Saraswati Chalisa Meaning — Line by Line
सरस्वती चालीसा
Every verse and every word explained in English & Hindi
Meaning — Line by Line
Every verse of Saraswati Chalisa with its English meaning. Tap any word to hear it, or ▶ to recite the verse.
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- Doha 1. Janaka janani pada kamala raja, nija mastaka para dhari
- Doha 2. Purna jagata mem vyapta tava, mahima amita anamtu
- Chaupai 1. Jaya shri sakala buddhi balarasi
- Chaupai 2. Jaya jaya jaya vinakara dhari
- Chaupai 3. Rupa chaturbhujadhari mata
- Chaupai 4. Jaga mem papa buddhi jaba hoti
- Chaupai 5. Tabahi matu le nija avatara
- Chaupai 6. Balmiki ji the hatyara
- Chaupai 7. Ramayana jo rache banai
- Chaupai 8. Kalidasa jo bhaye vikhyata
- Chaupai 9. Tulasi sura adi viddhana
- Chaupai 10. Tinhahim na aura raheu avalamba
- Chaupai 11. Karahu kripa soi matu bhavani
- Chaupai 12. Putra karai aparadha bahuta
- Chaupai 13. Rakhu laja janani aba meri
- Chaupai 14. Maim anatha teri avalamba
- Chaupai 15. Madhu kaitabha jo ati balavana
- Chaupai 16. Samara hajara pamcha mem ghora
- Chaupai 17. Matu sahaya bhai tehi kala
- Chaupai 18. Tehi te mrityu bhai khala keri
- Chaupai 19. Chamda munda jo the vikhyata
- Chaupai 20. Raktabija se samaratha papi
- Chaupai 21. Kateu sira jima kadali khamba
- Chaupai 22. Jaga prasiddha jo shumbha nishumbha
- Chaupai 23. Bharata-matu budhi phereu jai
- Chaupai 24. Ehi vidhi ravana vadha tuma kinha
- Chaupai 25. Ko samaratha tava yasha guna gana
- Chaupai 26. Vishnu rudra aja sakahim na mari
- Chaupai 27. Rakta dantika aura shatakshi
- Chaupai 28. Durgama kaja dhara para kinha
- Chaupai 29. Durga adi harani tu mata
- Chaupai 30. Nripa kopita jo marana chahai
- Chaupai 31. Sagara madhya pota ke bhamge
- Chaupai 32. Bhuta preta badha ya duhkha mem
- Chaupai 33. Nama jape mamgala saba hoi
- Chaupai 34. Putrahina jo atura bhai
- Chaupai 35. Karai patha nita yaha chalisa
- Chaupai 36. Dhupadika naivedya chadhavai
- Chaupai 37. Bhakti matu ki karai hamesha
- Chaupai 38. Bamdi patha karem shata bara
- Chaupai 39. Karahu kripa bhavamukti bhavani
- Chaupai 40. Mata suraja kanti tava, amdhakara mama rupa
- Closing Doha. Bala buddhi vidya dehum mohi, sunahu sarasvati matu
Janaka janani pada kamala raja, nija mastaka para dhari
जनक जननि पद कमल रज, निज मस्तक पर धारि। बन्दौं मातु सरस्वती, बुद्धि बल दे दातारि॥
Janaka janani pada kamala raja, nija mastaka para dhari Bandaum matu sarasvati, buddhi bala de datari
MeaningPlacing on my head the dust of the lotus-feet of my parents, I bow to Mother Saraswati — grant me, O giver, intellect and strength.
Purna jagata mem vyapta tava, mahima amita anamtu
पूर्ण जगत में व्याप्त तव, महिमा अमित अनंतु। रामसागर के पाप को, मातु तुही अब हन्तु॥
Purna jagata mem vyapta tava, mahima amita anamtu Ramasagara ke papa ko, matu tuhi aba hantu
MeaningYour glory pervades the whole world, boundless and infinite; O Mother, now destroy the sins of (the poet) Ramsagar.
Jaya shri sakala buddhi balarasi
जय श्री सकल बुद्धि बलरासी। जय सर्वज्ञ अमर अविनासी॥
Jaya shri sakala buddhi balarasi Jaya sarvajna amara avinasi
MeaningVictory, O glorious one, the store of all intellect and strength; victory, O all-knowing, immortal and imperishable.
