Lyrics (Devanagari)
या कुन्देन्दुतुषारहारधवला या शुभ्रवस्त्रावृता या वीणावरदण्डमण्डितकरा या श्वेतपद्मासना। या ब्रह्माच्युतशंकरप्रभृतिभिर्देवैः सदा वन्दिता सा मां पातु सरस्वती भगवती निःशेषजाड्यापहा॥ शुक्लां ब्रह्मविचार सारपरमामाद्यां जगद्व्यापिनीं वीणा-पुस्तक-धारिणीमभयदां जाड्यान्धकारापहाम्। हस्ते स्फटिकमालिकां विदधतीं पद्मासने संस्थिताम् वन्दे तां परमेश्वरीं भगवतीं बुद्धिप्रदां शारदाम्॥ सरस्वति नमस्तुभ्यं वरदे कामरूपिणि। विद्यारम्भं करिष्यामि सिद्धिर्भवतु मे सदा॥ या देवी सर्वभूतेषु विद्यारूपेण संस्थिता। नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः॥
Ya kundendu-tushara-hara-dhavala ya shubhra-vastravrita Ya veena-vara-danda-mandita-kara ya shweta-padmasana, Ya Brahmachyuta-shankara-prabhritibhir devaih sada vandita Sa mam patu Saraswati bhagavati nihshesha-jadyapaha. Saraswati namastubhyam varade kamarupini, Vidyarambham karishyami siddhirbhavatu me sada. Ya devi sarvabhuteshu vidyarupena samsthita, Namastasyai namastasyai namastasyai namo namah.
Meaning
This stotram, drawn from classical verses widely used across India, praises Saraswati as white as jasmine and the moon, seated on a white lotus, holding a veena, worshipped by Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva, and as the dispeller of ignorance who grants wisdom to all beings.
When & Why It Is Recited
Recited at the start of learning, before exams, and during Basant Panchami and Navratri (especially the day dedicated to Saraswati Puja) for clarity of mind and academic success.