सरस्वतीसहस्रनामस्तोत्रम्

Her radiant body is smeared with fine sandalwood paste, and she wears white clothes. Her hair is lovingly wreathed with jasmine garlands, and she shines with a string of pearls. She holds the book that is the store of all knowledge, and she is marked with a rosary of rudraksha beads. May the goddess of speech, the kind mother of the three worlds, dwell in the lotus of my mouth.

Lord, supreme master, sole leader of all the worlds, how did Sarasvati herself become pleased with Brahma, who stands in the highest place?

How did he win that very rare thing from the goddess, the great Voice? Tell me this truly, O master of the great lords of yoga.

Well asked, Brahmin. It is the most secret of secrets, and nothing is higher. It was kept carefully hidden out of fear, but now it is rightly made known.

Long ago, the Grandfather looked at the world of moving and unmoving things. It did not change, it had no light, it stood stiff and without awareness.

He had made all three worlds, but for want of speech they stayed so, and he felt that he himself lacked fullness. The Highest One, teacher of the world,

performed the finest and hardest austerity for ten thousand divine years. Then, at one time, a voice came forth, shining with every meaning.

She said: I am the great knowledge, the mistress of all speech. I will teach you the unsurpassed thousand of my names.

Praised daily with this, I shall become your wife, and the whole world you have made will be filled with speech.

This thousand of my names is the highest secret. It calms the whole flood of sins and gives great mastery of speech.

It gives great poetic power in the world and lordship over speech. Whether it is you or any other man who pleases me with this hymn,

I shall become his very servant, without doubt. Having said this, Speech vanished. From then on the Grandfather

praised her with this divine hymn and became her husband. And from then on, sage, the whole world was filled with speech.

That hymn I will now tell you. Listen with care, Narada. For a moment become pure and attentive, lord of sages.

She is speech and voice itself, the giver of boons, worthy of homage, of noble beauty and the bestower of gifts. She is also the living activity of the world, the queen of speech, the spoken word, the best and the beloved of the lord of speech.

She is the queen of the universe, honoured by the whole world and the one who pleases the lord of the universe. She is also the speaker of words, the goddess of speech, the giver of growth and the maker of increase.

She is growth itself, the ancient one, the destroyer of poison, the rain and the giver of rain. She is also worshipped by all, the mother of the universe, the nurse of the universe and the guide.

She is the power of the universe, the essence of the universe, the all and the night of the universe. She is also the knower of the Vedanta, the one to be known, the one who is known and the one whose self is the three Vedas.

She is the knower of the Vedas, the mother of the Vedas, the all and the night of the universe. She is also the most choice, made of speech, the ancient one and the one who does what is dear to the distinguished.

She is the one with faces on every side, the one who fills all, the pervader and the one whose self is all-pervading. She is also the destroyer of serpents, the one whose body is adorned with serpents, the stainless one and the leader of the Vedas.

She is the one known through the Vedas and Vedanta and the one whose form is the knowledge of Vedanta. She is also the shining night, the mighty one, the friend of all and the one dear to the Creator.

She is the foremost, the one drawn by the wise and the one honoured by the best of the learned. She is also the one whose form is the Veda, made of the Veda, the Veda in person and the beloved.

She is Gauri, full of virtue, the one to be guarded and the one who loves the city of the gandharvas. She is also the mother of qualities, the one who dwells in the secret heart, the one whose form is the teacher and dear to the teacher.

She is the knowledge of the mountain, pleased with song and the one who does good to singers. She is also Gayatri, worshipped by Shiva, the voice and the one who delights the lord of the mountain.

She is the knower of the mountain, the knowledge of knowing, the one whose form is the mountain and the queen of the mountains. She is also the mother of speech, praised by the hosts and endowed with virtues worth counting.

She is the one of hidden form, the cave of the heart, the one to be guarded, the one who takes the form of a cow, the word and the one made of qualities. She is also the weighty one, the mother of the teacher, the secret one, born from song and the one who removes the afflictions of the house.

She is the lady of the house, the remover of faults in the home, the destroyer of the sin of harming cows and loving towards the teacher. She is also the one whose self is the home, worshipped in the home and the destroyer of troubles in the home.

