Shri Sharda Chalisa
The Shri Sharda Chalisa is a revered devotional hymn dedicated to Goddess Sharda, an incarnation of Goddess Saraswati, the Hindu deity of knowledge, wisdom, music, and arts. Comprising 40 verses (hence the term “Chalisa,” meaning forty in Hindi), this sacred composition is chanted by devotees to seek the blessings of Maa Sharda for intellectual growth, spiritual enlightenment, and success in endeavors requiring creativity and learning.
Shri Sharda Chalisa
॥ Doha ॥
Murti Svayambhu Sharada,Maihara Ana Viraja।
Mala, Pustaka, Dharini,Vina Kara Mein Saja॥
॥ Chaupai ॥
Jai Jai Jai Sharada Maharani।
Adi Shakti Tuma Jaga Kalyani॥
Rupa Chaturbhuja Tumharo Mata।
Tina Loka Maham Tuma Vikhyata॥
Do Sahasra Barshahi Anumana।
Pragata Bhai Sharada Jaga Jana॥
Maihara Nagara Vishva Vikhyata।
Jahan Baithi Sharada Jaga Mata॥
Trikuta Parvata Sharada Vasa।
Maihara Nagari Parama Prakasha॥
Sharada Indu Sama Badana Tumharo।
Rupa Chaturbhuja Atishaya Pyaro॥
Koti Surya Sama Tana Dyuti Pavana।
Raja Hansa Tumharo Shachi Vahana॥
Kanana Kundala Lola Suhavahi।
Uramani Bhala Anupa Dikhavahin॥
Vina Pustaka Abhaya Dharini।
Jagatmatu Tuma Jaga Viharini॥
Brahma Suta Akhanda Anupa।
Sharada Guna Gavata Surabhupa॥
Harihara Karahin Sharada Bandana।
Baruna Kubera Karahin Abhinandana॥
Sharada Rupa Chandi Avatara।
Chanda-Munda Asurana Sanhara॥
Mahisha Sura Vadha Kinhi Bhavani।
Durga Bana Sharada Kalyani॥
Dhara Rupa Sharada Bhai Chandi।
Rakta Bija Kata Rana Mundi॥
Tulasi Surya Adi Vidvana।
Sharada Suyasha Sadaiva Bakhana॥
Kalidasa Bhae Ati Vikhyata।
Tumhari Daya Sharada Mata॥
Valmika Narada Muni Deva।
Puni Puni Karahin Sharada Seva॥
Charana-Sharana Devahu Jaga Maya।
Saba Jaga Vyapahin Sharada Maya॥
Anu-Paramanu Sharada Vasa।
Parama Shaktimaya Parama Prakasha॥
He Sharada Tuma Brahma Svarupa।
Shiva Viranchi Pujahin Nara Bhupa॥
Brahma Shakti Nahi Ekau Bheda।
Sharada Ke Guna Gavahin Veda॥
Jai Jaga Bandani Vishva Svarupa।
Nirguna-Saguna Sharadahin Rupa॥
Sumirahu Sharada Nama Akhanda।
Vyapai Nahin Kalikala Prachanda॥
Surya Chandra Nabha Mandala Tare।
Sharada Kripa Chamakate Sare॥
Udbhava Sthiti Pralaya Karini।
Bandau Sharada Jagata Tarini॥
Duhkha Daridra Saba Jahin Nasai।
Tumhari Kripa Sharada Mai॥
Parama Puniti Jagata Adhara।
Matu Sharada Gyana Tumhara॥
Vidya Buddhi Milahin Sukhadani।
Jai Jai Jai Sharada Bhavani॥
Sharade Pujana Jo Jana Karahin।
Nishchaya Te Bhava Sagara Tarahin॥
Sharada Kripa Milahin Shuchi Gyana।
Hoi Sakala Vidhi Ati Kalyana॥
Jaga Ke Vishaya Maha Duhkha Dai।
Bhajahun Sharada Ati Sukha Pai॥
Parama Prakasha Sharada Tora।
Divya Kirana Devahun Mama Ora॥
Paramananda Magana Mana Hoi।
Matu Sharada Sumirai Joi॥
Chitta Shanta Hovahin Japa Dhyana।
Bhajahun Sharada Hovahin Gyana॥
Rachana Rachita Sharada Keri।
Patha Karahin Bhava Chhatai Pheri॥
Sat Sat Namana Padhihe Dharidhyana।
Sharada Matu Karahin Kalyana॥
Sharada Mahima Ko Jaga Jana।
Neti-Neti Kaha Veda Bakhana॥
Sat-Sat Namana Sharada Tora।
Kripa Drishti Kijai Mama Ora॥
Jo Jana Seva Karahin Tumhari।
Tina Kahan Katahun Nahi Duhkhabhari॥
Jo Yaha Patha Karai Chalisa।
Matu Sharada Dehun Ashisha॥
Doha
Bandaun Sharada Charana Raja,Bhakti Gyana Mohi Dehun।
Sakala Avidya Dura Kara,Sada Basahu Uragehun॥
Jai Jai Mai Sharada,Maihara Terau Dhama।
Sharana Matu Mohin Lijie,Tohi Bhajahun Nishkama॥
Origins and Background
