Raksha Bandhan Facts, Stories, and Celebration Tips

This year, Raksha Bandhan is to be celebrated on August 9, 2025.

Raksha Bandhan is celebrated on the Full Moon Day of the Shravana month each year. The Purnima tithi begins after 2 pm on August 8th and ends after 1 pm on the following day. Though some people may celebrate the ceremony on the beginning day, most others follow the tradition of celebrating their festivals and rituals on the following day, if there is enough time left during the day. If enough daytime (at least 3 to 4 hours after sunrise) is not available, then celebrate it the previous evening.

What is Raksha Bandhan

The phrase Raksha Bandhan means Protective Bond. It is the ritual of tying an auspicious thread around the wrist of the beneficier.

This Raksha Bandhan is a cord or string made up of threads. The threads are a blend of red and yellow colors. Yellow represents turmeric, symbolizing purity and holiness, while red stands for vermilion (Kumkuma). Both colors signify prosperity, well-being, and luck.

The raksha should contain some grains of rice and mustard seeds.

According to the modern version of this celebration, this festival honors the tradition of a thread tied around a brother's wrist by his sister as a symbol of her care for his well-being. The brother promises his sister that he will be there to protect her from any troubles she may face during her life.

Stories Behind the Birth of Raksha Bandhan

There are many legends surrounding the origin of the Raksha Bandhan celebration.

Originally, Raksha Bandhan was not limited to brothers and sisters. Brahmins and Priests used to tie the thread to their disciples or devotees as a protection against evil forces. Wives used to tie these protective threads to their husbands after performing puja, wishing for their good luck in new jobs, ventures, or wars. So, it was considered an auspicious ritual that involved prayers, yajnas, and austerities observed by the person tying the Raksha.    

• There is a reference in the Uttara Parva of Bhavishya Purana to an incident where Sri Krishna advised Yudhisthira to have a raksha tied to his wrist by their Royal Priest. The Raksha should be made up of fresh cotton or silk cloth, wrapped with grains of rice, mustard seeds, and vermilion inside. He should wear it after taking a holy bath and performing sandhyavandanam, tarpan to his ancestors, etc., during midday time.
• According to Vishnu Purana, during the Vamana avatar, Mahabali offered three feet of land to Vamana as an act of charity. Vamana grew into his Vishwaroopa form and covered the entire earth with one foot and the whole sky with the other. For the third step, Bali asked him to place his foot on his head. Vishnu placed his foot on Bali's head and thrust him into Paataala Loka, telling him to live there and rule that realm. Bali prayed to Vishnu to be his guardian and reside there. Lakshmi Devi learned of this and wanted Vishnu to return home. She went to Patala Loka and tied a raksha bandhan to Mahabali. He was pleased with her gesture and asked her to choose any gift. She immediately asked for Vishnu's release, and Bali had to agree, since he was committed to keeping his vows.  
• There is another legend in the Mahabharata where Krishna was tied with a bandage by Draupadi. Krishna was flying a kite along with others and cut his finger while doing so. Draupadi saw the blood dropping from his fingers and got agitated. She immediately tore a piece from her saree and bandaged his finger. Krishna was grateful to her and treated her as his sister. He bestowed upon her a boon that he would be there to protect her at all times of misery. 
• There was the story of Indra's wife (Sachi Devi) tying the rakhee to her husband as a protection from the demons on the advice of their Guru, Brihaspati.
• There was another legend that tells of Yama (the God of Death) visiting his parents and sister after a long gap. His sister, Yamuna, tied a sacred thread around his wrist, seeking his regular presence and her protection from any untoward happenings. 

How to Celebrate Raksha Bandhan

Although I am not very familiar with celebration traditions, I am sharing some insights on how to observe this festival for your information and consideration.

