Saraswati Ashtottara Shat Nama Stotra
(These verses narrate some of the sacred names of
Goddess Saraswati as composed and sung by Sage Agastya)
Saraswati Ashtottara Shat Nama Stotra
(These verses narrate some of the sacred names of
Goddess Saraswati as composed and sung by Sage Agastya)
Saraswati Mahabhadra, Mahamaya Varaprada ;
Shriprada Padmanilaya, Padmakshi Padmavaktraga
Shivanuja Pustakadhrit, Naana mudra Ramapara
Kaamarupa Mahavidya, Mahapataka Nashini
Mahashraya Malini cha, Mahabhoga Mahabhuja
Mahabhaga Mahosaha, Divyanga Survandita ;
Mahakhali Mahapasha, Mahakara Mahankusha
Sitacha Vimala Vishwa, Vidyunmala cha vaishnavi
Chandrika Chandra Vadana, Chandralekha Vibhushita,
Savitri Surasa Devi, Divya-Lankaarbhushita
Vaagdevi Vasudha Thivra, Mahabhadra Mahabala
Bhogada Bharti Bhama, Govinda Gomati Shiva
Jatila Vindhyavasa Cha, Vindyachal Virajita
Chandika Vaishnavi Brahmi, Brahmagyane Kasadhana
Saudhamini Sudhamurti, Subhadra Surpujita,
Suvasini Sunasa cha, Vinidra Padmalochana
Vidyarupa Vishalakshi, Brahma jaya Mahabala
Treyimurti Trikaalagnya
Triguna shastra rupini Shumbrasura Pramathini.
Shubrada Cha Sarvaatmika, Raktabija Nihantiri cha
Chamunda chandika Tatha
Mund Kaaya Praharna, Dhumralochna-Mardana
Sarvadeva-s-Stuta, Saumya Surasura Namaskrita
Kaalratri Kaladhara, Roopa Saubhagya-daayini
Vaagdevi Cha Vararoha, Varahi Varijasana.
Chitrambara Chitragandha, Chitramalya Vibhushita
Kaanta Kaamprada Vandya, Vidyadhara supujita
Shvetamana Neelabhuja, Chaturvarga Phalaprada.
Chaturamana Samarajya, Raktamadhya Niranjana.
Hamsaasna Neeljangha, Brahma Vishnu Shivatmika
Aivum Saraswati Devya, Namnam Ashtottara Shastam
Iti Shri Saraswati shatanama Stotram Sampoornam
Meaning of the 108 names:
1.Sarasvati
The name comes from the root word “saras” which means “anything which flows”. So, Saraswati is “she who flows” or “she who has flow in her”. She is called as vakdevi (goddess of speech) because speech is result of flow of sound/vibration. Thus, she is the source of sound and hence the very source of this cosmos. She is also called Goddess of Knowledge/Jnana, because Knowledge is infinite and ever flowing. In short, Sarasvati is the personification of ever flowing Knowledge.
2. Mahabhadra
It literally means “Very auspicious” or “Very pleasant/gentle/gracious”.
3. Mahamaya
It means “Great Illusion”. Acc to Hinduism, whole universe is merely an illusion. Maya means, that which is not. The universe consisting of dualities and multiplicities is nothing but an apparent manifestation of one indivisible Whole (God/Brahman). Brahman manifests this multiplicity within himself. This power of Brahman to manifest apparent multiplicity still maintaining wholeness is Maya. Hence, Mahamaya is the mother of whole cosmos as she is the source of all manifestation.
4. Varaprada
It literally means “granter of boons”. She can fulfill everything a person desires.
5. Shriprada
It means “granter of wealth”. Here “Shri” not only refers to money, but also to prosperity, health, happiness and bliss. It refers to balance in both physical and spiritual existences. That is, she can grant materialistic, intellectual and spiritual prosperity.
6. Padmanilaya
Padma means lotus. Lotus represents detachment and purity. And Nilaya means residence/ dwelling place. Padmanilaya is Her name because she is seated upon lotus. A esoteric meaning is that, she who is firmly established in detachment.
7. Padmakshi
Padma means lotus, akshi means eyes. She is lotus eyed. Esoterically speaking, she witnesses everything through the eyes of detachment(unbiased).
8. Padmavaktraga
Vaktraga means face. Her face is beautiful like a lotus.
9. Shivaanuja
Literally it means, she who is born after Shiva.
10. Pustakadhrt
Pustaka means book or manuscript which signifies knowledge. “dhrt” means holding/bearing/possessing. Hence Pustakadhrt means she who possesses all Knowledge both mundane and transcendental.
11. Jnanamudra
A symbol/ personification of Knowledge.
12. Ramaa
“Ramaa” means fortune, splendor, prosperity which are attributes of Goddess Lakshmi. Hence, here Saraswati is identified with Lakshmi.
13. Paraa
“Paraa” means “Existance”. It may also mean “Beyond”. So, here it can mean that Saraswati represents “Sat/Cosmic Existance” which is beyond any rational comprehension.
