Saraswati is the goddess of revelation: of song, myth, art and learning and is thus related to Vach, the goddess of speech. She is most often depicted seated on a lotus, accompanied by her swan which both symbolises her beauty and purity. She is depicted holding the vina (lute) on which she plays the immortal sounds of the Vedas and bears a mala (rosary), book and water pot. She is the goddess of the rite, of spiritual practices and knowledge.