• Purchase the Raksha Bandhan straps, vermilion, and some sweets on the eve of this festival so you can tie the rakhee to your brothers the next morning. 
• If you're interested in arts and crafts, you can make the rakhee yourself. Create a circular or square plate using some thick paper or cloth, decorating it with painted or crafted designs. Put some whole grains of rice and mustard seeds, and cover them with a layer of top. Glue the designs onto the top layer. Then, attach ribbon-like cotton strings to both sides using the same glue for tying.
• On the day of the celebration, take a bath and wear fresh, clean clothes.
• Light an oil lamp in front of your God and place the rakhee and kumkuma in a clean plate before the deity. Say your prayers and perform the worship, both to God and the rakhee.
• Offer naivedyam to God; the sweets should also be offered.
• Meanwhile, your brothers should also prepare by bathing and putting on fresh clothes. They may also do the worship.
• Now, you can tie the rakhee to each of them, one by one. Apply a tilak on their forehead with the worshiped kumkuma. Give aarati (circumambulate the plate containing the Raksha, oil lamp, and the sweets around his face, and then, tie the rakhee around their right wrist. Feed them a sweet, and as they bite into it, offer them other food as well.
• Now, it's their turn to give you a gift.
• You may like to visit the temple along with your siblings/parents and seek blessings for your entire family.
• Enjoy the whole day with your brothers and family.  

Daily Puja: My Unique Method of Worship

If you are offering prayers to God regularly, daily, it is better to devise a consistent method that suits your convenience.

Regular worship involves following a sequence of rituals systematically and, often, depends on your available time and energy. To accommodate your schedule and stamina, create your own method that doesn't miss the key parts of the ritual.

In my case, I am a 70-year-old, retired person. I am habituated to the ritual for decades, and with constantly changing circumstances, I kept evolving my progressive methods of performing the Daily Puja.

Presently, I am sitting with my God for one full hour in the morning from 8:30 AM to 9:30 AM and for half an hour in the evening from 6:00 PM to 6:30 PM.

Regarding the dress for puja, I wear the silk dhoti and shawl for morning puja, and the normal pyjama-kurta during the evening worship.

This is How I Do My Puja

I am splitting the entire procedure into sections with suitable subheadings to make the presentation more easily accessible. It will make you grasp the idea of how to perform worship systematically. But you don't need to adopt this procedure. Devise your own method and sequence of rituals to suit your environment and culture.

Preparation for Puja

After having your morning bath, apply the tilak on your forehead with kumkuma or thiruchoornam. It is considered auspicious and brings purity to mind. Wear the silk dhoti or any clean clothes.

• Clean the oil lamp holders with a paper napkin and arrange the vattulu.
• Fill the oil up to 60% of the holder (maximum 80%) and place it on a plate to avert spills.
• You may use a single lamp or two lamps. Place them in front of the worship idol and light the diyas.
• Folding your hands, offer respects to God. 
• Fill water into the puja vessel from the tap (better to keep two vessels, one for your achamanam and the other for services to God). 
• Besides the water holders, you need a deep plate for dropping the water during the worship procedure.

Services to God While Starting Puja

• Placing your right palm on one vessel, welcome the seven rivers to purify the water. The sloka for this is "gangEcha yamunEchaiva gOdAvari Saraswati narmadA sindhu kAvEri ja;asmin sannidhim kuru".
• Offer arghyam to the Gods with the purified water. Draw some water with a spoon (this spoon, the vessel/s, and plates should be used exclusively for worship purposes and not to be mingled with your kitchen crockery). The water in the spoon should be shown to the hands of God and dropped into the deep plate.
• Then, I offer pAdyam. It is the act of washing God's feet. Show the water-filled spoon to their feet and drop that water into the plate.
• Now, I offer snAnam. Take a spoonful of water and circumambulate it around the Gods. Then, drop it into the plate.
• Next is aachamanam. Take water with the spoon and place it near the lips of the God, as if he is sipping the water, and drop it into the plate. Repeat this process three times.
• You can do the sandhyAvandanam at this stage, if you haven't done it earlier in the morning. My habit is to do it at this time of worship. Most people can find fault with me. But I believe my God does not find fault with me. Previously, I used to perform it much earlier, but not nowadays. 

