Vasanta Panchami on January 20, 2010

Dear Members:

The auspicious Vasant Panchami festival falls on January 20, 2010 this year (it is to be observed on the same date throughout the globe except by those living in New Zealand; they have to observe this on January 21, 2010).

This is considered to be the birthday of Goddess Saraswathy - the Goddess of Learning. So, special poojas are offered in Honour of Goddess Saraswathy on this day, and this is one of the most auspicious dates to begin new courses of study, for initiation into musical arts, and for launching new books/ literary works.

Recital of Saraswathy Sahasranaamam, Saraswathi kavacham, etc. are auspicious on this day. Those who cannot recite these can merely chant "Om Aim saraswathyai sarva shaastra swaroopinyai namO namah" as many times as possible.

It is traditional to offer yellow coloured food items (like laddus or rice flavoured with saffron to make it yellow or lemon rice) to the Goddess on this day.

Those who are appearing for exams also traditionally keep the pens or other writing materials they are likely to use for those exams in pooja today to invoke the Grace of the Goddess of Learning.

It is a sad commentary of our times that all inventions that have been made to make our lives easier have actually been abused by humans to an extent that the whole environmental balance is threatened - misuse of internet facilities by teens that spoils their mindset, indiscriminate use of plastics that is suffocating the flora and fauna of nature (almost all nature-trekking spots bear the brunt of indiscriminate plastic litters - spoiling the beauty of the places and worse - threatening the very ecological balance of those virgin bounties of nature). Such abuse is basically due to ignorance and lack of appreciation of the extent of damage we are all using. In fact, any person who selfishly abuses nature does so out of ignorance - without realizing that by abusing nature we are abusing our own future and are threatening the healthy existence of our future generations.

The willingness to endure minor inconveniences for the sake of a better living condition for everyone can come only through Intrinsic Intelligence and unsullied Wisdom. Real wise people will ensure that their own lives will be comfortable without imposing severe costs on others!

May the Goddess of Learning kindle our intellect and may the Light of Wisdom dispel the dark forces of ignorance all round the world and pave the way for a better life for everyone.

Blessed be.
Pandit R. DAKSHINAMOORTHI.