Sharada Stotram
शारदा स्तोत्रम्
Also known as: sharada stotram · namaste sharade devi · namaste sharade devi kashmirapuravasini · sharada stotra · saraswati sharada stotram
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✦ Meaning
The Sharada Stotram, beginning 'Namaste Sharade Devi Kashmirapuravasini', is a beloved seven-verse prayer to Goddess Sharada (Saraswati) as enshrined at the Sharada Peetham. It salutes her as faith, intelligence and the Goddess of speech, declaring that without her the whole world would be as the living-dead, mute and deranged. The opening verse is one of the most widely recited Saraswati prayers, chanted by students seeking the gift of knowledge.
Origin & Story
Traditional Sharada (Saraswati) stotra associated with the Sharada Peetham; the opening verse is widely recited across India · Traditional (anonymous); transmitted in the Sharada Peetham and stotra tradition · Medieval (exact date unknown)
Goddess Sharada — Saraswati in her aspect as the deity of learning — has long been worshipped at the renowned Sharada Peetham, one of the great ancient seats of knowledge of the Indian subcontinent, from which the very Sharada script takes its name. This stotra, opening 'Namaste Sharade Devi Kashmirapuravasini', venerates her as that Kashmira-dwelling Goddess and prays simply for vidya-dana, the gift of knowledge. Its first verse became one of the most cherished and universally chanted Saraswati prayers, while the remaining verses extol her as faith, intelligence and the very speech without which the world would fall silent.
✦ As told in scripture
It is traditionally held that the Sharada Peetham was such a fountainhead of wisdom that the goddess herself examined the learning of those who came; and devotees say that sincere recitation of 'Namaste Sharade Devi' has loosened the tongues of the dull and the stammering, for the hymn declares that without her grace the whole world would remain mute and as the living-dead.
Complete Text with Meaning
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नमस्ते शारदे देवि काश्मीरपुरवासिनि। त्वामहं प्रार्थये नित्यं विद्यादानं च देहि मे॥१॥
Namaste Shaarade Devi Kaashmeera-pura-vaasini Tvaam-aham Praarthaye Nityam Vidyaa-daanam Cha Dehi Me (1)
Meaning:Salutations to you, O Goddess Sharada, dweller in the abode of Kashmir. I pray to you daily — please grant me the gift of knowledge.
या श्रद्धा धारणा मेधा वाग्देवी विधिवल्लभा। भक्तजिह्वाग्रसदना शमादिगुणदायिनी॥२॥
Yaa Shraddhaa Dhaaranaa Medhaa Vaag-devee Vidhi-vallabhaa Bhakta-jihvaagra-sadanaa Shamaadi-guna-daayinee (2)
Meaning:To her who is faith, retention and intelligence, the Goddess of speech, beloved of Brahma, who resides on the tip of the devotee's tongue and bestows the virtue of inner calm and the rest — salutations.
नमामि यामिनीनाथलेखालङ्कृतकुन्तलाम्। भवानीं भवसन्तापनिर्वापणसुधानदीम्॥३॥
Namaami Yaaminee-naatha-lekhaalankrita-kuntalaam Bhavaaneem Bhava-santaapa-nirvaapana-sudhaa-nadeem (3)
Meaning:I bow to her whose tresses are adorned with the crescent moon, to Bhavani, who is a river of nectar that quenches the burning sorrows of worldly existence.
भद्रकाल्यै नमो नित्यं सरस्वत्यै नमो नमः। वेदवेदाङ्गवेदान्तविद्यास्थानेभ्य एव च॥४॥
Bhadra-kaalyai Namo Nityam Saraswatyai Namo Namah Veda-vedaanga-vedaanta-vidyaa-sthaanebhya Eva Cha (4)
Meaning:Eternal salutations to Bhadrakali, salutations again and again to Saraswati, and to all the seats of learning — the Vedas, the Vedangas and the Vedanta.
ब्रह्मस्वरूपा परमा ज्योतीरूपा सनातनी। सर्वविद्याधिदेवी या तस्यै वाण्यै नमो नमः॥५॥
Brahma-svaroopaa Paramaa Jyotee-roopaa Sanaatanee Sarva-vidyaadhi-devee Yaa Tasyai Vaanyai Namo Namah (5)
Meaning:To her who is supreme, of the very nature of Brahman, of the form of light, eternal, the presiding deity of all knowledge — to that Goddess of speech, salutations again and again.
यया विना जगत्सर्वं शश्वज्जीवन्मृतं भवेत्। ज्ञानाधिदेवी या तस्यै सरस्वत्यै नमो नमः॥६॥
Yayaa Vinaa Jagat-sarvam Shashvaj-jeevan-mritam Bhavet Jnaanaadhi-devee Yaa Tasyai Saraswatyai Namo Namah (6)
Meaning:Without whom this entire world would forever be as the living-dead — to her, the presiding deity of knowledge, to that Saraswati, salutations again and again.
यया विना जगत्सर्वं मूकमुन्मत्तवत्सदा। या देवी वागधिष्ठात्री तस्यै वाण्यै नमो नमः॥७॥
Yayaa Vinaa Jagat-sarvam Mookam-unmattavat Sadaa Yaa Devee Vaagadhishthaatree Tasyai Vaanyai Namo Namah (7)
Meaning:Without whom this entire world would always be as if mute and deranged — to that Goddess who presides over speech, to that Vani, salutations again and again.
Word-by-Word Meaning
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Benefits of Chanting Sharada Stotram
Invokes Goddess Sharada (Saraswati) for the direct gift of knowledge (vidya-dana)
The famous first verse is a complete daily prayer for students and seekers
Bestows faith (shraddha), retention (dharana) and intelligence (medha)
Grants clear, fluent and pleasing speech
Calms the mind and instils the virtue of inner control (shama)
Especially recited during Navaratri, Vasant Panchami and before study or exams
Connects the devotee to the Sharada Peetham tradition of learning
How to Chant Sharada Stotram
Sit facing east or north before an image of Goddess Sharada or Saraswati, with a book and pen placed before you. Begin with the first verse, 'Namaste Sharade Devi Kashmirapuravasini', which may be repeated 11 or 108 times on its own as a powerful prayer for knowledge. To recite the full hymn, chant all seven verses with devotion, concluding with the salutations to the Goddess of speech. Students often recite it at the start of every study session.
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