My Ritual of Worship

• After completing the above processes, I begin my puja by chanting the "Suklambaradharam Vishnum" slokam. Then, I sing a Telugu prayer for Ganesha "tondamu nEkadantamu dOrapu bojjayu vAmahastamun". Thereafter, I chant the "jnAnAnandamayam dEvam nirmala spatikAkrutim" and the Vishwaksena slokam. These are slokas for protection from hurdles and for granting wisdom (by removing the darkness).
• Next, I sit down and recite the 24 names of Vishnu. Thereafter, sing 3 stotrams for Vishnu and two for Lakshmi Devi.
• Then I chant "Om ganeshaaya namaha" eight times and the slokam "vakratunda mahAkAya...". Thereafter, I recite the Rama mantra, gifted by Lord Shiva, three times.  
• Now, Hanuman dandakam that starts with "Sri Anjaneyam, prasanna Anjaneyam" (only two lines of it). Thereafter, Hanuman dwAdasha nAmAvaLi is recited by me. 
• Then, I chant another slokam glorifying Goddess Lakshmi "vandE padma karAm..."
• Now, I close my eyes and contemplate the Supreme Being with my concentration centered on my inner self. This is done for 5 minutes.
• Thereafter, I recite some more prayers and bhajans.

Bhajan and Prayers

• I do "harE rAma harE krishna bhajan for some time.
• Thereafter, I recite Sri Krishna Ashtakam.
• Then, I chant Sri Venkateswara Swamy Stotram, PanchAyudha stotram, and Shiva Panchakshari.
• Now, I do the prayers for Goda Devi, Sri Krishna, Andal, and Ranganathaswamy. These contain the hymns of "neeLAtungastana...", "annavayal puduvai AndAlarngarku", "shitrum siru kAlE...", and "vangakkadal kadaintha mAdhavanai...". These are important in our Vaishnava tradition. They are the closing hymns expressing love and submission towards God.

Naivedyam and Mangala Aarati

• Before naivedyam, dhoop sticks are lit and shown to God, and the light from the diyas is offered to God.
• Then, offer achamanam three times.
• Now, naivedyam is offered. Generally, I offer two bananas and jaggery. On special occasions, we may cook some food for offerings.
• After naivedyam, God's hands and feet are washed. Then, I offer some water for drinking.
• I chant the mangala aarati lyrics now, while circumambulating the oil diyas around God. I do not light camphor nowadays.
• Now, pay obeisance to God and take the prasadam. Prasadam includes the water from the plate and the naivedyam items. 

Weekly Prayers

Besides the daily routine of worship, I have some weekly rotational recitations. I pray to Lord Shiva on Mondays, to Hanuman and Goddess Gouri on Tuesdays, to Ganesha on Wednesdays, to the Teachers and Vaishnava Acharyas on Thursdays, to Goddess Lakshmi on Fridays, to Venkateswara Swamy on Saturdays, and the Sun God on Sundays.

• I chant "shivAya nama Om" bhajan for 2, 3 minutes on each Monday.
• On Tuesdays, I do Hanuman Chalisa and three hymns of Gouri.
• On Wednesdays, I sing "Om gam GaNapathayE namaha" 21 times or so.
• I pay respects to all Gurus (including my mother and father) and the Acharyas, including ALwars and Sri Krishna, on Thursdays.
• I recite the Lakshmi Ashtottara Shatanamam stotram on Fridays.
• On Saturdays, I do the entire Suprabhatam that contains four sections to Lord Venkateswara.
• I recite the Surya Ashtakam on Sundays.

This is how I do my puja. The total time taken for this entire process is one hour. In the evening, I do not perform the preliminary services, nor wear the puja dress. I do the worship prayers and offer the naivedyam.

Follow your own method and choose whatever slokams and hymns appeal to you. God does not force you to do them compulsorily. Whatever you do should come from your heart. You should enjoy the bliss and satisfaction.

How to Do Gayatri Mantra

The Gayatri mantra is a sacred hymn recited in reverence of the Supreme Soul, considered the primordial source of sound, light, and energy. It is the underlying source of all life and activity.

This mantra is part of the Sandhyavandanam ritual, which is performed to invoke the Sun God and goddesses like Gayatri, Saraswati, Savitri, and Sandhya Devi. It is a ritual through which we pay our respects, along with purified water, to Lord Narayan by uttering his 24 names and to other celestial beings, including our ancestors.

The mantra itself starts with the primordial sound of "aum".

While reciting the mantra, we focus our attention on the Supreme Being as a central point dwelling inside the visible glow of the Sun.

Now, let me first explain the mantra itself and the inherent meanings of each syllable/word.

