

For example, the dharma of student is to study. Actually the generic term for liquid is the same as for water! That is another digression in 'what is dharma?' The defining quality, that quality which upholds the identity of the entity. That is its dharma (धर्म) - defining quality. The words saritā (सरिता = river), sarovara (सरोवर = lake), sarī-sṛipa (सरी-सृप = reptiles), sarpa (सर्प = serpent) all have the same root - to flow. Why is the divinity of learning, knowledge called saraswatī - the name of a river, whose literal meaning is 'one with flow' Why is she called Kāmarūpiṇī ? Shouldn't that be Lakṣhmī लक्ष्मी - the divinity of prosperity?Ĭheck out the book Attitude Shift - Sanskrit Maxims for Contemporary Life and Leadership.ġ.Why is the divinity of learning, knowledge called Saraswatī सरस्वती - the name of a river, whose literal meaning is 'one with flow'?.

Going out of India, parents feel the need of self-identity, and focus much more on the culture.īut there are some questions that arise if you think a bit about this shloka. It is always true that most of us do not know the value of something unless we don't have it. Maybe they miss the culture more than those in India. But in the Sunday School (culture/heritage schools) abroad, Indian families still teach this. Maybe not anymore in English medium schools in India. Small kids are taught this shloka (verse) when they start school. I am going to start studies, may success be mine, always.
