Goddess Saraswati is the Hindu goddess of knowledge, wisdom, arts, music, and learning. She is revered as the embodiment of divine knowledge and creativity. Saraswati is often depicted with four arms, holding a veena (musical instrument), a book, a mala (rosary), and a pot of sacred water. She is adorned in white attire, symbolizing purity and enlightenment, and sits on a lotus flower, representing transcendent wisdom.
Saraswati Chalisa:
The Saraswati Chalisa is a devotional hymn composed in praise of Goddess Saraswati. It consists of forty verses (chalisa) that extol her virtues, qualities, and the benefits of worshiping her. The Chalisa is recited by devotees to seek Saraswati's blessings for wisdom, knowledge, creativity, and success in education and arts.
Saraswati Chalisa Lyrics in English
|| DOHA ||
Janak Janani Pad Kamal Raj,
Nij Mastak Par Dhaari,
Bandau Maatu Saraswati,
Buddhi Bal De Daataari.
Purn Jagat Mein Vyaapt Tav,
Mahima Amit Anantu,
Ramsaagar Ke Paap Ko,
Maatu Tuhi Ab Hantu.
|| CHAUPAI ||
Jay Shri Sakal Buddhi Balaraasi,
Jay Sarvagya Amar Avinaasi.
Jay Jay Veenaakar Dhaari,
Karati Sadaa Suhans Savaari.
Roop Chaturbhujadhaari Maata,
Sakal Vishv Andar Vikhyaata.
Jag Mein Paap Buddhi Jab Hoti,
Jabahi Dharm Ki Phiki Jyoti.
Tabahi Maatu Le Nij Avataara,
Paap Heen Karati Mahi Taara.
Baalmiki Ji The Baham Gyaani,
Tav Prasaad Janie Sansaara.
Raamaayan Jo Rache Banaai,
Aadi Kavi Ki Padavi Paai.
Kalidaas Jo Bhaye Vikhyaata,
Teri Kripaa Drishti Se Maata.
Tulasi Sur Aadi Vidvaana,
Bhaye Aur Jo Gyaani Nana.
Tinhahi Na Aur Raheu Avalamba,
Keval Kripa Aapaki Amba.
Karahu Kripa Soi Maatu Bhavaani,
Dukhit Din Nij Daasahi Jaani.
Putra Karai Aparaadh Bahuta,
Tehi Na dharai Chitt Sundar Maata.
Raakhu Laaj Janani Ab Meri,
Vinay Karu Bahu Bhaanti Ghaneri.
Mein Anaath Teri Avalamba,
Kripa Karau Jay Jay Jagadamba.
Madhu Kaitabh Jo Ati Balavaana,
Baahuyuddh Vishnu Te Thaana.
Samar Hajaar Paanch Mein Ghora,
Phir Bhi Mukh Unase Nahi Mora.
Maatu Sahaay Bhai Tehi Kaala,
Buddhi Viparit Kari Khalahaala.
Tehi Mrityu Bhai Khal Keri,
Purvahu Maatu Manorath Meri.
Chand Mund Jo The Vikhyaata,
Chhan Mahu Sanhaareu Tehi Maata.
Raktabij Se Samarath Paapi,
Sur-Muni Hriday Dhara Sab Kampi.
Kaateu Sir Jim Kadali Khamba,
Baar Baar Binavau Jagadamba.
Jag Prasidhdh Jo Shumbh Nishumbha,
Chhin Me Badhe Taahi Tu Amba.
Bharat-Maatu Budhi Phereu Jaai,
Ramachandra Banvaas Karaai.
Ehi Vidhi Raavan Vadh Tum Kinha,
Sur Nar Muni Sab Kahu Sukh Dinha.
Ko Samarath Tav Yash Gun Gaana,
Nigam Anaadi Anant Bakhaana.
Vishnu Rudra Aj Sakahi Na Maari,
Jinaki Ho Tum Rakshaakaari.
Rakt Dantika Aur Shataakshi,
Naam Apaar Hai Daanav Bhakshi.
Durgam Kaaj Dhara Par Kinha,
Durga Naam Sakal Jag Linha.
Durg Aadi Harani Tu Maata,
Kripa Karahu Jab Jab Sukhadaata.
Nrip Kopit Jo Maaran Chaahei,
Kaanan Mein Ghere Mrig Naahei.
