Saraswati Chalisa
The Saraswati Chalisa is a revered prayer in Hinduism, consisting of 40 verses (chalisa meaning “forty” in Hindi) composed in praise of Goddess Saraswati. As one of the most important deities in the Hindu pantheon, Saraswati embodies the divine qualities of intellect, creativity, education, and enlightenment. This hymn, written in simple yet profound poetic form, is chanted by devotees seeking her blessings for wisdom, academic success, artistic mastery, and spiritual growth. In this article, we explore the origins, structure, significance, and full text of the Saraswati Chalisa, along with its cultural and spiritual relevance.
Who is Goddess Saraswati?
Goddess Saraswati is the consort of Lord Brahma, the creator of the universe in Hindu mythology. She is depicted as a serene, white-clad figure seated on a lotus or a swan, holding a veena (a musical instrument), a book (symbolizing knowledge), a rosary (for meditation), and a water pot (representing purity). Her iconography reflects her dominion over learning, music, arts, and speech. Saraswati is worshipped particularly during the festival of Vasant Panchami, when students, artists, and scholars offer prayers to seek her guidance and blessings.
The Saraswati Chalisa is one of the many ways devotees connect with her divine energy, invoking her presence to illuminate their minds and lives.
Saraswati Chalisa English
॥ Doha ॥ (Invocation)
Janaka Janani Pada Kamal Raj,Nija Mastaka Para Dhari।
Bandaun Matu Saraswati,Buddhi Bala De Datari॥
Purna Jagat Mein Vyapta Tava,Mahima Amit Anantu।
Ramsagar Ke Papa Ko,Matu Tuhi Ab Hantu॥
॥ Chaupai ॥ (Main Verses)
Jai Shri Sakal Buddhi Balarasi।
Jai Sarvagya Amar Avinasi॥
Jai Jai Jai Veenakar Dhari।
Karati Sada Suhansa Savari॥
Roopa Chaturbhujadhari Mata।
Sakal Vishva Andar Vikhyata॥
Jaga Mein Pap Buddhi Jab Hoti।
Jabahi Dharma Ki Phiki Jyoti॥
Tabahi Matu Le Nija Avatara।
Pap Heen Karati Mahi Tara॥
Balmiki Ji The Baham Gyani।
Tava Prasad Janai Sansara॥
Ramayan Jo Rache Banai।
Adi Kavi Ki Padavi Pai॥
Kalidas Jo Bhaye Vikhyata।
Teri Kripa Drishti Se Mata॥
Tulasi Sur Adi Vidvana।
Bhaye Aur Jo Gyani Nana॥
Tinhahi Na Aur Raheu Avalamba।
Keval Kripa Apaki Amba॥
Karahu Kripa Soi Matu Bhavani।
Dukhita Dina Nija Dasahi Jani॥
Putra Karai Aparadha Bahuta।
Tehi Na Dharai Chita Sundara Mata॥
Rakhu Laja Janani Ab Meri।
Vinaya Karu Bahu Bhanti Ghaneri॥
Main Anath Teri Avalamba।
Kripa Karau Jai Jai Jagadamba॥
Madhu Kaitabh Jo Ati Balavana।
Bahuyuddha Vishnu Te Thana॥
Samara Hajara Panch Mein Ghora।
Phir Bhi Mukha Unase Nahi Mora॥
Matu Sahay Bhai Tehi Kala।
Buddhi Viparita Kari Khalahala॥
Tehi Te Mrityu Bhai Khala Keri।
Purvahu Matu Manoratha Meri॥
Chanda Munda Jo The Vikhyata।
Chhana Mahu Sanhareu Tehi Mata॥
Raktabij Se Samarath Papi।
Sur-Muni Hridaya Dhara Saba Kampi॥
Kateu Sira Jima Kadali Khamba।
Bara Bara Binavau Jagadamba॥
Jaga Prasiddha Jo Shumbha Nishumbha।
Chhina Mein Badhe Tahi Tu Amba॥
Bharata-Matu Budhi Phereu Jayi।
Ramachandra Banvasa Karai॥
Ehi Vidhi Ravana Vadha Tum Kinha।
Sura Nara Muni Saba Kahun Sukha Dinha॥
Ko Samarath Tava Yasha Guna Gana।
Nigama Anadi Ananta Bakhana॥
Vishnu Rudra Aja Sakahin Na Mari।
Jinaki Ho Tum Rakshakari॥
Rakta Dantika Aur Shatakshi।
Nama Apar Hai Danava Bhakshi॥
Durgam Kaj Dhara Para Kinha।
Durga Nama Sakala Jaga Linha॥
Durg Adi Harani Tu Mata।
Kripa Karahu Jab Jab Sukhadata॥
Nripa Kopita Jo Marana Chahai।
Kanan Mein Ghere Mriga Nahai॥
Sagara Madhya Pota Ke Bhange।
Ati Toofana Nahi Kou Sange॥
Bhoota Preta Badha Ya Dukha Mein।
Ho Daridra Athava Sankata Mein॥
Nama Jape Mangala Saba Hoi।
Sanshaya Isamein Karai Na Koi॥
Putrahin Jo Atur Bhai।
Sabai Chhandi Puje Ehi Mai॥
Karai Patha Nita Yaha Chalisa।
Hoya Putra Sundara Guna Isa॥
Dhupadika Naivedya Chadhavai।
Sankata Rahita Avashya Ho Javai॥
Bhakti Matu Ki Karai Hamesha।
Nikata Na Avai Tahi Kalesha॥
Bandi Patha Karein Shata Bara।
Bandi Pasha Dura Ho Sara॥
Karahu Kripa Bhavamukti Bhavani।
Mo Kahan Dasa Sada Nija Jani॥
॥ Doha ॥ (Invocation)
Mata Suraj Kanti Tava,
Andhakara Mam Roopa।
Dooban Te Raksha Karahu,
Parum Na Main Bhava-Koop॥
Bala Buddhi Vidya Dehu Mohi,
Sunahu Saraswati Matu।
Adhama Ramasagarahim Tum,
Ashraya Deu Punatu॥
Significance of Saraswati Chalisa
The Saraswati Chalisa holds immense spiritual and practical significance:
- Spiritual Enlightenment: Reciting the Chalisa is believed to purify the mind and awaken inner wisdom, aligning the devotee with Saraswati’s divine energy.
- Academic Success: Students recite it to improve concentration, memory, and intellect, especially before exams or intellectual pursuits.
- Artistic Inspiration: Musicians, writers, and artists seek Saraswati’s blessings for creativity and mastery in their craft.
- Cultural Importance: It reinforces the value of knowledge and learning in Hindu culture, where Saraswati is seen as the source of all intellectual and artistic endeavors.
Devotees believe that regular recitation, especially on Wednesdays (a day associated with Saraswati) or during Vasant Panchami, brings clarity of thought, eloquence in speech, and success in endeavors requiring skill and intellect.
How to Recite Saraswati Chalisa
- Preparation: Bathe and wear clean clothes. Set up a small altar with Saraswati’s image or idol, light a lamp, and offer white flowers (her favorite).
- Timing: Early morning or during Vasant Panchami is ideal. Wednesdays are also auspicious.
- Method: Recite with a calm mind, focusing on each verse’s meaning. Chant aloud or silently, followed by offerings like sweets or fruits.
- Frequency: Daily recitation or at least once a week enhances its benefits.
Benefits of Reciting Saraswati Chalisa
- Enhances memory and learning abilities.
- Boosts creativity and artistic skills.
- Removes ignorance and mental confusion.
- Brings peace and clarity in decision-making.
- Strengthens devotion and spiritual connection.
