Ma Saraswati Chalisa & Aarati
Saraswati Chalisa
With English translation
Jayati Jayati Jai Bhaarati,
Sarasvati Jaga Devi
Jayati Amita Varadaayini,
Sura Nara Muni Jana Sevi
Glory, glory, all glory to you, O Bharati, who are Saraswati, the goddess of Speech, who are revered throughout the world. Glory to you, O Mother, who are the inexhaustible fountainhead of blessings and on whom the gods, men, hermits and votaries wait.
Jai Sata Vaadini Shaambhavi,
Vinaa Vaadini Amba
Padmapriy Parameshavari,
Ika Tumhaari Hi Avalamba
Glory to you, O Mother Shambhavi you are creative sound and sacred speech; you play on the veena and love lotuses; you are the supreme goddess of the world and the only support of the poet.
Jai Jai Sarasvati Jagadambaa
Karahu Maatu Jani Aaja Vilambaa
Basi Mama Kantha Dehu Sada Vaani
Nija Suta Jaani Eka Ajnaani
Glory, all glory to you, O Saraswati, the mother of the world! Tarry not today, O Mother, but come at once (to deliver me from ignorance). Make my throat your dwelling and bless me with sacred speech, considering that I, your own son am ignorant.
Karahu Kaaja Puurana Dai Bhakti
Bharahu Buddhi Bala, Vidyaa Shakti
Lahaun Vijaya Jaga Mahan Yasha Paauun
Tava Nita Maatu Charana Shira Naauun
Grant me faith and bringing my efforts to fruition bless me with the strength of wisdom and the power of knowledge, so that I may win victory and become a universal celebrity. This I say, O Mother, with my head bowed everyday to your feet.
Sapta Surana Rasnaamruta Vaani
Yaha Tava Charanaamruta Mahaaraani
Sharachchandra Sama Tava Tana Sohata
Shveta Hansavaahana Mana Mohata
O Queen consort, all the seven musical notes and all mellifluous speech, which is sweet as nectar, are but the ambrosial water with which your feet are washed (or the sacred water flowing from your feet). Your appearance is as beautiful as the fair, full autumnal moon and the swan your white vehicle looks charming.
Nayana Kamala Shobhita Shashi Bhaalaa
Vinaa Hasta Maalati Maalaa
Shesha Mahesha Suyasha Nita Gaavai
Chavi Lakhi Kotihun Kaama Lajaavai
Your shapely and beautiful eyes rival the loveliness of the lotus and your right forehead the luster of the moon. The Veena in your hand and the wreath of the malati flowers are two of your other adornments. The Serpent-King and the great god Mahesha sing your praise everyday, while myriad of Loves (Kama) feel abashed when they behold your beauty.
Jai Ho Rachanaa Saajana Vaali
Rasanaa Bicha Viraajana Vaali
Jayati Kaushiki Gaura Dulaari
Jayati Jayati Chaturaanana Pyaari
Glory to you, O goddess of creative art and its embellisher; you dwell on the tongues of the poet and the minstrel. Glory to you, O Kaushiki and beloved of Gauri!
Glory, all glory to you, O beloved of the four-faced Brahma!
Shri Sarasvatyai Namah Japata Jana
Svapnahun Roga Na Vyaadhi Rahata Tana
Yadi Taji Kumati Kusangati Koi
Vidyaarthi Padhahin Yaha Joi
Saphala Parikshaa Mahan Hvai Jaavai
Vidyaa Buddhi Badhai Sukha Paavai
Whosoever repeats the sacred formula “Shri Sarasvatyai Namah” never succumbs to any sickness even in a dream. The student who shakes off perversity and evil company and chants the mantra (regularly), succeeds in all examinations, finds himself happier, and his knowledge and intellect grow richer and sharper.
Kahun Gahi Kumati Na Bane Ganvaaraa
Khandai Virya Na Ekahu Baaraa
Ashtaprakaara Prasangana Mein Se
Jo Na Karai Prasanga Bhuulahun Se
Ho Niroga Baalaka Tanu Soi
Taakahun Svapnadosha Nahin Hoi
Never does he yield to indiscretion and become stupid, nor does he ever break the vow of celibacy. There are eight ways of gratifying one’s sexual urge, one of which is indulgence in imaginary coitus. He who does not indulge in any of these several modes of sexual gratification even by mistake, comes to possess a body free from all infirmity such as that of involuntary nocturnal emission.
