Saraswati Suktam (Rigveda)

sarasvatī sūktam in this document is the Rigvedic Saraswati collection used in Vignanam. It contains the complete Saraswati hymns from ṛgvēda 6.61, 7.95, and 7.96, followed by selected mantras from other Rigvedic hymns where Saraswati is invoked as purifier, inspirer of speech, nourisher of life, protector of sacrifice, and companion of auspicious powers.

In the Rigveda, Saraswati is both a mighty river and a divine power of flowing inspiration. The hymns praise her as strong, nourishing, purifying, protective, and rich in vāja, the energy of plenty, strength, and sacred prize. Later devotional tradition naturally receives her also as the goddess of learning, speech, music, and refined understanding, but these Rigvedic mantras preserve an older and wider vision: Saraswati is the current that carries life, prayer, speech, insight, and abundance.

-(ṛ.vē.6.61)
i̠yam̍dadādrabha̠samṛ̍ṇa̠chyuta̠-ndivō̎dāsaṃ vadrya̠śvāya̍ dā̠śuṣē̎ ।
yā śaśva̎mtamācha̠khaśadā̎va̠sa-mpa̠ṇi-ntā tē̎ dā̠trāṇi̍ tavi̠ṣā sa̍rasvati ॥ 1 ॥

Translation (bhāvārtha):
This Saraswati gave the powerful, burden-removing Divodasa to the generous Vadhryashva. She crushed the long-standing hoarding Pani. O Saraswati, those are your mighty gifts.

i̠yaṃ śuṣmē̎bhirbisa̠khā i̍vāruja̠tsānu̍ girī̠ṇā-nta̍vi̠ṣēbhi̍rū̠rmibhi̍ḥ ।
pā̠rā̠va̠ta̠ghnīmava̍sē suvṛ̠ktibhi̍ssara̍svatī̠ mā vi̍vāsēma dhī̠tibhi̍ḥ ॥ 2 ॥

Translation (bhāvārtha):
This Saraswati, by her force and powerful waves, breaks through mountain ridges as easily as fibrous roots are split. We worship and invoke her for help with well-formed hymns and inspired thoughts.

sara̍svati dēva̠nidō̠ ni ba̍rhaya pra̠jāṃ viśva̍sya̠ bṛsa̍yasya mā̠yina̍ḥ ।
u̠ta kṣi̠tibhyō̠-'vanī̎ravindō vi̠ṣamē̎bhyō asravō vājinīvati ॥ 3 ॥

Translation (bhāvārtha):
O Saraswati, cast down those who revile the divine and the deceitful harmful power that threatens living continuity. O enemy-destroying, strength-filled goddess, release protections for the people and carry us away from difficult places.

praṇō̎ dē̠vī sara̍svatī̠ vājē̎bhirvā̠jinī̎vatī ।
dhī̠nāma̍vi̠trya̍vatu ॥ 4 ॥

Translation (bhāvārtha):
May the divine Saraswati, rich in strength, nourishment, and sacred abundance, protect our inspired thoughts.

yastvā̎ dēvi sarasvatyupabrū̠tē dhanē̎ hi̠tē ।
indra̠-nna vṛ̍tra̠tūryē̎ ॥ 5 ॥

Translation (bhāvārtha):
Whoever calls you near, O goddess Saraswati, in the pursuit of wealth invokes you as one invokes Indra in the overcoming of obstruction.

tva-ndē̎vi sarasva̠tyavā̠ vājē̎ṣu vājini ।
radā̎ pū̠ṣēva̍ na-ssa̠nim ॥ 6 ॥

Translation (bhāvārtha):
O goddess Saraswati, help us in our efforts and sacred pursuits. O strength-rich one, grant us gain and attainment, as Pushan grants nourishment and guidance.

u̠ta syā na̠-ssara̍svatī ghō̠rā hira̎ṇyavartaniḥ ।
vṛ̠tra̠ghnī va̍ṣṭi suṣṭu̠tim ॥ 7 ॥

Translation (bhāvārtha):
May that Saraswati, awesome and golden in her path, destroyer of obstruction, favor our excellent praise.