14. Kamarupa
Kama means desires. Rupa means form. Hence, Kamarupa is she who has herself taken the form of all desires. The source and the body of all desires is Saraswati. Hence, she is also the fulfiller of all desires.
15. Mahavidya
She is the Great Goddess of Wisdom and Knowledge. Esoterically, she is one amongst the Dasha Mahavidyas, the ten aspects of the primordial shakti.
16. Mahapaatakanaashini
She who destroys all weakness and sins.
17. Mahashraya
She is the great refuge to everyone in the universe. She being the mother of the universe, she looks after all her children. Nobody is orphan or left out in the world, She is always there for everyone. Once a person realizes this and takes refuge in her, then there would be nothing he would ever worry about.
18. Maalinii
It means “shining” or “the one with garland”.
19. Mahabhoga
It means “Great Enjoyer”/Great Witness(Experience). She is both the granter of all boons, desires and prosperity as well as enjoyer of those fruits. She is the doer of action as well as the dispenser and the enjoyer of the fruits of action.
20. Mahaabhuja
It means “Great/Huge arms”. Arms represent Karma (actions performed). She is the performer as well as the controller of all actions.
21. Mahabhaga
Bhaaga means portion/ part. Mahabhaga refers to being infinitesimally small. She is not only infinitely vast but also infinitesimally small.
22. Mahotsaha
It means “Great Enthusiasm/ Great Strength”. She is the source and personification of these attributes.
23. Divyaangaa
She who has celestial body.
24. Suravandita
She who is extolled and praised by the gods.
25. Maha KaLi
Kaala means time. She is the personification of time principle. Also here Saraswati is being identified with Goddess KaLi.
26. Mahapaashaa
She who binds all by her maya. Here Paasha means a tie, a rope to bind/trap.
27. MahaKaara
It means “Huge Form”. It is symbolically representing her infinitely vast form.
28. Mahaankusha
She who controls the whole universe. Ankusha means a goad (weapon) to control.
29. Siitaa
It literally means “Furrow”. Symbolically speaking, just as plough prepares the ground for the emergence of new plant life, she arranges karmas for continuation of this cosmos (her lila/manifestion).
30. Vimalaa
Vimala means pure. She is the personification of purity.
31. Vishwa
She is the entire cosmos. She is everything.
32. Vidhyunmala
She who wears a shining garland.
33. Vaishnavi
Here Saraswati is identified with Vaishnavi, the Shakti of Lord Vishnu.
34. Chandrika
She who is as bright as moonlight.
35. Chandravadana
She who’s face is as beautiful as moon.
36. Chandralekhaa Vibhushita
She who wears a crescent moon on her head.
37. Saavitri
It literally means “ray of light/solar ray”. It implies that, just as a ray of light removes darkness, so also Sarasvathi, the Goddess of Knowledge removes Ignorance.
38. Surasaa
It means “she who represents all good things in life”.
39. Devi
Goddess
40. Divyalankarabhushita
She who is adorned by celestial ornaments.
41. Vagdevi
It means Goddess of speech. She is the source of sound. She is the primordial sound OM.
42. Vasudha
Literally it means “earth”. It is referring to the attribute of earth who not only bears the burden of everything (both living and non living who have taken shelter in her) but also nourishes them. That is why earth is also referred as “Mother”. Saraswathi is the originator as well as nourisher of whole cosmos. She bears the burden of whole cosmos.
43. Tiivra
It may be meaning both “all powerful/intensive” and “All pervading”. She is the sum total of all existence. She pervades everything. In her, she includes everything that exists.
44. Mahabhadra
It literally means “Very auspicious” or “Very pleasant/gentle/gracious”.
45. Mahabalaa
“Balaa” means “Strength”. She represents “Great strength”.
46. Bhogada
It means she who grants worldly enjoyments.
47. Bharatii
She is the goddess of speech;
48. Bhaamaa
She is personification of passion and splendor.
49. Govindaa
It literally means protector/controller of cows. Here Cow is symbolic of our senses. So she is controller of senses.
50. Gomatii
It literally means a place having herds of cows. Symbolically it means Saraswati embodies all senses inside her. In other words she is the senses herself.
51. Shivaa
It literally means “Final Emancipation”, that is she who delivers liberation/enlightenment.
52. Jatilaa
She who has “matted hairs”.
53. Vindhyavaasa
She whose abode is in Vindhya mountain
54. Vindhyachalaviraajita
She who is seated in vindhya mountains.
55. Chandika
The Fierce one, the wrathful. Chandi represents Universal Shakti in its most fierce and uncontrolled aspect. Chandika is the summation of MahaKali, MahaLakshmi and Mahasaraswati. And here, Saraswati is identified with Chandika.
56. Vaishnavi
Here Saraswati is identified with Maha Lakshmi, the Power of Vishnu.
57. Braahmii
Here Saraswati is identified with The Power of Brahma.
58.Brahmajnaneikasaadhana
She is the only medium to attain Brahma-Jnana (Enlightment). That is, Saraswati bestows Ultimate Knowledge to those who seek.
