सरस्वती चालीसा
The Saraswati Chalisa praises the goddess of knowledge, speech, music, arts, and wisdom. She is the consort of Brahma, the creator, and is revered by students, scholars, musicians, and artists. Recitation of this chalisa is especially beneficial before examinations, at the start of new learning, and on Vasant Panchami.
जनक जननि पद-कमल रज, निज मस्तक पर धार ।
बालिका विनती करत हूँ, शारदे मातु हमार ॥
Janak Janani Pad-Kamal Raj, Nij Mastak Par Dhaar,
Baalikaa Vinati Karat Hoon, Sharade Maatu Hamaar.
Placing the dust of the lotus feet of my parents upon my head, I make this humble request: O Sharada (Saraswati), you are our Mother.
1.
जय श्री शारद माता भवानी ।
जय जय जय वागीश्वरी ज्ञानी ॥
Jai Shri Sharad Maata Bhavaani, Jai Jai Jai Vaageeshwari Gyaani.
Victory to Shri Sharada Mother Bhavani! Victory, victory, victory to Vagishvari, the knower of all!
2.
तुम हो सरल स्वभाव की धारी ।
भक्तों की सब रक्षा करी ॥
Tum Ho Saral Swabhaav Ki Dhaari, Bhakton Ki Sab Raksha Kari.
You are of simple and gentle nature; you protect all devotees.
3.
वीणा वादिनी वरदा श्यामा ।
पुस्तक हस्त सरस्वती नामा ॥
Veena Vaadinee Varadaa Shyaamaa, Pustak Hast Saraswati Naamaa.
Veena-player, boon-giver, the dark-complexioned one; holding a book in hand — the name is Saraswati.
4.
श्वेत वर्ण अरु श्वेत वसन धारी ।
पद्मासन पर बैठि मनोहारी ॥
Shvet Varn Aru Shvet Vasan Dhaari, Padmaasan Par Baithi Manohaari.
Fair-complexioned and wearing white garments, seated on a lotus — she who enchants the mind.
5.
तुम हो माँ वाणी की देवी ।
करो कृपा सुरभारती सेवी ॥
Tum Ho Maa Vaani Ki Devi, Karo Kripa Surabharati Sevi.
You are Mother, the goddess of speech; show grace, O Surbharati (divine speech personified).
6.
ब्रह्मा की तुम प्रिया मनोज्ञा ।
शास्त्र वेद सब तुमसे विज्ञा ॥
Brahmaa Ki Tum Priyaa Manognyaa, Shaastr Ved Sab Tumse Vignyaa.
You are Brahma's beloved, the pleasing one; all scriptures and Vedas are made known through you.
7.
चारों वेद तुम्हीं से जाने ।
सकल शास्त्र तुमसे पहचाने ॥
Chaaron Ved Tumheen Se Jaane, Sakal Shaastr Tumse Pahchaane.
All four Vedas are known through you; all scriptures and sciences are recognized through you.
8.
रामायण महाभारत गाये ।
सकल पुराण ने तुम्हीं सुनाये ॥
Raamaayana Mahaabharat Gaaye, Sakal Puraana Ne Tumheen Sunaaaye.
The Ramayana and Mahabharata were composed; all the Puranas were narrated — through your grace.
9.
संगीत कला की तुम जननी ।
नृत्य गीत वाद्य की स्वामिनी ॥
Sangeet Kalaa Ki Tum Janani, Nritya Geet Vaadya Ki Swaaminee.
You are the mother of music and arts; the mistress of dance, song, and instrumental music.
10.
सात स्वर की तुम अधिकारिणी ।
षड्-राग की तुम नियंत्रिणी ॥
Saat Swar Ki Tum Adhikaarini, Shad-Raag Ki Tum Niyantriinee.
You are the sovereign of the seven musical notes; you govern the six ragas.
11.
तुम्हीं से बुद्धि विद्या पाते ।
तुम्हीं से सब गुण गाते ॥
Tumheen Se Buddhi Vidyaa Paate, Tumheen Se Sab Gun Gaate.
Through you alone intelligence and learning are obtained; through you alone all virtues are sung.
12.
विद्यार्थी जो तुम्हें ध्यावे ।
परीक्षा में सफलता पावे ॥
Vidyaarthi Jo Tumhen Dhyaave, Pariikshaa Mein Safaltaa Paave.
The student who meditates on you — achieves success in examinations.
13.
