Saraswati · सरस्वती
श्री सरस्वती चालीसा
Saraswati Chalisa
Vasant Panchami, exams, Akshay Tritiya, Guru Purnima
Chalisa to the goddess of learning and music. Sung on Vasant Panchami when students place their books at her feet.
Verse 1
देवनागरी
जनक जननि पद्मरज, निज मस्तक पर धारि।
बंदौं मातु सरस्वती, बुद्धि बल दे दातारि॥
Transliteration
Janak janani padma-raj, nij mastak par dhaari
Bandau Maatu Saraswati, buddhi bal de daataari
Meaning
Placing the lotus-dust of the Mother of birth upon my own forehead — I bow to Mother Saraswati. Bestower, grant me the strength of intellect.
· · ·
Verse 2
देवनागरी
जय जय जय शारदा भवानी।
वीणावादिनी विद्या दानी॥
जय जग वन्दिनि कमल विराजी।
हंस वाहिनी जय जग राजी॥
Transliteration
Jai jai jai Shaaradaa Bhavaanee
Veenaa-vaadini vidyaa daanee
Jai jag vandini kamal viraajee
Hans vaahini jai jag raajee
Meaning
Victory, victory, victory, Sharada Bhavani — player of the veena, giver of learning. Victory, adored of the world, seated upon the lotus; rider of the swan, victory — queen of the world.
· · ·
Verse 3
देवनागरी
श्वेत वसन शुभ्र तन धारी।
श्वेत कमल आसन सुखकारी॥
हाथ कमंडलु पुस्तक पाणि।
वक्ता मन-वच-कर्म से मानी॥
Transliteration
Shwet vasan shubhra tan dhaaree
Shwet kamal aasan sukh-kaaree
Haath kamandalu pustak paani
Vaktaa man-vach-karma se maanee
Meaning
Wearing white garments, your form gleaming bright, seated joyously upon the white lotus. The kamandalu and the book in your hand — honoured by every speaker through mind, word, and deed.
· · ·
Verse 4
देवनागरी
विद्या ज्ञान कला तुम दाता।
भक्तन के तुम भाग्य विधाता॥
ब्रह्मा-विष्णु शिव तुम्हें ध्यावैं।
नारद आदि मुनी गुण गावैं॥
Transliteration
Vidyaa gyaan kalaa tum daataa
Bhaktan ke tum bhaagya vidhaataa
Brahmaa-Vishnu Shiv tumhein dhyaavain
Naarad aadi munee gun gaavain
Meaning
You are the giver of learning, knowledge, and the arts — the ordainer of fortune for your devotees. Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva meditate upon you; Narada and the great sages sing your virtues.
· · ·
Verse 5
देवनागरी
जो कोई पढ़े पढ़ावे यह।
श्री सरस्वती चालीसा॥
मिले विद्या यश सुख समृद्धि।
होय बुद्धि की वृद्धि बहुसी॥
Transliteration
Jo koi padhe padhaave yah
Shri Saraswati chaaleesaa
Mile vidyaa yash sukh samriddhi
Hoy buddhi kee vriddhi bahu-see
Meaning
Whoever reads or teaches this Saraswati Chalisa receives learning, fame, joy, and abundance. The intellect grows greatly through her grace.