If you focus on her, the solution to your problem will appear. That is, in whatever form you need learning, she appears in that way for you. She is also one who takes form as the devotee desires.
There again it doesn’t distinguish Sarasvatī. The second meaning is “One who takes any form (rūpa) that she desires (kāma)." Here the reference would be to the Dévī taking various forms in fighting dark forces of demons, as described in Dévī-Māhātmya. So this doesn’t give her any special meaning. Then there is tripura-sundarī, and Viṣhṇu in Mohini avatāra. The Dévī has three forms – Sarasvatī, Lakṣhmī and Shakti. So to Shiva devotees, Shiva is everything to Viṣhṇu devotee, Viṣhṇu is everything. But these adjectives are used in praising any divinity that a devotee might choose. The word kāmarūpiṇī can be understood in the three ways.įirst, " One who has a desirable, form (rūpa)." She is beautiful indeed. Why is she called Kāmarūpiṇī ? Shouldn't that be lakshmI - लक्ष्मी the divinity of prosperity?
If you know how to cook, your boon of not going hungry is fulfilled! Or if you know how to dial the number to the delivery store :)ģ. Through the boon of knowledge, you can get whatever you wish. So the boons are realized through acquiring of relevant knowledge. If we know about how to make and manage money, we will become wealthy. Knowledge is surely power! If we know about hygiene, nutrition, exercise etc. It is the knowledge that gives us the boon we desire. But ultimately who does anything? We, ourselves. give me money, give me health, give me this, that. People all over the world ask their form of divinity for blessings, favors etc. With time the river’s name itself became synonymous with knowledge. The later day Takṣhashilā (Taxila of modern Afghanistan) had the world’s first recorded University with boarding dorms, hundreds of teachers and thousands of students from much of the known world that mattered at that time. The other reason suggested is that in the Vedic times the river Sarasvatī (of the Sarasvatī-Sindhu Civilization, also known as Indus Valley or Harappa Civilization) had lot of activity going on along her banks. In Hitopadéshaḥ हितोपदेशः there is a shloka that says to keep many things secret - recipe of a medicine, financial loss, net worth, past affairs, etc. How did they do this earlier? Using codes, secret knowledge was passed on selectively, or not telling the recipe but giving the medicine. are modern ways to stop the flow of this perennial knowledge. From where do great scientists make discoveries and invention? At the forefront of research, it ultimately comes from one's own brain! From inside, not outside!
The laws of nature, physics, gravity have always been there, only Newton first formulated the laws in the western world. Similarly, to learn you need a radio, and a tuner to tune in.
For example, if you tune off your TV or radio, do the broadcasting waves not exist? They do. If s/he is not studying, it is just enrollment in the class, not studentship. For example, the dharma of student is to study. Actually the generic term for liquid is the same as for water! That is another digression in 'what is dharma?' The defining quality, that quality which upholds the identity of the entity. That is its dharma (धर्म) - defining quality. The words saritā (सरिता = river), sarovara (सरोवर = lake), sarī-sṛipa (सरी-सृप = reptiles), sarpa (सर्प = serpent) all have the same root - to flow. Why is the divinity of learning, knowledge called saraswatī - the name of a river, whose literal meaning is 'one with flow'
But in the Sunday School (culture/heritage schools) abroad, Indian families still teach this. Maybe not anymore in English medium schools in India. Small kids are taught this shloka (verse) when they start school. I am going to start studies, may success be mine, always.