We’ve all had writers’ block and usually my overactive imagination and a bit of CA medicinal helps, but what of the muses? We all need one. I read an extensive–and possibly erroneous–article on muses on Wikipedia.

Links later I came across Saraswarti, the Hindu goddess of knowledge, music, arts and science. Her name is derived from saras meaning “flow” and wati meaning “she who has.” It’s only natural (supernatural?) that “she who has flow” represents the free flow of wisdom & consciousness. There’s a muse for me!

She is always dressed in a pristine sari, riding a lotus. There is symbolism in every detail for her images (swans, peacocks, the sitar) but I won’t drone on about that.

Saraswati, the Hindu Muse

this Sarawati seems to be wearing the pants and top that go beneath the sari…maybe they blew away while flying on that swan.

I remember a friend of mine telling me that even a picture of a Hindu deity is considered sacred, that the spirit and power of the divinity inhabits the image, kind of like how relics are holy in the Roman Catholic faith. I think I’ll print a picture up and hang it above my desk so Sarawarti can muse me along to better writing.

In Hindu mythology, she is the daughter of Durga. Her siblings were Ganesha, Karthikeya and sister Lakshmi.

Lakshmi isn’t a bad goddess/muse to have watching over you either. She is the goddess of wealth and prosperity, both material and spiritual. Maybe I should print up a copy of her too.

Somebody to watch over the freelance writer…thanks ladies!

Lakshmi, goddess of wealth and prosperity (both material and spiritual). She’s Saraswati’s sister.