Saraswati Vandana — Ya Kundendu

Meaning in English

She who is white as the jasmine, the moon and a garland of snow-white pearls, who is dressed in pure white;
whose hands are adorned with the veena, who is seated on a white lotus;
who is always worshipped by Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva and the other gods —
may that Goddess Saraswati, who removes all dullness and ignorance, protect me.

The symbols in the verse: white stands for purity and clarity of mind — the jasmine (kunda), the moon (indu) and snow (tushara) all point to the brightness of knowledge. The veena is music and the arts; the white lotus, rooted in mud yet untouched by it, is wisdom that stays pure in the world. The last line names what Saraswati removes: jadya — dullness, inertia and ignorance.

When it is recited: before study, exams or music practice, at the start of the school day in many Indian schools, and especially on Vasant Panchami, when books, pens and instruments are placed before the goddess. Students often memorise it as their first Sanskrit verse.

A second verse that is often recited after it begins “Shuklam brahmavichara sara paramam” and also praises Saraswati as the giver of wisdom. Families can recite the first verse together each morning — it takes less than a minute.