SARASWATI PUJA

PRIMARY PUJA
pÊ}Anp§jA

Invocation for Auspicious Start

Before starting the actual puja which is dedicated to the deity on the dias (Saraswati) a few of
the invocation prayers are repeated.

H−a Nåf¤−×f Jy N−Zn¡u ejx z

H−a Nåf¤−×f Jy e¡l¡uZ¡u ejx z
H−a Nåf¤
Nåf¤−×f Jy nË£ …l¦−h ejx z
H−a Nåf¤−×f Jy hË¡þ−Z−iÉ¡ ejx zz

Etey gandhapushpay Om Ganeshaya namah |

Etey gandhapushpey Om Narayanaya namah |
Etey gandhapushpey Om shri gurubey namah |
Etey gandhapushpey Om Brahnebhyo namah ||

My humble prayers to various Gods I am offering these scented flowers to

Lord Ganesha,Lord Narayana (Vishnu), to my teacher (Guru) and
to the learned Brahmin, the spiritual inspiration.

Prayer for Good wishes

ü¢Ù¹h¡Qe
Swastivachan

Seeking the blessings of various Gods for the successful completion of the prayers.
Take the kushi and put in that – little water, haritaki, flower, touch of sandalwood
paste, durba (or kush) and little rice. Hold it between two palms and chant the mantra:

Jy LšÑ−hÉq¢ØjeÚ N−Zn¡¢c-
N−Zn¡¢c-e¡e¡−cha¡f§S¡f§hÑL, −mMe£
−mMe£-
Me£-jpÉ¡d¡l p¢qa
nË£plüa£f§Se LjÑ¢Z Jy f¤ZÉ¡qw ih−¿¹¡ hË¥h¿¹,¥ Jy f¤ZÉ¡qw ih−¿¹¡ hË¥h¿¹,¥
Jy f¤ZÉ¡qw ih−¿¹¡ hË¥h¿¹¥ z

Om kartebeyshin Ganeshadi nanadevata puja purbaka |

Lekhani mashyadhar sahita Sri Saraswati pujana karmani
Om punyaham bhabanto broobantu (3) ||

With the blessing of the Almighty, I have resolved to perform pujas for Lord Ganesh
and other gods, and to Goddess Saraswati, with her inkpot and pen, and in doing so,
I seek the blessing from the assembly to make this day be auspicious

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Response of the assembly Priest and others will throw rice towards the holy pitcher in response
to the wish of the devotee:

Jy f¤ZÉ¡qjÚ , Jy f¤ZÉ¡qjÚ , Jy f¤ZÉ¡qjÚ zz

Om punyaham, Om m, Om punyaham) ||

We pray God to bless you. May it all be auspicious.

Jy LšÑ−hÉq¢ØjeÚ
−hÉq¢ØjeÚ N−Zn¡¢c-
N−Zn¡¢c-e¡e¡−cha¡f§S¡f§hÑL, −mMe£-
−mMe£-jpÉ¡d¡l nË£plüa£f§Se LjÑ¢Z
Jy ü¢Ù¹ ih−¿¹¡ hË¥h¿¹,¥ Jy ü¢Ù¹ ih−¿¹¡ hË¥h¿¹,¥ Jy ü¢Ù¹ ih−¿¹¡ hË¥h¿¹¥ z

Om kartebeyshin Ganeshadi nanadevata puja purbaka |

Lekhani mashyadhar sahita Sri Saraswati pujana karmani |
Om swasti bhabanta brubanto, Om swasti bhabanto brubantu,

As part of my solemn duty I would perform the puja of Ganesha and other Gods and
Goddess Saraswati, with her pen and ink, Oh the assemblage, allow me to seek your blessing.

Response
Jy ü¢Ù¹, Jy ü¢Ù¹, Jy ü¢Ù¹ zz
Om swasti bhavabti brubantu,
Om swati, Om swasti, Om Swasti
We bless you, we bless you, we bless you.

Jy LšÑ−hÉq¢ØjeÚ N−Zn¡¢c-
N−Zn¡¢c-e¡e¡−cha¡f§S¡f§hÑL, −mMe£-
−mMe£-jpÉ¡d¡l p¢qa nË£plüa£f§Se LjÑ¢Z
Jy G¢Üw ih−¿¹¡ hË¥h¿¹,¥ Jy G¢Üw ih−¿¹¡ hË¥h¿¹,¥ Jy G¢Üw ih−¿¹
ih−¿¹¡ hË¥h¿¹¥ z

Om kartebeyshin Ganeshadi nanadevata puja purbaka |

Lekhani mashyadhar sahita Sri Saraswati pujana karmani ||
Om rhidhim bhabanto broobantu, Om rhidhim bhabanto brubantu,
Om rhidhim bhabanto brubantu ||

As part of my solemn duty I would perform the puja of Ganesha and other Gods and
Goddess Saraswati, with her pen and ink, Oh the assemblage, allow me to seek your blessing.
Shower you love and good wishes.

Response
Jy GÜÉa¡jÚ , Jy GÜÉa¡jÚ , Jy GÜÉa¡jÚ zz
Om rhidyatam, Om rhidhyatam, Om rhidhyatam ||
You have our good wishes.

Resolution
sQkÒ

The mantra declares the goal of the puja after identifying the time, place and the name of the
devotee. If the priest is doing the puja, take your name and then the name of the host and at
the end say “kir>YAim” (which means I am doing for someone else). If the devotee is making

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the offering himself, take your own name and at the end say, “kirE>Y” (which means I am
doing it)

Take the kushi (spoon) on the left palm. Put a yellow flower (marigold), with a touch of
sandlewood paste. Place a little rice inside the spoon and (if available) a haritaki or supari or
beetle nut (a dry fruit), symbolizing the fruitfulness of the goal. Then cover the spoon with
your right palm and chant:

o^ nm: srü¯tY nm:

Om namah Saraswatvai namah
Hail to Goddess Saraswati!

ib>·¤ErAmÚ tqsq adY mAEG mAis mkr rAiSEØÛ vAÖkEr ökÓpEx p®mYAQ itEF± am¤k EgAœ:
(pUjArIr nAm, EgAœ), SÊIsrütI pÊIitkAm: gEnSAid nAnAEdbtA p§jA p§bÑk ElKnI
SÊI ---- amukEdbSmÑA (pU
msYA}Ar siht SÊIsrütI p§jA kmÑ
kmÑAhQ kirEE>Y (prAEFÑ-“amuk EgAœsY amukEdbSÑN:” - “kir>YYAim”)|

Vishnurom tatsat adya Maaghey mashi, makara rashistey, bhaskarey,

Shuklapakshey, Panchamam tithou amuka gotra Shri amuka devsharma ____ (name of the
host) Shri Saraswati preetikamah Ganeshadi nana devata puja purbaka lekhani
masyadhara sahita (* see note) Shri Saraswati puja karma aham karishey.