Goddess Sharda, also known as Saraswati, is one of the principal deities in Hinduism, forming part of the divine feminine trinity alongside Lakshmi and Durga. The name “Sharda” is derived from the Sanskrit word Sharad, meaning autumn, symbolizing clarity, purity, and radiance akin to the autumn moon. She is particularly venerated in regions like Maihar, Madhya Pradesh, where the famous Sharda Mata Temple is located atop the Trikoota Hill. The temple is believed to house a self-manifested (svayambhu) idol of the goddess, making it a significant pilgrimage site.
The Shri Sharda Chalisa is a poetic hymn that draws inspiration from the rich tradition of devotional literature in Hinduism, similar to other Chalisas like the Hanuman Chalisa or Durga Chalisa. While the exact authorship and historical origins of the Shri Sharda Chalisa are not definitively documented, it is believed to have been composed by a devout poet-saint, possibly inspired by the spiritual ambiance of the Maihar temple. The Chalisa is written in Awadhi or Hindi, making it accessible to a wide audience, and it encapsulates the glory, attributes, and divine powers of Maa Sharda.
Significance in Hindu Worship
The Shri Sharda Chalisa holds immense spiritual and cultural significance:
- Spiritual Enlightenment: Reciting the Chalisa is believed to sharpen the intellect, enhance memory, and foster clarity of thought. Students, scholars, artists, and professionals often chant it to seek success in academics, creative pursuits, and intellectual endeavors.
- Mental Peace and Focus: The rhythmic recitation promotes concentration and calmness, helping devotees overcome distractions and mental turmoil.
- Devotional Bonding: Chanting the Chalisa fosters a deep emotional connection with Maa Sharda, reinforcing faith and devotion.Cultural Preservation: The Chalisa is part of India’s rich oral and written devotional tradition, preserving the legacy of bhakti (devotion) through poetry and song.
The Chalisa is especially popular during festivals like Vasant Panchami and Navratri, when Saraswati is worshipped with fervor. In Maihar, the Sharda Mata Temple sees thousands of devotees chanting the Chalisa, particularly during the Sharad Purnima festival, celebrating the goddess’s radiance.
Benefits of Reciting the Shri Sharda Chalisa
Devotees believe that regular recitation of the Shri Sharda Chalisa offers numerous benefits, including:
- Academic Success: Students recite it to excel in studies and competitive examinations.
- Creative Inspiration: Artists, musicians, and writers seek Sharda’s blessings for creativity and innovation.
- Spiritual Growth: The Chalisa aids in overcoming ignorance (avidya), guiding devotees toward self-realization.
- Protection and Prosperity: It is believed to remove obstacles, alleviate poverty, and bring divine protection.
- Mental Clarity: The hymn helps dispel confusion, enhancing decision-making and problem-solving abilities.
How to Recite the Shri Sharda Chalisa
For those new to the practice, here is a guide to reciting the Shri Sharda Chalisa:
- Preparation:
- Choose a quiet, clean space.
- Place an idol or picture of Maa Sharda.
- Light a lamp and incense to create a sacred ambiance.
- Offer flowers, preferably white, symbolizing purity.
- Recitation:
- Begin with a prayer to Lord Ganesha to remove obstacles.
- Chant the Doha, followed by the 40 Chaupais, and conclude with the final Doha.
- Recite slowly, focusing on the meaning of each verse.
- Maintain a respectful and devotional mindset.
- Post-Recitation:
- Offer gratitude to Maa Sharda.
- Distribute prasad (offered food) if reciting in a group.
- Reflect on the qualities of wisdom and humility the goddess embodies.
