Saraswati Mata Ki Aarti — “Jai Saraswati Mata, Maiya Jai Saraswati Mata” — is the aarti of Maa Saraswati, goddess of learning, knowledge, speech and music. On Basant Panchami it is sung in schools, homes and temples, and many students sing it daily before they begin studying. Below are the full lyrics in Hindi and English, the meaning of each verse, the puja method and the Saraswati mantra.
Saraswati Mata Ki Aarti lyrics in English
Jai Saraswati Mata, Maiya Jai Saraswati Mata,
Sadgun Vaibhav Shalini, Tribhuvan Vikhyata.
॥ Jai Jai Saraswati Mata… ॥
Chandravadani Padmasini, Dyuti Mangalkari,
Sohe Shubh Hans Savari, Atul Tejdhari.
॥ Jai Jai Saraswati Mata… ॥
Baayen Kar Mein Veena, Daayen Kar Mala,
Sheesh Mukut Mani Sohe, Gal Motiyan Mala.
॥ Jai Jai Saraswati Mata… ॥
Devi Sharan Jo Aaye, Unka Uddhar Kiya,
Paithi Manthara Dasi, Ravan Sanhar Kiya.
॥ Jai Jai Saraswati Mata… ॥
Vidya Gyan Pradayini, Gyan Prakash Bharo,
Moh Agyan Aur Timir Ka, Jag Se Naash Karo.
॥ Jai Jai Saraswati Mata… ॥
Dhoop Deep Phal Meva, Maa Swikar Karo,
Gyanchakshu De Mata, Jag Nistar Karo.
॥ Jai Jai Saraswati Mata… ॥
Maa Saraswati Ki Aarti, Jo Koi Jan Gave,
Hitkari Sukhkari, Gyan Bhakti Pave.
॥ Jai Jai Saraswati Mata… ॥
Saraswati Mata Ki Aarti in Hindi
जय सरस्वती माता, मैया जय सरस्वती माता।
सदगुण वैभव शालिनी, त्रिभुवन विख्याता॥
॥ जय जय सरस्वती माता…॥
चन्द्रवदनि पद्मासिनि, द्युति मंगलकारी।
सोहे शुभ हंस सवारी, अतुल तेजधारी॥
॥ जय जय सरस्वती माता…॥
बाएं कर में वीणा, दाएं कर माला।
शीश मुकुट मणि सोहे, गल मोतियन माला॥
॥ जय जय सरस्वती माता…॥
देवी शरण जो आए, उनका उद्धार किया।
पैठी मंथरा दासी, रावण संहार किया॥
॥ जय जय सरस्वती माता…॥
विद्या ज्ञान प्रदायिनि, ज्ञान प्रकाश भरो।
मोह अज्ञान और तिमिर का, जग से नाश करो॥
॥ जय जय सरस्वती माता…॥
धूप दीप फल मेवा, माँ स्वीकार करो।
ज्ञानचक्षु दे माता, जग निस्तार करो॥
॥ जय जय सरस्वती माता…॥
माँ सरस्वती की आरती, जो कोई जन गावे।
हितकारी सुखकारी, ज्ञान भक्ति पावे॥
॥ जय जय सरस्वती माता…॥
Meaning of Saraswati Mata Ki Aarti
- Refrain: Glory to you, Mother Saraswati — adorned with the wealth of virtue and famed in all three worlds.
- Form: moon-faced, seated on a lotus, with an auspicious glow, the Mother rides a sacred swan and holds matchless radiance.
- Adornment: a veena in her left hand, a rosary in her right, a jewelled crown on her head and a pearl necklace at her throat.
- Ramayana episode: you uplifted all who took your refuge; you entered the mind of the maid Manthara, which sent Ram to the forest and led to Ravana’s end.
- Prayer: O giver of learning and knowledge, fill us with the light of knowledge and destroy attachment, ignorance and darkness from the world.
- Offering: Mother, accept incense, lamp, fruit and dry fruit; give us the eye of knowledge and uplift the world.
- Phalashruti: whoever sings this aarti of Maa Saraswati gains welfare and happiness, knowledge and devotion.
Saraswati mantra
Ya Kundendu Tushara Hara Dhavala Ya Shubhra Vastravrita, Ya Veena Varadanda Manditakara Ya Shveta Padmasana. — the first verse of the Saraswati Vandana. Seed mantra: Om Aim Saraswatyai Namah. Students can chant it 11 times before they begin studying.
How to do the Saraswati Mata Ki Aarti
- On Basant Panchami wear yellow; spread a yellow cloth on a chowki facing east or north and place Maa Saraswati’s picture.
- Offer yellow flowers, turmeric, akshat, yellow rice or saffron halwa and ber fruit.
- Place books, pens and musical instruments before the Mother and worship them too.
- Chant “Om Aim Saraswatyai Namah”, then light a ghee lamp and sing this aarti.
7 rules of Saraswati Mata Ki Aarti
- Stand and do the aarti with a ghee or camphor lamp, moving it clockwise.
- Wave the lamp 4 times at the feet, 2 at the navel, 1 at the face and 7 times over the whole form.
- Offer bhog first, then do the aarti.
- Blow the conch, ring the bell or clap during the aarti — it keeps the mind focused.
- Do not get up or talk in the middle of the aarti.
- Afterwards take the aarti with both hands and share the prasad.
- Keep pronunciation clear; do not rush — sing with feeling.
Benefits of Saraswati Mata Ki Aarti
- Believed to increase learning, intelligence and memory.
- Brings the blessing of success in exams and competitions.
- Speech becomes sweet and effective.
- Music and the arts flourish.
Also read Jai Ambe Gauri, Om Jai Laxmi Mata and Jai Ganesh Deva. Read more on Wikipedia.
Frequently asked questions
When should the Saraswati aarti be done?
On Basant Panchami (Magh Shukla Panchami), on Saptami to Navami of Navratri (Saraswati Avahan to Visarjan), and every morning before studying.
Why is Manthara mentioned in the aarti?
It is believed that at the gods’ request Maa Saraswati turned Manthara’s mind, which sent Ram into exile and finally led to Ravana’s end. Hence the line “Paithi Manthara Dasi, Ravan Sanhar Kiya”.
Which Saraswati mantra is for students?
“Om Aim Saraswatyai Namah” — chant it 11 or 21 times before studying.
What bhog is offered to Maa Saraswati?
Yellow rice, saffron halwa, boondi, ber fruit and yellow sweets.
