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)

Goddess Saraswati Prayers and Mantras With Meanings

Mother Saraswati is the Goddess of Learning and Wisdom. People worship her to obtain her blessings and be bestowed with Intelligence and Education.

When a child is to be administered Aksharaabhyaasam (the ceremony of learning the first alphabet by a child), the child's parents worship Goddess Saraswati and seek her blessings for the child.

Again, when the child is to be admitted to school, this Goddess is worshiped along with Lord Ganesha.

On Basant Panchami day and during the Navaratri celebrations, we worship Saraswati and seek her blessings for the overall welfare and stability of our mental powers.

Now, I am providing some prayers and mantras of Mother Saraswati along with their meanings.

Saraswati Stuti Hymns

Here are two hymns glorifying the beauty and auspiciousness of Mother Saraswati. 

Yaa kundendu Tushaara

yaa kundEndu tushaara haara dhavaLaa yaa subhra vastrAvrutA

yaa veeNaa varadanda mandita karaa yaa svEta padmAsanA |

yaa brahmAchyuta shankara prabhutibhir dEvaih sadaa vanditA

saa maam paatu saraswatii bhagavatii nissheEsha jaadyApahA || (1)

In Sanskrit

या कुन्देन्दुतुषारहारधवला या शुभ्रवस्त्रावृता 

या वीणावरदण्डमण्डितकरा या श्वेतपद्मासना। 

या ब्रह्माच्युत शंकरप्रभृतिभिर्देवैः सदा वन्दिता 

सा मां पातु सरस्वती भगवती निःशेषजाड्यापहा॥

Meaning:

O, Mother Saraswati! You are fair like a jasmine-hued moon wearing a pure and white frosty, dew-filled garland and are engulfed in white clothes. Your hands bear the magnificent VeeNa and a boon bestower staff and your throne is a white Lotus. You are adored and revered by Lords like Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva always. Such venerable Mother, please protect me and remove all my stupidity and ignorance.

neehaara hAra ghanasAra sudhAkarAbhAm

kalyANadAm kanaka champaka daama bhooshAm

uttunga peena kuchakumbha manOharAngim

vaaNii namaami manasA vachasA vibhootyai || (2) 

Sanskrit

नीहार हार घनसार सुधाकराभाम् 

कल्याणदाम् कनक चम्पक दाम भूषाम 

उततुङ्ग पीन कुचकुम्भ मनोहराङ्गिम् 

वाणीं नमामि मनसा वचसा विभूत्यैः ||

Meaning:-

O Mother Saraswati! You are cool and refreshing, like the fragrance of sandalwood, and your face shines like the light of the sun. You are auspicious and revered, adorned with a golden champak garland. You are beautiful-bodied, with an elevated chest and breasts. O Mother of Sound and Music, I prostrate before you with my pure mind, language, and soul.

 

Saraswati Prayer Slokas

Aksharaabhyaasam (Schooling-Time) Prayer

Saraswati namastubhyam vara dE kaamaroopiNi

vidyaarambham karishyaami siddhir bhavatu mE sadaa || (3)

In Sanskrit

सरस्वती नमस्तुभ्यम् वर दे कामरूपिणी 

विद्यारंभं करिष्यामि सिद्धिः भवतु मे सदा ||

Meaning:

O Mother Saraswati! My Salutations to You. Please bestow me with a boon. I am going to begin my studies. Wish me an ever-lasting success in my endeavor.

Saraswati, mahaabhAgE, vidyE, kamala lOchanE,

vidyAroopE, vishAlAkshi, vidyAm dEhi namOstutE|| (4)   

In Sanskrit

सरस्वती महाभागे विद्ये कमल लोचने 

विद्यारूपे विशालाक्षि विद्यां देहि नमोस्तुते ||

Meaning:

O Saraswati, Auspicious One; you are the Knowledge, your eyes resemble lotus petals, you are the personification of all knowledge and education; O Large-Eyed One, gift me Knowledge, I am prostrating before you.

Om Saraswati, mayaa drushtvaa veeNaa-pushtak dhAriNeem,

hansvAhini samAyuktaa, maam vidyAdAn karOtu mE, Om|| (5)

In Sanskrit

ॐ सरस्वती मया दृष्ट्वा वीणा-पुस्तक धारिणीम् 

हन्सवाहिनी समायुक्ता माम् विद्यादान करोतु में ॐ ||

Meaning:

Mother Saraswati! Grace upon me, You who bears the musical instrument Veena and a Book; riding upon the Swan(hansa), please bestow me with the boon of Knowledge.

Saraswati Mantras (Meditation Slokas)

Om Aing saraswatyai namaha || (1)

In Sanskrit

ॐ ऐं सरस्वत्यै नमः ||

In the above mantra, Om and Aing are two primordial sounds for meditation. 

yaa dEvi sarvabhootEshu vidyAroopENa samsthitaa

namastasyai namastasyai namastasyai namO namaha || (2)

In Sanskrit

या देवि सर्वभूतेषु विद्यारूपेण संस्थिता 

नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः || 

Meaning:

You, Goddess, are present in all living beings in the form of knowledge!

I offer my salutations to you again and again.

Out of these two mantras, the first one is generally for meditating purposes repeating the line 108 times.

The second sloka is recited lyrically while meditating on the Goddess for a certain number of times.