Saraswati - 02

This is a wonderful and soft-coloured Thanjavur reverse glass painting of Goddess Saraswati. Saraswati is the goddess of knowledge, music, art, speech, wisdom, and learning. She is shown holding a musical instrument (veena), which is a common depiction. Unusually, in her other hands she holds a book made of palm leaves, and an ezhuthani (writing stylus), rather than the mala and vedas as is more commonly portrayed. She is shown seated on a white lotus, which symbolizes light, knowledge and truth. Around this is water; this is because in earlier texts like the Rigveda, she was a River Goddess. At the top of the image is an elaborate column and rich drapery. Flanking this are two columns with Hamsas representing Saraswati’s vahana, which is a symbol of purity, detachment, and divine knowledge.