Bramacharya Kari Bisa Barisaa
Buddhi Bala Mahan Banai Avaishaa
Nibhayaa Ju Niyama Pachisa Pramaanaa
So Hovai Hanumaana Samaanaa
Having observed the vow of celibacy for twenty years, he attains supremacy in intellectual excellence (both wisdom and power). If he holds on to the rules of purity and sexual continence for twenty-five years, he verily becomes as invincible as Hanuman.
Brahmacharya Asa Baalaka Saajain
Sarasvati Tehi Jivhaa Raajain
Banai Aashukavi Ati Sukha Paavain
Suta Bhi Mahaavira Upajaavain
The student who does not transgress the rules of celibacy, finds Saraswati shedding her lustre on his tongue. He becomes an impromptu and ready poet enjoying great creative contentment, a poet who also fathers renowned and valiant sons.
Veda Puraana Subhaashita Vaani
Avasi Laabhi Kari Dekhahin Praani
Jo Nasi Viraja Baalaapana Mein
Bhari Vihcaara Vyabhicharahin Mana Mein
Sarasvatihin Kahan Dharahin Na Dhyaanaa
Nita Ashilahin Gaavahin Gaanaa
Vaha Baalaka Atishaya Dukha Paavai
Roga Grasita Ho Janama Ganvaavai
Svapnadosha Tehin Mritaka Banaavai
Virya Kosha Tana Tika Na Paavai
He acquires competence in the Vedas, Puranas and all other poetic utterances, a feat appreciated by people around him. He who wastes the sap of life in adolescence, who fills his mind with promiscuous thoughts, remembers not the Goddess Saraswati and sings lewd songs, becomes extremely unhappy, a victim of wasting diseases, who squanders away his priceless life. With his body refusing to retain the vital fluid, involuntary nocturnal emissions precipitate his death.
Yadi Puni Mana Ko Vasha Kari Praani
Dhyaavai Saravatihin Hatha Thaani
Chalahin Cheta Atishaya Sukha Paavahin
Jo Na Likhita Upadesha Bhulaavahin
Karai Supuujana Devahin Devaa
Aru Guru Maatu Pitaa Ki Sevaa
Taahi Na Vyaadhi Sataavahi Kaayaa
Jaapara Sarasvati Ki Daayaa
If he realizes his error and puts a bridle on his mind with unflinching devotion to Saraswati and understandable wariness (of his wasteful past), he becomes exceedingly happy once again. Similarly, he who does not forget the written instructions (of the scriptures or of the enlightened sages and gurus), who worships gods and goddesses and who attends on his teachers and parents never succumbs to physical infirmities; Saraswati lavishes many a kindly favour on him.
Yadi Yaha Shikshaa Man Pitu Devain
Banai Putra Laayaka Sukha Devain
Jo Nara Padhahin Sarasvatichaalisaa
Gunahin Aru Naavahin Shishaa
Vishvamaahin Bala Vidyaa Maahin
Taason Jiti Sake Kou Naahin
If these instructions are given by the parents at home, every child will grow into a worthy man and contribute to their happiness. He who reads this hymn to Saraswati and bears its instructions in mind with bowed head, becomes so great an embodiment of learning and valor in the world that none can overthrow him.
Banai Mahipa Kavisishvara Soi
Vachana Siddhi Nidhi Nava Graha Hoi
Lekhaka Shakti Shastra Padhi Dekhyo
Taba Yaha Vidyaarthina Hita Likhyo
He becomes the most renowned poet whose writings enrapture the whole world and make him rule over all hearts; he attains not only perfection of speech but also all the nine treasures at home. The Shastras read by the author revealed to him the overpowering influence of the creative arts. Having realized this he wrote these lines for the edification of all students.
Gahata Niyama Sukha Lahata Shariraa
Karata Vishva Rakshaa Bani Viraa
Sundaradaasa Navaavata Shishaa
Maan Chaalisaa Diyo Chaalisaa
Adherence to the rules (of conduct and discipline) is conducive to physical health and happiness. It is in a disciplined life that the body acquires lustiness and becomes capable of protecting all. Sundardasa bows his head to Saraswati, who, being the goddess of all creative writings (including chaalisa) inspired him to compose this hymn.
