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मेधा सूक्तम् Meaning — Line by Line

मेधा सूक्तम्

Every verse and every word explained in English & Hindi

Meaning — Line by Line

Every verse of मेधा सूक्तम् with its Hindi meaning. Tap any word to hear it, or ▶ to recite the verse.

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  1. Verse 1. Om yaśchandasāmṛṣabho viśvarūpaḥ;
  2. Verse 2. Śarīraṃ me vicarṣaṇam; jihvā me madhumattamā;
  3. Verse 3. Om medhādevī juṣamāṇā na āgādviśvācī bhadrā sumanasyamānā;
  4. Verse 4. Tvayā juṣṭa ṛṣirbhavati devi tvayā brahmā''gataśrīruta tvayā;
  5. Verse 5. Medhāṃ ma indro dadātu medhāṃ devī sarasvatī;
  6. Verse 6. Apsarāsu ca yā medhā gandharveṣu ca yanmanaḥ;
  7. Verse 7. Ā māṃ medhā surabhirviśvarūpā hiraṇyavarṇā jagatī jagamyā;
  8. Verse 8. Mayi medhāṃ mayi prajāṃ mayyagnistejo dadhātu;
  9. Verse 9. Om mahādevyai ca vidmahe brahmapatnī ca dhīmahi;
Verse 1#

Om yaśchandasāmṛṣabho viśvarūpaḥ;

यश्छन्दसामृषभो विश्वरूपः। छन्दोभ्योऽध्यमृतात्सम्बभूव। मेन्द्रो मेधया स्पृणोतु। अमृतस्य देवधारणो भूयासम्॥

Om yaśchandasāmṛṣabho viśvarūpaḥ; chandobhyo'dhyamṛtātsambabhūva; sa mendro medhayā spṛṇotu; amṛtasya devadhāraṇo bhūyāsam.

Meaningॐ। जो वेद-छन्दों में श्रेष्ठ (वृषभ), विश्वरूप तथा अमृतस्वरूप ओंकार से प्रकट हुआ — वह इन्द्र मुझे मेधा (बुद्धि) से सम्पन्न करे; मैं अमृत (दिव्य ज्ञान) का धारण करने वाला बनूँ।

Verse 2#

Śarīraṃ me vicarṣaṇam; jihvā me madhumattamā;

शरीरं मे विचर्षणम्। जिह्वा मे मधुमत्तमा। कर्णाभ्यां भूरि विश्रुवम्। ब्रह्मणः कोशोऽसि मेधया पिहितः। श्रुतं मे गोपाय॥ शान्तिः शान्तिः शान्तिः॥

Śarīraṃ me vicarṣaṇam; jihvā me madhumattamā; karṇābhyāṃ bhūri viśruvam; brahmaṇaḥ kośo'si medhayā pihitaḥ; śrutaṃ me gopāya. Om śāntiḥ śāntiḥ śāntiḥ.

Meaningमेरा शरीर सक्षम एवं तेजस्वी हो; मेरी जिह्वा अत्यन्त मधुर हो; मैं अपने कानों से बहुत कुछ (श्रेष्ठ ज्ञान) सुनूँ। तुम (मेधा) ब्रह्म का कोश हो, जो बुद्धि से आच्छादित है — मेरे सुने हुए ज्ञान की रक्षा करो। ॐ शान्ति शान्ति शान्ति।

Verse 3#

Om medhādevī juṣamāṇā na āgādviśvācī bhadrā sumanasyamānā;

मेधादेवी जुषमाणा आगाद्विश्वाची भद्रा सुमनस्यमाना। त्वया जुष्टा नुदमाना दुरुक्तान्बृहद्वदेम विदथे सुवीराः॥

Om medhādevī juṣamāṇā na āgādviśvācī bhadrā sumanasyamānā; tvayā juṣṭā nudamānā duruktānbṛhadvadema vidathe suvīrāḥ.

Meaningॐ। प्रसन्न, विश्वव्यापिनी, कल्याणमयी एवं सुमनस्क मेधादेवी हमारे पास आएँ। तुम्हारी कृपा से कटु वचनों को दूर करते हुए, हम उत्तम सन्तान वाले होकर सभा में उच्च वाणी बोलें।

Verse 4#

Tvayā juṣṭa ṛṣirbhavati devi tvayā brahmā''gataśrīruta tvayā;

त्वया जुष्ट ऋषिर्भवति देवि त्वया ब्रह्माऽऽगतश्रीरुत त्वया। त्वया जुष्टश्चित्रं विन्दते वसु सा नो जुषस्व द्रविणो मेधे॥

Tvayā juṣṭa ṛṣirbhavati devi tvayā brahmā''gataśrīruta tvayā; tvayā juṣṭaśchitraṃ vindate vasu sā no juṣasva draviṇo na medhe.

