Saraswati

Sarasvati, the goddess of music, learning, eloquence and intelligence is basically the deity of Brahmanical pantheon where she is considered as the sakti of Brahma. The Visnudharmottara Purana, provide her the status of an independent goddess of white complexion, dressed in white garment, carrying pen, manuscript, lotus, rosary, vina and a vessel of nectar in her hands. The swan is the vehicle of this goddess. The deity was assimilated in Buddhist and Jain pantheons in later period. Jains worship her on the Sukla panchami day of Karttika month, known as jnana Panchmi. In the Jain pantheon, she was a major goddess, who was heading the collective body of sixteen Vidya - devis and her worship is prior to the other subordinate deities. In the Jain texts the same attributes are mentioned. It is a highly sophisticated and delicate work of sculptural art made in white marble, representing the goddess Saraswati, Vagdevi of the Jain pantheon. The four- armed Saraswati, standing on a lotus pedestal, holds a lotus, a book, a rosary and a vase in her hands. Along with the rosary, the lower right hand displays the varada mudra. She is bedecked with minutely carved ornaments. The modelling of her limbs is very soft and delicate. The fingers are quite animated and their sharp and pointed nails attract the attention immediately. The attendant figures and devotees are also around.