या कुंदेंदु तुषार-हारा-धवाला

या कुंदेंदु तुषार-हारा-धवाला

या शुभ्र-वस्त्राव्रिता

या वीना-वरदंदा मंदिताकारा

या श्वेता पद्मासना

या ब्रह्माच्युता शंकर प्रभ्रीतिभिही

देवैही सदा वन्दिता

सा माम पातु सरस्वती भगवती

निः-शेष जाद्यापाहा

Goddess Saraswati Is All White Like The Kunda Blossom, The Moon, Snow, And Pearl. She Is Dressed In Pure White. While Two Of Her Hands Play The Veena, The Two Other Hands Are Poised To Give Boons, And Award Punishments As Needed. She Is Seated On A White Lotus. She Is Ever Worshipped By All The Celestials Including Brahma, Vishnu And Maheshwara. May This Saraswati Remove My Obstacles And Protect Me.

सरवती नमस्तुभ्यम

सरवती नमस्तुभ्यम

वरदे कमरुपिनी

विद्यारम्बम करिष्यामि

सिद्धिर भवतु मे सदा

Sanskrit to English Word Meaning

Saraswathi- O Goddess of Knowledge Saraswathi, Namstubhyam-salutatiosn to you; varade-one who gives boons; kamarupini- one who fulfills desires; vidyarambaham-to begin my studies; karisyami-I am going; siddhirbhavatu-may there be accomplishment; me- for me; sada- always.

Translation

O Goddess Saraswathi; salutations to you, the giver of boons, the one who fulfills desires. I shall begin my studies. May there always be accomplishment for me.

Brief Explanation

This prayer is chanted before beginning a class or at the beginning of one’s studies so that all learning may resolve in knowledge alone. It is addresses to Goddess Saraswathi, who symbolizes all forms of knowledge, including the knowledge of the performing arts. Knowledge is a fundamental pursuit of human life, and a life of study and learning provides nourishment and discipline to the human intellect. In the Vedic culture, study is considered one’s duty.

एकदनतम महकयम

एकदनतम महकयम

लम्बोदर गजाननं

विघ्न नशकर्मा देवं

हे रमबम प्रण मम्यहम

I bow to that God, Who has one tusk, one Who has a large body, one Who has a big stomach, one Who has the face of an elephant; He who destroys all obstacles and Who is also called Herambh (beloved of the Mother).

गजवक्त्रम सुर-श्रेश्तम

गजवक्त्रम सुर-श्रेश्तम

कर्ण-चाम्र-भूशितम

पाशांकुषा-धरम देवं

वन्देहम गण-नायकं

I bow before that God, who is the leader of Shiva’s ghosts, whose face resembles that of an elephant. Who is supreme among the deities, Who sports ears that look like fans and Who is armed with noose and goad.

मूषिका वहन मोदाका हस्त

मूषिका वहन मोदाका हस्त

चमार करना विलाम्बिता सूत्र

वामन रूपा महेश्वरा पुत्र

विघ्न-विनायका पदा नमस्ते

He who has the mouse as his vahana(vehicle),

He who always keeps Modhakam (a traditional type of sweet)

He who has ears that resemble a hand held fan,

He who wears a chain-like ornament around his waist,

He who is short in stature,

He who is the son of Parameshwar,

O Lord Vinayaka who is all the above and he who always removes our obstacles,

We worship your Divine Feet.

श्री वक्रतुण्ड महाकाय

श्री वक्रतुण्ड महाकाय

सूर्य कोटी समप्रभा

निर्विघ्नं कुरु मे देव

सर्व-कार्येशु सर्वदा

O, Lord Ganesha of the curved trunk and massive body, the one whose splendor is equal to millions of Suns, please bless me to that I do not face any obstacles in my endeavors.

शुक्लम्बरा धरम विष्णुम

शुक्लम्बरा धरम विष्णुम

शशिवर्नम चतुर भुजम

प्रसन्ना वदनं ध्यायेत

सर्व विग्नोपा संताये

Sanskrit to English Word Meaning

Suklambaradaram-one who wears a white garmetn; visnum; all pervading; sasivarnam; who ahs a brilliant complexion; chaturbhujam-who had four hands; prasannavadanam- who has an ever smiling face; dhyayet- I meditate upon; sarvavighnopashantaye- for the removal of all obstacles

Translation

Lord Vigneshwara, who wears a white garment, who is all pervading, who has a bright complexion (like a full moon), who has four hands (representing all power), who has an ever-smiling face, upon that deity I meditate, for the removal of all obstacles.

Brief Explanation

Lord Ganesha is the older son of Lord Shiva son Goddess Parvati. He is invoked before any undertaking for the removal of obstacles. He is also worshipped for knowledge and wisdom that he bestows upon devotees.

गणेश श्लोक

गजाननम भूता गनाठी सेवितं

कपित्था जम्बू पलासरा भक्सितम

उमा सुतम शोक विनाषा करणं

नमामि विग्नेस्वारा पड़ा पंकजम

He who has the face of an elephant, one who is worshipped by the Bhootha ganam, He who eats the essence of kapitha and Jumbu fruits, He who is the son of Uma Devi and He who allieviates the ill feelings in us. O! Lord Vigneshwara who is an embodiment of all the above, we offer our Namaskarams at your Divine feet.

गुरु श्लोकम

गुरु श्लोकम

गुरुर ब्रह्म गुरुर विष्णु

गुरुर देवो महेश्वरः

गुरु शक्शत परम ब्रह्म

तस्मै श्री गुरवे नमः

Word to Word Meaning
Know The Guru To Be Brahma Himself. He Is Vishnu. He Is Also Shiva. Know Him To Be The Supreme Brahman, And Offer Thy Adoration Unto That Peerless Guru.

Shanti Mantra

शांति मंत्र – ॐ सहना ववतु

ॐ सहना ववतु सहनौ भुनक्तु

सहवीर्यम करवावहई

तेजस विनावती तमास्तुमा विध्विशावाहाई

ॐ शांति शांति शंतिही

Sanskrit to English Word Meaning

Saha- both; nau-us; avatu- may he protect; bhunaktu-may he nourish; viryam karavavahai-may we acquire the capacity; tejasvi-be brilliant; nau-for us; adhitam- what is studied;astu-let it be; ma vidvisavahai-may we not argue with each other.

Translation

May He protect both of us. May He nourish both of us. May we both acquire the capacity (to study and understand the scriptures). May our study be brilliant. May we not argue with each other. Om peace, peace, peace.

Brief explanation

At the beginning of a class, the teacher and students generally recite this peace invocation together. Both seek the Lord’s blessings for study that is free of obstacles, such as poor memory, or the inability to concentrate or poor health. They also seek blessings for a conducive relationship, without which communication of any subject matter is difficult. Therefore, this prayer is important for both the teacher and the student.