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सरस्वती चालीसा Meaning — Line by Line

सरस्वती चालीसा

Every verse and every word explained in English & Hindi

Meaning — Line by Line

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

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  1. Doha 1. Janaka janani pada kamala raja, nija mastaka para dhari
  2. Doha 2. Purna jagata mem vyapta tava, mahima amita anamtu
  3. Chaupai 1. Jaya shri sakala buddhi balarasi
  4. Chaupai 2. Jaya jaya jaya vinakara dhari
  5. Chaupai 3. Rupa chaturbhujadhari mata
  6. Chaupai 4. Jaga mem papa buddhi jaba hoti
  7. Chaupai 5. Tabahi matu le nija avatara
  8. Chaupai 6. Balmiki ji the hatyara
  9. Chaupai 7. Ramayana jo rache banai
  10. Chaupai 8. Kalidasa jo bhaye vikhyata
  11. Chaupai 9. Tulasi sura adi viddhana
  12. Chaupai 10. Tinhahim na aura raheu avalamba
  13. Chaupai 11. Karahu kripa soi matu bhavani
  14. Chaupai 12. Putra karai aparadha bahuta
  15. Chaupai 13. Rakhu laja janani aba meri
  16. Chaupai 14. Maim anatha teri avalamba
  17. Chaupai 15. Madhu kaitabha jo ati balavana
  18. Chaupai 16. Samara hajara pamcha mem ghora
  19. Chaupai 17. Matu sahaya bhai tehi kala
  20. Chaupai 18. Tehi te mrityu bhai khala keri
  21. Chaupai 19. Chamda munda jo the vikhyata
  22. Chaupai 20. Raktabija se samaratha papi
  23. Chaupai 21. Kateu sira jima kadali khamba
  24. Chaupai 22. Jaga prasiddha jo shumbha nishumbha
  25. Chaupai 23. Bharata-matu budhi phereu jai
  26. Chaupai 24. Ehi vidhi ravana vadha tuma kinha
  27. Chaupai 25. Ko samaratha tava yasha guna gana
  28. Chaupai 26. Vishnu rudra aja sakahim na mari
  29. Chaupai 27. Rakta dantika aura shatakshi
  30. Chaupai 28. Durgama kaja dhara para kinha
  31. Chaupai 29. Durga adi harani tu mata
  32. Chaupai 30. Nripa kopita jo marana chahai
  33. Chaupai 31. Sagara madhya pota ke bhamge
  34. Chaupai 32. Bhuta preta badha ya duhkha mem
  35. Chaupai 33. Nama jape mamgala saba hoi
  36. Chaupai 34. Putrahina jo atura bhai
  37. Chaupai 35. Karai patha nita yaha chalisa
  38. Chaupai 36. Dhupadika naivedya chadhavai
  39. Chaupai 37. Bhakti matu ki karai hamesha
  40. Chaupai 38. Bamdi patha karem shata bara
  41. Chaupai 39. Karahu kripa bhavamukti bhavani
  42. Chaupai 40. Mata suraja kanti tava, amdhakara mama rupa
  43. Closing Doha. Bala buddhi vidya dehum mohi, sunahu sarasvati matu
Doha 1#

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.

Doha 2#

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.

Chaupai 1#

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.

Chaupai 2#

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.

Chaupai 3#

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.

Chaupai 4#

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 —

Chaupai 5#

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.

Chaupai 6#

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 —

Chaupai 7#

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).

Chaupai 8#

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.

Chaupai 9#

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 —

Chaupai 10#

Tinhahim na aura raheu avalamba

तिन्हहिं 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.

Chaupai 11#

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.

Chaupai 12#

Putra karai aparadha bahuta

पुत्र करै अपराध बहूता। तेहि 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.

Chaupai 13#

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.

Chaupai 14#

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.

Chaupai 15#

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.

Chaupai 16#

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.

Chaupai 17#

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.

Chaupai 18#

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.

Chaupai 19#

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.

Chaupai 20#

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 —

Chaupai 21#

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.

Chaupai 22#

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.

Chaupai 23#

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.

Chaupai 24#

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.

Chaupai 25#

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.

Chaupai 26#

Vishnu rudra aja sakahim na mari

विष्णु रूद्र अज सकहिं 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.

Chaupai 27#

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.

Chaupai 28#

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'.

Chaupai 29#

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.

Chaupai 30#

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 —

Chaupai 31#

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 —

Chaupai 32#

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 —

Chaupai 33#

Nama jape mamgala saba hoi

नाम जपे मंगल सब होई। संशय इसमें करइ 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.

Chaupai 34#

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.

Chaupai 35#

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.

Chaupai 36#

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.

Chaupai 37#

Bhakti matu ki karai hamesha

भक्ति मातु की करै हमेशा। निकट 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.

Chaupai 38#

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.

Chaupai 39#

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.

Chaupai 40#

Mata suraja kanti tava, amdhakara mama rupa

माता सूरज कान्ति तव, अंधकार मम रूप। डूबन ते रक्षा करहु, परूं 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.

Closing Doha#

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

वीणाकर धारी
Vinakar Dhari
Bearer of the veena in her hand
सुहंस सवारी
Suhans Savari
She who rides the graceful swan
चतुर्भुजधारी
Chaturbhuj-dhari
Bearer of the four-armed form
बुद्धि बल
Buddhi Bal
Intellect and strength
आदि कवी
Adi Kavi
The first poet (Valmiki, by her grace)
जगदम्बा
Jagadamba
Mother of the universe
रक्तबीज
Raktabija
The demon slain by the Goddess
दुर्गा
Durga
Remover of every difficulty (durga)

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Saraswati Chalisa?
The Saraswati Chalisa is a 40-verse Hindi hymn to Goddess Saraswati, the deity of knowledge, music and the arts. It begins 'Janak janani pad kamal raj' and recalls her grace upon poets and sages.
On which day should the Saraswati Chalisa be recited?
Vasant Panchami, the festival dedicated to Saraswati, is the most auspicious day, as is Wednesday. Students often recite it daily before study and especially before examinations.
How does the Saraswati Chalisa help students?
It is said to remove dullness of mind and grant intellect, memory, concentration and eloquence. The text recalls how her grace transformed the bandit Valmiki into the first poet and inspired Kalidasa, Tulsidas and Surdas.
What are the benefits of reciting the Saraswati Chalisa?
It is believed to bestow knowledge, wisdom and success in learning and the arts, to remove obstacles to study, and — recited with steady faith — even to free one from confinement and calamity.

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