Shri Saraswati Chalisa

Placing the dust of my parents’ lotus feet upon my head, I bow to Mother Saraswati.

O giver, grant me intellect and strength.

Your glory pervades the whole world — boundless and endless.

Destroy now, O Mother, the sins of Ramsagar.

Hail Shri, treasure of all wisdom and strength; hail all-knowing, immortal, imperishable.

Hail, hail, hail veena-bearer, ever riding the lovely swan.

Four-armed Mother, famed through the entire world.

When perverse minds prevail in the world, the light of dharma grows dim.

Then Mother takes her own form and rids the earth of sin, saving it.

Valmiki was a great sage; the world knows it was by your grace.

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

Kalidasa became famed — by your gracious glance, O Mother.

Tulsi, Sur and other scholars, and many other sages...

Had no refuge but you — only your grace, O Mother.

Show that same grace, Mother Bhavani, knowing your servant afflicted and lowly.

A son commits many offences, yet the beautiful Mother takes none to heart.

Now guard my honour, Mother; I entreat you in countless ways.

I am an orphan, your dependent — be gracious, hail, hail, Mother of the world!

Madhu-Kaitabha, hugely strong, wrestled Vishnu arm to arm.

Five thousand years of dread battle, yet they turned not their faces away.

Mother aided him then, turning the villains’ minds awry.

Thus the villains met death; Mother, fulfil my desire.

Famed Chanda-Munda — in a moment, Mother, you destroyed them.

Mighty sinners like Raktabija made gods’, sages’ hearts and earth tremble.

You severed heads like banana stems; again and again I entreat Jagadamba.

World-famed Shumbha-Nishumbha — in an instant you bound them, O Mother.

You turned Bharat’s mother’s mind, having Ram exiled to the forest.

Thus you accomplished Ravan’s slaying, giving joy to gods, men and sages.

Who can sing your fame and virtues? The beginningless endless Vedas proclaim them.

Vishnu, Rudra, Brahma cannot kill those whom you protect.

Raktadantika and Shatakshi — boundless names, devourer of demons.

You did the hardest deeds on earth, earning the name Durga through the world.

O Mother, remover of distress and the rest, be gracious whenever you grant joy.

When an angered king seeks to kill, or beasts surround in the forest...

When the boat breaks mid-ocean amid fierce storm, with none beside...

In ghost-hauntings or grief, in poverty or peril...

Chanting your name brings all blessing; let none doubt this.

The childless sufferer should leave all else and worship this Mother.

Daily reciting this Chalisa grants a beautiful virtuous son.

Offering incense and food surely frees one from distress.

Whoever ever worships the Mother — no affliction draws near them.

The captive who recites a hundred times is freed from all bonds.

Grant grace and release from existence, Bhavani, knowing me ever your servant.

Ramsagar, for crossing existence, Bhavani — show mercy, knowing me your servant.

Mother, yours is the sun’s radiance, mine the darkness; save me from drowning, let me not fall in existence’s well. Grant me strength, wisdom, learning — hear me, Mother Saraswati; give refuge to lowly Ramsagar and purify him.