In her earliest incarnations, Saraswati was a river spirit with dominion over fertility, procreation, and purification. She retains those powers but has evolved into a matron of literature and wisdom, too. Saraswati sponsors learning and creative sciences. She is the goddess of music and credited with inventing Sanskrit. A generous, bountiful spirit, she places the fetus in the womb and is the giver of all beautiful things. Saraswati is invoked frequently in the Rig Veda, the oldest surviving Indian writings, sacred hymns composed approximately 1200 BCE. She was born from a golden egg from the sea.

Saraswati’s answers to petitions may come in the form of artistic inspiration.