Saraswati Ashtottara Shatanamavali: 108 Names of Goddess Saraswati with Meaning
Saraswati Ashtottara Shatanamavali - Sanskrit Text
॥ श्री सरस्वती अष्टोत्तरशतनामावली ॥
ॐ सरस्वत्यै नमः ।
ॐ महाभद्रायै नमः ।
ॐ महामायायै नमः ।
ॐ वरप्रदायै नमः ।
ॐ श्रीप्रदायै नमः ।
ॐ पद्मनिलयायै नमः ।
ॐ पद्माक्ष्यै नमः ।
ॐ पद्मवक्त्रायै नमः ।
ॐ शिवानुजायै नमः ।
ॐ पुस्तकभृते नमः ॥१०॥
ॐ ज्ञानमुद्रायै नमः ।
ॐ रमायै नमः ।
ॐ परायै नमः ।
ॐ कामरूपायै नमः ।
ॐ महाविद्यायै नमः ।
ॐ महापातकनाशिन्यै नमः ।
ॐ महाश्रयायै नमः ।
ॐ मालिन्यै नमः ।
ॐ महाभोगायै नमः ।
ॐ महाभुजायै नमः ॥२०॥
ॐ महाभागायै नमः ।
ॐ महोत्साहायै नमः ।
ॐ दिव्याङ्गायै नमः ।
ॐ सुरवन्दितायै नमः ।
ॐ महाकाल्यै नमः ।
ॐ महापाशायै नमः ।
ॐ महाकारायै नमः ।
ॐ महाङ्कुशायै नमः ।
ॐ पीतायै नमः ।
ॐ विमलायै नमः ॥३०॥
ॐ विश्वायै नमः ।
ॐ विद्युन्मालायै नमः ।
ॐ वैष्णव्यै नमः ।
ॐ चन्द्रिकायै नमः ।
ॐ चन्द्रवदनायै नमः ।
ॐ चन्द्रलेखाविभूषितायै नमः ।
ॐ सावित्र्यै नमः ।
ॐ सुरसायै नमः ।
ॐ देव्यै नमः ।
ॐ दिव्यालङ्कारभूषितायै नमः ॥४०॥
ॐ वाग्देव्यै नमः ।
ॐ वसुधायै नमः ।
ॐ तीव्रायै नमः ।
ॐ महाभद्रायै नमः ।
ॐ महाबलायै नमः ।
ॐ भोगदायै नमः ।
ॐ भारत्यै नमः ।
ॐ भामायै नमः ।
ॐ गोविन्दायै नमः ।
ॐ गोमत्यै नमः ॥५०॥
ॐ शिवायै नमः ।
ॐ जटिलायै नमः ।
ॐ विन्ध्यावासायै नमः ।
ॐ विन्ध्याचलविराजितायै नमः ।
ॐ चण्डिकायै नमः ।
ॐ वैष्णव्यै नमः ।
ॐ ब्राह्म्यै नमः ।
ॐ ब्रह्मज्ञानैकसाधनायै नमः ।
ॐ सौदामिन्यै नमः ।
ॐ सुधामूर्त्यै नमः ॥६०॥
ॐ सुभद्रायै नमः ।
ॐ सुरपूजितायै नमः ।
ॐ सुवासिन्यै नमः ।
ॐ सुनासायै नमः ।
ॐ विनिद्रायै नमः ।
ॐ पद्मलोचनायै नमः ।
ॐ विद्यारूपायै नमः ।
ॐ विशालाक्ष्यै नमः ।
ॐ ब्रह्मजायायै नमः ।
ॐ महाफलायै नमः ॥७०॥
ॐ त्रयीमूर्त्यै नमः ।
ॐ त्रिकालज्ञायै नमः ।
ॐ त्रिगुणायै नमः ।
ॐ शास्त्ररूपिण्यै नमः ।
ॐ शुम्भासुरप्रमथिन्यै नमः ।
ॐ शुभदायै नमः ।
ॐ स्वरात्मिकायै नमः ।
ॐ रक्तबीजनिहन्त्र्यै नमः ।
ॐ चामुण्डायै नमः ।
ॐ अम्बिकायै नमः ॥८०॥
ॐ मुण्डकायप्रहरणायै नमः ।
ॐ धूम्रलोचनमर्दनायै नमः ।
ॐ सर्वदेवस्तुतायै नमः ।
ॐ सौम्यायै नमः ।
ॐ सुरासुरनमस्कृतायै नमः ।
ॐ कालरात्र्यै नमः ।
ॐ कलाधारायै नमः ।
ॐ रूपसौभाग्यदायिन्यै नमः ।
ॐ वाग्देव्यै नमः ।
ॐ वरारोहायै नमः ॥९०॥
ॐ वाराह्यै नमः ।
ॐ वारिजासनायै नमः ।
ॐ चित्राम्बरायै नमः ।
ॐ चित्रगन्धायै नमः ।
ॐ चित्रमाल्यविभूषितायै नमः ।
ॐ कान्तायै नमः ।
ॐ कामप्रदायै नमः ।
ॐ वन्द्यायै नमः ।
ॐ विद्याधरसुपूजितायै नमः ।
ॐ श्वेताननायै नमः ॥१००॥
ॐ नीलभुजायै नमः ।
ॐ चतुर्वर्गफलप्रदायै नमः ।
ॐ चतुराननसाम्राज्यायै नमः ।
ॐ रक्तमध्यायै नमः ।
ॐ निरञ्जनायै नमः ।
ॐ हंसासनायै नमः ।
ॐ नीलजङ्घायै नमः ।
ॐ ब्रह्मविष्णुशिवात्मिकायै नमः ॥१०८॥
॥ इति श्री सरस्वती अष्टोत्तरशतनामावलिः सम्पूर्णा ॥
Transliteration (Roman/IAST)
Om Sarasvatyai namah | Om Mahabhadrayai namah | Om Mahamayayai namah | Om Varapradayai namah | Om Shripradayai namah | Om Padmanilayayai namah | Om Padmakshyai namah | Om Padmavaktrayai namah | Om Shivanujayai namah | Om Pustakabhrite namah (10) ... Om Vagdevyai namah | Om Vararohayai namah (90) ... Om Brahmavishnushivatmikayai namah (108).
