Shwetambara

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Sitting on the Lotus, cladded in a white saree and lots of jewelleries, holding the Veena on one hand, she blesses the ardent knowledge seekers who are very religiously bowing down their head- almost touching the floor. Many are seen with both their hands full of books; few belonging to school and some story books with the intention to enhance the writing as well as the reading capacity. 

The little toddler, oblivious of his steps are directed to her, by the mother of the child. He is apprehensive of giving away the crayons for a day considering it to be gone forever; only reluctantly agreeing when the priest assures the child to take it back the next day. 

The girl carrying a 'tanpura', hastily strides towards her and sits on the floor in a position, the strings of her instrument gets touched to the 'Hamsavahini's feet . She joined both her palms in a namaste and prayed intensely for more than five minutes. Quietly she picked up her musical instrument and vacated her place to be soon replaced by some other devotee.

'The Swan on which she rides, has the ability to distinguish between the good and the evil and so it is being said, it has the finesse to only drink the milk from the mixture of water and milk. The Veena on her hand expresses the knowledge of creativity thus, fostering harmony. While the book symbolises the vast ocean of vedic and eternal knowledge, the crystal beads represents the meditation, spirituality and inner deliberations. While the pot of water typify the purifying power between the essential and non - essential or right and the wrong. She is the devi of knowledge, intellect and wisdom.', the priest explains to all the students as he finishes his 'yagya'.

The girl, was still holding the Veena, then moves stealthily to a corner and starts playing her instrument with a low voice gradually elevating up. It was a Saraswati Vandana. All awed at her astounding variations of musical notes which moved up and down in a rhythm. 

'Beautiful...', 'amazing...'!!!!

It was presumed the Goddess was definitely impressed at her performance. The tear drops, very bold and big, rolled fown her cheeks onto the white saree that she wore. The boy standing far away was seen crying and begging to the devi, may be with an expectation to be allowed to enter the doors of the classroom of the next higher standard this year. A woman in kurta and pajama steadfast to the idol with the laptop on her hands, prayed deeply to the Goddess and requested the priest to just touch her gadget to the Goddesse's feet. He did as per her request. 

A mesmerising sight, all around , full of delicate, fragile and innovative minds. All requesting only one wish to be met- the empowerment of knowledge.


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