Gayatri Mantra 

Om bhoor bhuva svah |

tat savitur varENyam |

bhargO dEvasya dheemahi |

dhiyO yO nah prachOdayAt ||

Meanings:

• Om is the pranava naadam, the primordial sound that underlies the entire creation process. The three elements of creation, preservation, and dissolution are embodied within this "onkar" syllable.  
• "bhoo" denotes the physical earth, the element of earth, and nature.  
• "bhuva" is the place between the earth and the sky, referring to the element that connects the physical world with the celestial universe.  
• "sva" represents heaven and celestial nature.  
• "tat" means that or that form/element.  
• "savitu" refers to the Sun or the light emanating from the Sun, and it also denotes the heavenly form of the Supreme Being.  
• "varenyam" refers to that reverential being or the best quality of that being.  
• "bhargo" refers to the holiness and celestial nature of knowledge.  
• "devasya" means that celestial power is being revered by me.  
• "dheemahi" means let us pray to that being.  
• "dhiyo" signifies knowledge, particularly celestial knowledge.  
• "yO + nah" becomes "yona," which means that such a revered Supreme Being will bestow upon us.  
• "prachodayat" means may He bestow upon me or instill me.

So, the complete meaning of the above mantra can be understood as follows: I pay my obeisance to that primordial source or being who encompasses the earth, the heavens, and the space, and shines through the radiance of the Sun. This being is pure, adorable, and is the source and embodiment of knowledge. I seek his blessings for enlightenment and knowledge.

How to Do Gayatri Japam

As already mentioned, the GAyatri mantra is generally performed during the daily ritual of Sandhyavandanam. 

Sandhyavandanam is the ritual of paying respects to the Almighty through the medium of the visible God of Power and Energy, the Sun. He is the "Savitr" referred to above. The Almighty is believed to be centered amid the Sun.

Besides the Almighty and the Sun, we bow our heads to the celestial mothers like Sandhya Devi (the wife of the Sun), Savitri Devi, GAyatri Devi, and Goddess Saraswati during this process. They are the presiding deities of the four directions (from East to North, respectively).

I am providing here a simplified version of Gayatri Japam. If you like to perform the entire Sandhyavandanam ritual, you can do it according to the steps provided in another post at this link.

• Get ready by wearing some pure clothes after taking your bath. A dhoti and kanduva (cotton or silk) are recommended.
• Keep clean and pure water in a small vessel and a small pot (copper or any metal), and sit facing the east. Keep a bowl or deep plate (by your side) for dropping the water.
• Now, you may like to purify your body once again by sprinkling drops of water on your head. For this purpose, place your right palm on the water-filled vessel and take the names of holy rivers (Ganga, Yamuna, Godavari, Saraswati, Narmada, Sindhu, Kaveri are regarded as celestial by Hindu scriptures) and dip the tip of your right thumb into the water and sprinkle it over head for three times.
• Then, do the aachamanam (sipping the water 3 times, reciting the names - Om Achyutaaya namaha, Om Anataaya namaha, and Om Govindaaya namaha).
• Thereafter, chant the twelve names of Vishnu as follows: Om kEsavAya namaha, Om nArAyanAya namaha,
• Fold your hands and bow your head in reverence of Vishnu, the Sun God, Sandhya Devi in the east, Savitri in the south, Mother GAyatri in the west, and Saraswati in the north.
• Facing the east, take the water pot and offer water to the Sun, gently dropping the water into your bowl-shaped palm and releasing it into the deep plate or onto the ground, if no plate, three times.
• Now, recite the GAyatri mantra 11 times and offer the water again from the pot with both hands.
• Express your reverence and gratitude to Mother Gayatri.

This is the method of performing Gayatri.

Mahalakshmi Ashtakam Lyrics With Meanings

Mahalakshmi Ashtakam was composed and sung by Indra, the Lord of Heaven, to invoke Goddess Lakshmi and seek her blessings. According to The Art of Living website and other scriptures, when Lakshmi emerged from the ocean during the churning of it by the devas and asuras, she became the consort of Vishnu. 

Indra, who had lost his kingdom, prestige, and wealth to the asuras during their previous battles, invoked Goddess Lakshmi through this Mahalakshmi Ashtakam and prayed for the restoration of his lost fame and wealth. That is how this Ashtakam came into being.

Whoever recites these lyrics with true devotion and faith will beget the blessings of the Goddess. 

