Timeless Guide

By Mahesh P Devarakonda | 05/09/2025

1. Introduction

On this sacred occasion of Teachers’ Day, we first offer our humble salutations to Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba, the eternal teacher, who through His boundless grace has illumined our intellects and shown us the path of seva and dharmic living. His life and message stand as a timeless guide, inspiring us to learn, live, and share knowledge with love and selflessness.

Teachers’ Day is celebrated on 5 September across India to honor the birth anniversary of Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan (1888–1975)—a revered philosopher, teacher, and the nation’s second President. When his students approached him seeking to celebrate his birthday, he humbly proposed instead that the day be observed as Teachers’ Day, to honor the pivotal role educators play in society. This practice began in 1962, and since then, educational institutions nationwide have marked the day with expressions of gratitude—through cultural programs, heartfelt tributes, and acts of appreciation. Source: Unacademy.

On this day, we remember with gratitude all those who guide us in the journey of knowledge.

In the Vedic tradition, this guiding principle of knowledge is personified as Goddess Sarasvatī—the inspirer of speech, the nourisher of intellect, and the revealer of truth.

The Sarasvatī Sūktam from the Ṛg Veda (6.61) praises her as both a mighty river and as the goddess of wisdom. Today, we highlight select verses from this hymn that beautifully echo the qualities of a true teacher, qualities that Bhagawan embodied and bestowed upon His devotees and students.

2. Featured Verses

Verse 4

Sanskrit
प्रणो देवि सरस्वती वाजेभिर्वाजिनीवती ।
धीनामवित्र्यवतु ॥ ४ ॥

Transliteration
praṇo devī sarasvatī vājebhirvājinīvatī |
dhīnāmavitryavatu || 4 ||

Translation
“O Goddess Sarasvatī, rich in vitality and abundance, may You protect and inspire our thoughts and intellects.”

Reflection
Just as Sarasvatī is invoked to safeguard the clarity of our minds, so too do teachers guard our intellect from confusion and ignorance. Bhagawan, in His divine role, constantly uplifted human thought, guiding it toward truth and dharma.

Source: Rig Veda 6.61 – Sri Aurobindo Edition

Verse 6

Sanskrit
त्वं देवि सरस्वत्यवा वाजेषु वाजिनि ।
रदा पूषेव नः सनिम् ॥ ६ ॥

Transliteration
tvaṃ devī sarasvatyavā vājeṣu vājinī |
radā pūṣeva naḥ sanim || 6 ||

Translation
“O Goddess Sarasvatī, may You be our helper in attaining abundance. Bestow blessings upon us, like Pūṣan, the nourisher.”

Reflection
The Guru nourishes us not only with knowledge but with strength and values to live rightly. Sarasvatī and Bhagawan together symbolize this nurturing grace, which sustains our spiritual and worldly journeys.

Source: Rig Veda 6.61 – Sri Aurobindo Edition

Verse 9

Sanskrit
सा नो विश्वा अति द्विषः स्वसृरन्या ऋतावरी ।
अतन्नहेव सूर्यः ॥ ९ ॥

Transliteration
sā no viśvā ati dviṣaḥ svasṛranyā ṛtāvarī |
atannaheva sūryaḥ || 9 ||

Translation
“May Sarasvatī, the righteous one, our true sister, overcome all hostilities for us, even as the sun dispels the darkness.”

Reflection
Teachers remove the darkness of ignorance just as the sun lights up the world. In the same way, Bhagawan’s divine presence dispelled inner conflict and guided seekers toward peace and righteousness.

Source: Rig Veda 6.61 – Sri Aurobindo Edition

Verse 14

Sanskrit
सरस्वत्यभि नो नेषि वस्यो मा प स्फरीः पयसा मा न आ धक् ।
जृषस्व नः सख्या वेश्याच मा त्वत् क्षेत्राण्यरणानि गन्म ॥ १४ ॥

Transliteration
sarasvatyabhi no neṣi vasyomā pa spharīḥ payasā mā na ā dhak |
jṛṣasva naḥ sakhyā veśyāc mā tvat kṣetrāṇyaraṇāni ganma || 14 ||

Translation
“O Sarasvatī, lead us to prosperity and do not withhold Your abundance. Be gracious to us as a friend, and may we never stray into barren fields far from Your presence.”

Reflection
The highest wealth a teacher gives is wisdom. Sarasvatī here is invoked as the guiding friend, ensuring we remain in fertile lands of knowledge and truth. Bhagawan, through His grace, kept His devotees rooted in the dharmic path, away from the wastelands of worldly delusion.

Source: Rig Veda 6.61 – Sri Aurobindo Edition

3. Supporting Note

The Sarasvatī Sūktam contains 14 verses, many of which praise Sarasvatī as a powerful river sustaining life, as well as the goddess who inspires wisdom and higher thought. For this reflection, we have selected verses that especially highlight her as the protector of intellect, nourisher of mind, dispeller of ignorance, and giver of abundance—qualities that resonate with the teacher’s role.