Dhani Dhani Sarasa Sarasvati Ambaa
Nija Jana Hetu Na Karata Vilambaa
Vaani Binaa Vaadini Maataa
Vidyaa Vaaridhi Buddhi Vidhaataa
Blessed, blessed are you, O Sweet Mother Saraswati, who do not tarry when your votaries cry for help. You are, O Goddess of speech, O Mother who play on the Veena, the very ocean of learning and controller of the human intellect.
Tumahin Ganesha Sumiri Jo Dhyaavata
Aru Hanumantahi Shisha Navaavata
Kathina Se Kathina Kaarya Kari Daarata
Satya Satya Asa Veda Pukaarata
He who sets his mind on Ganesha and then meditates on you and also bows his head to Hanuman , finds himself accomplishing the most difficult undertaking-so testify the Vedas, saying that all this is true, true and true.
Doha
Nija Sevaka Ko Maan Tumahin Dinhyo Pingala Gyaana
Chaalisaa Vidhi Chaalisahin Likha, Linhyo Suyasha Mahaana
O Mother, you imparted to me, your own devotee, a knowledge of prosody, which enabled me to compose this hymn in its forty modes and earn great renown.
Sarasvati Yaha Chaalisaa, Virachita Sundaradaasa
Nitya Padhata Vidyaa Badhata, Puurana Hota Shubha Aasa
Sundardasa has composed this hymn to Saraswati, the recitation of which regularly causes learning and happiness to grow and all proper expectations to be fulfilled.
Guru Pitu Maatu Padhai Suta, Jo Yahi Shikhsaa Dehin
Bala Buddhi Vidyaa Sumati Ki, Maan Se Bhikshaa Lehin
If teachers and parents instruct a child in it, he receives from Mother the blessings of moral strength, wisdom, learning and intelligence.
Mata Saraswati Arati
Jai Sarasvati Maataa, Jai Jai He Sarasvati Maataa
Sadguna Vaibhava Shaalini, Tribhuvana Vikhyaataa
Glory, glory, all glory to you, O Mother Saraswati; you are renowned throughout the three spheres as the treasure-house of all great noble virtues. Let all sing to the glory of your name!
Chandravadani Padmaasini Dyuti Mangalakare
Sohe Shubha Hansa Savare, Atula Tejadhare
O infinitely radiant Goddess, you are beautiful and right as the moon and are seated in lotus posture; you are lustrous in appearance and source of all blessings; your vehicle, the auspicious swan, looks elegant.
Baaye Kara Mein Vinaa, Daayen Kara Maalaa
Shisha Mukuta Mani Sohe, Gala Motiyana Maalaa
In your left hand, O Mother Saraswati, is the Veena and in the right a wreath; on your head lies a splendid coronet of gems and around your neck a string of pearls.
Devi Sharana Jo Aae Unakaa Uddhaaram Kiyaa
Paithi Mantharaa Daasi, Raavana Sanhaara Kiyaa
O Goddess, whosoever sought refuge in you was released from the cycle of birth and death. By perverting the mind of Kaikayee’s dull-witted handmaid, Manthara, you became instrumental in the destruction of Ravana.
Vidyaa Gyaana Pradaayini, Jaga Mein Gyaana Prakaasha Bharo
Moha Aura Ajnaana Timira Kaa Jaga Se Naasha Karo
O bestower of learning and skill, illumine the world with light of knowledge and dispel the darkness of ignorance and infatuation.
Dhuupa Dipa Phala Mevaa Maan Svikaara Karo
Gyaana Chakshu De Maataa, Jaga Nistaara Karo
O Mother, pray accept my gift of incense, light, both green and dry fruits and endowing the world with eyes of knowledge ferry it across the ocean of this phenomenal world.
Maan Sarasvati Ki Arati, Jo Koi Jana Gaavai
Hitakaari Sukhakaari Gyaana Hakti Paavai
Whosoever sings this hymn to Mother Saraswati becomes a recipient of knowledge and devotion, both of which are beneficial and yield great happiness.
