Ya Kundendu Tushara Hara Dhavala — Saraswati Vandana with Meaning
This is the most famous prayer to Maa Saraswati, goddess of learning, arts and speech. It is sung in morning assemblies in many Indian schools and on Basant Panchami. It describes her shining white form, her veena and lotus seat, and asks her to remove all dullness and ignorance from our minds.
Ya kundendu-tushara-hara-dhavala ya shubhra-vastravrita ya veena-vara-danda-mandita-kara ya shveta-padmasana | ya brahmachyuta-shankara-prabhritibhir devaih sada vandita sa mam patu sarasvati bhagavati nihshesha-jadyapaha ||
Shuklam brahma-vichara-sara-paramam adyam jagad-vyapinim veena-pustaka-dharinim abhayadam jadyandhakarapaham | haste sphatika-malikam vidadhatim padmasane samsthitam vande tam parameshvarim bhagavatim buddhipradam sharadam ||
Meaning
Verse 1
Ya kundendu-tushara-hara-dhavala ya shubhra-vastravrita ya veena-vara-danda-mandita-kara ya shveta-padmasana | ya brahmachyuta-shankara-prabhritibhir devaih sada vandita sa mam patu sarasvati bhagavati nihshesha-jadyapaha ||
She is white like the jasmine, the moon, snow and a pearl necklace; she wears pure white clothes, holds the lovely veena and sits on a white lotus. Brahma, Vishnu, Shiv and all the gods always bow to her. May that goddess Saraswati, who removes all dullness, protect me.
Verse 2
Shuklam brahma-vichara-sara-paramam adyam jagad-vyapinim veena-pustaka-dharinim abhayadam jadyandhakarapaham | haste sphatika-malikam vidadhatim padmasane samsthitam vande tam parameshvarim bhagavatim buddhipradam sharadam ||
She is pure white, the essence of the highest knowledge, the first power, present throughout the world. She holds the veena and a book, grants fearlessness and removes the darkness of ignorance. Holding a crystal rosary and seated on a lotus, she is the giver of wisdom — I bow to that supreme goddess Sharada.
Meanings written in simple language by the KathaMantra team.
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Frequently asked questions
When is the Saraswati Vandana sung?
In school morning assemblies, before starting study, during exam days, and especially on Basant Panchami (Saraswati Puja).
How many times should it be recited?
Once a day is enough. If you like, you can repeat the first verse 3 or 11 times.
What does 'nihshesha jadyapaha' mean?
'Jadya' means dullness — laziness, sluggishness and ignorance. 'Nihshesha jadyapaha' means she who removes it completely. It is the perfect prayer for students.