If the priest is doing the puja he gives his identification (Gotra and name) and end the
mantra with karishyami.

Like this
Shri Saraswati puja karmaham amuka gotra _____
Shri amuka devasharma ____ ( priest) karishyami.

In the name of Lord Vishnu, on this auspicious month of Maagh, at the planertary
synchrony of Makara (Capricorn), glowing fortnight of waxing moon (shukla), on the lunar
calender day of Panchami (fifth day after Amabasya, new moon), I of ____ Gotra (Gotra is
the family identity: In Hindu society, the gotra broadly refers to people who are descendants
in an unbroken male line from a common male ancestor, which is usually the name of a sage
Kashyap, Bharadwaj, Agastha etc.), name ____ born by the grace of God (devasharmana)
personally doing this Saraswati puja.

Alternatively, if the priest is called, he says, “I ___ gotra ____ name (priest) doing for
the person mentioned before.

After the completion of the chant, turn over the spoon (kushi) on the offering plate
(tamrapatra) and sprinkle some water on the spoon. Use your right hand forefingers to pick up
water from the pot container (kosha). Then chant the following mantra seeking His blessing to
complete.

* Note: Add the following while performing public puja for the general mass:

“smEbt jngnsY @An, ibdYA, b¤iÜ, s‰It, nªtY, iSÒklAid, pÊv§t ibdYAlAv kAEm ---“
---“

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Samabetah janaganasya gyan, Vidya, buddhi, sangeet, nritya, shilpakaladi prabhuta

Vidyalabha kamey ----- (continue)
For the general public I am seeking Her blessing for knowledge, education, intelligence,
music, dance, arts, with a goal of earning plenty of these creative arts ----

Seeking God’s Grace

pˆÒfp§š²
Sankalpasukta

This is the prayer, seeking His grace for the successful completion of the worship.

Jy −c−h¡ −h¡ â¢h−Z¡c¡x f§ZÑ¡w ¢hhøÊ¡¢pQjÚ z

EÜ¡ ¢p’dÆ j§f h¡ fªZdÆ j¡¢c−à¡ −ch Jq−a z

Om devobo dravinodah purnam bibastasicam |

Udwa sincadwa mupa ba prinadhwa madidwo deva ohatey ||

In the spirit of divinity may my goal be successful.

Thus, herewith I am starting with His good wishes.

o^ asY sóiÒtAFÑØYY isiÜrÙº| |

o^ aymArñ övAy: vbtu ||

Om asya sankalpitarthasya sidhirasthu. Om ayamarambha shubhaya bhabatu ||

In the spirit of divinity may my goal be successful. Thus, herewith,

I am starting with His good wishes.

Breath control
fË¡Z¡u¡j
Pranayan

Inhale through the left nostril with the 16 counts of mulmantra (Owing, \Q) then close
both the nostrils and 64 counts of the mulmantra and then exhale through right nostril with 32
counts of the mulmantra. This is further explained in Sadharan Puja (p 0000).

Seeking support from the wise

V>YAidnYAs
Rishyadinyash

The mantra seeks the blessing from the wise. Take a flower in your hand, chant the mantra and
discard it in the offering plate. Then move the collected right hand fingers to the locations
mentioned in the mantra for the following chant.

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Jy nË£plüa£ j¿»pÉ LZÄG¢ox N¡uœ£R¾cx nË£h¡N£nÄl£−cha¡ jj phÑ¡i£ø

¢pÜ−u nË£plüa£ f§S−e ¢h¢e−u¡Nx z
(¢nl¢p) Jy LZÄ¡u G¢o−u ejx z
(j¤−M) Jy N¡u°œR¾c−p ejx z
(q©¢c) Jy h¡N£nÄ°kÑÉ −cha¡°u ejx z

Om asya Sri Saraswatimantrasya Kanyarishih Gayatrichanda Sri Bagiswaridevata mamo

sarbabhishtha sidhaye Sri Saraswati pujaney viniyoga.
(On head) Om Kanaya rishaye namah.
(On mouth) Om! Gayatrai chandashey namah.
(On heart) Om Bagisharjai devatayi namah.

I herewith whole-heartedly resolve to worship the mother Goddess Saraswati, in the Gayatri
meter as formulated by Rishi Kanya, written for the Goddess of speech (Bageshwari).
May Rishi Kanya rest on my intellect (touch top of the head);
Gayatrimeter in my mouth (touch lips); and
the goddess of speech in my heart (touch heart).

Meditation of Saraswati
}YAn
Dhyan

Take the flower in left palm with the Kurma mudra position and
meditate on the image of Saraswati. When the image is established in
your heart discard the flower on the plate in front of you while Kurma Mudra
chanting the mantra:

om truNSklimEÀdA: ibïtI öïkAiÀt:

öïkAiÀt: |
kucvrnimtAÀgI siÀÀ>NAÃ istAEê ||
injkrkmElAdYEõKnI puØtk SÊI: |
sklibvbis¯ÝYR: pAtu bAgEdbtA n: ||

Om taruna-shakalam-indor-bibhrati shubhra-kaantih |
kuca-bhara-namitaangi sannisanna sitaabje ||
nija-kara-kamala-udyat-lekhani pustaka shrih |
Sakala-bibhava-siddhyai paatu baag-devataa nah ||

We bow to the Goddess of learning who is radiating soothing moonlight of white complexion,
bend slightly because of her heavy breasts, and sits on a white lotus;
her lotus-shaped hands are holding book and pen.
May the Goddess of learning help us to acquire all the glories and fames.

After the meditation take a flower, with a touch of sandalwood paste, and place it at the feet of
the Goddess Sarawati, captured in your mental image and then put it on the holy pitcher.

eEt gåpuEÕp o^ \Q srü¯tY nm:

üAgt-o^
üAgt-o^ vuvÑub: üvÑgbit srüit Edib üAgtQ kuSlQ Et||

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Etey gandhapushpey Om Owing Saraswatwai namah |

Swagata Om bhurbhuba swharbhagavati devi swagatam kushalam tey ||

Here I am offering this scented flower, Oh Goddess Saraswati.

You welcome Oh the Goddess of the Universe Saraswati Devi, you are cordially welcome
May it be all well with you.

Welcome to Goddess Saraswati

aAbAhn
Abahan

Welcome Saraswati by chanting the mantra and creating the five hand gestures where
indicated. The mudras are like expressing the feeling with hand gestures, as it is done in case
of dancing.

