2017, Vol. 3, Issue 3, Part B

This study of three verses of Vaiśvāmitra suggests that Sarasvatī was seen in the Ṛgveda as the shaper of spirituality, intellect, and food-provider. The use of the word-root dhi includes three forms of spiritual pursuit – devotion, meditation and contemplation. Sarasvatī promotes agreeable speech, teaching and belongs to the wise. She purifies souls and is a medium of sacrifice.

The verses also implicitly define yajña or sacrifice as a curtailment of own nature in the interest of a higher goal or higher good. Spiritual effort, absorption of higher knowledge, retaining it and teaching it can all be regarded as sacrifice in this light.