Jaya jaya jaya vinakara dhari
जय जय जय वीणाकर धारी। करती सदा सुहंस सवारी॥
Jaya jaya jaya vinakara dhari Karati sada suhamsa savari
MeaningVictory, victory, victory, O bearer of the veena; ever riding upon the graceful swan.
Rupa chaturbhujadhari mata
रूप चतुर्भुजधारी माता। सकल विश्व अन्दर विख्याता॥
Rupa chaturbhujadhari mata Sakala vishva andara vikhyata
MeaningO four-armed Mother, renowned throughout the entire world.
Jaga mem papa buddhi jaba hoti
जग में पाप बुद्धि जब होती। जबहि धर्म की फीकी ज्योती॥
Jaga mem papa buddhi jaba hoti Jabahi dharma ki phiki jyoti
MeaningWhen sinful thinking arises in the world, and the light of dharma grows dim —
Tabahi matu le nija avatara
तबहि मातु ले निज अवतारा। पाप हीन करती महि तारा॥
Tabahi matu le nija avatara Papa hina karati mahi tara
Meaning— then the Mother takes her own incarnation, and freeing it of sin, delivers the earth.
Balmiki ji the hatyara
बाल्मीकि जी थे हत्यारा। तव प्रसाद जानै संसारा॥
Balmiki ji the hatyara Tava prasada janai samsara
MeaningValmiki was a murderer; by your grace the world now knows him —
Ramayana jo rache banai
रामायण जो रचे बनाई। आदि कवी की पदवी पाई॥
Ramayana jo rache banai Adi kavi ki padavi pai
Meaning— for he composed the Ramayana and attained the rank of the first poet (Adi Kavi).
Kalidasa jo bhaye vikhyata
कालिदास जो भये विख्याता। तेरी कृपा दृष्टि से माता॥
Kalidasa jo bhaye vikhyata Teri kripa drishti se mata
MeaningKalidasa became renowned, O Mother, through your gracious glance.
Tulasi sura adi viddhana
तुलसी सूर आदि विद्धाना। भये और जो ज्ञानी नाना॥
Tulasi sura adi viddhana Bhaye aura jo jnani nana
MeaningTulsidas, Surdas and other scholars, and many another wise one, came to be —
Tinhahim na aura raheu avalamba
तिन्हहिं न और रहेउ अवलम्बा। केवल कृपा आपकी अम्बा॥
Tinhahim na aura raheu avalamba Kevala kripa apaki amba
Meaning— they had no other support, O Mother Amba, but only your grace.
Karahu kripa soi matu bhavani
करहु कृपा सोइ मातु भवानी। दुखित दीन निज दासहि जानी॥
Karahu kripa soi matu bhavani Dukhita dina nija dasahi jani
MeaningShow such grace, O Mother Bhavani, knowing your servant to be sorrowful and lowly.
Putra karai aparadha bahuta
पुत्र करै अपराध बहूता। तेहि न धरइ चित सुन्दर माता॥
Putra karai aparadha bahuta Tehi na dharai chita sundara mata
MeaningThough the child commits many a fault, the gracious Mother does not take it to heart.
Rakhu laja janani aba meri
राखु लाज जननी अब मेरी। विनय करूं बहु भांति घनेरी॥
Rakhu laja janani aba meri Vinaya karum bahu bhamti ghaneri
MeaningPreserve my honour now, O Mother; in many ways I offer abundant prayer.
Maim anatha teri avalamba
मैं अनाथ तेरी अवलंबा। कृपा करउ जय जय जगदंबा॥
Maim anatha teri avalamba Kripa karau jaya jaya jagadamba
MeaningI am an orphan, you are my support; show grace — victory, victory, O Jagadamba.
Madhu kaitabha jo ati balavana
मधु कैटभ जो अति बलवाना। बाहुयुद्ध विष्णू ते ठाना॥
Madhu kaitabha jo ati balavana Bahuyuddha vishnu te thana
MeaningMadhu and Kaitabha, exceedingly mighty, engaged Vishnu in hand-to-hand combat.
Samara hajara pamcha mem ghora
समर हजार पांच में घोरा। फिर भी मुख उनसे नहिं मोरा॥
Samara hajara pamcha mem ghora Phira bhi mukha unase nahim mora
MeaningFor five thousand years the dreadful battle raged, yet he turned not his face from them.