59. Saudaamini
Lightning, She is as strong and effulgent as lightning.
60. Sudhamurthi
She is the very personification of divine nectar (of Jnana-Knowledge and Ananda-Bliss).
61. Subhadra
She is auspicious and beautiful
62. Surapoojita
She who is even worshipped by gods.
63. Suvaasini
“Su” means “Good” and Vaasini means “living”. It could mean “She who lives in beautiful abode/Universe” or “She who fills her abode (the whole cosmos) with auspiciousness”.
64. Sunaasaa
She who has beautiful nose.
65. Vinidraa
It means “Sleepless/Awake”. There are three states of existence- waking, dreaming and deep sleep. But, there is a fourth state-Turiya which is beyond deep sleep. Saraswati represents this Turiya-Eternally awoken state of bliss beyond deep sleep (nidra).
66. Padmalochana
She whose eyes are as beautiful as lotus.
67. Vidyaarupa
She is the personification of Vidya (Knowledge- secular, spiritual and transcendental).
68. Vishaalaakshi
It means “Broad eyed”.
69. Brahmajaaya
It means “the wife of Brahma”.
70. Mahaaphalaa
It literally means “Great fruit”. According to Hindu Dharma, there are four Purusharthas in life-Dharma, Artha, Kama and Moksha, the last being the ultimate goal. Saraswati being Moksha herself grants it (along with other purusharthas) to everyone. Here Mahaphala refers to Moksha.
71. Trayimoorti
She is the Personification/source/mother of all three Vedas (Rik, Yajus and sama).
72. Trikaalagnya
She who knows everything about the past, the present and the future.
73. Triguna
She is the personification of the 3 Gunas-Tamas, Rajas and Sattva.
74. Shastra Roopini
She is the very Shastras/Scriptures( Shruti , Smruti, Agamas) which has been laid down to guide the world.
75. Shumbhasura-Pramathini
She who tormented the demon Shumbha. Shumbha represents one’s asmita- “I - ness”. Saraswati the embodiment of Knowledge destroys this false identity.
76. Shubhadaa
One who grants wealth, prosperity and all other auspicious things.
77. Sarvatmika
She is omnipresent. She pervades the whole universe.
78. Raktabeeja-Nihantri
She who slays the demon Raktabeeja. Raktabeeja represents one’s desires. Here Saraswati is identified with Kali, the embodiment of detachment, who destroys all desires.
79. Chamunda
She who killed the demons Chanda and Munda. Here also Saraswati is identified with Kali.
80. Ambika
It means “Mother”. The name stresses the motherly aspect of the Saraswathi. Further, Ambika represents that aspect of Shakti which killed the demon Dhumralochana. Ambika is also called Koushiki as she manifested from the Koshas of Parvati.
81. Mundakaya Praharana
She who killed demon Munda (That is Kali).
82. Dhumralochana-Mardana
She who killed the demon Dhumralochna (Kaushiki).
83. Sarvadevastuta
Praised by all gods and goddesses.
84. Soumya
Gentle and cheerful
85. Sura-Asura Namaskruta
Both gods and demons bow to her.
86. Kaalaraatri
Here Saraswati is identified with Kalaratri (goddess of night).
87. Kaladhaaraa
She who holds crescent moon on her head. Here Saraswati is identified with Parvati.
88. Roopa Soubhagyadayini
She who grants beauty, wealth and prosperity.
89. Vagdevi
Goddess of speech.
90. Varaaroha
It can have two different meanings. It may mean “She who rides”, that is she who controls everything in the universe. The other meaning could be “She who has beautiful hips”
91. Vaaraahi
Here Sarswati is identified with Vaarahi, the Power of Varaha. (The Boar avatara of Vishnu)
92. Vaarijaaasanaa
She who is seated on lotus.
93. Chitraambaraa
She who is adorned with bright garments/garments made of lotus
94. Chitragandhaa
She who has fragrance of the lotus.
95. Chitramaalyavibhooshita
She who is adorned by garland of lotus.
96. Kaanta
It means “Lovely woman/earth”.
97. Kaamapradaa
She who grants all desires
98. Vandyaa
She who is very respectable/adorable (Pujaneeya). She to whom everyone bows to in reverence.
99. Vidyaadharaa Supoojitaa
She who is revered as the supporter/nourisher of Knowledge
100. Shwetaasanaa
She who is seated on White seat (may be a Swan or a lotus)
101. Neelbhujaa
She who has blue shoulders.
102. Chaturvargaphalapradaa
She who grants fruits (of action) to every person belonging to all the four categories of society (Brahmin, Kshatriya,Vaishya,Shudhra)
103. Chaturaananasaamraajya
She who rules in all the four directions.
104. Raktamadhyaa
Rakta means red and red represents Shakti/energy. Hence,”Raktamadhya” means the Centre/source of all Shakti/Energies.
105. Niranjanaa
It means “Pure”. She is purity personified.
106. Hansaasanaa
She who is seated on Swan.
107. Neelajanghaa
She who has blue thighs.
108. Brahmavishnushivaatmikaa
She who is the essence of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva.
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