Prayer to Goddess Saraswati for the Beginning of Studies
A two-line Sanskrit prayer to Saraswati, spoken by students before a lesson or Vidyarambha, asking that their study succeed.
Verses
Salutations to You, O Goddess Saraswati, bestower of boons, who assumes any form at will. I now begin my studies — may success always be mine.
Worship Guidelines & Chanting Benefits (Phalashruti)
Daily or auspicious lunar days (Ekadashi, Purnima, Pradosham)
Brahma Muhurta (4:00 AM – 6:00 AM) or Evening Dusk (Sandhya)
Ghee lamp (Deepa), Incense (Dhoopa), Fresh flowers & Water offering
- Peace of mind, spiritual upliftment, and harmonious energy in the home
Background
This prayer is recited by students and learners before a lesson, at the start of the school day, or at the Vidyarambha ceremony. The same verse appears as stanza 5 of the Sri Saraswati Stotram (Agastya Krutam) on Stotra Nidhi, a 21-verse hymn whose own colophon calls it 'spoken by the sage Agastya'. Recited alone, the two lines are in everyday use without any author named, and whether Agastya composed this stanza specifically is not established. The Hindu tradition invokes Saraswati as goddess of speech, learning and the arts.
Did You Know?
Goddess of Knowledge
Saraswati is the goddess of wisdom, learning, music and the arts, usually shown seated on a white lotus with a veena, a book and a rosary.
Where It Comes From
The Sri Saraswati Stotram (Agastya Krutam) on Stotra Nidhi contains this verse as stanza 5. The same Sanskrit appears there between the stanza that praises her form and the long run of salutations.
Meaning of Key Words
'Vidyarambham' means the beginning of learning. It is also the name of a ceremony, widely held in South India on Vijayadashami, in which a child writes first letters in rice.
The Boon-Giver
The verse calls Saraswati 'Varade', giver of boons, and 'Kamarupini', one who takes any form at will.
Used by Learners of All Ages
Children and adults alike say it before study, asking for clarity of mind and steady progress.
Saraswati
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The same teaching, echoed across traditions