "mis-education."
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
"Shraddhavan labhate jnanam"—only those with faith and respect can truly attain knowledge. My guru, Vamdev Baba, used to address even small children with the respectful term "Aapni" (the formal 'you'). I do the same. Many people ask me why I don't use the informal "Tumi," but my guru taught me to respect everyone.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
As the celebrations grow louder, the depth of knowledge shrinks. I have seen lecturers in the past who would study all night before a class because they felt a responsibility to their students. Nowadays, that dedication is rare. People no longer know what is right or wrong; in fact, what is "wrong" is often celebrated as "right" today.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Regardless of the rituals, if you have two things—respect for others and humility—then you are truly educated. That is the essence of Mother Saraswati.
Devotee:
Salutations, Gurudev. Friends, we have just heard Gurudev's unique perspective on Saraswati Puja here on the Gupta Sadhak Shyama Khyapa YouTube channel. We request you to subscribe to the channel, share our videos, and like them. Salutations, Gurudev.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Salutations.
Spiritual Insight
Guru Shyama Khyapa unveils the profound depths concealed behind the popular festival of Saraswati Puja. By contrasting the fierce eight-armed Tantric Mahasaraswati—adorned with skulls and tiger skin—with the gentle household deity playing the veena, the Guru reminds us that knowledge itself has both destructive and creative powers. His poignant observation that celebrations multiply while true Vidya declines strikes at the heart of modern educational crisis. The Guru's teaching that "Vidya dadati vinayam" (knowledge grants humility) has been forgotten in an age that prizes credentials over character. True education, he insists, is not measured by degrees or salaries but by the capacity to honor others—addressing even children with the respectful "Aapni"—for in that gesture of humility lives the real presence of Mother Saraswati.