Saraswati Stotra

May that blessed Goddess Saraswati, who is fair as the jasmine flower, the moon, a garland of snow, and who is clad in pure white garments; whose hands are adorned with the excellent veena; who is seated on a white lotus; who is ever worshipped by Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva and all other gods; and who removes all dullness and ignorance completely—may She protect me.

That goddess of speech, adorned with four arms that shine like crystal gems, holding in one hand a rosary, in another a white lotus, in yet another a parrot, and in the remaining hand a book; radiant with a luster equal to jasmine, the moon, a conch shell, and crystal gems; incomparable in her splendor—may that very goddess ever dwell in my mouth, ever gracious.

She whose lotus feet are served by gods and demons alike, who holds a delightful book in her hand, the consort of Brahma seated upon the lotus throne—may Saraswati ever dance upon my speech.

May Saraswati, whose radiance resembles the filaments of a lotus, who is rich in ascetic splendor, who loves the white lotus as her seat, whose breasts are full, whose eyes are as graceful and restless as lotus petals, who is noble-minded—may she bestow her grace upon me.

O Saraswati, obeisance to You, the bestower of boons, the one who assumes forms according to desire. I am about to begin my studies; may success ever be mine.

O Saraswati, obeisance to You; O goddess of all, repeated obeisance to You. O embodiment of peace, O moon-crested one, O union with all, repeated obeisance to You.

Repeated obeisance to You, the ever-blissful, the supportless, the indivisible. O bestower of knowledge, O large-eyed one, O pure awareness, repeated obeisance to You.

Repeated obeisance to You, whose form is pure crystal, who are of subtle form. O Brahman of sound, O four-armed one, O source of all accomplishments, repeated obeisance to You.

Repeated obeisance to You, whose every limb is adorned with pearls, who reside in the root chakra. O embodiment of the root mantra, O primordial power, repeated obeisance to You.

Repeated obeisance to You, O mistress of speech, in the great yoga of the mind-jewel. O goddess of speech, O bestower of boons with Your outstretched hand, O granter of wishes, repeated obeisance to You.

Repeated obeisance to You, who are the Veda, the form of the Veda, and the essence of the Vedanta. O You who are beyond virtue and defect, O radiance of all virtues, repeated obeisance to You.

O all-knowing, ever-blissful, and all-formed one, I bow to You again and again. O accomplished virgin, all-wise one, I bow to You again and again.

O Yoga-goddess Uma, O bliss of Yoga, I bow to You again and again. O possessor of divine knowledge, O three-eyed one, O divine form, I bow to You again and again.

O wearer of the crescent moon in Your matted hair, O moon-faced one, I bow to You again and again. O wearer of both the moon and the sun in Your matted hair, O moon-faced one, I bow to You again and again.

O atomic form, O great form, O universal form, I bow to You again and again. O bestower of the eight powers beginning with anima, O bliss itself, I bow to You again and again.

O embodiment of knowledge and wisdom, O form of knowledge, I bow to You again and again. O essence of all scriptures, O multi-formed one, I bow to You again and again.

O giver of lotuses, O one of the lotus lineage, O lotus-formed one, I bow to You again and again. O supreme one, O supreme form, O destroyer of sins, I bow to You.

O great goddess, O Mahakali, O Mahalakshmi, I bow to You again and again. O one who is Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva, O female Brahman, I bow to You again and again.

O adorned with lotus flowers, O form of desire, I bow to You again and again. O bearer of the skull, O radiant with deeds, O bestower of actions, I bow to You again and again.

One who recites this hymn daily in the evening and morning attains success within six months. For those who recite and for those who listen, there is no fear from thieves or tigers.

Thus this hymn to Saraswati, spoken by the sage Agastya, bestows all accomplishments upon men and completely destroys all sins.

Thus ends the hymn to Saraswati proclaimed by the venerable sage Agastya.