yasyā̎ ana̠ntō ahru̍tastvē̠ṣaścha̍ri̠ṣṇura̎rṇa̠vaḥ ।
ama̠śchara̍ti̠ rōru̍vat ॥ 8 ॥

Translation (bhāvārtha):
Her flood is endless, unbent, brilliant, and ever-moving. It courses with force and roars as it moves.

sā nō̠ viśvā̠ ati̠ dviṣa̠-ssvasṝ̎ra̠nyā ṛ̠tāva̍rī ।
ata̠nnahē̎va̠ sūrya̍ḥ ॥ 9 ॥

Translation (bhāvārtha):
May she, truth-aligned among her sister rivers, carry us beyond all hostility, spreading out like the sun.

u̠ta na̍ḥ pri̠yā pri̠yāsu̍ sa̠ptasva̍sā̠ suju̍ṣṭā ।
sara̍svatī̠ stōmyā̎ bhūt ॥ 10 ॥

Translation (bhāvārtha):
May Saraswati, beloved among the beloved, seven-sistered and graciously favored, become worthy of our praise.

ā̠pa̠pruṣī̠ pārthi̍vānyu̠ru rajō̎ a̠ntari̍kṣam ।
sara̍svatī ni̠daspā̎tu ॥ 11 ॥

Translation (bhāvārtha):
May Saraswati, filling the earthly regions and the wide midspace, protect us from harm, hostility, and blame.

tri̠ṣa̠dhasthā̎ sa̠ptadhā̎tu̠ḥ pañcha̍ jā̠tā va̠rdhaya̎ntī ।
vājē̎vājē̠ havyā̎ bhūt ॥ 12 ॥

Translation (bhāvārtha):
Established in three regions, sevenfold in support, and nourishing the five peoples, may Saraswati be invoked in every sacred prize and source of strength.

pra yā ma̍hi̠mnā ma̠hinā̎su̠ chēki̍tē dyu̠mnēbhi̍ra̠nyā a̠pasā̎ma̠pasta̍mā ।
ratha̍ iva bṛha̠tī vi̠bhvanē̎ kṛ̠tōpa̠stutyā̎ chiki̠tuṣā̠ sara̍svatī ॥ 13 ॥

Translation (bhāvārtha):
Saraswati is perceived by her greatness among the great, by her splendors as the most active among the active waters. Vast like a chariot made for wide manifestation, she is wise and worthy of close praise.

sara̍svatya̠bhi nō̎ nēṣi̠ vasyō̠ māpa̍ spharī̠ḥ paya̍sā̠ mā na̠ ā dha̍k ।
ju̠ṣasva̍ na-ssa̠khyā vē̠śyā̎ cha̠ mā tva-tkṣētrā̠ṇyara̍ṇāni ganma ॥ 14 ॥

Translation (bhāvārtha):
O Saraswati, guide us toward welfare and desirable good. Do not overwhelm or afflict us with your flood; accept our friendships and settled nearness. May we not go away from you into barren or hostile fields.

–(ṛ.vē.7.95)
pra kṣōda̍sā̠ dhāya̍sā sasra ē̠ṣā sara̍svatī dha̠ruṇa̠māya̍sī̠ pūḥ ।
pra̠bāba̍dhānā ra̠thyē̎va yāti̠ viśvā̎ a̠pō ma̍hi̠nā sindhu̍ra̠nyāḥ ॥ 15 ॥

Translation (bhāvārtha):
This Saraswati flows forth with surging and nourishing power, a firm support and iron-like fort. Pressing onward like a chariot way, the great river surpasses all other waters by her greatness.