Saagar Madhy Pot Ke Bhange,
Ati Toofaan Nahi Kou Sange.
Bhoot Pret Baadha Yaa Dukh Mein,
Ho Daridra Athava Sankat Mein.
Naam Jape Mangal Sab Koi,
Sanshay Isame Karai Na Koi.
Putrahin Jo Aatur Bhaai,
Sabei Chhaandi Puje Ehi Maai.
Karai Path Nit Yah Chaalisa,
Hoy Putra Sundar Gun Isa.
Dhupaadik Naivedy Chadhavei,
Sankat Rahit Avashy Ho Jaavei.
Bhakti Maatu Ki Karei Hamesha,
Nikat Na Aavei Taahi Kalesha.
Bandi Path Kare Shat Baara,
Bandi Paash Door Ho Saara.
Karahu Kripa Bhavamukti Bhavaani,
Mo Kahn Daas Sadaa Nij Jaani.
|| DOHA ||
Maata Sooraj Kaanti Tav,
Andhakaar Mam Roop,
Dooban Te Raksha Karahu,
Paru Na Mein Bhav-Koop.
Bal Buddhi Vidya Dehu Mohi,
Sunahu Sarasvati Maatu,
Adham Ramasaagarahi Tum,
Aashray Deu Punaatu.
Importance and Role:
- Goddess of Knowledge: Saraswati is primarily known as the goddess of knowledge, learning, and education. Students, scholars, artists, and anyone seeking wisdom and intellectual pursuits worship her to gain blessings for success in their studies and endeavors.
- Patroness of Arts and Music: Saraswati is also the patroness of arts, music, and creativity. She inspires individuals to express themselves through art, literature, music, and other forms of creative expression.
- Divine Inspiration: Devotees pray to Saraswati to seek her blessings for clarity of thought, creativity, inspiration, and eloquence in speech. She is believed to remove ignorance and bestow the gift of true knowledge.
- Goddess of Speech: Saraswati is associated with speech and eloquence. She is worshipped to enhance one's communication skills, learning abilities, and the power of expression.
- Saraswati Puja: Hindus celebrate Saraswati Puja, also known as Vasant Panchami, in honor of Goddess Saraswati. It is a spring festival dedicated to seeking Saraswati's blessings for success in education, arts, and learning.
Benefits of Reading Saraswati Chalisa:
- Intellectual Growth: Reading the Saraswati Chalisa is believed to enhance intellectual growth and learning abilities. Students often recite it before exams or when studying to seek Saraswati's blessings for success.
- Creativity and Inspiration: Saraswati Chalisa is also recited by artists, musicians, writers, and creative individuals to seek inspiration and blessings for their creative endeavors.
- Clarity of Thought: Devotees believe that reciting the Saraswati Chalisa helps in gaining clarity of thought, improving concentration, and developing a deeper understanding of subjects.
- Removal of Obstacles: Saraswati Chalisa is chanted to overcome obstacles in education, learning, and creative pursuits. It is believed that Saraswati's blessings remove ignorance and obstacles from one's path.
Authorship:
The exact authorship of the Saraswati Chalisa is not definitively known. Like many chalisas and devotional hymns, it has been passed down through oral tradition and written by various saints and poets. The Saraswati Chalisa is attributed to different authors in different traditions.
Sample Verse from Saraswati Chalisa:
Here is a verse from the Saraswati Chalisa, illustrating the praise and devotion to Goddess Saraswati:
जय जय जय सरस्वती माता। कृपा करहु जगदम्बा à¤à¤µानी॥
जय जय जय वाणी विधात्री। जय जय जय ज्ञानदात्री जगजननी॥
जय जय जय माता सरस्वती। जय जय जय देवि à¤à¤µानी॥
Victory to the Mother Saraswati,
O Jagadamba Bhavani, shower your grace.
Victory to the bestower of speech,
Victory to the giver of knowledge, Mother of the world.
Victory to the Mother Saraswati,
Victory to the Goddess Bhavani.
The Saraswati Chalisa is recited with devotion and reverence by devotees to invoke Goddess Saraswati's blessings for wisdom, knowledge, creativity, and success in their pursuits. It is believed that sincere recitation of the Saraswati Chalisa brings about positive changes in one's life and attracts the divine grace of Goddess Saraswati.