Meaningहे देवी, तुम्हारी कृपा से मनुष्य ऋषि बन जाता है, तुम्हारे द्वारा ब्रह्मवेत्ता श्री प्राप्त करता है, तुम्हारे द्वारा वह विचित्र धन पाता है। अतः हे मेधे, अक्षय धन के समान हम पर प्रसन्न रहो।

Verse 5#

Medhāṃ ma indro dadātu medhāṃ devī sarasvatī;

मेधां इन्द्रो ददातु मेधां देवी सरस्वती। मेधां मे अश्विनावुभावाधत्तां पुष्करस्रजा॥

Medhāṃ ma indro dadātu medhāṃ devī sarasvatī; medhāṃ me aśvināvubhāvādhattāṃ puṣkarasrajā.

Meaningइन्द्र मुझे मेधा दे, देवी सरस्वती मुझे मेधा दे, कमल की माला धारण करने वाले दोनों अश्विनीकुमार मुझे मेधा प्रदान करें।

Verse 6#

Apsarāsu ca yā medhā gandharveṣu ca yanmanaḥ;

अप्सरासु या मेधा गन्धर्वेषु यन्मनः। दैवीं मेधा सरस्वती सा मां मेधा सुरभिर्जुषतां स्वाहा॥

Apsarāsu ca yā medhā gandharveṣu ca yanmanaḥ; daivīṃ medhā sarasvatī sā māṃ medhā surabhirjuṣatāṃ svāhā.

Meaningजो मेधा अप्सराओं में है, जो मन गन्धर्वों में है, तथा जो दिव्य मेधा सरस्वती है — वह सुगन्धित मेधा मुझमें प्रसन्नतापूर्वक निवास करे। स्वाहा।

Verse 7#

Ā māṃ medhā surabhirviśvarūpā hiraṇyavarṇā jagatī jagamyā;

मां मेधा सुरभिर्विश्वरूपा हिरण्यवर्णा जगती जगम्या। ऊर्जस्वती पयसा पिन्वमाना सा मां मेधा सुप्रतीका जुषताम्॥

Ā māṃ medhā surabhirviśvarūpā hiraṇyavarṇā jagatī jagamyā; ūrjasvatī payasā pinvamānā sā māṃ medhā supratīkā juṣatām.

Meaningविश्वरूपा, स्वर्णवर्णा, जगत् में विचरने वाली, ऊर्जावती एवं अमृतजल से पुष्ट सुगन्धित मेधा — वह सुमुखी मेधा मुझमें प्रीतिपूर्वक निवास करे।

Verse 8#

Mayi medhāṃ mayi prajāṃ mayyagnistejo dadhātu;

मयि मेधां मयि प्रजां मय्यग्निस्तेजो दधातु। मयि मेधां मयि प्रजां मयीन्द्र इन्द्रियं दधातु। मयि मेधां मयि प्रजां मयि सूर्यो भ्राजो दधातु॥

Mayi medhāṃ mayi prajāṃ mayyagnistejo dadhātu; mayi medhāṃ mayi prajāṃ mayīndra indriyaṃ dadhātu; mayi medhāṃ mayi prajāṃ mayi sūryo bhrājo dadhātu.

Meaningमुझमें अग्नि मेधा, सन्तान एवं तेज स्थापित करे; मुझमें इन्द्र मेधा, सन्तान एवं इन्द्रियबल स्थापित करे; मुझमें सूर्य मेधा, सन्तान एवं प्रकाश स्थापित करे।

Verse 9#

Om mahādevyai ca vidmahe brahmapatnī ca dhīmahi;

महादेव्यै विद्महे ब्रह्मपत्नी धीमहि। तन्नो वाणी प्रचोदयात्॥ हंस हंसाय विद्महे परमहंसाय धीमहि। तन्नो हंसः प्रचोदयात्॥ शान्तिः शान्तिः शान्तिः॥

Om mahādevyai ca vidmahe brahmapatnī ca dhīmahi; tanno vāṇī pracodayāt. Om haṃsa haṃsāya vidmahe paramahaṃsāya dhīmahi; tanno haṃsaḥ pracodayāt. Om śāntiḥ śāntiḥ śāntiḥ.

Meaningॐ। हम महादेवी को जानें, ब्रह्मपत्नी का ध्यान करें; वह वाणी (सरस्वती) हमें प्रेरित करे। हम हंस को जानें, परमहंस का ध्यान करें; वह हंस हमें प्रेरित करे। ॐ शान्ति शान्ति शान्ति।

