Vasanta Panchami; mantra; what to eat

The Adiveda Weekly #31

Jan 29, 2023

Hari Aum Sadhakas!

We celebrated the advent of spring this week on 26th January. Bharat is a land of festivals. Every season is marked with its own special festival. Of course, the first season of the year is spring and the first festival that comes in Uttarayana, welcoming the vernal season is known as Vasanta Panchami.

The Hindu way of life

The festival of Vasanta Panchami is dedicated to Saraswati, the goddess of knowledge and wisdom. She is said to have been born on this day. Vasanta Panchami is considered to be her birthday.

The Brahma Purana says that Lord Krishna granted a boon to Saraswati that she would be worshiped on Vasanta Panchami. Apart from Saraswati, Lord Ganesha, Surya, Lord Vishnu, and Shiva are also worshiped during this puja.

Reflection of the week

“Spring is the time when the whole earth starts a new life. Slowly she comes out of the grip of winter into the sunshine of spring. Emulate her example and shake off your lethargy and awaken to a new lease of eternal life.”

For your everyday practice

Cover your eyes with your fingers and allow the rays to filter in. Soak in this glorious gift that has been freely given by God. Make this a daily practice and chant the Gayatri Mantra for health, intelligence and memory.

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For your health and well-being

What to eat?

Eat that which your body can digest well: that which leaves you feeling light and energetic afterwards, does not cause you bloating or abdominal pain, constipation or loose motion, or any other adverse symptoms.

This looks different for each individual based on their constitution and health, so pay close attention to what you digest best, before falling prey to the next ‘weight loss diet’ or raw salad fad. (Perhaps raw salads give you heartburn and make you bloated? This is a common symptom amongst those with weaker digestion. If this is you, then raw salads are not for you at this moment. Reach out to a practitioner who can help you to heal your gut.)

By Dr. Poorna Menon, Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine

From Vanamali Mataji’s desk

Yellow is the colour of spring. It signifies the brilliance of nature and the vibrancy of life. The fields will be ablaze with this colour since this is the time for the mustard crop. Even the sweets that are offered to Saraswati on this day are yellow in colour. A special sweet called Kesar halwa which is bright yellow is prepared from flour, sugar, nuts, saffron and cardamom powder. Ladies who participate in the puja also dress up in yellow attire.