She is the Ganga, the daughter of the mountain, the goal to be reached, the one who travels on an elephant and praised by Guha. She is also served by the one who sits on Garuda, the Gomati and rich in virtues.

She is Sharada, the everlasting one, the one who belongs to Shiva, the one who gives happiness and the one whose self is Shankara. She is also Shri, the fortune, the consort of Sharva, the destroyer of hundreds and the one whose face is like the autumn moon.

She is the most gracious, the one who overcomes Yama and the one with a hundred thousand forms. She is also the auspicious one, dear to Shambhu, faith, the one whose form is the sacred word and fond of the sacred word.

She is the bright and pure one, the maker of happiness, the giver of purity and the one whose form is purity. She is also the auspicious one, the doer of good, the pure one, worshipped by Shiva and the one whose self is Shiva.

She is the glorious one, full of splendour, the one worth hearing, the sacred word and the one who can be heard. She is also peace, the bringer of peace, the calm one and the one who favours those of calm conduct.

She is the one won by good conduct, the one of good character, the mother of fortune and the doer of good. She is also the one of auspicious speech, pure knowledge and honoured by the pure-minded.

She is the giver of prosperity, the one who destroys sin by being heard, the one with lovely eyes and the beloved of the pure. She is also the destroyer of what is inauspicious, Shabari and endowed with virtues worth hearing.

She is the sharika bird, the one with the glow of a shirisha flower, steady in calm and the one whose self is calm. She is also endowed with calm, worshipped by the calm and honoured by the dark-throated one.

She is purity, the maker of purity, the best, endless as the sacred word and the bringer of good. She is also Sarasvati, the all-knowing and the giver of every accomplishment.

She is Sarasvati, Savitri, Sandhya, the twilight and the giver of all that is wished for. She is also the remover of all pain, the one who is all and the giver of every kind of knowledge.

She is the queen of all, wholly holy and the one who brings about creation, keeping and end. She is also worshipped by all, the mother of all and served by all the gods.

She is the giver of all riches, the true one, the good and faithful one and the home of the quality of goodness. She is also the one whose form is the order of notes and words and the destroyer of every fault.

She is the thousand-eyed, the thousand-faced and the one with a thousand feet. She is also the thousand-handed and the one whose body is adorned with a thousand virtues.

She is the thousand-headed, the one whose form is being, the offering to the ancestors, the offering to the gods and full of nectar. She is also the piercer of the six knots, the one to be served and the one worshipped by all the worlds.

She is worthy of praise, made of praise, the one who can be attained and the one who delights the sun. She is also the cutter of doubt, the one known through Sankhya, number and the queen of the good.

She is the giver of attainments, worshipped by the perfected and the giver of every attainment. She is also the all-knowing, all power and the giver of every kind of wealth.

She is the destroyer of all that is inauspicious, the giver of happiness, happiness and the one whose nature is pure awareness. She is also the one who inspires awe in all and the enchanter of the whole world.

She is the doer of what is dear to all, the giver of every good and all-auspicious. She is also made of all mantras and the giver of the merit of every holy place.

She is full of every merit, the destroyer of every illness and the giver of every wish. She is also the remover of all obstacles, honoured by all and all-auspicious.

She is the maker of all mantras, all fortune and endowed with every virtue. She is also full of all joy, the giver of all knowledge and the leader of truth.

She is made of all knowledge, the giver of every kingdom and the giver of every liberation. She is also the brightly shining, the giver of all, the whole and the one who draws all the worlds to herself.

She is the fortunate one, the beautiful one, the perfected one, the mother of the perfected and the mother-letter of the perfected. She is also the mother of the perfected, the knowledge of the perfected, the queen of the perfected and the one whose form is perfection.

She is the lovely-formed, full of happiness and the one who does good to her servants. She is also the mistress, the giver of all, the one to be served and the mother of the gross, the subtle and the beyond.

She is the one whose form is the essence, the one whose form is a lotus lake, truth made real and the shelter of all. She is also white and dark, lotus-eyed and the beloved of the lotus-seated one.

She is lotus-hued, perfect in every limb and honoured by Indra and the gods. She is also the great goddess, the mistress of the great lord and the giver of great mastery of speech.

She is Great Sarasvati, the freed one, the giver of liberation and the destroyer of impurity. She is also the great queen, great joy, made of great mantras and the earth.

She is Great Lakshmi, great knowledge, the mother and the dweller on Mount Mandara. She is also the one reached through mantra, the mother of mantras and the giver of the fruit of great mantras.

She is great liberation, the great eternal one and the giver of great attainments. She is also the greatly perfected, the great mother and the one with a mighty form.

She is the great one, the queen, the embodiment, the giver of freedom and adorned with gems. She is also Menaka, the proud and honoured one, worthy of honour, the destroyer of death and the one whose form is Mount Meru.

She is the one with intoxicating eyes, the abode of rapture, the one whose form is the sacrifice and the queen of sacrifices. She is also great enchantment, great illusion and seated at the head of the mothers.

She is greatly holy, the abode of delight and the giver of great wealth. She is also the one who dwells in the Manipura centre, sweet in form and greatly mighty.

She is the greatly subtle, the greatly calm and the giver of great peace. She is also praised by sages, the slayer of delusion, Madhavi and the beloved of Madhava.

She is Ma, the lady of fortune, praised by Mahadeva and honoured by hosts of queens. She is also the giver of sweet food, the power of Indra and the giver of Indra's seat.

She is thought, the giver of understanding, keen intelligence and the dweller in the mortal world. She is also the chief, the great dwelling and sought by the greatly fortunate.

She is the woman of high standing, greatness, the remover of death and the giver of intelligence. She is also the pure, the swift one and the giver of the fruit of great liberation.

She is of great radiance, the great one and the one who pleases Mahadeva. She is also the great nourisher, great prosperity and adorned with pearl necklaces.

She is adorned with rubies, the mantra and the one who wears the half-moon as her crest. She is also the one whose form is the mind, purity of mind and the giver of purity of mind.

She is full of great compassion and honoured by the bowing mind. She is also the destroyer of the net of great sins, the giver of liberation and adorned with pearls.

She is Manonmani, the state beyond the mind, greatly vast and the giver of the fruit of great sacrifices. She is also the one gained as the fruit of great merit and the destroyer of the three cities of illusion.

She is the great provider of food, of great intelligence, of great delight and the great queen. She is also the wearer of garlands, the great means and the giver of the fruit of great holy places.

She is full of great blessings and the destroyer of great poverty. She is also the great sacrifice, the great cloud, Mahakali and greatly beloved.

She is the great ornament, the great-bodied, the great queen and the abode of joy. She is also the generous giver, the giver of good fortune, the one to be enjoyed, the giver of what is enjoyable and the giver of enjoyment.

She is Bhavani, the giver of prosperity, prosperity, the earth and the excellent leader of the land. She is also the nurse of all beings, the remover of fear and the giver of the gift of speech to her devotees.

She is enjoyment, the giver of enjoyment, Bheki, devotion and the giver of devotion. She is also the one who grants her devotees union with the divine, the one who grants her devotees heaven and the one who grants her devotees kingship.

She is Bhagirathi, worshipped by Bhava and the fortunate one honoured by the good. She is also praised by Bhava, the radiant one and the one who carries across the ocean of existence.

She is glory, the ornament, the queen of beings and worshipped by the one with the eye on his forehead. She is also the past, what is to come, what will be, the knowledge of existence and the one whose self is existence.

She is the remover of troubles, the one who takes the form of kin and honoured by the worlds. She is also the destroyer of rebirth, won through devotion and intent on protecting her devotees.

She is the soother of her devotees' pain, the fortunate one and ever busy giving enjoyment. She is also adorned with serpents, the terrible one, the terrible-eyed and fearsome in form.

She is the lovely lady, the one in a brother's form, Bharati and the leader of existence. She is also language, the mistress of language, the awe-inspiring one, Bhairavi and dear to Bhairava.

She is splendour, the one whose whole body shines, the giver of prosperity and the leader of prosperity. She is also the shining one, the wearer of the garland of fortune and ever busy giving alms.

She is the one in the form of a mendicant, the maker of devotion and the giver of prosperity to her devotees. She is also the destroyer of confusion, the one whose form is confusion, the giver of prosperity and the maker of well-being.

She is the one to be begged from, the mother of mendicants and seen by the fortunate. She is also full of enjoyment, the form of enjoyment and the giver of the fruit of enjoyment and liberation.