 

namastEstu mahAmAyE, shri-piithE, surapoojitE,

shankh-chakr gadAhastE, mahAlakshmi namOstutE || (1)

Meaning:-

My salutations to you, O Goddess of Mystical Powers. O Dweller of the Transcendental Abode, worshiped by celestial beings, who carries in her hands the wheel, conch, and mace; my salutations to you, O MahAlakshmi. 

namastE garudAroodhE, kOlaasura bhayankarii,

sarvapaapa harE dEvi mahAlakshmi namOstute || (2)

Meaning:-

Salutations to you who ride on the mighty Garuda (the celestial Eagle); who terrified and killed the Kola demon; you are the destroyer of all evils; please accept my salutations, O MahAlakshmi.

sarvajnyE sarva-varadE, sarvadushta bhayankarii,

sarvadukha harE dEvi, mahAlakshmi namOstutE || (3)

Meaning:-

You are All-Knowing; you are the bestower of all boons; you are a terror to all evil beings; please evaporate all our troubles; I salute you, O MahAlakshmi. 

siddhi-buddhi pradE dEvi, bhakti-mukti pradAyinii,

mantra-moortE sadaa dEvi, mahAlakshmi namOstute || (4)

Meaning:- 

O Bestower of Accomplishments (there are eight types of divine powers) and Intelligence; you are the provider of Devotion and Liberation; you are one divinified form of all Mantras; my salutations to you, O MahAlakshmi.

aadyantara-hitE dEvi, aadyashakti mahEshvarii,

yOgajE, yOgasambhootE, mahAlakshmi namOstutE || (5)

Meaning:-

You are without any Beginning or End; the Primeordeal Force; O Great Goddess (MahEshvari) representing the Primeordeal Force! Born out of Yoga and united with Yoga, please accept my salutations, O MahAlakshmi. 

Yoga can be defined as a State of Great Consciousness. It is the union of all celestial powers.

sthoola-sookshma mahAroudrE, mahAshakti mahOdarE,

mahApApa harE dEvi, mahAlakshmi namOstutE || (6)

Meaning:-

Your form is both subtle and massive, and truly terrific as well. You are the greatest power, Great-Wombed. Please destroy the greatest sins committed by me, O Goddess MahAlakshmi, I salute You.

padmAsana-stithE dEvi, parabrahma svaroopiNii,

paramEshi jaganmAta, mahAlakshmi namOstutE || (7)

Meaning:-

O Goddess, who is seated in a padmAsana posture, you are the form of the eternal and transcendental Parabrahma; O Supreme Mother of the entire World/Universe; please accept my salutations.

ShvEtAmbar-dharE dEvi, nAnAlankaar bhooshitE,

jagadsthitE jaganmAta, mahAlakshmi namOstutE || (8)

Meaning:-

O Goddess, who is adorned in purest white clothes and decorated with multiple jewelry, you abide within this universe as the Mother of the Universe. Please accept my salutations. 

White clothes denote inner purity, whereas the jewels denote the inner beauty of the Goddess.

mahAlakshmyashtakam stOtram yah-pathEt bhaktimAnnaraha,

sarvasiddhimavApnOti, rAjyam prApnOti sarvadA || (9)

Meaning:-

Whoever recites this Mahalakshmi Ashtakam with utmost devotion will obtain all accomplishments. They will possess kingdoms. Here, the kingdom may refer to power and authority over circumstances, both adverse and favorable.

EkakAlE pathEnnityam mahApApa vinAshanam

dvikAlah yah pathEnnityam dhanadhAnya samanvitaha || (10)

Meaning:-

If recited once in a day, his sins will evaporate. If the same is recited twice in a day, he will obtain wealth and prosperity.

trikAlam yah pathEnnityam mahAshatru vinAshanam

mahAlakshmir-bhavEnnityam prasannA, varadaa, subhA || (11)

Meaning:-

If recited thrice in a day, the greatest of enemies will be destroyed. He will be gifted with the everpresence of Mahalakshmi within him, in her boon-gifting, smiling, auspicious form.

Saraswati Ashtottara Shatanamavali - 108 Names of Saraswati With Meanings

Ashtottara ShatanamavaLi translates to the Garland or a Row of 108 names recited during worship of any God. In this particular post, this refers to the worship of the Goddess of Knowledge.

It is a practice of worshiping Saraswati at the time of the initiation of the first alphabet to a child. This occasion is known as the Aksharabhyasam ceremony. 

The child gets introduced to education after the Saraswati worship. 

This worship can be performed by chanting stotrams of the Goddess and through the recitation of the 108 names of Saraswati. While reciting the names, you can offer flowers and kumkuma/haldi to Saraswati at each name. The same procedure can be followed for celebrating Basant Panchami Day.

Now, I am providing the 108 names along with their meanings (shown in brackets)

Om saraswatyai namaha            (My salutations to Goddess Saraswati)

Om mahAbhadrAyai namaha      (Mahabhadra, the Protector)

Om mahAmAyAyai namaha        (the great mystic forcce) 

Om varapradAyai namaha           (Provider of Gifts and Boons)

Om sri pradAyai namaha            (Provider of Fame and Wealth)

Om padmanilayAyai namaha     (Her Abode is Lotus)

Om padmAkshyai namaha         (Lotus-Eyed Mother)

Om padmavaktrAyai namaha     (Lotus-Faced Mother) 

Om shivAnujAyai namaha         (Sister of Shiva)

Om pustakabhrutE namaha || 10 || (Holder of Books)

Om jnAnamudrAyai namaha     (the Symbol of Knowledge)

Om ramAyai namaha                 (Pleasing One) 

Om parAyai namaha                  (Celestial Being)

Om kAmaroopAyai namaha      (Changes Forms at will)

Om mahAvidyAyai namaha       (Goddess of Great Knowledge)

Om mahApaataka nAsinyai namaha (Destroyer of Greatest Sins)

Om mahAshrayAyai namaha      (The Ultimate Refuge)

Om mAlinyai namaha                 (Wears huge Garlands)

Om mahAbhOgAyai namaha      (Experiencable, Pleasing Mother)

Om mahAbhujaayai namaha || 20 || (She has large shoulders)

Om mahAbhAgAyai namaha     (She is the Primeordial or Atom)

Om mahOtsAhAyai namaha       (Extremely Enthusiastic)

Om divyAngAyai namaha          (Possesses Divine Organs)

Om suravanditAyai namaha       (Respected by Angels)

Om mahAkAlyai namaha           (the Eternal Time)

Om mahApAshAyai namaha      (Bears a large Noose of Affection)

Om mahAkArAyai namaha        (Huge Formed)

Om mahAnkushAyai namaha     (Has a large Hook)

Om piitAyai namaha                   (Dressed in Golden Robe)

Om vimalAyai namaha || 30 ||    (Pure Being)

Om vishvAyai namaha               (Universal Being)

Om vidyunmAlAyai namaha      (Bears a Garland of Lighting)

Om vaishnavyai namaha            (She is Vaishnavi Devi)

Om chandrikAyai namaha         (Crescent of Moon)

Om chandravadanAyai namaha  (Moon-Like Face)

Om chandralekhA vibhooshitAyai namaha (Adorned by the rays of Moon)

Om sAvitryai namaha                (She is Savitri, the Glowing Sun)

Om surasAyai namaha               (Pleasant Nectar or Essence of KNowledge)

Om dEvyai namaha                    (The Mother Goddess)

Om divyAlankAra bhooshitAyai namaha || 40 || (Decorated with Divine Ornaments)

Om vAgdEvyai namaha             (Goddess of Speech)

Om vasudhAyai namaha             (Goddess of Earth)

Om tiivrAyai namaha                  (Sharp and Quick)

Om mahAbhadrAyai namaha      (Protector, Saviour)

Om mahAbalAyai namaha          (Strong, Powerful) 

Om bhOgadAyai namaha            (Gifter of Boons)

Om bhAratyai namaha                (Bharati is her Name) 

Om bhAmAyai namaha               (Passionate Lady)

Om gOvindAyai namaha             (Saviour/Protector, Krishna's Wife)

Om gOmatyai namaha || 50 ||       (Having Cows or Feelings of a Cow)

Om shivAyai namaha                  (Auspicious and Gentle)

Om jatilAyai namaha                   (Rough or Difficult Being)

Om vindhyavAsAyai namaha      (Lives in Vindhya Pradesh)

Om vindhyAchala virAjitAyai namaha (Dwells on Vindhya Hill)

