The INDIAN TAROTS

Saraswati is the goddess of knowledge as per Sanatan. I have mentioned earlier that she was created by Brahma and later became his consort because no one matched her level of knowledge and ability. Saraswati is also called Baagdebi as she is the goddess of speech. Brahma created her to spread the knowledge of Vedas as Shruti. Baag/Vak is meaningful composition of sounds in rhythmic manner. Saraswati is also the goddess of culture, eg. Music, that’s why she holds a Beena and is called Beenapani.

Our Baak-shakti resides inert as Para-shakti in our Muladhar chakra. This shakti is vibration and remains all over the universe. When we intend to speak, that shakti turns into Ichha-shakti and comes towards Swadhisthan chakra, then Manipur chakra. The baak-shakti is still inert and mixes with out Chitta (Mann/Mind) in our Anahata Chakra. Ultimately it mixes up with knowledge while passing thorough the Vishuddha chakra and comes out of our vocal cord as active sound or vibration or Turiya-bayu. Thus, our thoughts also have certain vibration, which is why while manifesting, it is recommended to think and do together with consciousness. This movement of energy (Sri verb root = movement) is symbol of Saraswati as Baagdevi. This is why, Saraswati does not need any temple separately, our tongues are her temples. Now, from another viewpoint, Saraswati is also responsible for all the cuss-words and quarrels.

A lesser-known fact is that, Saraswati used to be the goddess of river as well in Vedic period. This has to do with geography- the Sindhu civilisation (Indus valley civilisation) was developed around the sapta-Sindhu rivers- Saraswati, Sindhu, Shatadru (Satluj), Bitasta (Jheelum), Bipasha (Beas), Askini (Chenab) and Parushni (Ravi). Saraswati river, as mentioned in the Rig Ved, used to be a great river with vast river beds. This was at least 8000 years ago. Along with time, the river started to narrow down and today there is no river flowing in that place but in map, one can clearly see the riverbed. The river dried up in Dwapar yug, about 6000 years ago.

The origin of the name Saraswati is from ‘Sru’ dhatu (verb root), It means flowing. Saraswati river has been mentioned as mother of all river in the Rig Ved. People used to worship the river naturally like all other elements because it helped in farming and civilisation. Gradually, Saraswati has become the goddess of knowledge because she is believed to flow through the universe and bring wisdom and enlightenment to those who drink from it. Basanta Panchami is the day when Saraswati was created by Brahma and she created sound vibrations with her Veena.

Ma Saraswati is depicted to ride a white swan. A swan or duck has a unique ability to separate milk and water (when these are in mixed form). It is a symbol for discriminating knowledge and ignorance. Another popular element for many Sanatani deities is lotus. Ma Saraswati is shown to be seated on a white lotus; Brahma is shown to be seated on a lotus. Ma Lakshmi and Ganesh have Lotus in their hands, and it is also a ritual to offer lotus flowers during Durga worship. This is because lotus is a symbol of purity, it grows in muddy place but is never strained.

Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswati are considered to be the female trimurti as per Sanatan. However, there is a funny difference between Saraswati and the other two. As per our Puranic history, we have seen many demons desire for Durga. Ans also, most humans desire for Lakshmi. On the other hand, very few desire for Saraswati. I have mentioned earlier that only Brahma had the eligibility to marry Saraswati. The analogy is this- humans desire for power (Durga) and wealth (Lakshmi), they hardly seek knowledge (Saraswati) for the sake of learning.

I have kept Ma Saraswati as ‘The Judgement’ because in order to judge properly, one needs knowledge. Our subconscious is stronger than our conscious mind, hence, we need to look inside and self-reflect to awaken our inner-knowledge. If we can do this, we can be free from ignorance and be reborn. While the real war in humanity is between knowledge and ignorance/ego, Saraswati can help us to attain absolution from the punishment of ignorance and bless with true knowledge.

Upright meaning

In tarot, the Judgement card is often associated with rebirth, renewal, and judgement. When the card is upright, it generally signifies positive traits such as rebirth, renewal, and a need for judgement. The upright Judgement may represent a person who is experiencing a significant transformation or who is being called to make a judgement call about something important.

Reverse meaning

On the other hand, when the Judgement card is reversed, it may indicate negative traits such as self-doubt, fear of judgement, or a resistance to change. The reversed Judgement may represent a person who is struggling with self-doubt or fear of judgement, or who is resistant to change and transformation. It could also suggest a need to confront and overcome any fears or doubts in order to move forward.

Source:

Lectures of Abhijit Chavda
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Lectures of Nrisingha Prasad Bhaduri