She is the one tired of pleasures, the fortunate one and the destroyer of her devotees' floods of sin. She is also Brahmi, the one whose nature is Brahman, the vast one and the beloved of Brahma.

She is the giver of the knowledge of Brahman, the mother of Brahma, Brahmani and the bestower of Brahman. She is also the queen of Brahma, praised by Brahma, the one to be known as Brahman and dear to the wise.

She is crowned with the young moon, the young girl and fond of those who make offerings. She is also the giver of strength, the one whose form is the point and shining like the young sun.

She is the one whose form is Brahman, full of Brahman and the one at the centre of the sun's disc. She is also Brahmani, the giver of intellect, intellect, the one whose form is intellect and the queen of the wise.

She is the destroyer of bonds, the remover of obstacles and the one who takes the form of kin. She is also the one who dwells in the point, adorned with the point and joined with the point and the sound.

She is the one whose form is the seed, the mother of seeds, devoted to the sacred word and the one who brings forth Brahman. She is also the many-formed, the strong one, born of Brahma and the one who walks in Brahman.

She is praised by Brahma, the knowledge of Brahman and the beloved of the lord of the cosmic egg. She is also the one whose form is Brahma, Shiva and Vishnu and the one who stands in Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva.

She is the one whose form is intellect, the queen of the wise, the binder and the releaser from bonds. She is also the rosary, the one whose form is the letters and the giver of the fruit of the letters and of the imperishable.

She is the giver of endless joy and happiness and the one whose face is like endless moons. She is also of endless greatness, the gentle one and endlessly deep.

She is the unseen one, the giver of the unseen, the endless one and the giver of the fruit of unseen fortune. She is also Arundhati, the imperishable one, the protector and joined with many good virtues.

She is adorned with many ornaments, the unseen one and served by many gods. She is also the endless one, the giver of endless happiness, the gentle one and the one with a fearsome form.

She is the one whose form is all the gods, the one whose form is nectar and the queen of nectar. She is also the faultless one, the many-handed and adorned with many rubies.

She is the destroyer of many obstacles and wearing many jewels. She is also the destroyer of the knowledge born of ignorance and the destroyer of the web of ignorance.

She is the charming one, faultless in every limb and the giver of the path beyond reasoning. She is also spotless in form and devoted to showing grace.

She is the dweller in the sky, made of space, the wearer of a garland of the sky and lotus-eyed. She is also Ambika, the one with a lotus in her hand, seated on a lotus, the radiant one and with hundreds of rays.

She is the lotus-born, the unsurpassed, the unbroken one and greatly dear to the lotus-seated one. She is also served by the ageless and deathless and the one whose two feet are served by the ageless.

She is the giver of matchless riches, one with all meaning, the very generous one and endowed with fearlessness. She is also kind to the helpless, endlessly dear and the giver of what is wished for, without end.

She is lotus-eyed, the one whose form is water and greatly dear to the lotus-born one. She is also the unbroken one, praised by the immortals and honoured by the chief of the immortals.

She is the unconquerable, shining like the Unborn, the destroyer of ignorance and the giver of what is longed for. She is also Aktaghanena, the queen of weapons and the destroyer of misfortune.

She is the endless essence, endless splendour and worshipped by the endless creators. She is also the desired one, worshipped by the immortals and free from setting and rising.

She is the one who dwells in the heart of believers, the one whose form is the weapon and the armed one. She is also the unfaltering, the one of unfailing form and the giver of unfailing knowledge.

She is the giver of unfailing attainment, joy, the lotus-born and the leader of the immortals. She is also the immeasurable one, the destroyer of all sin and the giver of imperishable mastery of speech.

She is Jaya, victory, Jayanti, the giver of victory and free from birth and action. She is also dear to the world, the mother of the world and the beloved of the lord of the world.

She is birth, victory, the conqueror of enemies, the one to be chanted and the one who makes chanting happen. She is also the giver of life, the home of the living, the one called life and the bearer of life.

She is Jahnavi, the bowstring, the one who chants, the one whose form is every kind of being and the giver of victory. She is also the one who pleases Janardana, the one to be loved and served and the one who abides in the world.

She is the eldest of the world, the magic of the world and the protector of life. She is also the creeper of life, the one who gives birth to the living and the destroyer of birth.

