SARASWATI THANGKA WITH SITATAPATRA & GREEN TARA

SARASWATI:
In Hinduism, Saraswati is the goddess of knowledge, music, arts, science, and technology. She is the consort of Brahma, also revered as His Shakti.
The name Saraswati came from “saras” (meaning “flow”) and “wati” (meaning “a woman”). So, Saraswati is a symbol of knowledge; its flow (or growth) is like a river and knowledge is supremely alluring, like a beautiful woman. She is depicted as a beautiful fair Goddess with Four arms, wearing a spotless white saree and seated on a white lotus. She is also known as “Sharada”, “Vani” and “Vagdevi” (both meaning “speech”).

SITATAPATRA:
Sitātapatrā (Sanskrit: “White Parasol”,) is a protector against supernatural danger. She is venerated in both the Mahayana and Vajrayana traditions. She is also known as Uṣṇīṣa Sitātapatrā. It is believed that Sitātapatrā is a powerful independent deity emanated by Gautama Buddha from his uṣṇīṣa. Whoever practices her mantra will be reborn in Amitābha’s pure land of Sukhāvatī as well as gaining protection against supernatural danger and witchcraft.

GREEN TARA:
Samaya Tara, popularly known as Green Tara. She is represented in a royal ease posture with her left leg bent her left leg overstepping the main lotus and resting on a blue lotus ready to get up and offer assistance to those in need. She is portrayed with maroon Buddhist robes and jewelry. The earrings represent patience, understanding, and renunciation. The diadem with five jewels represents the transmutation of the five delusions into the Five Buddha Wisdoms. She is shown with a benevolent countenance seated upon a white moon disk which is associated with special restorative nectar associated with the naval chakra center. In Buddhists, the moon symbolizes the wisdom aspect which when coupled with compassion leads to Sakyamuni Buddha’s enlightenment. Her right hand is gracefully lowered in Varada mudra, the boon-granting gesture.