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Two short prayers every student in India knows — “O Saraswati, lotus-eyed Goddess of knowledge, give me learning” and “Salutations, Saraswati; as I begin my studies, may I always succeed.”
Traditional Saraswati shlokas
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Saraswati Mahabhage
Son of Kali · Divine Chants Vol. 1
Each line shows an easy way to say it, with its English meaning. Turn on the Sanskrit, the exact pronunciation or the word-by-word meaning whenever you want to go deeper.
सरस्वति महाभागे विद्ये कमललोचने ।
Saraswati Mahabhage Vidye Kamala Lochane
sarasvati mahābhāge vidye kamalalocane
O Saraswati, greatly blessed one, Goddess of knowledge, lotus-eyed one,
विद्यारूपे विशालाक्षि विद्यां देहि नमोऽस्तु ते ॥
Vidyarupe Vishalakshi Vidyam Dehi Namostu Te
vidyārūpe viśālākṣi vidyāṃ dehi namo'stu te
O wide-eyed one whose very form is knowledge — grant me knowledge; salutations to you.
सरस्वति नमस्तुभ्यं वरदे कामरूपिणि ।
Saraswati Namastubhyam Varade Kamarupini
sarasvati namastubhyaṃ varade kāmarūpiṇi
Salutations to you, O Saraswati, giver of boons, who takes whatever form you wish;
विद्यारम्भं करिष्यामि सिद्धिर्भवतु मे सदा ॥
Vidyarambham Karishyami Siddhir Bhavatu Me Sada
vidyārambhaṃ kariṣyāmi siddhirbhavatu me sadā
I am about to begin my studies — may I always have success.
These two four-line shlokas are among the very first prayers children learn. They are chanted before lessons, exams, music practice or any new course of study.
The first, “Saraswati Mahabhage,” calls the Goddess “greatly blessed,” “knowledge itself,” “lotus-eyed” and “wide-eyed,” and asks simply: vidyāṃ dehi — “give me knowledge.”
The second, “Saraswati Namastubhyam,” is the classic prayer for beginnings: vidyārambhaṃ kariṣyāmi — “I am about to begin my studies; may I always succeed.” It is the prayer of Vidyarambham, the ceremony in which young children write their first letters.
On Vijayadashami (and on Vasant Panchami in the north), little children are seated before Saraswati and, guided by a teacher or elder, trace their first letters in a plate of rice.
The verse “Saraswati Namastubhyam” is chanted as they begin. It is often the first Sanskrit a child ever learns.
When to chant
How many times
3 or 11 times.
Sit before an image of Saraswati, or simply place your books in front of you.
Join your palms and chant each verse slowly.
Picture the Goddess in white, gently blessing your mind with clarity.
Begin your study straight away.
The sounds that trip people up most in this hymn, and how to say them.
mahābhāge
ma-haa-bhaa-gay — “greatly blessed one.”
viśālākṣi
vi-shaa-laak-shi — “wide-eyed one.”
vidyārambhaṃ
vid-yaa-rum-bhum — “the beginning of study.”
What does Saraswati Mahabhage mean?
“O Saraswati, greatly blessed one, Goddess of knowledge, lotus-eyed one; O wide-eyed one whose form is knowledge, grant me knowledge — salutations to you.”
Which is the best Saraswati mantra for students?
These two shlokas are the most widely used by students, along with the seed mantra Om Aim Saraswatyai Namah.
When should students chant it?
Before studying, before an exam, and on Vasant Panchami and Saraswati Puja.