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Goddess of Knowledge

 Saraswathi namasthubyam
Varade kamaroopini
Vidyaarambam karishyami
Siddhir bhavatume sada

(O Goddess Saraswathi! I pray to you, who are the fulfiller of my wishes.   I start on the path of learning  with the request that Thou will bestow Thy blessings on me.)

Saraswathi is the goddess of knowledge. The Vedic tradition of India from time immemorial has given women the highest place of respect and recognition. The Hindu scriptures are referred to as Mother Shruti and the Bhagvad Geeta as Mother Geeta. Knowledge itself has been personified as a feminine deity - the goddess Saraswati. Saraswati literally means “one who gives the essence (sara) of our own Self (swa).”

Saraswati holds a lotus in one hand and sacred scriptures in another. She plays Veena with third and fourth hands. The four hands of the Goddess represent the four aspects of the inner personality of man, namely manas (mind), buddhi (intellect), ahankar (ego), and chitta (conditioned consciousness).  Saraswathi is the consort of Brahma who is the creator. Creation is not possible unless the creator has knowledge of what and how to create. Knowledge therefore is an essential prerequisite for creation. This idea is symbolized by the marriage of Brahma and Saraswathi.

Courtesy:http://www.hindusamajtemple.org/deities/saraswathi.htm