Word-by-Word Breakdown

यश्छन्दसामृषभः
yaśchandasāmṛṣabhaḥ
He who is the bull (foremost, lord) among the Vedic metres (chandas)
विश्वरूपः
viśvarūpaḥ
Of universal form, all-formed
छन्दोभ्योऽध्यमृतात्सम्बभूव
chandobhyo'dhyamṛtāt sambabhūva
Who arose from the immortal Vedas (Omkara, the deathless)
स मा इन्द्रः मेधया स्पृणोतु
sa mā indraḥ medhayā spṛṇotu
May that Indra strengthen / endow me with intellect (medha)
अमृतस्य देवधारणः भूयासम्
amṛtasya devadhāraṇaḥ bhūyāsam
May I become a bearer (retainer) of the immortal divine knowledge
शरीरं मे विचर्षणम्
śarīraṃ me vicarṣaṇam
May my body be active, capable and strong
जिह्वा मे मधुमत्तमा
jihvā me madhumattamā
May my tongue be most sweet (speak the sweetest words)
कर्णाभ्यां भूरि विश्रुवम्
karṇābhyāṃ bhūri viśruvam
May I hear abundantly (much sacred knowledge) with my ears
ब्रह्मणः कोशोऽसि मेधया पिहितः
brahmaṇaḥ kośo'si medhayā pihitaḥ
You (O intellect) are the sheath/treasury of Brahman, covered over by Medha
श्रुतं मे गोपाय
śrutaṃ me gopāya
Protect (preserve) for me what I have heard and learned
मेधादेवी जुषमाणा न आगात्
medhādevī juṣamāṇā na āgāt
May the goddess Medha, well-pleased, come to us
विश्वाची भद्रा सुमनस्यमाना
viśvācī bhadrā sumanasyamānā
All-pervading, auspicious, and graciously well-disposed
त्वया जुष्ट ऋषिर्भवति
tvayā juṣṭa ṛṣirbhavati
Favoured by you (O Medha), one becomes a seer (rishi)
त्वया ब्रह्मा आगतश्रीः
tvayā brahmā āgataśrīḥ
By you the knower of Brahman attains glory (Shri)
मेधां म इन्द्रो ददातु
medhāṃ ma indro dadātu
May Indra grant me intellect (medha)
मेधां देवी सरस्वती
medhāṃ devī sarasvatī
May Goddess Saraswati grant (me) intellect
अश्विनावुभावाधत्तां पुष्करस्रजा
aśvināvubhāvādhattāṃ puṣkarasrajā
May both the Ashvini Kumaras, garlanded with lotuses, bestow (it)
अप्सरासु च या मेधा
apsarāsu ca yā medhā
The intellect/wisdom that is present in the Apsaras (celestial nymphs)
गन्धर्वेषु च यन्मनः
gandharveṣu ca yanmanaḥ
And the mind (mental power) that is in the Gandharvas (celestial musicians)
मयि मेधां मयि प्रजां
mayi medhāṃ mayi prajāṃ
In me intellect, in me progeny (continuity)
अग्निस्तेजो दधातु
agnistejo dadhātu
May Agni place (in me) brilliance and lustre
सूर्यो भ्राजो दधातु
sūryo bhrājo dadhātu
May Surya (the sun) place (in me) radiance
महादेव्यै च विद्महे
mahādevyai ca vidmahe
May we know the Great Goddess (the Medha Gayatri begins)
तन्नो वाणी प्रचोदयात्
tanno vāṇī pracodayāt
May that Vani (Goddess of speech, Saraswati) inspire and impel us

Origin & History

Source: Taittiriya Aranyaka (Krishna Yajurveda), Mahanarayana Upanishad, Prapathaka 10, Anuvakas 41-44

Author: Vedic Rishis (Vedic tradition)

Period: Vedic period (c. 1200-600 BCE)

The Medha Suktam appears in the Taittiriya Aranyaka of the Krishna Yajurveda, within the Mahanarayana Upanishad. In the Vedic gurukula tradition, knowledge was preserved through hearing and memory, so intellect (medha) and retentive power were prized above all. This suktam was recited by students and teachers as a prayer that the goddess Medha — identified with Saraswati — would dwell in them, granting sharp intelligence, eloquent speech, and the power to retain the sacred teachings heard from the guru. A shorter related set of Medha mantras also survives as a khila (appendix) hymn to the Rigveda.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Medha Suktam?
It is a Vedic hymn from the Taittiriya Aranyaka of the Krishna Yajurveda (Mahanarayana Upanishad) that prays for Medha — sharp intellect, memory and discriminative wisdom. Medha is personified as a goddess identified with Saraswati, and the hymn calls on several deities to bestow intelligence on the seeker.
What does 'Medha' mean?
Medha means intellect, retentive power, mental brilliance and the faculty of grasping and holding knowledge. It is more than ordinary intelligence — it is the keen, discriminating wisdom that lets one understand and remember the deepest truths, which is why it is personified as a goddess.
Who should chant the Medha Suktam and when?
It is especially suited to students, scholars and all seekers of knowledge. It is chanted before study and examinations, at the start of Vedic learning, on Vasant Panchami (Saraswati's day), and in the early morning. Reciting it daily or eleven times is traditional for cultivating a sharp memory.
How is the Medha Suktam related to Saraswati?
Medha, the goddess of intellect invoked in this hymn, is identified with Saraswati, the goddess of knowledge, speech and learning. The suktam directly prays 'Medhaṃ Devī Sarasvatī' (may Goddess Saraswati grant intellect) and closes with the Medha-Saraswati Gayatri, making it one of the foremost Vedic prayers to Saraswati.

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