Observations Upon Saraswati's Veena

I am seeking to share an excellent and sublime explanation and definition of the popular imagery of the goddess Saraswati performing with her veena, by a very astute and humble disciple of deep mystical and spiritual knowledge. There are as many interpretations and perceptions of spiritual art as there are spiritual beings on the planet and in the universe, thus expression is limitless. Humbleness and modesty are sure signs of inner knowledge and spiritual maturity, and such expressions have the power to move us beyond the horizons we ourselves create. In this there is much to learn. 

Hinduism, or as it is more properly known, the path of Sanatan Dharma, is expressed outwardly by numerous complex manifestations of symbolism. I have always been moved by the very shape and design of the instrument, particularly the rudra veena, with the musician sitting between the two large resonating gourds (toumba) which seem like two spheres, representing two realms. The goddess Saraswati performing celestial music on her veena seems to represent the divine musician in us all. Yet music is more than simply two eye catching spherical objects, or even the wonderful vibratory experience of performing on the instrument itself, for which maybe my own sense of Maya or illusion has come into play here. Indeed, India's great sages and rishis have been contemplating, discussing and debating mysteries and every aspect of our existence for millennia yet all have remained humble and admit that none can fully come to any conclusion about most anything. To even begin to understand the eternal we have to acknowledge the finite part of ourselves, then gradually the realm unfolds for us. 

I wish to share one such observation and interpretation with you...

'The words of scholars struggle to unveil the mysteries of Sarasvati Devi, so what of mine? Saraswati Devi is very much real, as a divine person and also as the consciousness corresponding to the divine person, so the symbols of her representation will show the aspects of her reality which we couldn't otherwise apprehend. I am not well educated on the matter, specially about music, but among many other things the veena would represent the resonance of knowledge, the all-pervasiveness and intrinsic harmony of knowledge. The goddess plays the veena with one hand on the upper part of the strings and one on the lower part, showing the wide range of her perfect mastery. Whether spiritual, artistic or practical, she has mastery over all domains of knowledge. The goddess "full of vijnana", higher intuitive knowledge, is also the power of "perfect perfection" in work, or applied knowledge'.

Thank you for this, Zoleikha Ali Cooke

Musician Jyoti Hegde perforiming on the rudra veena