India, Feb. 12 -- Dr. Devdutt Pattanaik - Author, Speaker, Illustrator, Mythologist

Saraswati, goddess of knowledge and speech, has ancient roots in the Vedic river Saraswati, the cradle of learning and ritual. Over time she evolved from river to goddess, depicted with manuscript, rosary and water pot - symbols of wisdom. In the Hindu Puranas, she became the consort or daughter of Brahma and later the goddess of music and fine arts. In Buddhism, she was equated with Tara and Mahamayuri, in Mahayana and Tantric traditions. In Jainism, Saraswati became Shrutadevata, the divine embodiment of sacred knowledge. It is in Jain faith that she came to be associated with geese and peacocks.

Jain scriptures such as Vyakhya-Prajnapti and Paumachari...