Om chandikAyai namaha             (Bearer of Crescent Moon or Glow)

Om vaishnavyai namaha              (She is Vaishnavi or Celestial Being)  

Om brAhmyai namaha                 (The Consort of Brahma) 

Om brahmajnAnaikasAdhanAyai namaha (The lone path for Brahmajnana)

Om soudAminyai namaha            (She is Lightning)

Om sudhAmoortyai namaha || 60 || (She is the Nectar)

Om subhadrAyai namaha              (Protector from Ignorance)

Om surapoojitAyai namaha           (Worshiped by Angels)

Om suvAsinyai namaha                 (A Nice Refuge for Wisdom Seekers)

Om sunAsAyai namaha                  (Having beautiful nose, or Easily Approachable)

Om vinidrAyai namaha                   (Dispels Slumber)

Om padmalOchanAyai namaha       (Lotus-Eyed)

Om vidyAroopAyai namaha            (Wisdom personified)

Om vishAlAkshyai namaha             (Large-Eyed)

Om brahmajAyAyai namaha            (Created from Brahma)

Om mahAphalAyai namaha || 70 ||   (She is the Great Fruit/Boon)

Om trayiimoortyai namaha               (One of the Three Goddesses)

Om trikAlajNAyai namaha                (Knower of Past, Present, Future)

Om triguNAyai namaha                     (Three qualities of Satva, Rajas, and Tamas) 

Om shAstraroopiNyai namaha           (She is the essence of Science, Arts, etc.)

Om shumbhAsura pramathinyai namaha (Destroyer demon Shumbhaasura)

Om shubhadAyai namaha                   (She is Auspicious Protector)

Om svarAtmikAyai namaha                (She is the Soul of Speech & Letters)

Om raktabiija nihantryai namaha         (Slayer of Raktabija, a Demon)

Om chAmundAyai namaha                   (the Slayer of Chanda and Munda demons)

Om ambikAyai namaha || 80 ||               (She is the Supreme Goddess)

Om mundakAya praharaNAyai namaha  (Slayer of Mundaka demon)

Om dhoomralOchana mardanAyai namaha (Slayer of Grey-Eyed Dhoomra)

Om sarvadEvastutAyai namaha                 (Entire Gods sing her glories)

Om soumyAyai namaha                             (Pleasant in nature)

Om surAsura namaskrutAyai namaha        (Revered by Angels and Demons)

Om kAlarAtryai namaha                             (She is the Dark Night or Kali)

Om kaLAdhArAyai namaha                        (The base or abode of Arts)

Om roopasoubhAgya dAyinyai namaha       (Bestower of Form and Prosperity)

Om vAgdEvyai namaha                                (The Speech Goddess)

Om varArOhAyai namaha || 90 ||                   (Bestower of endless boons)

Om vArAhyai namaha                                   (Herself, she is the Boon)

Om vArijAsanAyai namaha                            (Lotus-Seated)  

Om chitrAmbarAyai namaha                           (Amazingly Dressed One)

Om chitragandhAyai namaha                           (Bears astounding scents)

Om chitramAlya vibhooshitAyai namaha        (Adorned with magnificient garlands)

Om kAntAyai namaha                                       (the Essence of Womanhood) 

Om kAmapradAyai namaha                              (Bestower of Desires and Wants)

Om vandyAyai namaha                                      (Reverable Goddess)

Om vidhyAdhara supoojitAyai namaha      (Worshiped by vidyAdharAs, skilled celestials)

Om shvEtAnanAyai namaha || 100 ||           (Her face is Pure-White hued, soft and beautiful) 

Om niilabhujAyai namaha                            (Blue-Hued Shoulders)

Om chaturvarga phalapradAyai namaha   (Granter of 4 Fruits of Dharmaartha, kaama, moksha)

Om chaturAnana sAmrAjNyAyai namaha   (Queen of Four-Faced Brahma)

Om raktamadhyAyai namaha                        (Essence of (Blood) Life, or Red-garlanded)

Om niranjanAyai namaha                              (Indifferent and Blissful) 

Om hansAsanAyai namaha                            (She is Swan-Faced)

Om niilajanghAyai namaha                            (Blue-Hued Thighs)

Om brahmavishNusivAtmikAyai namaha || 108 ||  (Dwells in Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva)