Benzaiten facts for kids
Benzaiten is a special goddess from Japan. She is the Japanese version of the goddess Saraswati from India. Her worship came to Japan a long time ago, between the 6th and 8th centuries. This happened mostly through Chinese books, especially one called the Sutra of Golden Light.
Her original name in Sanskrit, "Sarasvatî Devî," means "flowing water." This is why Benzaiten is seen as the goddess of everything that flows. This includes water, but also words, speech, and music. The way her name is written in Japanese also shows her as the goddess of being good at speaking. Because of the Sutra of Golden Light, she became known in Japan as a protector of people. Later, she also became one of the Seven Lucky Gods, who bring good fortune.
Benzaiten and Dragons
In ancient Indian stories, Saraswati fought and defeated a three-headed snake. This might be why Benzaiten is often connected to snakes and dragons in Japan.
She has a famous shrine on Enoshima Island, which is near Tokyo. There's a story called the Enoshima Engi, written by a Buddhist monk named Kokei. This story tells about a five-headed dragon and Benzaiten. According to Kokei, Benzaiten is the third daughter of a dragon-king. This dragon-king lived in a special lake at the center of the world, according to an old Buddhist belief.
Images for kids
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Saraswati by Raja Ravi Varma
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Eight-armed Benzaiten surrounded by the goddesses Kariteimo (Hariti) and Kenrōchijin (Prithvi) and two divine generals (c. 1212)
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Benzaiten with eight arms holding a bow, an arrow, a sword, a spear, an axe, a single-pronged vajra, a wheel, and a noose
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Mythic Texts and Folktales: |
See also
In Spanish: Benzaiten para niños
