Lalitha Sahasaranama [704] Sarasvati [Re : Saraswati ]

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Sarasvati : Why should we make a difference between a pot and a

cloth as their apparent difference is simply illusory according to

[previous]rule? The foregoing name answers the question.

 

Sarasvati is the deity who presides over knowledge, ie she is in

the form of the ocean of the knowledge. That means non-sensuous

knowledge. The meaning is that though in the understanding of

ordinary objects such as "pot etc" no bewilderment arises, as Bh.

gita [V. 15] says, "knowledge is covered by nescience hence people

are bewildered," and it is necessary to confuse sinful men because

they are devoid of divine grace; to conceal from them the knowledge

of nonduality which is the highest of human desires and which

removes all sorrow.

 

According to Dhaumya, Sarasvati is a girl of two years of age. The

BhAradvAja-smr says "Sarasvati is she who ever resides in the tongue

of all beings and who causes speech, hence she is called Sarasvati

by great rsis". The VAsistha-RAmAyana also says, "She is called

Sarasvati because she is the stream of sense-impression"

 

Bh. NarA : saras - the flow of nectar from Brahmarandhra, vati - the

possessor.

 

 

BhAskararAya's Commentary

Translated into English by R. Ananthakrishna Sastry