Saraswathi

Saraswati is the Goddess of learning. She is the consort of Brahma. She is mainly associated with the color white, which signifies the purity of true knowledge. Saraswati is adorned with simple jewels and gold, representing her preference of knowledge over worldly material things.

This is one of the most popular paintings by Ravi Varma. He pioneered in drawing the pictures of Hindu deities which were earlier crudely drawn and more of symbolic representations.

Ravi Varma gave a new dimension to the paintings by drawing proportionate bodies, appropriate ornaments and appealing colours. However he did not compromise on the descriptions given in the scriptures like four hands – one holding a veena which represents her perfection of all arts and sciences, a book on the other hand which is the sacred Vedas. The Mala of crystals represents the power of meditation.

The peacock represents arrogance and pride over its beauty, and by having a peacock as her mount, the goddess teaches not to be concerned with external appearance and to be wise regarding the eternal truth. She is usually depicted near a flowing river, which may be related to her early history as a river goddess