I was wondering what type of flowers, Maa Saraswati would appreciate. Instead of buying flowers, or cutting my own I opted to force bulbs. I choose the Narcissus bulb, an easy to force winter bulb which should grow and flower in 3-4 weeks. So hope fully at the end of this 30 day journey, I too will have grown and blossomed from this experience.
The Narcissus may be a odd choice considering the Greek mythology surrounding the Narcissus, "one who is in love with ones self." I prefer the Chinese point of view that the Narcissus is a symbol of a pure heart and soul. The white flower is also a color of purity, as Saraswati's white complexion and garments reflect her absolute purity.
I took a walk down to the river to collect some stones. These stones help to support the rocks and allow for the bulbs to "root down". The river plays a significant part in the Symbolism of Saraswati. One story suggests Saraswati that in a jealous fight with Ganga over the affection of Vishnu, Lord Vishnu angered by this cursed them both into rivers. In another she was the only one entrusted to carry Agni "fire", to the sea. The fire a reference to knowledge, to ocean of consciousness. I doing so she regained her physical body and became the goddess of knowledge and learning, but also music and speech.
The river imagery of Saraswati represents a migration from the world of ignorance or bondage to a shore that represents enlightenment and freedom. www. vishvarupa.com
My simple river stones become a connection to this shore, as the bulbs and myself grow and learn through this experience.
Mythology of Narcissus:
Extreme egotism finds its way to Greek mythology through a person named Narcissus, a ravishly beautiful youth who spurned all his suitors of both sexes, including the tragic Echo. However, he was fated to come by a spring on the heights of Mount Helicon one day, and when he saw his reflection in the water, he fell in love with it and would not want to leave it. As a result, he wasted away there, and became the flower Narcissus that always bows down its head to its image in the water at its feet. The Narcissus flower, called Sui Sin Fah in Chinese, is the namesake of the annual Narcissus Festival in Hawaii because of its auspicious symbolism in association with the lunar New Year. Its abundance in the springtime and delicate fragrance so favoured by the Chinese came to epitomise purity of heart and soul.
Extreme egotism finds its way to Greek mythology through a person named Narcissus, a ravishly beautiful youth who spurned all his suitors of both sexes, including the tragic Echo. However, he was fated to come by a spring on the heights of Mount Helicon one day, and when he saw his reflection in the water, he fell in love with it and would not want to leave it. As a result, he wasted away there, and became the flower Narcissus that always bows down its head to its image in the water at its feet. The Narcissus flower, called Sui Sin Fah in Chinese, is the namesake of the annual Narcissus Festival in Hawaii because of its auspicious symbolism in association with the lunar New Year. Its abundance in the springtime and delicate fragrance so favoured by the Chinese came to epitomise purity of heart and soul.
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