Matu sahaya bhai tehi kala
मातु सहाय भई तेहि काला। बुद्धि विपरीत करी खलहाला॥
Matu sahaya bhai tehi kala Buddhi viparita kari khalahala
MeaningThe Mother became his help at that hour, deranging the wits of the wicked pair.
Tehi te mrityu bhai khala keri
तेहि ते मृत्यु भई खल केरी। पुरवहु मातु मनोरथ मेरी॥
Tehi te mrityu bhai khala keri Puravahu matu manoratha meri
MeaningBy that their death came about; fulfil my heart's desire, O Mother.
Chamda munda jo the vikhyata
चंड मुण्ड जो थे विख्याता। छण महुं संहारेउ तेहि माता॥
Chamda munda jo the vikhyata Chhana mahum samhareu tehi mata
MeaningChanda and Munda, who were renowned, the Mother destroyed in an instant.
Raktabija se samaratha papi
रक्तबीज से समरथ पापी। सुर-मुनि हृदय धरा सब कांपी॥
Raktabija se samaratha papi Sura-muni hridaya dhara saba kampi
MeaningRaktabija, the mighty sinner, at whom the hearts of gods and sages all trembled —
Kateu sira jima kadali khamba
काटेउ सिर जिम कदली खम्बा। बार बार बिनवउं जगदंबा॥
Kateu sira jima kadali khamba Bara bara binavaum jagadamba
Meaning— you struck off his head as one fells a plantain trunk; again and again I pray, O Jagadamba.
Jaga prasiddha jo shumbha nishumbha
जग प्रसिद्ध जो शुंभ निशुंभा। छिन में बधे ताहि तू अम्बा॥
Jaga prasiddha jo shumbha nishumbha Chhina mem badhe tahi tu amba
MeaningThe world-famed Shumbha and Nishumbha — in a moment you slew them, O Amba.
Bharata-matu budhi phereu jai
भरत-मातु बुधि फेरेउ जाई। रामचंद्र बनवास कराई॥
Bharata-matu budhi phereu jai Ramachamdra banavasa karai
MeaningYou turned the mind of Bharata's mother (Kaikeyi), bringing about Ramachandra's exile to the forest.
Ehi vidhi ravana vadha tuma kinha
एहि विधि रावन वध तुम कीन्हा। सुर नर मुनि सब कहुं सुख दीन्हा॥
Ehi vidhi ravana vadha tuma kinha Sura nara muni saba kahum sukha dinha
MeaningIn this way you brought about Ravana's slaying, giving joy to gods, men and sages alike.
Ko samaratha tava yasha guna gana
को समरथ तव यश गुन गाना। निगम अनादि अनंत बखाना॥
Ko samaratha tava yasha guna gana Nigama anadi anamta bakhana
MeaningWho is able to sing your glory and virtues? The Vedas proclaim you beginningless and endless.
Vishnu rudra aja sakahim na mari
विष्णु रूद्र अज सकहिं न मारी। जिनकी हो तुम रक्षाकारी॥
Vishnu rudra aja sakahim na mari Jinaki ho tuma rakshakari
MeaningVishnu, Rudra and Brahma (the unborn) cannot be slain — they whose protector you are.
Rakta dantika aura shatakshi
रक्त दन्तिका और शताक्षी। नाम अपार है दानव भक्षी॥
Rakta dantika aura shatakshi Nama apara hai danava bhakshi
MeaningRaktadantika and Shatakshi — your names are countless, O devourer of demons.
Durgama kaja dhara para kinha
दुर्गम काज धरा पर कीन्हा। दुर्गा नाम सकल जग लीन्हा॥
Durgama kaja dhara para kinha Durga nama sakala jaga linha
MeaningYou accomplished impossible deeds upon the earth; the whole world took up the name 'Durga'.
Durga adi harani tu mata
दुर्ग आदि हरनी तू माता। कृपा करहु जब जब सुखदाता॥
Durga adi harani tu mata Kripa karahu jaba jaba sukhadata
MeaningYou are the Mother who removes every difficulty (durga); show grace whenever needed, O giver of joy.