ēkā̎chēta̠tsara̍svatī na̠dīnā̠ṃ śuchi̎rya̠tī gi̠ribhya̠ ā sa̍mu̠drāt ।
rā̠yaśchēta̎ntī̠ bhuva̍nasya̠ bhūrē̎rghṛ̠ta-mpayō̎ duduhē̠ nāhu̍ṣāya ॥ 16 ॥

Translation (bhāvārtha):
Saraswati is uniquely distinguished among rivers, pure as she flows from the mountains to the ocean. Revealing the wealth of the abundant world, she yields rich, nourishing milk for humanity.

sa vā̎vṛdhē̠ naryō̠ yōṣa̍ṇāsu̠ vṛṣā̠ śiśu̎rvṛṣa̠bhō ya̠jñiyā̎su ।
sa vā̠jina̎-mma̠ghava̍dbhyō dadhāti̠ vi sā̠tayē̎ ta̠nva̎-mmāmṛjīta ॥ 17 ॥

Translation (bhāvārtha):
This growing, vigorous power is strong among the sacrificial powers and gives strength and prize to generous patrons. May Saraswati cleanse and adorn the self for successful gain.

u̠ta syā na̠-ssara̍svatī juṣā̠ṇōpa̍ śravatsu̠bhagā̎ ya̠jñē a̠sminn ।
mi̠tajñu̍bhirnama̠syai̎riyā̠nā rā̠yā yu̠jā chi̠dutta̍rā̠ sakhi̍bhyaḥ ॥ 18 ॥

Translation (bhāvārtha):
May gracious Saraswati favor us in this sacrifice and come near through measured reverence and salutations. Joined with wealth, may she stand above other friends as our excellent ally.

i̠mā juhvā̎nā yu̠ṣmadā namō̎bhi̠ḥ prati̠ stōma̎ṃ sarasvati juṣasva ।
tava̠ śarma̎npri̠yata̍mē̠ dadhā̎nā̠ upa̍ sthēyāma śara̠ṇa-nna vṛ̠kṣam ॥ 19 ॥

Translation (bhāvārtha):
O Saraswati, accept this hymn that we offer to you with reverence. Holding your dearest shelter, may we come near and stand beneath your protection as one rests under a tree.

a̠yamu̍ tē sarasvati̠ vasi̍ṣṭhō̠ dvārā̎vṛ̠tasya̍ subhagē̠ vyā̎vaḥ ।
vardha̍ śubhrē stuva̠tē rā̎si̠ vājā̍nyū̠ya-mpā̎ta sva̠stibhi̠-ssadā̎ naḥ ॥ 20 ॥

Translation (bhāvārtha):
O gracious Saraswati, this Vasistha opens the doors that were closed. O bright one, increase the worshipper and grant sacred strengths. May you all protect us always with wellbeing.

(ṛ.vē.7.96)
bṛ̠hadu̍ gāyiṣē̠ vachō̎-'su̠ryā̎ na̠dīnā̎m ।
sara̍svatī̠minma̍hayā suvṛ̠ktibhi̠sstōmai̎rvasiṣṭha̠ rōda̍sī ॥ 21 ॥

Translation (bhāvārtha):
O Vasistha, I shall sing a great word. Magnify Saraswati, the powerful one among rivers, with well-formed hymns and praises that fill heaven and earth.

u̠bhē yattē̎ mahi̠nā śu̍bhrē̠ andha̍sī adhikṣi̠yanti̍ pū̠rava̍ḥ ।
sā nō̎ bōdhyavi̠trī ma̠rutsa̍khā̠ chōda̠ rādhō̎ ma̠ghōnā̎m ॥ 22 ॥

Translation (bhāvārtha):
O bright Saraswati, by your greatness the peoples dwell in both nourishing realms. Be aware of us as protectress and companion of the Maruts; impel the bounty of the generous.

bha̠dramidbha̠drā kṛ̍ṇava̠tsara̍sva̠tyaka̍vārī chētati vā̠jinī̎vatī ।
gṛ̠ṇā̠nā ja̍madagni̠vatstu̍vā̠nā cha̍ vasiṣṭha̠vat ॥ 23 ॥

Translation (bhāvārtha):
May auspicious Saraswati make what is good truly auspicious. Unobstructed and rich in sacred strength, she awakens as she is praised like Jamadagni and lauded like Vasistha.

ja̠nī̠yantō̠ nvagra̍vaḥ putrī̠yanta̍-ssu̠dāna̍vaḥ ।
sara̍svantaṃ havāmahē ॥ 24 ॥

Translation (bhāvārtha):
Desiring continuity, children, and generous giving, we now invoke Sarasvant.