वाद-विवाद में विजयी होवे ।
सभा में मान मर्यादा खोवे न ॥
Vaad-Vivaad Mein Vijayee Hove, Sabhaa Mein Maan Maryaadaa Khove Na.
In debate one becomes victorious; in any assembly one never loses honor and dignity.
14.
शिल्प कला में निपुण बनावे ।
चित्र-लेखन में यश पावे ॥
Shilp Kalaa Mein Nipun Banaave, Chitr-Lekhan Mein Yash Paave.
She makes one skilled in the fine arts; in painting and writing one gains fame.
15.
मातु हमारी सदा सहाई ।
संकट में आकर शरण पाई ॥
Maatu Hamaari Sadaa Sahaai, Sankat Mein Aakar Sharan Paai.
Our Mother is always our helper; in trouble we have found shelter by coming to you.
16.
वसंत पंचमी के उत्सव में ।
तुम्हारी पूजा हो सब भव में ॥
Vasant Panchami Ke Utsav Mein, Tumhaari Poojaa Ho Sab Bhav Mein.
On the festival of Vasant Panchami your worship takes place in all of existence.
17.
छात्र-गण सब पूजें तुम्हें ।
पुस्तकें भी अर्पित करें तुम्हें ॥
Chhatr-Gan Sab Poojen Tumhen, Pustakenon Bhi Arpit Karen Tumhen.
All students worship you; they also offer their books to you.
18.
सरस्वती से विद्या आवे ।
माँ का आशीर्वाद सदा पावे ॥
Saraswati Se Vidyaa Aave, Maa Ka Aasheervaad Sadaa Paave.
Knowledge comes from Saraswati; one always receives Mother's blessings.
19.
हंस वाहिनी तुम जग जाना ।
हंस नीर क्षीर को पहचाना ॥
Hans Vaahini Tum Jag Jaanaa, Hans Neer Ksheer Ko Pahchaanaa.
Known throughout the world as the swan-vehicle rider; the swan distinguishes water from milk (the real from the unreal).
20.
ऐसी बुद्धि जो तुम दे दो ।
असत से सत का ज्ञान करा दो ॥
Aisee Buddhi Jo Tum De Do, Asat Se Sat Ka Gyaan Karaa Do.
Give us such an intellect; bestow the knowledge to discriminate truth from falsehood.
21.
कविगण तुमको सदा नमाते ।
काव्य-शक्ति तुमसे ही पाते ॥
Kavigan Tumko Sadaa Namaate, Kaavy-Shakti Tumse Hi Paate.
Poets always bow before you; the power of poetry is received from you alone.
22.
वक्ता जो तुम्हें हृदय में धारे ।
अमोघ वचन सभा में बोल जारे ॥
Vaktaa Jo Tumhen Hriday Mein Dhaare, Amogh Vachan Sabhaa Mein Bol Jaare.
The speaker who holds you in the heart — speaks irresistible words in any assembly.
23.
ज्योतिषी तुमसे ज्योतिष जाने ।
भविष्य वेत्ता तुम्हीं पहचाने ॥
Jyotishi Tumse Jyotish Jaane, Bhavishya Vettaa Tumheen Pahchaane.
Astrologers know astrology through you; seers of the future recognize all through you.
24.
संस्कृत भाषा तुम्हीं सँवारी ।
देव वाणी की तुम अधिकारी ॥
Sanskrit Bhaashaa Tumheen Sanvaari, Dev Vaani Ki Tum Adhikaari.
You refined the Sanskrit language; you are the sovereign of the divine language (Devavani).
25.
तुमसे ही उपनिषद का बोध ।
दर्शन शास्त्र में तुम्हारा शोध ॥
Tumse Hi Upanishad Ka Bodh, Darshan Shaastr Mein Tumhaaraa Shodh.
From you comes the understanding of the Upanishads; your inquiry is in all philosophical systems.
26.
नव रस की तुम जननी देवी ।
श्रृंगार वीर करुण शक्ति लेवी ॥
Nav Ras Ki Tum Janani Devi, Shrinagaar Veer Karun Shakti Levi.
O Goddess, you are the mother of the nine aesthetic emotions (navarasa); love, heroism, compassion — all derive power from you.
27.
माँ की महिमा कौन बखाने ।
शेष सहस्र मुख गुण ना जाने ॥
Maa Ki Mahimaa Kaun Bakhaane, Shesh Sahasr Mukh Gun Naa Jaane.
Who can describe Mother's greatness? Even Shesha with a thousand mouths cannot know all her virtues.
28.
सरस्वती जो नित ध्यान लगावे ।
चतुर वक्ता वह जग में कहावे ॥
Saraswati Jo Nit Dhyaan Lagaave, Chatur Vaktaa Vah Jag Mein Kahaave.
Whoever meditates on Saraswati daily — is called a clever and eloquent speaker in the world.
29.
मन में भ्रम का नाश करो माँ ।
अज्ञान का अंधकार हरो माँ ॥
Man Mein Bhram Ka Naash Karo Maa, Agyaan Ka Andhakaar Haro Maa.
Destroy the confusion in my mind, O Mother; remove the darkness of ignorance, O Mother.
30.
प्रेम भक्ति से सुमिरन करिये ।
मन के संशय दूर करिये ॥
Prem Bhakti Se Sumiran Kariye, Man Ke Sanshay Door Kariye.
Perform remembrance with love and devotion; remove all doubts of the mind.
31.
जब-जब मन में विचार आवे ।
माता का स्मरण कर शांत पावे ॥
Jab-Jab Man Mein Vichaar Aave, Maataa Ka Smaran Kar Shaant Paave.
Whenever thoughts arise in the mind — remember Mother and find peace.
32.
शुभ मुहूर्त में पाठ करिये ।
सरस्वती कृपा अवश्य परिये ॥
Shubh Muhooart Mein Paath Kariye, Saraswati Kripaa Avashya Pariye.
Recite in an auspicious moment; Saraswati's grace will certainly be obtained.
33.
धूप दीप नैवेद्य लगाओ ।
श्वेत फूल मातु को चढ़ाओ ॥
Dhoop Deep Naivedy Lagaao, Shvet Phool Maatu Ko Chadhaao.
Offer incense, lamps, and food offerings; offer white flowers to Mother.
34.
बसंत में मेला लगता है ।
पूजन का क्रम चलता है ॥
Basant Mein Melaa Lagtaa Hai, Poojan Ka Kram Chaltaa Hai.
In spring (Vasant) a great fair takes place; the cycle of worship goes on.
35.
छात्रों की तुम सबकी माता ।
ज्ञान दान की तुम विधाता ॥
Chhaatroon Ki Tum Sabki Maataa, Gyaan Daan Ki Tum Vidhaataa.
You are the Mother of all students; you are the bestower of the gift of knowledge.
36.
बड़े-बड़े विद्वान तुम्हें पूजें ।
तुम्हारी कृपा से ज्ञान को खोजें ॥
Bade-Bade Vidwaan Tumhen Poojen, Tumhaari Kripaa Se Gyaan Ko Khojen.
Great scholars and intellectuals worship you; through your grace they seek knowledge.
37.
ऋषि मुनियों की तुम हो आराध्य ।
संत जन की तुम हो साध्य ॥
Rishi Muniyon Ki Tum Ho Aaraadhy, Sant Jan Ki Tum Ho Saadhya.
You are the object of worship for sages and seers; you are the goal to be achieved by holy people.
38.
अंत समय में भी याद करिये ।
सरस्वती चरणों में शीश धरिये ॥
Ant Samay Mein Bhi Yaad Kariye, Saraswati Charnnon Mein Sheesh Dhariye.
Even at the time of death remember her; place your head at Saraswati's feet.
39.
इस प्रकार जो पाठ करे कोई ।
ज्ञान विज्ञान में सिद्ध होई ॥
Is Prakaar Jo Paath Kare Koee, Gyaan Vigyaan Mein Siddh Hoee.
Whoever recites in this manner — becomes accomplished in knowledge and science.
40.
सरस्वती चालीसा जो गावे ।
शारद माँ की कृपा पावे ॥
Saraswati Chaalisaa Jo Gaave, Sharad Maa Ki Kripaa Paave.
Whoever sings this Saraswati Chalisa — receives the grace of Mother Sharada.
माँ सरस्वती दया करो, विद्या बुद्धि दो देय ।
तुम्हारे चरणन में सदा, रहे मेरा यह नेय ॥
Maa Saraswati Dayaa Karo, Vidyaa Buddhi Do Dey,
Tumhaare Charnan Mein Sadaa, Rahe Meraa Yah Ney.
O Mother Saraswati, be compassionate; grant me knowledge and intelligence. May my path always remain at your feet.