In Hindu mythology, Saraswati is the divine consort of Lord Brahma, the creator of the universe. She is the Goddess of learning, arts, knowledge and wisdom. Students come to Saraswati to seek her blessings in their quest for knowledge and excellence. She is generally shown to have four arms, which represent the four aspects of human personality in learning: mind, intellect, alertness, and ego. The book in one hand represent true knowledge. The mala of crystals on the other hand, representing the power of spirituality. A pot of sacred water, representing creative and purificatory powers, and lastly the musical instrument Vine represents her perfection of all arts and sciences.
The Sanskrit word sara means "essence" and swa means "self." Thus Saraswati means "the essence of the self.
