śrī sarasvatī cālīsā

I place the lotus-dust of the divine parents’ feet upon my head and bow to Mother Saraswati; please grant me intelligence and strength. Your infinite glory pervades the universe; destroy ignorance and wrongdoing.

Victory to Saraswati, treasury of wisdom and strength, all-knowing, immortal and imperishable.

Victory to the Mother who bears the veena and rides the graceful swan.

You are the four-armed Mother, renowned throughout the whole world.

Whenever sinful thinking grows and the light of dharma becomes dim,

you manifest your power and help cleanse the world of wrongdoing.

Valmiki was once a violent man; the world knows how grace transformed him.

He composed the Ramayana and became honoured as the first poet.

Kalidasa too became renowned through your gracious glance, O Mother.

Tulsidas, Surdas and many other learned people became wise through divine grace.

For such seekers there was ultimately no support greater than your grace, O Mother.

Bestow that same compassion on me, knowing me as a suffering and humble servant.

A loving mother does not keep dwelling on the many faults committed by her child.

O Mother, preserve my honour; I offer my prayer to you in many ways.

I have no other refuge; I depend upon you. Be gracious, O Mother of the universe.

Madhu and Kaitabha were exceedingly powerful and challenged Vishnu to battle.

The fierce struggle continued for a vast span, yet they would not turn away.

At that time the Mother helped by confusing the destructive demons’ judgment.

Thus the evil forces met their end; Mother, please fulfil my righteous prayer too.

You quickly destroyed the well-known demons Chanda and Munda.

Raktabija was so formidable that gods and sages trembled in fear.

You struck down the demonic power again and again; I repeatedly bow to you, Jagadamba.

You also destroyed the famous Shumbha and Nishumbha in a moment, O Mother.

The hymn sees the Mother’s cosmic power even behind the events that led Rama into exile.

Through that unfolding, Ravana was destroyed and gods, humans and sages received relief.

Who is capable of fully singing your glory? The scriptures describe it as beginningless and endless.

Those protected by you cannot easily be overcome even by the highest cosmic powers.

You are known by innumerable protective forms and names, including Raktadantika and Shatakshi.

You accomplish difficult tasks on earth; therefore the world praises you as Durga.

O Mother who removes difficulties, shower grace whenever your children seek refuge.

Whether one faces the anger of rulers or danger from wild animals in a forest,

or a ship breaks in the middle of the sea during a violent storm with no helper nearby,

or one suffers fear, unseen disturbances, poverty or some other crisis,

remembrance of the Mother’s name is said to bring auspiciousness; the devotee is urged not to doubt it.

One deeply distressed by childlessness is encouraged to turn wholeheartedly toward the Mother.

The hymn says regular recitation of this Chalisa brings divine blessing and worthy offspring.

Offer incense, food and other worship with devotion; the prayer asks for freedom from difficulties.

One who continually practices devotion to the Mother is protected inwardly from distress.

Repeated recitation is traditionally prayed for as a means of release from bonds and captivity.

O Bhavani, know me as ignorant and accept me compassionately as your servant.

Your radiance is like the sun while my ignorance is darkness; protect me from drowning in the deep well of worldly existence. O Saraswati, grant me strength, intelligence and learning; you alone are the refuge of this ignorant seeker.