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AartiSaraswati

Saraswati Aarti: Om Jai Saraswati Mata

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A Saraswati murti playing the veena on a white lotus, with a swan and books beside her
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  1. Verse 1

    जय सरस्वती माता, मैया जय सरस्वती माता। सदगुण वैभव शालिनी, त्रिभुवन विख्याता॥

    Jay sarasvati mata, maiya jay sarasvati mata. Sadgun vaibhav shalini, tribhuvan vikhyata ||

    Victory to you, Mother Saraswati. You shine with the wealth of all good qualities and are renowned in the three worlds.

  2. Verse 2

    चन्द्रवदनि पद्मासिनि, द्युति मंगलकारी। सोहे शुभ हंस सवारी, अतुल तेजधारी॥

    Chandravadni padmasini, dyuti mangalkari. Sohe shubh hans savari, atul tejdhari ||

    Your face is like the moon, you are seated on a lotus, and your radiance brings blessings. The auspicious swan is your mount, and your splendour has no equal.

  3. Verse 3

    बाएँ कर में वीणा, दाएँ कर माला। शीश मुकुट मणि सोहे, गल मोतियन माला॥

    Baen kar mein vina, daen kar mala. Shish mukut mani sohe, gal motiyan mala ||

    The veena is in your left hand and a rosary in your right. A jewelled crown adorns your head and a string of pearls your neck.

  4. Verse 4

    देवी शरण जो आए, उनका उद्धार किया। पैठी मंथरा दासी, रावण संहार किया॥

    Devi sharan jo aae, unka uddhar kiya. Paithi manthara dasi, ravan sanhar kiya ||

    O Goddess, you raised up all who came to you for shelter. You entered the mind of the maid Manthara, and that in time led to Ravana’s destruction. In the Ramcharitmanas (Ayodhya Kand, dohas 11 and 12), Sharada turns Manthara’s mind at the gods’ request.

  5. Verse 5

    विद्या ज्ञान प्रदायिनि, ज्ञान प्रकाश भरो। मोह अज्ञान और तिमिर का, जग से नाश करो॥

    Vidya gyaan pradayini, gyaan prakash bharo. Moh agyan aur timir ka, jag se nash karo ||

    Giver of learning and wisdom, fill us with the light of knowledge. Destroy delusion, ignorance and darkness from the world.

  6. Verse 6

    धूप दीप फल मेवा, माँ स्वीकार करो। ज्ञानचक्षु दे माता, जग निस्तार करो॥

    Dhoop dip phal meva, man svikar karo. Gyanchakshu de mata, jag nistar karo ||

    Mother, accept this offering of incense, lamp, fruit and dry fruits. Grant us the eye of wisdom and carry the world across.

  7. Verse 7

    माँ सरस्वती की आरती, जो कोई जन गावे। हितकारी सुखकारी, ज्ञान भक्ति पावे॥

    Man sarasvati ki aarti, jo koee jan gave. Hitkari sukhkari, gyaan bhakti pave ||

    This aarti of Mother Saraswati brings good and happiness; whoever sings it gains knowledge and devotion.

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Meaning, sources and more prayers: sanatanbodh.in/en/prayers/saraswati-aarti/

In short

“Jai Saraswati Mata” is the most widely sung aarti of Saraswati, Goddess of learning, speech and music. It describes her swan mount, her veena, rosary and crown, and prays to her to drive away the darkness of ignorance. It is sung on Vasant Panchami, at the Saraswati Puja of Sharad Navratri, when a child begins learning, and in schools. Its author is not known.

The common text is given here. In many books and recordings the aarti begins ‘Om jai Saraswati Mata, jai jai Saraswati Mata’, which is why it is widely known as ‘Om Jai Saraswati Mata’. Some texts read verse 3 as ‘daayein kar mein mala’. When sung, the first line (the refrain) is repeated after every verse. No verse carries a poet’s name.

After the aarti, most homes recite: कर्पूरगौरं करुणावतारं संसारसारं भुजगेन्द्रहारम्।

Frequently asked questions

When is this Saraswati aarti sung?

On Vasant Panchami, on the days of Saraswati Avahan and Saraswati Puja during Sharad Navratri, at the Vidyarambha ceremony when a child begins learning, and at school assemblies.

What does “Paithi Manthara dasi, Ravan sanhar kiya” mean?

According to the Ramcharitmanas (Ayodhya Kand, dohas 11 and 12), before Ram’s coronation the gods pleaded with Sharada (Saraswati), and she turned the mind of Manthara, Kaikeyi’s maid. This led to Ram’s exile, which in time led to the slaying of Ravana. The aarti recalls this episode.

Who wrote this aarti?

The author is not known. No verse carries a poet’s name.

How is it different from “Ya Kundendu Tushara Hara Dhavala”?

“Ya Kundendu Tushara Hara Dhavala” is a Sanskrit verse of salutation to Saraswati, usually recited at the start of worship or study. “Jai Saraswati Mata” is a Hindi aarti, sung while waving the lamp at the end of worship. “Om Jai Veene Wali” is another, separate aarti of Saraswati.

How many verses does this aarti have?

The common text has seven verses, including the opening refrain.

Sources

  1. Traditional aarti text
  2. The Manthara episode: Ramcharitmanas, Ayodhya Kand, dohas 11 and 12

Something wrong? Report a mistake

Text checked against: drikpanchang.com, bhaktibharat.com, hindi.webdunia.com, sanskritdocuments.org