Kids’ Org.: The Swan—Mount of Brahma and Goddess Saraswati
Brahma is one of the Divine Trinity, the others being Vishnu and Shiva. Brahma is revered as, the Supreme Creator, who gave birth to the whole universe. Brahma is also hence referred to as Prajapati. He is a Vedic deity and husband of Saraswati, the Goddess of Learning.
According to the Puranas, the four-faced, four-armed Brahma was self-born, from a lotus that grew from Vishnu's navel. His other name, hence, is Nabhija (the one arising from the nabhi or navel). Yet another version says that He was born in water (His other name is Kanja) and that he sowed a seed that became a big, golden egg that is the universe as we know it (Hiranyagarbha).
Brahma, the Lord of Sacrifices, is said to constantly recite the four Vedas with his four faces. He holds the Vedas in one hand, the others holding a scepter, water-pot and a rosary of rudraksha beads.
The most famous temple of Brahma is in Pushkar, Rajasthan. There are some others such as the Kheteshwar Brahmadham Tirtha in Asotra Village, Barmer District, Rajasthan, Brahma-Karmali Village in Goa, in Khedbrahma in Gujarat and in Khokhan Village in the Kullu Valley. A six-foot tall idol of Brahma has now been discovered at Sopara, near Mumbai.
Why Brahma chose the Swan as His vahan The Swan has an important place in Hindu mythology. This creature is said to have the Neera-Ksheera Viveka, an amasing power to separate the water from the milk, when both are combined together. In philosophical terms, this implies the power of discrimination between good and evil. |
| Swans are amongst the largest of the waterfowl family of flying birds . There are six or seven species of swans. Swans usually mate for life, though “divorce” does sometimes occur, particularly following nesting failure. And if a mate dies, or is killed by a predator, the remaining mate will take up with another; however, if all goes well in the pairing, they indeed will stay together for life. The largest species, including the mute swan, trumpeter swan, and whooper swan, can reach a length of over 1.5 m (60 inches) and weigh over 15 kg (33 pounds). Their wingspans can be almost 3 m (10 ft). Males are generally bigger and heavier than females. The legs of swans are normally a dark blackish grey colour. Bill colour varies from black to yellow or black to red. Swans have beaks with serrated edges that look like small jagged 'teeth' as part of their beaks used for catching and eating aquatic plants and algae, but also mollusks , small fish, frogs and worms. The swans are generally found in temperate environments, rarely occurring in the tropics. Swans feed in the water and on land. They are almost entirely herbivorous, although they may eat small amounts of aquatic animals. |
Saraswati in Hinduism is one of the most important deities. She is the Goddess of Learning, Knowledge and also of Music and the Arts. She is the Divine Consort of Brahma and is one of the Tridevis, the Trinity of Goddesses, the others being Maha Lakshmi and Maha Kali. Saraswati's children are the four Vedas, the most sacred texts in Hinduism.
Sarawati is seen sitting on a lotus, clothed in brilliant white, holding the Veena, in two hands. She holds a book in one of the other hands (signifying knowledge) and a garland of crystals in the fourth hand. Alternatively, the four arms also symbolise her complete grasp on the four Vedas.
Saraswati is likened to the river by the same name – as one whose creativity and purity flows effortlessly from her being. That may be the reason why she is often depicted as sitting near a huge body of flowing water.
Why Saraswati chose the Swan as Her vahan
Devi Saraswati chose the Hamsa or Swan as her mount, symbolising her experience of the Highest Reality and Knowledge. The Swan's white colour depicts her own purity and realisation of the true knowledge and true state of Brahman.
Her swan is always shown seated by her feet. Hence she is called ‘Hamsa-vahini’, the one who rides the swan.
Saraswati Puja is celebrated in many parts of India. On this day one keeps all one's books and other literature in the Puja, as a gesture of surrender to vidya, the Goddess of Learning. n
