 The musical instrument, typically a veena, represents all creative arts and sciences, and her holding it symbolizes expressing knowledge that creates harmony.The Saraswatirahasya Upanishad of the Yajurveda contain ten verses called ""dasa sloki"" which are in praise of Sarasvati.In this Upanishad, she is extolled as You are the swan gliding over the pond of creative energy, waves and waves of creative forces emanating from your form!