Verse for study · सरस्वती वन्दना

Saraswati Vandana

A classical verse chanted before study, learning, writing, teaching or music.

या कुन्देन्दुतुषारहारधवला या शुभ्रवस्त्रावृता या वीणावरदण्डमण्डितकरा या श्वेतपद्मासना। या ब्रह्माच्युतशङ्करप्रभृतिभिर्देवैः सदा वन्दिता सा मां पातु सरस्वती भगवती निःशेषजाड्यापहा॥

yā kundendu-tuṣāra-hāra-dhavalā yā śubhra-vastrāvṛtā | yā vīṇā-vara-daṇḍa-maṇḍita-karā yā śveta-padmāsanā | yā brahmācyuta-śaṅkara-prabhṛtibhir devaiḥ sadā vanditā | sā māṃ pātu sarasvatī bhagavatī niḥśeṣa-jāḍyāpahā ||

Plain meaningShe who is white as jasmine, the moon and frost, robed in white, whose hand holds the vina, who is seated on a white lotus, who is honoured by the great ones: may that Saraswati, who removes all dullness, protect me.

About this stotram

This verse is chanted in schools and by musicians before practice. It describes Saraswati as white as jasmine, the moon and frost, seated on a white lotus, holding the vina. It is a long single verse and rewards slow, careful reading.

How to recite

  1. Read the transliteration aloud once, slowly, before chanting.
  2. Chant one line per breath. Do not compress the compounds.
  3. Repeat once more only if the pace stayed comfortable.
  4. Sit for a moment, then begin your study.

Notes

  • This is a long verse. Learning one line a day is a reasonable pace.
  • Reading it in transliteration is a valid practice while the Devanagari is still unfamiliar.

Practise gently

Shoonyaka offers educational and devotional material, not medical, psychological or religious authority. Recite at a volume and pace that stays comfortable, and stop if the breath shortens or the throat hurts.

Use this in a daily sadhana