She is the destroyer of dullness, the womb of the world and victorious by nature. She is also the bringer of joy to the world, Jambu, the rose-apple and lotus-eyed.

She is Jayanti, the destroyer of the Janga hordes and the one whose form brings knowledge to birth. She is also the matted lock, the one with matted locks, the one to be chanted and the one who pleases those who chant.

She is the destroyer of the sins of the one who chants and the giver of fruit to the one who chants. She is also the one who looks like the hibiscus flower and the wearer of hibiscus flowers.

She is the mother, the one without birth, light and the giver of the means of living. She is also the one with the half-moon in her mass of matted hair and the maker of the world's creation.

She is the protector of the world, the destroyer of dullness and the queen of victory. She is also the seed of the world, the home of victory, the birthplace and the destroyer of birth.

She is the one without birth or end, the victorious one, the womb of the world and the one whose self is chanting. She is also full of the marks of victory and ever busy giving victory.

She is praised by Jambhara and the others and the one who gives fruit to the foe of Jambha. She is also the friend of the three worlds, the eldest and the one who holds the three worlds in her power.

She is the mother of the three worlds, the world, the flame and the one with blazing eyes. She is also the flaming one, the one shining like fire, the blazing one and the one whose self is fire.

She is praised by the gods who beat their enemies, the conqueror of anger and the master of the senses. She is also free of old age and death, the mother and the destroyer of birth.

She is lotus-hued, full of water and the beloved of the lotus-seated one. She is also the one who dwells on a lotus, the one worshipped by chanting and the bringer of good to the people.

She is the loving lady, the one who takes any form at will, the desirable one and the giver of desires. She is also Kamauli, the granter of wishes, the doer and the giver of the fruit of sacrificial acts.

She is the destroyer of the ungrateful, the one whose form is action and the one who is both cause and effect. She is also lotus-eyed, the one whose form is compassion and served by the gods alone.

She is the maker of good, the beloved lady, the giver of radiance and radiance in form. She is also Kamala, the one who dwells in the lotus and the wearer of garlands of lotus and water lily.

She is the lady of the night lilies, the auspicious one, radiance and the beloved of the lord of desire. She is also Kameshvari, the lotus lady, the granter of wishes and the binder of desire.

She is Kamadhenu, the wish-granting cow, golden-eyed, golden-hued and the treasury of the arts. She is also action, the maker of fame, fame, the best of sacrifices and the queen of creation.

She is praised in every sacrificial act and the one who pleases those who perform sacrifices. She is also the destroyer of affliction, the doer, the giver of action and the binder of karma.

She is the remover of the bonds of karma, the one drawn near, the remover of weariness and lotus-eyed. She is also the mother of Kandarpa, the beloved lady, compassion and the compassionate one.

She is the maker of the sound klim, the form of mercy, an ocean of mercy and the merciful one. She is also moist with compassion, the maker of fame, the destroyer of sin and the doer of action.

She is the power of action, the one who takes any form at will and fragrant like lotus and water lily. She is also art, skilled in the arts, the tortoise, the unchanging one and the one seated on a lotus.

She is Kalika, the destroyer of sin and with lovely matted locks. She is also lotus-handed, the one who gives wishes with her hand and the giver of the fruit of sacrifice.

She is Kaushiki, the giver of treasure, the poetic one, the doer, the queen of the treasury and the slender one. She is also the one who rides a tortoise, the wish-granting creeper and the destroyer of the Kalakuta poison.

She is the one with a garden of wish-trees, the dweller in the wish-tree forest and the maker of the aeon. She is also shining like the kadamba flower and fond of kadamba flowers.

She is the one who stands in the middle of the kadamba grove, the giver of fame and adorned with fame. She is also the mother of the family line, the home of the family and the one who delights in the family ways.

She is the mistress of families, Kamakala, the lord of the arts and the queen of the arts. She is also shining like jasmine and coral flowers and the one with moonlight in her matted hair.

She is the giver of poetic gift, the mother of poetry, the mother of poets and the giver of the arts. She is also the young woman, Tarunitata and the one whose face is like the moon.

She is contentment, the giver of satisfaction, the one to be reasoned about, the one who warms and the one who burns. She is also the one who satisfies, the one whose form is a holy place, the divine one and the queen of the gods.