Stress and Education

Education is undergoing a sea change today. Several new concepts are emerging, and the students must try hard to understand them. There is high competition in today’s world, and education is no exception. Students are preparing for several competitive exams and are worried about the results. As a consequence, they develop anxiety and stress.

The students must reduce their nervousness if they wish to shine in academics. Conversely, if they harbour anxiety and stress, it will affect their academic performance.

Spirituality and education 

Seeking spiritual help is an effective way for the students to keep their anxiety in check. Practicing yoga will help to a great extent. Apart from yoga, some archetypes in Hinduism can help you handle the stress related to education better.

Archetypes for Knowledge and Education:

The blessings and invocation of the following archetypes help you prosper in education and enable you to evolve as a better person. Invoking them will make you humble and optimistic and help you face the challenges of life with grit and determination. Below are some important archetypes for Knowledge and education.

Saraswathi:

If one is looking for a deity for Knowledge and education, Goddess Saraswathi is apparent. She is the goddess of all types of Knowledge and education. Along with Lakshmi and Parvathi, Saraswathi is one tri-devis or the three primary Hindu female deities. She is the wife of Brahma, the creator, and, according to some accounts, is the sister of Lord Shiva.

Goddess Saraswathi features a fair complexion and wears white garments and ornaments. She has two hands; her upper hands hold Japa mala and Vedas, and her lower hands play the veena. Saraswathi sits on a white lotus and uses a white swan as her mount.

It is said that Brahma can carry forward his duty of creation only because of the veena Ghana of Saraswathi. Her veena echoes the Veda mantras. Pleased by Saraswathi’s devotion and dedication as his wife, Lord Brahma gave her a place in his tongue.

White is the color of a supreme being, and it resembles the highest Knowledge. That is why Saraswathi and the things associated with her are depicted in white. Not many individual temples for Saraswathi exist; however, small Saraswathi shrines are found almost in every Powerspot.

The Saraswathi temple at Koothanur and Sringeri Saradambal temple are some important individual temples dedicated to Saraswathi. Basant Panchami and Saraswathi pooja are her significant festivals. Praying to Saraswathi will help your studies and career.

Hayagriva:

Hayagriva is an avatar of Vishnu. This avatar precedes the popular Dasavatars of Vishnu. Hayagriva is hailed as the god for Knowledge and higher studies. Once upon a time, two demons Madhu and Kaitabha went to Brahma and snatched away four Vedas.

As Brahma could not proceed with his duty of creation without the Vedas, the whole world came to a standstill. Realizing that he could not handle the situation on his own, Brahma offered sincere prayers to Vishnu, the preserver of the universe. Moved by his prayers, Vishnu appeared before Brahma and assured him that he would kill the two asuras and bring back the Vedas.

Vishnu took the form of Hayagriva, featuring horse-head and the human body, and went after the demons. A fierce battle ensued between him and the demons, and at last, he killed the two asuras. Hayagriva retrieved the Vedas and handed them over to Brahma, and the cycle of creation started again.

Hayagriva is believed to be the guru of Goddess Saraswathi. He features a fair complexion and has four hands holding a conch, a chakra, Vedas, and a Japa mala. It is common for students and their parents to invoke Lord Hayagriva during exams. Conducting or participating in Hayagriva homa will bring the blessings of Hayagriva.

It is very significant to worship Hayagriva on Thursdays and adorn him with a cardamom garland.

Dakshinamurthi:

Dakshinamurthi is one of the 64 forms of Lord Shiva. He is the lord of Gnana and Knowledge. Dakshinamurthi is the serene form of Lord Shiva and is popularly referred to as Guru Dakshinamurthy. He is the Guru of Gurus and the custodian of all kinds of Knowledge.

Once four old ascetics, who were the sons of Brahma, got some doubt about the divine self that acts behind every living and non-living thing. They approached several Gods and goddesses and sages for clarification but in vain. Finally, Shiva, deciding to enlighten them with the real divine Knowledge, took the form of a sixteen-year-old lad and sat under a banyan tree.

Attracted by the radiance coming from the young lad, the four ascetics approached him and requested the lad to clear their doubts. Shiva opened his eyes, and without opening his mouth or uttering a word, he removed all their misgivings and enlightened them with his mere silence. The sages realized the power of silence and understood the power of the divine self.

As Shiva was seated facing the southern direction, his form came to be known as Dakshinamurthy. Dakshinamurthy is popular in South India; his shrines are found in all Shiva temples of Tamil Nadu and Andhra. Worshipping him on Thursdays is very special; people visit his shrine and present a garland of chick-peas to receive his grace and blessings.

We at Pillai Center organize fire labs and other ceremonies to please the above archetypes. Please contact us for further information.

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