Each name is chanted in the dative case (the ‘-yai / -ayai’ ending) preceded by Om and followed by namah — literally “Om, salutations to Her who is…”
Meaning
This litany offers 108 salutations to Goddess Saraswati, the deity of speech, learning, music and wisdom. The names move from her gentle, knowledge-bestowing aspects — Sarasvati (the flowing one), Pustakabhrit (holder of the book), Jnanamudra (she of the gesture of knowledge), Vagdevi (goddess of speech) — to her fierce, protective Shakti aspects such as Mahakali, Chamunda, Shumbhasura-pramathini (destroyer of Shumbha) and Raktabija-nihantri. Together they reveal Saraswati as both the serene muse seated on the lotus and the supreme cosmic intelligence that underlies all the Vedas and sciences (Trayimurti, Shastrarupini).
About this Namavali
An ashtottara-shatanamavali is a garland of one hundred and eight names recited as individual salutations, distinct from a stotram, which strings the names into metrical verse. This Saraswati namavali is widely used during Vasant Panchami, Navaratri (especially the Saraswati-puja days of the South Indian Sharada-puja), Vidyarambha and Akshara-abhyasa ceremonies when a child is first introduced to letters. Because each name stands alone, the litany is ideal for archana — offering a flower, akshata or tulsi at every name.
Significance & Spiritual Benefits
Devotees chant the 108 names to remove jadya (dullness, mental inertia), to sharpen memory and intellect, and to gain clarity in speech, study and the arts. Students, teachers, musicians, writers and orators traditionally hold this namavali especially dear. The repeated invocation of names such as Mahavidya, Brahmajnanaikasadhana and Sarvavidya frames learning itself as a sacred act of worship, turning study into sadhana.
Astrological Relevance
In Vedic astrology Saraswati worship strengthens Budha (Mercury) — the karaka of intellect, speech, learning, calculation and communication — and the planet Guru (Jupiter), karaka of wisdom and higher knowledge. A weak, afflicted or combust Mercury (or an afflicted 2nd house of speech, 4th house of education, or 5th house of intelligence) is a classic indication for Saraswati upasana. Chanting on Wednesday, Mercury’s day, and during a strong Budha hora is the natural remedial choice for stammering, examination anxiety, learning difficulties and creative blocks.
How to Chant (Vidhi)
Bathe and sit facing east or north before an image of Saraswati. Light a ghee lamp and offer white flowers, white sandal paste and a book or pen at the altar. Begin with a dhyana of the goddess, then recite the 108 names slowly, ideally performing archana with white flowers or rice at each name. Conclude with the dhyana shloka “Ya Kundendu-tushara-hara-dhavala…” and a prayer for knowledge. Keeping a Saraswati yantra or a string of crystal (sphatika) beads enhances the practice.
Best Day & Time
Wednesday and Thursday are ideal, as is Vasant Panchami (Magha Shukla Panchami), the dedicated festival of Saraswati. Early morning during Brahma-muhurta or the evening sandhya are the most auspicious times. Beginning a course of recitation on Vasant Panchami or the Mula nakshatra day of Navaratri is considered especially fruitful.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between this namavali and the Saraswati stotram?
The namavali lists 108 names as separate “Om…namah” salutations meant for archana, while a stotram such as “Ya Kundendu…” praises the goddess in flowing verse. Many devotees recite the stotram first and then perform the 108-name archana.
Who should chant the Saraswati Ashtottara?
Students before exams, teachers, researchers, musicians, singers, writers and anyone seeking clarity of speech or relief from mental dullness benefit greatly. It is also chanted for children at the start of their education.
How many times should it be recited?
A single complete reading daily is the common practice. For a focused sankalpa — such as before an examination — many recite it daily for 41 days or through the nine nights of Navaratri.
One hundred and eight names as a complete meditation on the goddess of knowledge
The Saraswati Ashtottara Shatanamavali distils the essence of the goddess of knowledge, speech, music and creative wisdom into one hundred and eight carefully chosen names, each revealing a different aspect of her infinite grace. Moving through her attributes - her association with the river of inspiration, her mastery of the veena, her role as the source of all the arts and sciences, her identity as the mother of the Vedas - the namavali functions not merely as a devotional recitation but as a comprehensive meditation on what it means to seek and embody wisdom. Students, teachers, musicians, writers and scholars have long turned to it as a way of consecrating their creative and intellectual life to something larger than personal ambition.
The most celebrated occasion for this namavali is Vasant Panchami, the festival of the goddess that falls on the fifth day of the bright fortnight in Magha, marking the arrival of spring and the rekindling of creative energy. In the Jyotish tradition, Saraswati is closely associated with both Mercury (Budha), planet of intellect, speech and skill, and Jupiter (Brihaspati), the significator of knowledge, wisdom and the guru principle. Devotees believe that reciting the Ashtottara on Wednesdays - Mercury's day - with a white flower offering and a lamp lit before her image creates a steady attunement to her grace that gradually clarifies the mind and sharpens creative perception over time.