Among the many hymns of Goddess Saraswati, the Ya Kundendu Tushara Hara Shloka, also known as Saraswati Vandana, holds a special place.
It’s a great prayer that invokes the Goddess to remove ignorance and to bestow intellect.
Recited by millions of students, scholars and devotees, this powerful Shloka seeks the blessings of Goddess Saraswati for academic excellence, creativity, and spiritual enlightenment.
This Shloka holds immense significance and is traditionally chanted at the beginning of educational endeavours or during Saraswati Puja.
In the Hindu pantheon, Goddess Saraswati is the Goddess of Knowledge, learning, music and speech.
The verses in the shloka Ya Kundendu describe the form and attributes of the Goddess, along with the reverences.
In this detailed article, you can know the entire lyrics, meaning, benefits, and chanting recommendations of the sacred hymn.
Ya Kundendu Tushara Hara – Saraswati Vandana Shloka in Sanskrit, IAST English with Meaning
या कुन्देन्दुतुषारहारधवला या शुभ्रवस्त्रावृता
या वीणावरदण्डमण्डितकरा या श्वेतपद्मासना
या ब्रह्माच्युतशंकरप्रभृतिभिर्देवैः सदा वन्दिता
सा मां पातु सरस्वती भगवती निःशेषजाड्यापहा
Yā Kundendu Tuṣāra Hāra Dhavalā Yā Śubhra Vastrāvṛtā
Yā Vīṇā Vara Daṇḍa Maṇḍita Karā Yā Śveta Padmasanā
Yā Brahmācyuta Śaṅkara Prabhṛtibhir Devais Sadā Vanditā
Sā Māṁ Pātu Sarasvatī Bhagavatī Niḥśeṣa Jāḍyāpahā
Meaning: O the Goddess Saraswati, who is in the white complexion like that of Jasmine, moon and snow. The one clothed in pure white garments.
Whose hands are adorned with Veena and the staff of blessing( Varadanda), the one seated on the white lotus.
Who is always worshipped by Brahma, Atchyutha (Vishnu), Shankara (Shiva), and other Gods.
May that Goddess Saraswathi, who is Bhagavati, protect me and completely remove my ignorance.
शुक्लां ब्रह्मविचारसारपरमां आद्यां जगद्व्यापिनीं
वीणापुस्तकधारिणीमभयदां जाड्यान्धकारापहाम्
हस्ते स्फाटिकमालिकां विदधतीं पद्मासने संस्थिताम्
वन्दे तां परमेश्वरीं भगवतीं बुद्धिप्रदां शारदाम्
Śuklāṁ Brahma Vicāra Sāra Paramāṁ Ādyāṁ Jagad Vyāpinīm
Vīṇā Pustaka Dhāriṇīm Abhaya Dāṁ Jāḍyāndhakārāpahām
Haste Sphāṭika Mālikāṁ Vidadhatīṁ Padmāsane Saṁsthitām
Vande Tāṁ Parameśvarīṁ Bhagavatīṁ Buddhi Pradāṁ Śāradām
Meaning: The one who is pure like white, the supreme essence of divine knowledge, the primordial one, pervading the entire universe.
Who is adorned with a Veena and a book, and the one who provides protection to her devotees. The remover of darkness caused by ignorance.
The one holding a crystal rosary in her hands and the one seated in the lotus.
My salutations to that Goddess Parameswari, the Supreme goddess (Bhagavati). Please bestow me the intellect, O Goddess Sarada.
Benefits of Chanting Ya Kundendu Saraswati Shloka
The Sacred sound vibrations of the Saraswati Vandana not only purify your mind but also awaken your inner energy and connect you with the Goddess.
Chanting this Shloka regularly helps devotees align their thoughts, speech, and actions, giving wisdom to every action.
With regular chanting and faith, Maa Saraswati bestows seekers with knowledge, intellect, and eloquence, removing ignorance.
Regular recitation of the Ya Kundendu Shloka has the following benefits that devotees obtain by the blessings of the Goddess.
- Removes ignorance and mental laziness
- Enhances Memory and concentration
- Improves speech and confidence
- Brings creativity and artistic knowledge
- Gives academic success
- Brings spiritual knowledge
- Removes anxiety and brings peace.
Ideal Time to Chant
Early morning in Brahma muhurta or before beginning the daily studies or work, is the ideal time to chant the Saraswati vandana.
Chanting of this Ya Kundendu Shloka during special days related to Devi Saraswati is also a must for devotees who seek Devi’s blessings.
The ideal direction for chanting during worship is facing towards the East.