Nripa kopita jo marana chahai
नृप कोपित जो मारन चाहै। कानन में घेरे मृग नाहै॥
Nripa kopita jo marana chahai Kanana mem ghere mriga nahai
MeaningWhen an angry king seeks to kill, or one is hemmed in by beasts in the forest —
Sagara madhya pota ke bhamge
सागर मध्य पोत के भंगे। अति तूफान नहिं कोऊ संगे॥
Sagara madhya pota ke bhamge Ati tuphana nahim kou samge
Meaning— when a ship breaks in mid-ocean amid a great storm, with no companion near —
Bhuta preta badha ya duhkha mem
भूत प्रेत बाधा या दुःख में। हो दरिद्र अथवा संकट में॥
Bhuta preta badha ya duhkha mem Ho daridra athava samkata mem
Meaning— in the affliction of ghosts and spirits, in poverty or in calamity —
Nama jape mamgala saba hoi
नाम जपे मंगल सब होई। संशय इसमें करइ न कोई॥
Nama jape mamgala saba hoi Samshaya isamem karai na koi
Meaning— chanting your name, all becomes auspicious; let none harbour any doubt in this.
Putrahina jo atura bhai
पुत्रहीन जो आतुर भाई। सबै छांड़ि पूजें एहि माई॥
Putrahina jo atura bhai Sabai chhamड़i pujem ehi mai
MeaningThe sonless one, the anxious one — abandoning all else, let them worship this Mother.
Karai patha nita yaha chalisa
करै पाठ नित यह चालीसा। होय पुत्र सुन्दर गुण ईसा॥
Karai patha nita yaha chalisa Hoya putra sundara guna isa
MeaningWhoever recites this Chalisa daily obtains a son, beautiful and virtuous as Isha.
Dhupadika naivedya chadhavai
धूपादिक नैवेद्य चढावै। संकट रहित अवश्य हो जावै॥
Dhupadika naivedya chadhavai Samkata rahita avashya ho javai
MeaningOffering incense and food-offerings, one surely becomes free of calamity.
Bhakti matu ki karai hamesha
भक्ति मातु की करै हमेशा। निकट न आवै ताहि कलेशा॥
Bhakti matu ki karai hamesha Nikata na avai tahi kalesha
MeaningWhoever ever performs devotion to the Mother — no affliction comes near them.
Bamdi patha karem shata bara
बंदी पाठ करें शत बारा। बंदी पाश दूर हो सारा॥
Bamdi patha karem shata bara Bamdi pasha dura ho sara
MeaningThe prisoner who recites it a hundred times has every bond of captivity loosed.
Karahu kripa bhavamukti bhavani
करहु कृपा भवमुक्ति भवानी। मो कहं दास सदा निज जानी॥
Karahu kripa bhavamukti bhavani Mo kaham dasa sada nija jani
MeaningShow grace and grant liberation, O Bhavani, ever knowing me as your own servant.
Mata suraja kanti tava, amdhakara mama rupa
माता सूरज कान्ति तव, अंधकार मम रूप। डूबन ते रक्षा करहु, परूं न मैं भव-कूप॥
Mata suraja kanti tava, amdhakara mama rupa Dubana te raksha karahu, parum na maim bhava-kupa
MeaningO Mother, yours is the radiance of the sun, mine the form of darkness; save me from drowning, that I fall not into the well of existence.
Bala buddhi vidya dehum mohi, sunahu sarasvati matu
बल बुद्धि विद्या देहुं मोहि, सुनहु सरस्वति मातु। अधम रामसागरहिं तुम, आश्रय देउ पुनातु॥
Bala buddhi vidya dehum mohi, sunahu sarasvati matu Adhama ramasagarahim tuma, ashraya deu punatu
MeaningGrant me strength, intellect and learning; hear me, O Mother Saraswati; O purifier, give shelter to the lowly Ramsagar.
Word-by-Word Breakdown
Origin & History
Source: Traditional Hindi devotional hymn
Author: Traditional (signed 'Ramsagar')
Period: Devotional era
The Saraswati Chalisa is a forty-verse Hindi hymn to the goddess of learning, music and speech. It celebrates how, whenever sinful thinking clouds the world, the Mother descends to restore the light of dharma, and how by her grace alone the murderer Valmiki became the Adi Kavi and poets like Kalidasa, Tulsidas and Surdas attained their genius — a promise of wisdom to every devotee who seeks her.
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