Shri Saraswati Chalisa

Placing the dust of my parents' lotus feet upon my head, I bow to Mother Saraswati, the giver of intellect and strength.

Your glory is infinite and pervades the entire universe. O Mother, may You now destroy the sins of the wicked.

Victory to You, O treasury of all intellect and strength! Victory to You, the all-knowing, immortal, and indestructible one.

Victory, victory, victory to You who hold the veena in Your hand and ever ride upon the beautiful swan.

O Mother, You possess a four-armed form and are renowned throughout the entire universe.

When wicked intellect arises in the world, then the light of righteousness becomes dim.

At that very time, the Mother descends in Her own incarnation, O great Mother, and purges all sin.

Valmiki was once a murderer, yet by Your grace the world knows him as a sage.

He composed the Ramayana and attained the title of the first poet.

Kalidasa became renowned, O Mother, through the glance of Your grace.

Tulsidas, Surdas, and many other scholars and wise ones came to be by Your grace.

They had no other support, O Mother; it was only Your grace that sustained them.

Show that same grace, O Mother Bhavani, knowing me as Your distressed and humble servant.

A son may commit many offenses, yet a mother does not hold them in her heart.

O Mother, now protect my honor; I make my humble plea to You in many ways.

I am an orphan, and You are my sole support. O Mother of the universe, have mercy on me.

Madhu and Kaitabha, who were extremely powerful, waged a battle of arms with Lord Vishnu.

Though the fierce battle lasted for five thousand years, Vishnu did not turn His face away from them.

O Mother, You helped Lord Vishnu at that time by causing the wicked ones' intellect to become perverse.

Thus the wicked ones met their death. O Mother, fulfill my desires as well.

Chanda and Munda, who were famous demons, were destroyed by You in a single moment, O Mother.

The powerful sinner Raktabija caused even the gods and sages to tremble with fear in their hearts.

You cut off his heads as if cutting banana stalks. Again and again I bow to You, O Mother of the universe.

The world-famous demons Shumbha and Nishumbha were bound by You in an instant, O Mother.

You turned the intellect of Bharata's mother, causing Rama's exile to the forest.

In this manner, You brought about the slaying of Ravana, giving happiness to all gods, humans, and sages.

Who is capable of singing Your glory and virtues? The Vedas, beginningless and endless, declare them.

Even Vishnu and Rudra praise You, O Mother, for You are their protector.

You are known as Rakta Dantika and Shatakshi, and You have countless names as the devourer of demons.

You accomplished the impossible tasks on earth, and thus the whole world gave You the name Durga.

You are the destroyer of all difficulties, O Mother. Whenever You bestow grace, You become the giver of happiness.

When a king's wrath seeks to kill someone, or when one is surrounded by wild beasts in the forest,

When a ship breaks in the middle of the ocean, with a fierce storm and no one to accompany,

In distress from ghosts or spirits, in poverty, or in any crisis,

If one chants Your name, all becomes auspicious. Let no one have any doubt about this.

A brother who is distressed due to being childless should abandon all other methods and worship You.

One who recites this Chalisa daily will be blessed with a son who is beautiful, virtuous, and godly.

One who offers incense, food, and other items will surely become free from all troubles.

One who always devotes to the Mother will never have sorrow approach them.

If a prisoner recites this Chalisa one hundred times, all their bonds will be removed.

O Bhavani, having composed this hymn named Ramasagara, please grant Your grace, knowing me as Your servant.

O Mother, Your brilliance is like the sun, while my form is darkness. Protect me from drowning, so that I may not fall into the well of worldly existence.

Grant me strength, intellect, and knowledge, O Mother Saraswati, listen. You alone are the refuge for the lowly Ramasagara.