Veena is one of the three celestial musical instruments, having references from vedic times (along with Flute and Mridangam) . The fact that Saraswathi, the Goddess of arts, is always identified with Veena, only symbolises that Music (synonymous with Veena) has primary importance among all forms of fine arts.

In this article, I am endeavouring to cite some references from scriptures and literature to manifest the fact how divine this Musical instrument is.

Sage Narada, who is believed to have blessed St. Thyagaraja with his treatise on Sangeetha Shastra (St. Thyagaraja has acknowledged the Teacher status of Narada by Guruswamy) was himself an exponent in Veena and played one called Mahathi. It is interesting to note that the scriptures and puranas have called Veena by various names. Saraswathi's Veena has been referred to by names like Vipanchee, Vatchabee, Vallakee etc. Vishvavasu's veena has been called as Bruhati and tumburu's as Kalavathi.

Legends have it that Sage Agastya was also a Veena exponent and once had a competition with Ravana in Veena, wherein Maha Meru stood in judgement.