Saraswati Mantras

या देवी सर्वभूतेषु बुद्धिरूपेण संस्थिता । नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः ॥

Ya Devi Sarvabhuteshu Buddhirupena Samsthita, Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namah

Meaning To the Goddess who resides in all beings in the form of intellect (Buddhi), salutations again and again.

या कुन्देन्दुतुषारहारधवला या शुभ्रवस्त्रावृता या वीणावरदण्डमण्डितकरा या श्वेतपद्मासना । या ब्रह्माच्युतशङ्करप्रभृतिभिर्देवैः सदा वन्दिता सा मां पातु सरस्वती भगवती निःशेषजाड्यापहा ॥

Ya Kundendu Tushara Hara Dhavala Ya Shubhravastravrita, Ya Veenavaradanda Manditakara Ya Shvetapadmasana, Ya Brahmachyuta Shankara Prabhritibhir Devaih Sada Vandita, Sa Maam Patu Saraswati Bhagavati Nihsheshajadyapaha. The most famous Saraswati vandana

Meaning May Goddess Saraswati, white as jasmine and snow, clad in white, holding the veena, seated on a white lotus, worshipped by Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva, protect me and remove all dullness of mind.

सरस्वति नमस्तुभ्यं वरदे कामरूपिणि । विद्यारम्भं करिष्यामि सिद्धिर्भवतु मे सदा ॥

Saraswati Namastubhyam Varade Kamarupini, Vidyarambham Karishyami Siddhirbhavatu Me Sada. A famous verse recited before starting studies

Meaning O Saraswati, salutations to You, the boon-giver who takes any desired form; I begin my studies — may I always attain success.

पावका नः सरस्वती वाजेभिर्वाजिनीवती । यज्ञं वष्टु धियावसुः ॥

Pavaka Nah Saraswati Vajebhir Vajinivati, Yajnam Vashtu Dhiyavasuh

Meaning May the purifying Saraswati, rich in nourishment, accept our sacrifice along with our intellect and wealth.

चोदयित्री सूनृतानां चेतन्ती सुमतीनाम् । यज्ञं दधे सरस्वती ॥

Chodayitri Sunritanam Chetanti Sumatinam, Yajnam Dadhe Saraswati

Meaning Saraswati, who inspires truthful words and awakens noble thoughts, accepts our sacrifice.

महो अर्णः सरस्वती प्र चेतयति केतुना । धियो विश्वा वि राजति ॥

Maho Arnah Saraswati Pra Chetayati Ketuna, Dhiyo Vishva Vi Rajati

Meaning Saraswati, the great flood of knowledge, illuminates with her banner and enlightens all thoughts.

ज्ञानानन्दमयं देवं निर्मलस्फटिकाकृतिम् । आधारं सर्वविद्यानां हयग्रीवमुपास्महे ॥

Jnananandam Mayam Devam Nirmala Sphatikakritim, Adharam Sarvavidyanam Hayagreevam Upasmahe. The traditional dhyana (meditation) verse of Lord Hayagriva, the horse-faced deity of knowledge in the Vaishnava tradition

Meaning We meditate on Lord Hayagriva, who is of the nature of knowledge-bliss, of the colour of pure crystal, and is the very foundation of all forms of learning.

मेधां मे वरुणो ददातु मेधां देवी सरस्वती । मेधां मे अश्विनावुभावाधत्तां पुष्करस्रजौ ॥

Medham Me Varuno Dadatu Medham Devi Saraswati, Medham Me Ashvinav Ubhav Adahattam Pushkarasrajou

Meaning May Varuna grant me intelligence; may Goddess Saraswati grant me intelligence; may the two Ashvins, garlanded with lotuses, also bestow intelligence upon me.

अप्सरासु च या मेधा गन्धर्वेषु च यन्मनः । दैवीं मेधां सरस्वतीं तां मे मेधां ददातु ॥

Apsaraasu Cha Ya Medha Gandharvesu Cha Yanmanah, Daivim Medham Sarasvatim Tam Me Medham Dadatu

Meaning The intelligence that exists among the Apsaras and the mind present among the Gandharvas — may that divine intelligence, presided over by Saraswati, be granted to me.

मयि मेधां मयि प्रजां मयि श्रीर्मयि ब्रह्मवर्चसम् । मय्यग्रं मयि ज्येष्ठियं मयि भगं धत्त ॥

Mayi Medham Mayi Prajam Mayi Shri Mayi Brahmavarcha Sam, Mayyagram Mayi Jyeshtiyam Mayi Bhagam Dhatta

Meaning Place in me intelligence, progeny, prosperity, and Vedic brilliance; give me eminence, seniority, and fortune.

सरस्वति महाभागे विद्ये कमललोचने । विद्यारूपे विशालाक्षि विद्यां देहि नमोस्तुते ॥

Saraswati Mahabhage Vidye Kamalalochane, Vidyarupe Vishalakshi Vidyam Dehi Namostute. A traditional Saraswati prayer for knowledge

Meaning O greatly fortunate Saraswati, Goddess of knowledge with lotus eyes, of the form of knowledge, wide-eyed one — please grant me learning. Salutations to You.