There are so many different traditions to celebrate the festivals in this world, and India is rich with festivals. Every month, in India, some festivals come. If Vasanta Panchami arrives in Magh, Holi arrives in Fagun, and Vaisakhi arrives in Vaisaki, the Vasant Panchami has its significance among all festivals. In India, this is celebrated with much bliss and great joy. This festival is celebrated in the Sukla paksha of Magh month, on the fifth day with this day and on this day the king of all seasons Vasanta begins. On this day, the autumn season ends, and the environment blossoms by the entry of the vasanta.
Significance of Vasant Panchami
In Srimad Bhagwat Gita, Krishna said that the flower blossomer season Vasanta is me among all seasons. She comes on the fifth day of Vasanta. That’s why she is being called Vasant Panchami. At this festival, not only children rather all the great seekers of the music worship the demigoddess Sarasvati with much joy. They offer the Sadhana of literature and music at the feet of demigoddess Sarasvati. With the arrival of this festival, new joy comes into life. This Vasanta pancami is also known as Sri pancami and Gyan pancami. According to Astrology, this day is known as Abhuj Muhurt. On this day, demigoddess Sarasvati is being worshiped. She gives her darshan in the form of the river in Badrinath Dham. Lord Krishna said in Bhagwat Gita; I’m the spiritual knowledge among all the knowledge. Spiritual knowledge means that knowledge by which we know that “who are we?” “Who is Krishna?” and “what is the relation between Krishna and us?” and one who tries to understand all these things, demigoddess Srasavati showers special mercy on him. That’s why we can observe the sages who engage themselves in spiritual knowledge till whole life, so their knowledge and Vani are very effective. So, we can understand that the demigoddess showers her special mercy blessings on the Krishna devotees.
On this day, Gold comes from the Earth means all the crops grow, and especially in some yards, the yellow mustard flowers blossoms. The beauty of nature starts to blossom more and more. The old leaves of the trees and adorable pink flowers replace them.
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People also used to celebrate this day by flying kites. All wear yellow-colored clothes and prepare the sweets of yellow color. On this day, the yellow color becomes the center of affection. This season is very blissful.
In ancient times, as per the order of Lord Vishnu, Bhrama Ji created the Human species, but he was not satisfied with that creation! Then after taking the order from Lord Vishnu, he sprinkled some water from his Kamandal, Earth started to vibrate, and a beautiful four-handed lady appeared. She had VeenaVeena in hand, and the other hand was in the Var form, and in the other two hands, she was having the Japa mala and the books. When she started to produce musical sounds from her VeenaVeena, then all the humans of the Earth got Vani (voice), and then Bhrama Ji announced her as Srasvatai. She is also known as the Bhageswari, Bhagwati, and also as she created the music, she also known as the goddess of music. So, this Vasant Panchami is celebrated as the birthday of the demigoddess of Sarasvati.
According to the scriptures, after getting happy from demigoddess Sarasvati, the supreme lord Krsna gave her boon that “you will be worshiped on the day of Vasanta Panchami. So, according to Santana Dharm, the goddess of knowledge is worshiped on this day. On this day, a desire of being a scholar is being done in front of Maa Sarasvati. The representatives of Sri Chaitnya Mahaprabhu, one in the six Gosvami, Srila Rupa Gosvami, telling in the BHAKTI RASAMRITA SINDHU that “the festival which is given by past acharyas, should be celebrated (this is the Vaishnav rule). We celebrate this festival to perform the special service of Lord Krishna and to fulfill our spiritual desires.
Celebration in India
The poet and the authors worship all their instruments and perform Sarasvati Vandana. According to Vedic customs, the child is being taught his first word to write in this festival. On Vasanta Panchami, humans and animals get fulfilled with joy. The worship of Sarasvati maa is organized in all the schools and institutional centers of study. In local areas, the Pandals are made, and the statue of Maa Sarasvati is being installed. Teachers and others all adore the demigoddess of Sarasvati and gain blessings by putting the things of knowledge like books, pens, etc., in the lotus feet of her & desire to increase knowledge. All obey the fast on this day, and after worship, all take the Prasad by wandering in the Pandal. On the next day, after worshiping that statue, people immerse it in the water, and then the festival ends.
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Vasant Panchami in Vrindavan
Jayadev Gosvami mentions different Ras that is Vasnata Ras in Geet – Govind.
This Ras Lila was performed by Krishna with his best devotees Gopis in the Vasnata season near the Goverdhan. On the Vasant Panchami, in the starting of Vasnata, supreme lord Krishna goes to Goverdhan, and at that time, Chandra dev comes with his complete art and form and shows the pride of having birth in the Krsna’s Vansha that is Chandra Vansha. He gets very happy and prays to Krishna to stay near Goverdhan on that night. He stays there in his complete form until the one day of Bhrama Ji, which is equal to millions of Yugas. For sure, in this ethereal dance, the exchange of transcendental love happened between Krsna and his greatest devotee, Gopis & Srimati Radharani. It is also told here that by making the excuse of setting the flower anklet of Radharani, Krsna put her lotus feet on his head. The Krsna, who is the reason of every reason and all demigods, all the organisms, whole cosmic creations, is under his control; he is in the control of his pure devotees. He serves all his devotees, and all the pastime he performs is only for the happiness of his devotees. He accepts to be a servant of his devotees by his pure mercy. Krishna is a supreme enjoyer, but he attains bliss by serving his devotees.
We all are nothing to talk about Ras, but in brief, Ras means the exchange of pure love between supreme Lord Krsna and His pure devotees.
Pure devotion means that one doesn’t think about his needs his enjoyment; he only thinks about the enjoyment of Krsna and all other devotees. To an extent, devotees give all the desires of worldly pleasures; they enjoy the sweetness of devotion to the same extent.
So, on the auspicious time of Vasanta Panchami, we should also give up all the worldly pleasures, and we should completely surrender onto the lotus feet of Lord Krishna. By serving Krishna and his devotees, we should try to grow in our spiritual post in the way of Seva – Sadhana.
