सरस्वती चालीसा
Saraswati Chalisa
Composed by Traditional · All Chalisas
The Saraswati Chalisa is a forty-verse hymn to Maa Saraswati — goddess of speech, learning, music, and the arts. She is the divine consort of Brahma and the river of consciousness itself. Students, musicians, writers, and seekers of jñāna (knowledge) invoke her for clarity of thought, mastery of expression, and the dissolution of the inner fog that prevents understanding.
Saraswati is most powerfully invoked on Basant Panchami — the spring festival that marks the awakening of the natural world after winter. Books, instruments, and tools of one's craft are placed at the Mother's feet, blessed, and then resumed with new vigour.
ॐ
Size
Recitation audio coming soon
The audio with synced verse highlighting is being prepared. The full text below is ready to read.
Opening Dohas
Doha 1
जनक जननि पद कमल रज, निज मस्तक पर धारि।
बन्दौं मातु सरस्वती, बुद्धि बल दे दातारि॥
Janak janani pad kamal raj, nij mastak par dhari.
Bandau matu Saraswati, buddhi bal de datari.
Placing the dust of my parents' lotus feet on my head, I bow to Mother Saraswati, giver of intellect and strength.
Doha 2
पूर्ण जगत में व्याप्त तव, महिमा अमित अनंतु।
रामसागर के पाप को, मातु तुही अब हन्तु॥
Poorn jagat men vyapt tav, mahima amit anantu.
Ramsagar ke paap ko, matu tuhi ab hantu.
Your infinite glory pervades the whole world; O Mother, remove the sins of your devotee Ramsagar.
Chaupais (40)
Chaupai 1
जय श्री सकल बुद्धि बलरासी।
जय सर्वज्ञ अमर अविनासी॥
Jai Shri sakal buddhi balrasi.
Jai sarvagya amar avinashi.
Victory to the auspicious source of all intelligence and strength; victory to the all-knowing, immortal, imperishable Mother.
Chaupai 2
जय जय जय वीणाकर धारी।
करती सदा सुहंस सवारी॥
Jai jai jai veenakar dhari.
Karati sada suhans savari.
Victory to the bearer of the veena, who ever rides the pure swan.
Chaupai 3
रूप चतुर्भुजधारी माता।
सकल विश्व अन्दर विख्याता॥
Roop chaturbhujdhari mata.
Sakal vishwa andar vikhyata.
O four-armed Mother, your form is renowned throughout the entire universe.
Chaupai 4
जग में पाप बुद्धि जब होती।
जबहिं धर्म की फीकी ज्योती॥
Jag men paap buddhi jab hoti.
Jabahin dharm ki phiki jyoti.
When sinful thinking rises in the world and the light of dharma grows dim,
Chaupai 5
तबहिं मातु ले निज अवतारा।
पापहीन करती महितारा॥
Tabahin matu le nij avatara.
Paapheen karati mahi tara.
then, O Mother, you take form and purify the earth of wrongdoing.
Chaupai 6
बाल्मीकिजी थे बहम ज्ञानी।
तव प्रसाद जानै संसारा॥
Valmikiji the baham gyani.
Tav prasad janai sansara.
By your grace, the world came to know Valmiki as a great sage and knower.
Chaupai 7
रामायण जो रचे बनाई।
आदिकवी की पदवी पाई॥
Ramayan jo rache banai.
Adikavi ki padvi pai.
He composed the Ramayana and received the title of the first poet.
Chaupai 8
कालिदास जो भये विख्याता।
तेरी कृपा दृष्टि से माता॥
Kalidas jo bhaye vikhyata.
Teri kripa drishti se mata.
Kalidasa became famous through the glance of your grace, O Mother.
Chaupai 9
तुलसी सूर आदि विद्धाना।
भये और जो ज्ञानी नाना॥
Tulsi Soor adi viddhana.
Bhaye aur jo gyani nana.
Tulsidas, Surdas, and many other learned ones became wise through you.
Chaupai 10
तिन्हहिं न और रहेउ अवलम्बा।
केवल कृपा आपकी अम्बा॥
Tinhahin na aur raheu avalamba.
Keval kripa aapki Amba.
They had no other support; only your grace sustained them, O Amba.
Chaupai 11
करहु कृपा सोइ मातु भवानी।
दुखित दीन निज दासहि जानी॥
Karahu kripa soi matu Bhavani.
Dukhit deen nij dasahi jani.
Show that same grace, Mother Bhavani, knowing this sorrowful humble one as your servant.
Chaupai 12
पुत्र करै अपराध बहूता।
तेहि न धरइ चित सुन्दर माता॥
Putra karai aparadh bahuta.
Tehi na dharai chit sundar mata.
A child may commit many faults, but a beautiful mother does not hold them in her heart.
Chaupai 13
राखु लाज जननी अब मेरी।
विनय करूं बहुभाँति घनेरी॥
Rakhu laaj janani ab meri.
Vinay karun bahu bhanti ghaneri.
Protect my honor now, O Mother; I offer many humble prayers to you.
Chaupai 14
मैं अनाथ तेरी अवलंबा।
कृपा करउ जय जय जगदंबा॥
Main anath teri avalamba.
Kripa karau jai jai Jagadamba.
I am helpless and depend on you; show mercy. Victory to you, Jagadamba.
Chaupai 15
मधुकैटभ जो अति बलवाना।
बाहुयुद्ध विष्णू ते ठाना॥
Madhukaitabh jo ati balwana.
Bahu-yuddh Vishnu te thana.
Madhu and Kaitabha, mighty demons, entered hand-to-hand combat with Vishnu.
Chaupai 16
समर हजार पांच में घोरा।
फिर भी मुख उनसे नहिं मोरा॥
Samar hazar panch men ghora.
Phir bhi mukh unse nahin mora.
The fierce battle lasted five thousand years, yet Vishnu did not turn away.
Chaupai 17
मातु सहाय भई तेहि काला।
बुद्धि विपरीत करी खलहाला॥
Matu sahay bhai tehi kala.
Buddhi viparit kari khal hala.
At that time, Mother, you helped by turning the demons' understanding against them.
Chaupai 18
तेहि ते मृत्यु भई खल केरी।
पुरवहु मातु मनोरथ मेरी॥
Tehi te mrityu bhai khal keri.
Puravahu matu manorath meri.
Thus the wicked ones met death. O Mother, fulfill my heartfelt wish.
Chaupai 19
चंड मुण्ड जो थे विख्याता।
छण महुं संहारेउ तेहि माता॥
Chand Mund jo the vikhyata.
Chhan mahun sanhareu tehi mata.
The infamous Chanda and Munda were destroyed by you in a moment, O Mother.
Chaupai 20
रक्तबीज से समरथ पापी।
सुर-मुनि हृदय धरा सब कांपी॥
Raktabeej se samarath papi.
Sur-muni hriday dhara sab kampi.
The powerful sinner Raktabeej made gods, sages, and the whole earth tremble.
Chaupai 21
काटेउ सिर जिम कदली खम्बा।
बार बार बिनवउं जगदंबा॥
Kateu sir jim kadali khamba.
Bar bar binavau Jagadamba.
You cut down his head like a banana stem; again and again I pray to you, Jagadamba.
Chaupai 22
जग प्रसिद्ध जो शुंभ निशुंभा।
छिन में बधे ताहि तू अम्बा॥
Jag prasiddh jo Shumbh Nishumbha.
Chhin men badhe tahi tu Amba.
The world-famous demons Shumbha and Nishumbha were slain by you in an instant, O Amba.
Chaupai 23
भरत-मातु बुधि फेरेउ जाई।
रामचन्द्र बनवास कराई॥
Bharat-matu buddhi phereu jai.
Ramchandra banvas karai.
You turned the mind of Bharata's mother, leading to Rama's exile in the forest.
Chaupai 24
एहि विधि रावन वध तुम कीन्हा।
सुर नर मुनि सब कहुं सुख दीन्हा॥
Ehi vidhi Ravan vadh tum kinha.
Sur nar muni sab kahun sukh dinha.
In this way you brought about Ravana's death and gave joy to gods, humans, and sages.
Chaupai 25
को समरथ तव यश गुन गाना।
निगम अनादि अनंत बखाना॥
Ko samarath tav yash gun gana.
Nigam anadi anant bakhana.
Who is capable of fully singing your glory? The eternal Vedas proclaim it without end.
Chaupai 26
विष्णु रूद्र अज सकहिं न मारी।
जिनकी हो तुम रक्षाकारी॥
Vishnu Rudra Aj sakahin na mari.
Jinki ho tum rakshakari.
None can destroy those whom you protect, not even Vishnu, Rudra, or Brahma.
Chaupai 27
रक्तदन्तिका और शताक्षी।
नाम अपार है दानव भक्षी॥
Raktadantika aur Shatakshi.
Naam apar hai danav bhakshi.
You are Raktadantika and Shatakshi; your countless names include the devourer of demons.
Chaupai 28
दुर्गम काज धरा पर कीन्हा।
दुर्गा नाम सकल जग लीन्हा॥
Durgam kaj dhara par kinha.
Durga naam sakal jag linha.
You accomplished the difficult task on earth, and the whole world took up the name Durga.
Chaupai 29
दुर्ग आदि हरनी तू माता।
कृपा करहु जब जब सुखदाता॥
Durg adi harani tu mata.
Kripa karahu jab jab sukhdata.
O Mother, remover of difficulties, show compassion whenever your children seek happiness.
Chaupai 30
नृप कोपित जो मारन चाहै।
कानन में घेरे मृगनाहै॥
Nrip kopit jo maran chahai.
Kanan men ghere mrignahai.
When an angry king seeks to kill, or wild beasts surround someone in the forest,
Chaupai 31
सागर मध्य पोत के भंगे।
अति तूफान नहिं कोऊ संगे॥
Sagar madhya pot ke bhange.
Ati toofan nahin kou sange.
or when a boat breaks in the middle of the sea and no companion remains in a great storm,
Chaupai 32
भूत प्रेत बाधा या दुःख में।
हो दरिद्र अथवा संकट में॥
Bhoot pret badha ya dukh men.
Ho daridra athava sankat men.
or amid spirits, affliction, sorrow, poverty, or crisis,
Chaupai 33
नाम जपे मंगल सब होई।
संशय इसमें करइ न कोई॥
Naam jape mangal sab hoi.
Sanshay ismen karai na koi.
chanting your name brings auspiciousness; no one should doubt this.
Chaupai 34
पुत्रहीन जो आतुर भाई।
सबै छांड़ि पूजें एहि माई॥
Putraheen jo atur bhai.
Sabai chhandi pujen ehi mai.
One anxious for a child should leave all else and worship this Mother.
Chaupai 35
करै पाठ नित यह चालीसा।
होय पुत्र सुन्दर गुण ईसा॥
Karai paath nit yah Chalisa.
Hoy putra sundar gun eesa.
Whoever recites this Chalisa daily is blessed with a virtuous and beautiful child.
Chaupai 36
धूपादिक नैवेद्य चढावै।
संकट रहित अवश्य हो जावै॥
Dhoopadik naivedya chadhavai.
Sankat rahit avashya ho javai.
Offering incense and food with devotion surely removes distress.
Chaupai 37
भक्ति मातु की करै हमेशा।
निकट न आवै ताहि कलेशा॥
Bhakti matu ki karai hamesha.
Nikat na avai tahi kalesha.
One who always practices devotion to the Mother is not approached by suffering.
Chaupai 38
बंदी पाठ करें शत बारा।
बंदी पाश दूर हो सारा॥
Bandi paath karen shat bara.
Bandi paash door ho sara.
If a prisoner recites it a hundred times, the bonds of captivity are removed.
Chaupai 39
करहु कृपा भवमुक्ति भवानी।
मोकहं दास सदा निज जानी॥
Karahu kripa bhavmukti Bhavani.
Mokahan das sada nij jani.
Grant grace and liberation, Bhavani; always know me as your servant.
Closing Doha
Closing
माता सूरज कान्ति तव, अंधकार मम रूप।
डूबन ते रक्षा करहु, परूं न मैं भव-कूप॥
बल बुद्धि विद्या देहुं मोहि, सुनहु सरस्वति मातु।
अधम रामसागरहि तुम, आश्रय देउ पुनातु॥
Mata sooraj kanti tav, andhakar mam roop.
Dooban te raksha karahu, parun na main bhav-koop.
Bal buddhi vidya dehun mohi, sunahu Saraswati matu.
Adham Ramsagarahi tum, ashray deu punatu.
O Mother, your radiance is like the sun and my state is darkness. Save me from sinking into the well of worldly existence; grant strength, wisdom, and learning, and give refuge to your humble devotee.
🪔 May this recitation bring peace and protection.
Conclude with a moment of silence. Distribute prasad if you have prepared it.
ॐ
Benefits of recitation
- •Recited by students before exams and by writers/musicians before performances.
- •Cultivates clarity of speech and confidence in expression.
- •Eases stammering, fear of public speaking, and writer's block (traditional belief).
- •Recited for children just beginning their education (Vidya Arambham).
- •Central to Basant Panchami observance.
How to recite — traditional guidance
Best day
Basant Panchami; Thursdays for learning sadhana
Best time
Early morning, ideally facing east at sunrise
How many paaths
1 or 5 paaths daily for students; 108 on Basant Panchami
- ·Place your books or instruments before her image during recitation.
- ·Wear yellow or white — the colours of Saraswati.
- ·Offer white flowers, mishri (sugar candy), and pure water.
- ·Speak each word clearly — pronunciation is itself an offering to the goddess of speech.
- ·On Basant Panchami, distribute kheer or yellow rice as prasad.
Common questions
When is Saraswati Chalisa most powerfully recited?
On Basant Panchami — the day Maa Saraswati is most actively invoked. Otherwise, Thursdays (the day of Guru/Brihaspati) are traditional, and daily morning recitation is recommended for students.
Is there a connection between Saraswati and music?
Saraswati holds the veena — she is the source of all music and the patron deity of every classical Indian art. Musicians traditionally place their instruments before her image during recitation.
Why is yellow associated with Saraswati?
Yellow represents the awakening of spring and the colour of mustard fields in bloom on Basant Panchami. It also symbolises mental clarity and the dawn of understanding.
Continue your practice
Verse text and verse order cross-checked against the Drik Panchang Saraswati Mata Chalisa; transliteration and English meanings prepared by Daanyam.