yē tē̎ sarasva ū̠rmayō̠ madhu̍mantō ghṛta̠śchuta̍ḥ ।
tēbhi̎rnō-'vi̠tā bha̠va ॥ 25 ॥

Translation (bhāvārtha):
O Sarasvant, with your honeyed waves, dripping with ghee-like nourishment, become our protector.

pī̠pi̠vāṃsa̠ṃ sara̍svata̠-sstana̠ṃ yō vi̠śvada̍rśataḥ ।
bha̠kṣī̠mahi̍ pra̠jāmiṣam̎ ॥ 26 ॥

Translation (bhāvārtha):
May we partake of the full, universally visible breast of Sarasvant, rich in nourishment for offspring and continuity.

(ṛ.vē.2.41.16)
ambi̍tamē̠ nadī̎tamē̠ dēvi̍tamē̠ sara̍svati ।
a̠pra̠śa̠stā i̍va smasi̠ praśa̍stimamba naskṛdhi ॥ 27 ॥

Translation (bhāvārtha):
O Saraswati, best of mothers, best of rivers, best of goddesses, we seem to be without praise. O Mother, make us worthy of praise and good repute.

tvē viśvā̎ sarasvati śri̠tāyū̎mṣi dē̠vyām ।
śu̠nahō̎trēṣu matsva pra̠jā-ndē̎vi didiḍḍhi naḥ ॥ 28 ॥

Translation (bhāvārtha):
O Saraswati, all lives take refuge in you as the goddess. Rejoice among the offerings, O goddess, and brighten and strengthen our offspring and continuity.

i̠mā brahma̍ sarasvati ju̠ṣasva̍ vājinīvati ।
yā tē̠ manma̍ gṛtsama̠dā ṛ̍tāvari pri̠yā dē̠vēṣu̠ juhva̍ti ॥ 29 ॥

Translation (bhāvārtha):
O Saraswati, rich in sacred strength, graciously accept these prayers, the inspired thought that Gritsamada offers to you, O truth-bearing one beloved among the gods.

(ṛ.vē.1.3.10)
pā̠va̠kā na̠-ssara̍svatī̠ vājē̎bhirvā̠jinī̎vatī ।
ya̠jñaṃ va̍ṣṭu dhi̠yāva̍suḥ ॥ 30 ॥

Translation (bhāvārtha):
May Saraswati, the purifier, rich in sacred strength and nourishment, favor our sacrifice; she is rich in insight and understanding.

chō̠da̠yi̠trī sū̠nṛtā̎nā̠-ñchēta̎ntī sumatī̠nām ।
ya̠jña-nda̍dhē̠ sara̍svatī ॥ 31 ॥

Translation (bhāvārtha):
Saraswati, inspirer of true and gracious words and awakener of good thoughts, establishes the sacrifice.

ma̠hō arṇa̠-ssara̍svatī̠ pra chē̎tayati kē̠tunā̎ ।
dhiyō̠ viśvā̠ vi rā̎jati ॥ 32 ॥

Translation (bhāvārtha):
Saraswati, the great flood, awakens and illumines through a guiding sign; she makes all thoughts shine forth.

(ṛ.vē.10.17.7)
sara̍svatī-ndēva̠yantō̎ havantē̠ sara̍svatīmadhva̠rē tā̠yamā̎nē ।
sara̍svatīṃ su̠kṛtō̎ ahvayanta̠ sara̍svatī dā̠śuṣē̠ vārya̎-ndāt ॥ 33 ॥

Translation (bhāvārtha):
Those who seek the gods invoke Saraswati as the sacrifice is extended. The doers of good call Saraswati; may she give desirable blessing to the generous worshipper.

sara̍svati̠ yā sa̠ratha̎ṃ ya̠yātha̍ sva̠dhābhi̍rdēvi pi̠tṛbhi̠rmada̎ntī ।
ā̠sadyā̠sminba̠rhiṣi̍ mādayasvānamī̠vā iṣa̠ ā dhē̎hya̠smē ॥ 34 ॥

Translation (bhāvārtha):
O goddess Saraswati, you travel together with the ancestors, rejoicing through the ancestral offering. Sit here on the sacred grass, rejoice, and place disease-free nourishment among us.