Abahanimudra Stapanimudra Sannidhapani Sannirodhni Sammukhikarani

mudra mudra mudra mudra mudra
Welcome Sit Settle down Come close Face

o^ vuvÑb: ü: vgbtI SRISRIsrütI EdbI

HhAgµC HhAgµC, HhAitù HhAitù, HhsiæE}ih, Hh siær¦}Yü,
aœAi}øAnQ kur¦, mmpUjAQ g<hAN|

o^ ÙÛAQ ÙÛIQ iÙÛErA vb, JAbt pUjAQ kErAmYhmÚ |

aAgµC mdg<
mdg<Eh Edib aøAiv Si™iv: sh: |
pUjAQ g<hAN ibi}bq sbÑ klYAn kAirin ||

Om Bhurbhubaswa bhagabati Shrin Shri Saraswati Devi

Eha agachya, eha agachya (abahani, welcome) |
Eha tishtha, eha tistha (sthapani, sit),
Eha sannidehi (sannidhapani, settle down)
Eha sannirudhaswa (sannirodhani, come close),
Atradhisthanam kuru (sammukhikarana, establishing),
Mama pujan grihana (pray with folded hands) ||
Om stham sthim sthiro bhaba jabat pujam karyomaham |
Agca madgrihey Devi ashtabhi shaktibhi saha |
Pujam grihana bidhibat sarba kalyana karini ||

Oh the goddess of the universe Saraswati, you are welcome you are welcome, sit here, settle
down, come close, and get established and receive my worship.
Stay settled here with me as long as I do the worship.

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I am much obliged that you have come to my house with your companions and your divine
powers. Receive my offerings in the rightful way and bless me Oh our well-wishers.

üAgt, o^ v§v¤Ñb: üvÑgbit srüit Edib|

s¤üAgtQ k¤SlQ Et||
o^ kªtAEFÑA an¤g<hIEtAhi¥ sflQ jIibtQ
jIibtQ mm|
aAgtAis JEtA Edib bAgISÆrI mdASÊmmÚ||
o^ \Q srü¯tY nm: |

Swagata, Om bhurbhubaha swarbhagawati Saraswati Devi

Swagatam suswagatam, kushalam tey |
Om kritartho anurgrihitoshmi safalam jeebitam mama ||
Agatasi jato Devi bageswari madashramam |
Om Owim Saraswatwai namah ||

Welcome! Oh the Goddess of the three worlds (earth, heaven and the underworld),
Saraswati, welcome, cordially welcome. Are you doing well?
I am so very obliged and my life is blessed. Come into my house,
Oh the goddess of speech.
I bow to you Oh Saraswati with utmost reverence.

Giving the vision

cx¤dAÑn
Chakhurdan

Take the stalk of a belpata (bel leaf, favorite of Shiva), touch it with the black soot paste and
draw on the left eye of the deity with this mantra

o^ aApYAysY
aApYAysY sEmtu Et ibSBt: EsAmb<>·YmÚ vbA bAjsY s‰EF|

Om apyayasya Sametu tey Viswatah somabrishnam bhaba bajashya sangathey

Oh Lord Soma let all the energies of the Universe merge in you so that
you can nourish us all ||

Then draw the same on the right eye with this mantra:

o^ icœQ EdbAnAmudgAdnIkQ, cxuiÇmÑœsY br¦NsYAEg aA pRA dYA

dYAbA p<iFbI aÁ¹rIxQ sUJYÑ aAtÈA jgtعØÛU>Õc||

Om chitram devanamudgadaneekam, chakshurmitrasya Varunasyagney

Aapra devya prithibi antariksha surya atma jagatasta sthusaschya ||

Oh the rays of the setting sun merge in thee eyes which with the vision of Varuna and Agni
illuminate the heaven and earth unto its core and become the soul of the living.

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Bringing life into the deity

pRANpRitùA
Pranpratishtha

Take kush (or durba grass) in your right hand, repeat the mulmantra ten times (Owing, \Q).
Then touch the heart of the deity in Lelihana mudra (see figure) and pray for bringing life with
the following mantra:

o^ a¯s pRANA: pRitùÁ¹u

a¯sY pRANA: xrÁ¹u c|
a¯sY EdbtB sQKYA¯y üAhA||
üAhA||

Om aswai prana pratisthantu, asmai prana ksharantu cha |

Aswai devatwa sankhawai swaha ||

Let life come into this deity. Let this deity come into life.
May that holds true (swaha) by the divinity |

o^ œðkQ JjmEh sugiå puiøbÝÑnmÚ|

WbÑAr¦kimbånAnÈ<EtYAmU
tYAmUÑxIymAm<tAq üAhA||

Om Trayambakam jajamahey sugandhim pushthibardhanam |

Urbarukamiba bandhanam mrityomukhshiya mammritat swaha ||

Let us meditate (jajamaheu) on the Three-eyed reality (Trayambakam – three-eyed Shiva, or

all pervasive Almighty) which permeates like a fragrance (sugandhim) and nourishes us all.
May we be liberated from death for the sake of immortality,
like the ripe cucumber (urbaruka) is severed from its bondage of the vine.

Alternate translation

We worship the three-eyed One (Lord Shiva) Who is fragrant and Who nourishes all beings,
may He liberate me from death, for the sake of immortality, even as the cucumber is severed
from its bondage of the vine.

Note: This mantra is known as Mahamritunjay mantra (winning over death). Trayambakam
could be interpreted as Shiva with three eyes or the all pevasive Almighty with vision all
around.

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OFFERING TO THE GODDESS

EdbIr pUjA
Devir Puja

Hindu offerings to God are very personal. As we are a part of Him, we offer the things that we
need for our own sustenance. Just imagine your mother has arrived at your home to spend
some time with your family, here she is Goddess Saraswati. Earn her love and blessing with
your sincere yarning and sharing your life with her during her stay with you. A minimum of
ten things are needed but may give nothing (manasapuja), just thinking about her, or a
minimum of five things (pE®ApcAEr), ten things (dESApcAEr) or sixteen things (E>A#ESApcAEr). We
will offer ten things here which are common, but one can add more, if desired.

Water for washing feet

pAdY
Padhya

Take a little water with the spoon (kushi) from the water container (kosha) and offer it on the
puja plate in front of the pitcher (tamrapatra).

nm: pAdYQ g<« mhAEdbI sbÑd:u KAphkrmÚ|

œAyü brEd EdbI
EdbI nmEÙ¹ SQkripREy|
etdÚ pAdYQ nEmA srü¯tY nm:|

Om padhyam grihana mahadevi sarbadukhapaharam |

Trayashwa baradey Devi namastey Shankara priye ||
Etat padyam namah Saraswatai namah ||

Allow me to pour this water to thy feet, Oh Goddess, who takes away all our sorrows.
I welcome you, Oh my protector, beloved by Vishnu, allow me to wash your feet;
I offer my reverence to you goddess Saraswati.

Seat
aAsn
Asan

The seat is a silver square available in puja stores for this purpose. In its absence, take a silver
coin or a flower to offer seat to the goddess.
.
et¯¥ rjtAsnAy nm:|
eEt gå puEÕp etdi}ptEy SÊIib>u·Eb nm:|
etq sÇpÊdA¯nY o^ \Q srü¯tY nm:|
Etashmai rajata ashanaya namah |
Etey gandha pushpey etad adhipaye Shri Vishnabey namah |
Etat sampradanai Om Oing Saraswatai namah ||

Reverence to the seat. In the name of Vishnu (the preserver), I am sanctifying the seat in
preparation of its offering to the Goddess Saraswati with respect.
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o^ aAsnQ gª« EdEbiS >q kªtQ ESAvnQ myA|

sbÑbkAmflQ Edih bAgISÆrI nEmAhÙ¹Et||
HdQ rjtAsnmÚ o^ \Q srü¯tY nm:||

Om asanam grinha deveshi jat kritam shobhanam maya |

Sarba kamaphalam dehi Bageshwari namahstutey ||
Edam rajatasanam Om Owim Saraswatwai namah ||

Oh Goddess! Please accept this decorated seat. Oh the goddess of speech, May you
bless me with success in fulfilling my wishes. I offer this seat to your name, with the utterance
of your primordial sounds, Om and Owing.

Special Offering for reception

ibES>AGÑ
Bisheshargha

This special ritual, called Bisheyshargha (ibES>AGÑ), uses the water-conch (jala sankha, jlsSÐ),
to make the special offering or argha to the principle deity. The water-conch sits on a tripod
on the left side of the priest. Wash it out and throw the water with the sound,

gVÚ
Phat
Get out all evil spirits

that sanctifies the conch and its contents – sandalwood-dipped flower, rice and durba grass. It
is symbolic of the greatest gift of God – the green leaves, the flowers and the food (rice).

o^ dubÑAxt smAJu™Q iblÅpœQ tFAprmÚ| ESAvnQ SQÐpAœÙÛQ g<hNÑAGYQ hripREy|

e> aGÑYQ nEmA srü¯tY nm:|

Om Durbakshata samajuktam billapatram tatha param |

Shobhana shankhapatrastham grihanargam Harapriye ||
Esha argham namah Saraswatwai namah ||

Om (in the name of divinity)! I am hereby offering the durba grass along with bail leaves
(offered to Lord Shiva) decorated on the water-conch. Please accept this,
Oh the favorite of Lord Vishnu. Herewith I am offering the argha (rice) to your name,
Oh revered Goddess Saraswati

Now touch the flower and durba and chant dedicated to the solar energy and the solar system:

eEt gå puEÖp o^ aQ akÑm&lAy ÞAdS klAtÈEn nm:|

Etey gandhapushpey Om arkamandalaya dadasha kalatmaney namah |
My reverence to the twelve fold solar system |

o^ mQ bih²m&lAy dSkllAtÈEn nm:|

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Om Mang Banhimandalaya dashakalatmaney namah |

My reverence to the ten fold energy ring of the solar system

Continue your offering (for the moon):

o^ wQ EsAmm&lAy E>A#SklAtÈEn nm:|

Om Um Somamandalaya shorashakalatmaney namah ||
My reverence to the sixteen folds lunar system ||

Show the Ankusha mudra and call the various sacred rivers to sanctify the water.

o^ gE‰ c JmuEn ¯cb EgAdAbir srüit, nÇmÑEd isåu kAEbir, jEl ai¥n siæi}Q kur¦|
Om Gangeycha Jamuney chaiba Godavari Saraswati |
Narmadey Sindhu Kaveri jalasmin sannidhin kuru ||

May all the sacred rivers of India Ganges, Jamuna, Godavai,

Saraswati, Narmada,
Sindhu and Kaveri, merge into this water to sanctify.

Now remeditate on the goddess Saraswati (see mantra

given earlier) and cover the conch by Abagunthana mudra gAilnI m¤dÊA (Galini Mudra)
with the sound of h§Q and then show the Galini mudra to the
conch uttering Eb±>TÚ. Then say with folded hands, holding a flower:

eEt gåpuEÕp o^ \Q srü¯tY nm:

Etey gandha pushpey Om Oing Saraswatai namah
Offering this reception specially to Goddess Saraswati

Now jap eight times with the primordial sound of Saraswati (\Q ) on the water conch as you do for
Gayatri.

Then sprinkle the water from the conch over all the articles kept for puja.

Offering to Gods on background

pI[p§jA
Pithapujha

Pitha puja refers to the offerings to those Gods that govern our actions by staying on the
ackground.

Show five welcome mudras while looking at Saraswati.

o^ pI[EdbtA HhAgµCt HhAgµCt, HhAitùt HhAitùt, HhsiæE}ih, Hh siær¦}Bü,

Hh siær¦ÜY}BmÚ aœAi}øAnQ kur¦t: mm pUjA g<h²It||

Om Pithadevata ihagchata ihagachata, ehatishthata ehatishthata |

Iha sannirudhwashwa, iha sannirudhwam atradhishthan kurutah |
Mamapuja grinhita ||

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Oh pithadevata (Gods of the background) come and stay close to me and let your
presence help me to perform the puja.

Now put bits of flowers in the name of each God or offer a bit of water (or rice) in the
name of each. Discard the water into the offering plate.

Note: You may find it difficult to correspond to the direction. Hence focus on the thought and
offer small amount of water after uttering the name of the God.

(h©dEy) o^ aA}ArS™Ey nm:, o^ pRk<¯tY nm:, o^ anÁ¹Ay nm:, o^ p<iF¯b± nm:,

o^ xIrsmudRAy nm:, o^ ESBÞIpAy nm:, o^ miNm&pAy nm:, o^ kÒb<xAy nm:, o^ miNEbdIkA¯y nm:,
o^ rtÃisQhAsnAy nm:, o^ }mÑAy nm:, o^ @AnAy nm:, o^ ¯brAgYAy nm:, o^ \SBJÑYAy nm:, o^ a}ÑmAy nm:,nm:,
o^ a@AnAy nm:, o^ a¯brAgYAy nm:, o^ a¯nSBJÑYAy nm:, o^ anÁ¹Ay nm:, o^ pdÈAy nm:,
o^ aQ akÑm&lAy ÞAdS klAtÈEn nm:, o^ wQ EsAmm&lAy E>A#SklAtÈEn nm:,
o^ mQ bih²m&lAy dSkllAtÈEn nm:, o^ sQ stBAy nm:, o^ rQ rjEs nm:, o^ tmEs nm:, o^ aAQ aAtÈEn nm:,
o^ aQ aÁ¹
aÁ¹rAtÈEn nm:, o^ pQ prmAtÈEn nm:, o^ hRIQ @AnAtÈEn nm:, o^ Em}A¯y nm:, o^ pR@A¯y nm:,
o^ pRvA¯y nm:, o^ iSR¯y nm:, o^ }<<¯tY nm:, o^ Øm¯tY nm:, o^ bu¯Ü nm:, o^ ibdYASB¯JYÑ nm:,
o^ bNÑ kmlAsnAy nm:|

Etey gandhapushpey
Om adharashaktaye namah, prakritai namah, anantaya namah,
prithibai namah, khirasamudraya namah, swetadwipaya namah, manimandapaya namah,
kalpabrikshaya namah, manibedikayai namah, ratnasinhasanaya namah,
dharmaya namah,gyanaya namah, bairagaya namah, ausharjaya namah, adharmaya
namah, agyanaya namah, abairagya namah, anaisharjaya namah, anantaya namah,
padmayanamah, arkamandala dwadashakalatmaney namah,
somamandala shorashakalatmaney namah, banhimandala dashakalatmaney namah,
sattaya namaha, rajashey namah, tamashey namah, atmaney namah, antaratmaney namah,
paramatmaney namah, gyanatmaney namah, medhayai namah, pragyayi namah,
prbhawai namah, vidyawai namah, shriwai namah, dhritayi namah, smritayi namah,
bridhai namah, vidya ashairjai namah, barna kamalashanaya namah

I offer these scented flowers to the names of: my holder, the nature, the universe, the earth, and in
all the various aspects of Gods and Goddesses.

Honey-bowl
m}¤pkÑ
Madhuparka

The honey pot is a combination of five things – honey, sugar, ghee, yogurt and milk. Offer the
m}¤pkÑ) by putting a flower on it or simply offer a drop of
honey pot, called, madhuparka (m}¤
honey in the offering plate.

nm: m}upkÑQ mhAEdbI-

mhAEdbI-bRþA¯dY: pirkiÒtmÚ|
myA inEbidtQ v™YA g<hAN prEmÕbrI|
etdÚ m}upkÑQ srü¯tY nm:|

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Namahmadhuparkam mahadevi Brahmadwai parikalpitam |

Maya niveditam bhaktya grihana Parameshwari ||
Etad madhuparkam Saraswatwi namah |

Oh the greatest goddess of all

allow me to consecrate this honey bowl,
as Brahma designed this sweetness,
I, your great devotee, offering it to you,
Accept this honey-bowl, Oh the Goddess Saraswati.

Bathing water
¨AnIy
Snania

Take a little water in your kushi (spoon), look at the goddess and offer it with the following
mantra:

jl® SItlQ üµCQ intYQ öÜQ mEnAhrmÚ|

¨AnAFÑQ Et pÊJµCAim bAgISÆrI gªhAN Em||
Hdm Ú¨AnIy jlmÚ o^ \Q srü¯tY nm:|
Om jalancha shitalam swacam nityam sudham manoharam |
Snanartham tey prajachami Bageshwari grihannamey ||
Edam snaniya jalam Om Saraswatwai namah ||

Please accept my offering of this cold, clean, sanctified, heart-warming water

for your bathing. Here is your water Oh Goddess Saraswati.

Cloth
bÙ»
Vastra

Take the sari (placed for offering) in your hand, put a flower on it, complete the chant, and
touch the sari on to the holy pitcher and then place it next to the feet of the goddess. If you are
using a picture, place it next to the picture.

o^ býtÁ¹u smAJu™Q p–
p– suœAid iniÇmÑtmÚ |
bAEsA EdbI suökÔ® g<hAN prEmÕbrI |
o^ bh¤sÁ¹An sm<ÜQ riÎtQ rAgbÙ¹unA |
mhAEdbI vjpRIitQ bAsEÁ¹ pir}IytAmÚ |
etdÚ bÙ»Q nEmA srü¯tY nm: ||

Namah, bahutantu samayuktam patta sutradi nirmitam |

Baso devo susuklanca grihana parameshwari |
Om bahusantana smridham ranjitam ragabastuna |
Mahadevi bhajapritim basantey paridhiatam |
Etad bastram namah Saraswatwai namah ||

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Made out of many threads, this white cloth of yours, accept it Oh the supreme Goddess.
Be pleased by wearing this long and rich cloth with many colors.
Allow me to offer this clot to you with reverence. I bow to you Oh Goddess Saraswati.

Sandalwood paste
c¾dn (gÀÞ)
Chandana (gandha)

Touch the sandalwood paste with your middle finger and mark the paste on the holy pitcher
while chanting the following:

o^ SrIrQ Et n jAnAim EcøAQ ¯nb ¯nb c |

myA inEbidtAnÚ gåAnÚ pRitg<hY ibilptYAmÚ |
e> gåQ o^ srü¯tY nm: ||

Om shariram tey na janami ceshtam naiba naiba ca |

Maya nibeditan gandhan pratigrijya bilipatyam |
Esha gandham Om Saraswatwai namah ||

Oh Goddess I do not know your body or your whereabouts. I am offering this

sandalwood paste with fragrance, please accept it and spread on your body.

Flower
puÖp
Pushpa

Place a white flower at the feet of the Goddess followed by this mantra:

o^ puÖpQ mEnAhrQ idbYQ sugiå Edb iniÇmÑtm|

h©dYmÚ aáUtmÚ aAEGRyQ EdbIQ dšQ pRitg<hYtAmÚ|
etdÚ puÖpQ nEmA srü¯tY nm:|

Om pushpammanoharam divyam sugandha deva nirmitam |

Hridyam adbhutam aghreyam devi dattam pragrijyatan ||
Etani pushpani Om Owing Saraswatwai namah ||

This beautiful divine flower with fragrance is created by God. I am offering it

to you whose smell captures the heart. Here is the flower O Goddess Saraswati.

Incense
}Up
Dhup

Light a new incense stick, burn it, do arati while chanting the following mantra and then place
it on its stand.

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nm: bnspitrEsA idEbYA gåA]Y: surEvAjn:|

myA inEbidEtA vš¦YA }UEpAyQ pRitg<hYtAmÚ|
e> }Up o^ srü¯tY nm:|

Om banaspati rasho divyo gandhadyam sumanoharam |

Maya nivedito bhakta dhupoham pratigrijhatam |
Esha dhupah Om Saraswatwai namah ||

Here is the divine extract from plants with heartwarming smell.

Please accept my offering of this incense, with great reverence,
Oh Goddess Saraswati.

Lamp
pRdIp
Pradeep

Look at the burning lamp with a flower in your right hand and chant the following mantra.
After chanting throw the flower towards the lamp.

o^ aigÃEjYAit: ribEjYAit: c¾dREjYAit t¯Fb c|

EjAit>AmušEmA srü¯tY dIEpAhyQ pRitg<hYtAm|
e> dIp o^ \Q srü¯tY nm:|

Om agnijyoti rabijyoti chandrajyoti tathaivaca |

Jyotisatamo devi dwipoham pratigrijhyatam ||
Esha dwipah Om Owing Saraswatwai namah ||

In this flame is like that of the illuminations of the sun and the moon.
In that illumination, Oh Goddess, take the divine light as I offer to you with reverence.

Garland
puÖpmAlY
Pushpamalya

Look at the garland that the deity is wearing or touch the garland placed on the holy pitcher
(ghat) and chant the following mantra:

o^ suEœn gRiFtQ mAlYQ nAnA puÖp sminÅtmÚ |

SRIyu™Q lðmAn® gRhAn prEmÕbrI |
e> puÖpmAlYQ o^ \Q srü¯tY nm: |

Om sutren grathitam malyam nana pushpa samanwitam

Srijuktam lambamananca grahana parameshwari |
Esha pushpamalyam Om Owing Saraswatwai namah ||

Take this garland, made of many kinds of flowers, stuck together on a long thread, Oh the
great Goddess. Herewith I offer the garland to you Oh, Goddess Saraswati.

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Food platter (sweets and fruits)

¯nEbdY
Naivedya

Locate the food platter with wet rice, sweet and fruits. Put a flower on the platter and chant

o^ ¯nEbdYQ GªtsQ>u™Q nAnAdÊbYQ sminÅtmÚ |

myA inEbidtQ v™YA gªhAN s¤rp§ijEt ||
HdmÚ EsApkrNAmAæ¯nEbdYQ o^ \Q srü¯tY nm: ||

Om naivedyam gritasamjuktam nana drabya samanityam |

Maya niveditam bhaktya grihana surpujatey ||
Idam sopakaranamanna naivedyam Om Owing Saraswatai namah ||

Here the platter of food made with consecrated butter (ghee) and combination
of many things. I am offering the platter to you with great reverence.
Please accept it. Here is the food platter together with the implements and
offer this to you Oh Goddess Saraswati with humility.

Fruits
flmulAin
Phalamulani

Put flowers or sprinkle water, as mark of offering, on the plates with cut or whole fruits.

o^ flmulAiN sbÑAiN gRAmYArNYAin JAin c |

nAnAib} sugåIin g<« EdbI mmAicrmÚ |
etAin flmulAin o^ srü¯tY nm: ||

Om! Phalamulani sarbani gramya aranyani ca |

Nanabidha sugandhini grinha Devi mamaciram |
Etani phalamulani Om Saraswatwai namah ||

All these fruits, collected from village and forest, with good taste and smell,
accept it from me Oh the Goddess Saraswati.

Sweets
EmAdk (imiø)
Modak (a round-shaped sweet preparation)

Place flowers or sprinkle little water on all the displays of sweets while chanting the
following mantras:
o^ EmAdkQ üAdsQyu™Q SkÑrAid ibiniÇmÑtmÚ |
surmYQ m}urQ EvAjYQ EdbI dšQ pRitg<hYtAmÚ |
e> EmAdkQ o^ srü¯tY nm: ||

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Om modakam swadasangjuktam sarkaradi binirmitam |

Suramyam madhuram bhyojyam Devi dattam pratigrijyatam |
Esha modakam Om Saraswatwai namah ||

EmAdk), made out of sugar, good-looking

These tasteful round-shaped sweets (EmAdk),
sweet edibles I am giving you Oh Goddess, please accept them.
Here are the round-shaped sweets for you Oh Goddess Saraswati.

Payas or Paramanna
prmAæ
Paramanna

Paramanna is a sweet dessert made from milk. Its offering is done in a special way. It is
offered involves where the food is considered as consecrated ghee (habir). In the mantra the
food is given to the flame of hunger that maintains our vital function.

Vital ahuti (offering to fire) of food

pÊANAýit
Pranahuti

First offer the dessert to the Goddess with folded hands:

o^ gbYsipÑ: pEyAJ¤š²Q nAnAm}¤r sQJ¤tmÚ|

myA inEbidtQ vš²A prmAæQ pÊg<hYtAmÚ||

Om gabyasarpih payojuktam nanamadhura samjutam |

Maya nibeditam bhaktya paramannam pragrijyatam ||

Oh Goddess, I am offering this great rice preparation (paramanna) made with ghee
(concentrated butter), milk and many tasty sweets. Please accept it from me, your devotee.

Then chant the panchgras mantra to make the offerings to the five vital breaths of the body
(see background information).

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Background information
These verses are normally chanted before eating and have great philosophical significance.
According to Vedic tradition, every act eventually becomes an act of worship. Food is
essential for our sustenance. The prayer offered before eating is dedicated to the all
pervasive Supreme Brahman so that the energy derived from the food be used to serve
Him.
It is universally accepted that breath (ana) is the vital force behind life. Five vital breaths
(ana) control the inner function of the body. Thus it manifests the power of the Supreme in
the bodily plane. These vital breaths are responsible for different activities – prana
(principle breath that we inhale to supply oxygen to every cell of our body), apana
(excretory activity), samana (digestive activity), udana (respiratory activity that we
exhale), and vyana (circulatory activity).

Offerring process
p®gRAs m¿
Panchagrass mantra
(Dedicated to the five vital breaths of the body)

The offering is done with special gesture called, f’NË¡p j¤â¡ (Panchagras mudra) which is
described in the following section. It is important that you set up in your mental picture that
the deity is taking the food from your hand as you show the moving gesture.

Take a small amount of water on your left palm. Move the fingers of your right palm from the
consecrated food towards the Goddess. The five mantras refer to five kinds of air in our body
to sustain our lives. The panchagras mudra (f’NË¡p j¤â¡) is the same as the offering to the
pranabayu, explained elsewhere.

1. Get your left palm into the grassmudra (eating posture). In other words, depress the
central section of the left palm. Put small amount of water on it.

2. Then join the thumb to the little finger and offer with the following mantra while
moving your hand towards the deitya , imagining your dream to feed her:
Jy fË¡Z¡u ü¡q¡
Om pranaya swaha |

3. Then join the thumb with the ring finger and say, again move your right hand towards
the deity, imagining your effort to feed her:
Jy Af¡e¡u ü¡q¡
Om apanaya swaha |

4. Then join the thumb with the middle finger and say,
Jy pj¡e¡u ü¡q¡
Om udanaya swaha |

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5. Then join the thumb with the pointing finger and say,
Jy Ec¡e¡u ü¡q¡,
Om udanaya swaha |

6. Finally, join all fingers and say,

Jy hÉ¡e¡u ü¡q¡ zz
Om vanaya swaha ||

Note: Prana, Apana, Samana, Udana and Vyana are the five vital breaths (winds or ana) of
the body that promote its inner functions – Prana (principle breath that we inhale to supply
oxygen to every cell of our body), Apana (excretory activity), Samana (digestive activity),
Udana (respiratory activity that we exhale), and Vyana (circulatory activity). The final
greeting is to the creator Brahma.

Offering water to drink

aAcmnIy
Achmaniya

Take a little water in the kushi (spoon) and drop it in the first glass of water after completing
the following mantra.

o^ mÀdAikÀYYAØt¤ JÞAir sbÑpAphrQ övmÚ | gªhAN aAcmnIyQ tÅQ myA v™YA inEbidmÚ ||
HdmAcnIyQ o^ \Q srü¯tY nm:||

Om mandakinyast jadbari sarbapapa harang shubham |

Geihanam achmaniam twam maya bhaktya niveditam ||
Idam achmanium Om Owing Saraswatwi namah ||

Herewith I am offering to you the holy Ganges water that takes away all sin and
brings happiness. As I offer that water with devotion,
please oblige me by sipping that water.
The second offering of water
punrAcmnIy
Punarachmania

Take a little water in the kushi and drop it in the second glass after completing the following
mantra:

o^ wiµCEøAhpYöicbÑAip >sYA: ØmrNmAœt: |

öiÜmAEpÃAit t¯ØYY Et purAcmnIykmÚ||
HdmÚ punrAcmnIymÚ o^ \Q srü¯tY nm:|
Om ucistho upya sucirbyapi yashya smaranamatratah |
Sudhimapnoti tasai tey punaracmaniakam ||
Idam punaracmanium Om Owing Saraswatai namah |

The contaminated water (ucistha) becomes pure by taking your name.

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That purified water I am offering herewith as the second serving.

Please oblige me by accepting the second glass of water.
Offerings to the iconographies of Saraswati

Put a flower on each of the following with reverence and utter the corresponding mantra:

To Book
o^ puÙ¹EkEvYA nm:|
Om pushkebhyo namah
Reverence to the book, the emblem of knowledge.

To Inkpot
o^ msYA }ArAy nm:|
Om masya dharaya namah |
Reverence to the inkpot as an emblem of writing knowledge.

To Pen
o^ ElK¯nY nm:|
Om lekhanai namah |
Reverence to the pen, as the emblem of writing knowledge.

To Musical instruments

o^ bAdYJ¿ aAidEvYA nm:|

Om badyajantra adibhyo namah
Reverence to the musical instruments.

To Swan
o^ hQsAy nm:|
Om Hangsaya namah |
Reverence to the swan, Saraswati’s pet and emblem of purity.

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PUSHPANJALI
f¤×f¡”m£
Pushpanjali
(Flower offering)

Pushpanjali is the offering of flowers to Goddess Saraswati. It has four parts – Vishnu smaran,
flower offering (anjali), prostration (Pronam, pÊNAm) and Vandana (vandana, b¾dnA).

Everyone stand, focus on offering, take a flower and pray with folded hands holding the flower
in between.

ib>·¤·¤ - Jy ib>·¤ - Jy ib>·¤

Jy ib>
Jy tdÚib>·¤ prmQ pdmÚ sdApSYiÁ¹ sury: idbIb cxurAttmÚ|
Jy ib>·¤ - Jy ib>·¤ - Jy ib>·¤

Om Vishn - Om Vishn - Om Vishnu

Om tadvishnoh paramam padam sada pashyanti suraya dibiba cakshuratatam
Om Vishnu - Om Vishnu - Om Vishnu

Hail Lord Vishnu (our preserver). With the divine vision of the learned, the presence of the
Omniscient God Vishnu is everywhere. I bow to Thee, Oh Lord Vishnu.

Jy plü°aÉ e−j¡ ¢eaÉw, iâL¡−m± e−j¡ ejx z

−hc −hc¡¿¹ −hc¡‰ ¢hcÉ¡Ùq¡−eiÉ Hh Q zz
Ho f¤×f¡”¢m Jy Iw plü°aÉ
plü°aÉ ejx zz1zz

Om Saraswatai namo nityam, bhadrakalai namo namah |

Veda Vedanta Vedanga vidhyasthaneybhya eba ca ||
Esha pushpanjali Om Owing Saraswatai namah ||1||

I bow to the beautiful goddess who removes our darkness (kali), Saraswati,
who gives us the knowledge of the Vedas. I am offering this flower to her name with reverence.

Jy AOÑÉw f¤×f’ °e−hcÉw j¡mÉw Nå¡e¤−mfejÚ z

Nªq¡Z hl−c −c¢h LmÉ¡Zw Ll¦ −j pc¡ zz
Ho f¤×f¡”¢m Jy Iw plü°aÉ ejx zz2zz

Om argham pushpanca naivedyam malyam gandhanulepanam.

Grihana baradey devi kalyanam kurume sada |
Esha pushpanjali Om Owing Saraswatai namah ||2||

I am offering rice (argha), flower, food platter, garland and the sandalwood.
Accept them O devi and do good to us all.
Here is the sandalwood-dipped flower offering
Oh the divine goddess.

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Jy p¡ −j hpa¥ ¢SqÄ¡u¡w h£Z¡ f¤Ù¹Ld¡¢le£ z j¤l¡l£ hõi¡w −ch£ phÑöLÓ¡ plüa£ zz

plüa£ jq¡i¡−N ¢h−cÉ Ljm −m¡Q−e z ¢hcÉ¡l©−f ¢hn¡m¡¢r ¢hcÉ¡w −c¢q e−j¡qÙ¹¥−a zz
Ho f¤×f¡”¢m Jy Iw plü°aÉ ejx zz3zz

Sa mey basatu jibhayam vena pustakadharini |

Murari ballavam devi sarbashukla Saraswati ||
Saraswati mahabhagey vidyey kamala lochaney |
Vidyarupey beeshalakshi vidyang dehe namastutey ||
Esha pushpanjali Om Owing Saraswatai namah ||3|

Rest on my tongue Oh the holder of veena (string instrument)

and books (Saraswati, the icon of knowledge). Oh the favorite of Vishnu, pure
and shining white, Goddess Saraswati. Saraswati, whose eminence is
to the highest degree (mahabhagey) of knowledge, who is emitting
knowledge to the universe through her divine look, enlighten me;
I bow to you with reference, to give me that knowledge.
Here is the offering of the sandalwood-dipped flower to your name
Oh glorious Saraswati.

SARASWATI VANDANA

Saraswati prayer in Bengali

plüa£ h¾ce¡
Saraswati vandana

Edited by Dilip Bhaumik (Lyric writer of Kolkata Radio Station)

H−p¡ −N¡ See£ h£Z¡f¡¢Z −chc¡eh j¢äa¡ z

−nÄahpe¡, −nÄai¨oZ¡ −nÄa Q¾ce Q¢QÑa¡ z

Hp nac−m eu−el S−m f§¢Sh l¡a¥m QlZ z

−a¡j¡¢l Ll¦Z¡ B¢np f¡C−u pgm qC−h Sej zz
H−p¡ −N¡ See£ h£Z¡f¡¢Z −chc¡eh j¢äa¡ z
−nÄahpe¡, −nÄai¨oZ¡ −nÄa Q¾ce Q¢QÑa¡ z

−j¡R¡J i¡la£ −j¡−cl L¡¢mj¡, SÆ¢mu¡ c¡J j¡ ‘¡−el c£f z

c£ç L−l¡ j¡ m¤ç N¢lj¡ b¡¢L−N¡ −ke j¡ −a¡j¡ pj£f zz
H−p¡ −N¡ See£ h£Z¡f¡¢Z −chc¡eh j¢äa¡ z
−nÄahpe¡, −nÄai¨oZ¡ −nÄa Q¾ce Q¢QÑa¡ z

Eshogo janani esho binapani devo danaba mandita

Sweta basana sweta bhusana sweta chandana charchita.

Esho satadaley nayanerojaley Pujibo ratul charano

Tomari karuna ashisho paiye safalo haibey janam.
Eshogo janani esho binapani devo danaba mandita
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Sweta basana sweta bhusana sweta chandana charchita.

Mochao bharati modero kalmia jalia dao ma gyanero deep,

Deepto karama lupto garima thakigo janoma toma sameep
Eshogo janani esho binapani devo danaba mandita
Sweta basana sweta bhusana sweta chandana charchita.

Come Oh mother Saraswati (holding the veena), surrounded by numerous Gods. You
are wearing white clothes and ornaments marked with white sandalwood come on your
hundred lotuses I will wash your bare feet with my tears by your compassion and blessing my
life will be worthwhile. Wipe out the darkness from our hearts. Oh Goddess of the land, light
the candle of knowledge in our heart, brightens the hidden glory and keep me close to you.

Sanskrit prayer
pÊAFÑnA
Prarthana

k¡ L¥−¾c¾c¥ a¥o¡lq¡l dhm¡ k¡ −nÄa fcÈ¡pe¡ z

k¡ h£Z¡hlcäj¢äa
h£Z¡hlcäj¢äa Ll¡ k¡ öï hÙ»¡hªa¡ zz
k¡ hËþ¡Q¥Éa nˆl fËv<v¢a¢v
<¢a¢v−cÑ°hx pc¡ h¢¾ca z
¢a¢
f¡au plüa£ iNha£ ¢ex−no S¡XÉ¡fq¡ zz
p¡ j¡j f¡au
Jy plüa£ jq¡i¡−N −hc¡e¡w See£fl¡ z
f§S¡w Nªq¡Z ¢h¢dhv LmÉ¡Zw L¥l¦−j pc¡ zz

Ya Kundendu tusharhar dhavala shubhra bastrabrita |

Ya Vena baradandamandita kara ya sweta padmasana ||
Ya Brahma Achuta Shankara prabhitbhi deba sada banditah |
Sa mang patu Saraswati bhagabati nishesha jadayapaha ||
Ya Brahma Achuta Shankara prabhitbhi Deba sada banditah
Sa mang patu Saraswati Bhagabati Nishesha jadayapaha
Om Saraswati mahabhagey Vedananang jananipara
Pujan grihana bidhibat Kalyanang kurumesada

She, Saraswati, Bhagavati (goddess of knowledge), who is adorned with a garland of

lilies(kundendu) as white as snow, who is clad in white clothes, holding a veena, whose hand
is raised to protect the seeker, who is seated on a white lotus, who is worshipped by Brahma,
Vishnu and Sankara (Shiva),
May She the Mother Goddess Saraswati dispel my ignorance completely!
Oh the great Goddess Saraswati, the mother of the Vedas, I have done my best in
accordance with the custom; please bless me always with happiness.

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Singing Saraswati’s glory

ñ¤it
Fold your hands and offer your prayers:

Jy kb¡ e −c−h¡ iNh¡e hËþ¡ −m¡L¢fa¡jqx z

aÆ¡w f¢laÉSÉ p¢¿¹−ùv ab¡ ih hlfËc¡ z
Jy mr£−jÑd¡dl¡a¥¢ø f¤¢ø −N±l£ fËi¡dª¢ax z
Ha¡¢i f¡¢q ae¤¢ilø¡¢ijÑ¡w plüa£ zz

Om jatha na devo bhagawan Brahmah lokapitamaha |

Twam parityajya santishtet tatha bhaba baraprada ||
Vedajh sarbani shatrani nritya geetadikanca yat |
Na bihinam staya devi yatha mey santu sidhaya ||
Om Lakshmir medha dhara tushthi pushti Gouri prabha driti |
Etabhih pahi tanur abhir-astabhirmam Saraswati ||

With the blessing of Brahma, the Lord of the people, you left the heavenly abode to
master the knowledge of Vedas and all scriptures, including dance and songs. Oh beautiful
Goddess! bless this world with your knowledge and enligten us with your divine power.

Prostration (salutation)
fËZ¡j

Prostrate with folded hands (repeat of mantra):

Jy plü°aÉ e−j¡ ¢eaÉw, iâL¡−m± e−j¡ ejx z

−hc −hc¡¿¹ −hc¡‰ ¢hcÉ¡Ùq¡−eiÉ Hh Q zz

Om Saraswatai namo nityam, bhadrakalai namo namah |

Veda Vedanta Vedanga vidhyasthaneybhya eba ca ||

I bow to you everyday Oh Saraswati, the beautiful lady of all times, accept my reverence.
You are the knowledge of Vedas and knowledge beyond the Vedas.

Japa
j§mj¿»

Japa is a spiritual discipline involving the meditative repetition of a mantra or name of a

divine power. The mantra or name may be spoken softly, or mentally without any sound. Here
we will repeatedly mutter the primordial sound associated with Goddess Saraswati – Owiing.

Iw
Owing

Begging excuse after the completion of jap:

71 2/16/2012 7:56 AM