sara̍svatī̠ṃ yā-mpi̠tarō̠ hava̎ntē dakṣi̠ṇā ya̠jñama̍bhi̠nakṣa̍māṇāḥ ।
sa̠ha̠srā̠rghami̠ḻō atra̍ bhā̠gaṃ rā̠yaspōṣa̠ṃ yaja̍mānēṣu dhēhi ॥ 35 ॥

Translation (bhāvārtha):
The ancestors invoke Saraswati as they approach the sacrifice with the sacrificial gift. Establish here a rich, thousand-valued share of sacred nourishment, and place prosperity and sustenance among the sacrificers.

(ṛ.vē.5.43.11)
ā nō̎ di̠vō bṛ̍ha̠taḥ parva̍tā̠dā sara̍svatī yaja̠tā ga̎ntu ya̠jñam ।
hava̎-ndē̠vī ju̍juṣā̠ṇā ghṛ̠tāchī̎ śa̠gmā-nnō̠ vācha̍muśa̠tī śṛ̍ṇōtu ॥ 36 ॥

Translation (bhāvārtha):
May worshipful Saraswati come to our sacrifice from the great heaven and the lofty mountain. May the goddess accept our invocation; may she, bright and nourishing like ghee, willingly hear our auspicious speech.

(ṛ.vē.2.32.4)
rā̠kāma̠haṃ su̠havā̎ṃ suṣṭu̠tī hu̍vē śṛ̠ṇōtu̍ na-ssu̠bhagā̠ bōdha̍tu̠ tmanā̎ ।
sīvya̠tvapa̍-ssū̠chyāchChi̍dyamānayā̠ dadā̎tu vī̠raṃ śa̠tadā̎yamu̠kthyam̎ ॥ 37 ॥

Translation (bhāvārtha):
I invoke gracious Raka with good praise. May she hear us and understand by herself. May she join the works with an unbroken needle and grant a heroic, richly gifted, praiseworthy child.

yāstē̎ rākē suma̠taya̍-ssu̠pēśa̍sō̠ yābhi̠rdadā̎si dā̠śuṣē̠ vasū̎ni ।
tābhi̎rnō a̠dya su̠manā̎ u̠pāga̍hi sahasrapō̠ṣaṃ su̍bhagē̠ rarā̎ṇā ॥ 38 ॥

Translation (bhāvārtha):
O Raka, come to us today with those beautiful favorable thoughts by which you give blessings to the worshipper. O gracious one, be well-minded toward us and bestow thousandfold nourishment.

sinī̎vāli̠ pṛthu̍ṣṭukē̠ yā dē̠vānā̠masi̠ svasā̎ ।
ju̠ṣasva̍ ha̠vyamāhu̍ta-mpra̠jā-ndē̎vi didiḍḍhi naḥ ॥ 39 ॥

Translation (bhāvārtha):
O broad-hipped Sinivali, sister of the gods, accept the offered oblation. O goddess, brighten and strengthen our offspring and continuity.

yā su̍bā̠hu-ssva̎ṅgu̠ri-ssu̠ṣūmā̎ bahu̠sūva̍rī ।
tasyai̎ vi̠śpatnyai̎ ha̠vi-ssi̍nīvā̠lyai ju̍hōtana ॥ 40 ॥

Translation (bhāvārtha):
Offer the oblation to Sinivali, fair-armed, well-limbed, auspiciously formed, fruitful, and lady of the clans.

yā gu̠ṅgūryā si̍nīvā̠lī yā rā̠kā yā sara̍svatī ।
i̠ndrā̠ṇīma̍hva ū̠tayē̎ varuṇā̠nīṃ sva̠stayē̎ ॥ 41 ॥

Translation (bhāvārtha):
I invoke Gungu, Sinivali, Raka, Saraswati, and Indrani for aid; I invoke Varunani for wellbeing and auspicious safety.

ōṃ śānti̠-śśānti̠-śśānti̍ḥ ॥

Translation (bhāvārtha):
May there be peace at every level: in unseen divine forces, in the surrounding world, and within the body, speech, and mind of the reciter.

Browse Related Categories: