Sharda Chalisa – Lyrics, Meaning & Benefits | Maa Sharda Maihar
Sharda Chalisa Lyrics (हिंदी में)
॥ दोहा ॥
मूर्ति स्वयंभू शारदा, मैहर आन विराज ।
माला, पुस्तक, धारिणी, वीणा कर में साज ॥
॥ चौपाई ॥
जय जय जय शारदा महारानी । आदि शक्ति तुम जग कल्याणी ॥१॥
रूप चतुर्भुज तुम्हरो माता । तीन लोक महं तुम विख्याता ॥२॥
दो सहस्र बर्षहि अनुमाना । प्रगट भई शारद जग जाना ॥३॥
मैहर नगर विश्व विख्याता । जहाँ बैठी शारद जग माता ॥४॥
त्रिकूट पर्वत शारदा वासा । मैहर नगरी परम प्रकाशा ॥५॥
शरद इन्दु सम बदन तुम्हारो । रूप चतुर्भुज अतिशय प्यारो ॥६॥
कोटि सूर्य सम तन द्युति पावन । राज हंस तुम्हारो शचि वाहन ॥७॥
कानन कुण्डल लोल सुहावहि । उरमणि भाल अनूप दिखावहिं ॥८॥
वीणा पुस्तक अभय धारिणी । जगत्मातु तुम जग विहारिणी ॥९॥
ब्रह्म सुता अखंड अनूपा । शारद गुण गावत सुरभूपा ॥१०॥
हरिहर करहिं शारदा बन्दन । बरुण कुबेर करहिं अभिनन्दन ॥११॥
शारद रूप चण्डी अवतारा । चण्ड-मुण्ड असुरन संहारा ॥१२॥
महिषा सुर वध कीन्हि भवानी । दुर्गा बन शारद कल्याणी ॥१३॥
धरा रूप शारद भई चण्डी । रक्त बीज काटा रण मुण्डी ॥१४॥
तुलसी सूर्य आदि विद्वाना । शारद सुयश सदैव बखाना ॥१५॥
कालिदास भए अति विख्याता । तुम्हारी दया शारदा माता ॥१६॥
वाल्मीक नारद मुनि देवा । पुनि-पुनि करहिं शारदा सेवा ॥१७॥
चरण-शरण देवहु जग माया । सब जग व्यापहिं शारद माया ॥१८॥
अणु-परमाणु शारदा वासा । परम शक्तिमय परम प्रकाशा ॥१९॥
हे शारद तुम ब्रह्म स्वरूपा । शिव विरंचि पूजहिं नर भूपा ॥२०॥
ब्रह्म शक्ति नहि एकउ भेदा । शारद के गुण गावहिं वेदा ॥२१॥
जय जग बन्दनि विश्व स्वरुपा । निर्गुण-सगुण शारदहिं रुपा ॥२२॥
सुमिरहु शारद नाम अखंडा । व्यापइ नहिं कलिकाल प्रचण्डा ॥२३॥
सूर्य चन्द्र नभ मण्डल तारे । शारद कृपा चमकते सारे ॥२४॥
उद्भव स्थिति प्रलय कारिणी । बन्दउ शारद जगत तारिणी ॥२५॥
दुःख दरिद्र सब जाहिं नसाई । तुम्हारी कृपा शारदा माई ॥२६॥
परम पुनीति जगत अधारा । मातु शारदा ज्ञान तुम्हारा ॥२७॥
विद्या बुद्धि मिलहिं सुखदानी । जय जय जय शारदा भवानी ॥२८॥
शारदे पूजन जो जन करहीं । निश्चय ते भव सागर तरहीं ॥२९॥
शारद कृपा मिलहिं शुचि ज्ञाना । होई सकल विधि अति कल्याणा ॥३०॥
जग के विषय महा दुःख दाई । भजहुँ शारदा अति सुख पाई ॥३१॥
परम प्रकाश शारदा तोरा । दिव्य किरण देवहुँ मम ओरा ॥३२॥
परमानन्द मगन मन होई । मातु शारदा सुमिरई जोई ॥३३॥
चित्त शान्त होवहिं जप ध्याना । भजहुँ शारदा होवहिं ज्ञाना ॥३४॥
रचना रचित शारदा केरी । पाठ करहिं भव छटई फेरी ॥३५॥
सत्-सत् नमन पढ़ीहे धरिध्याना । शारद मातु करहिं कल्याणा ॥३६॥
शारद महिमा को जग जाना । नेति-नेति कह वेद बखाना ॥३७॥
सत्-सत् नमन शारदा तोरा । कृपा दृष्टि कीजै मम ओरा ॥३८॥
जो जन सेवा करहिं तुम्हारी । तिन कहँ कतहुँ नाहि दुःखभारी ॥३९॥
जो यह पाठ करै चालीसा । मातु शारदा देहुँ आशीषा ॥४०॥
॥ दोहा ॥
बन्दउँ शारद चरण रज, भक्ति ज्ञान मोहि देहुँ ।
सकल अविद्या दूर कर, सदा बसहु उरगेहुँ ॥
जय-जय माई शारदा, मैहर तेरौ धाम ।
शरण मातु मोहिं लीजिए, तोहि भजहुँ निष्काम ॥
Sharda Chalisa – Transliteration (English)
|| Doha ||
Moorti svayambhu Sharda, Maihar aana virraj,
Mala, pustak, dharini, veena kar mein saaj.
|| Chaupai ||
Jay jay jay Sharda Maharani, Adi Shakti tum jag Kalyani. (1)
Roop chaturbhuj tumharo mata, teen lok mahan tum vikhyata. (2)
Do sahasra varsahi anumana, pragat bhai Sharad jag jana. (3)
Maihar nagar vishva vikhyata, jahan baithi Sharad jag mata. (4)
Trikoot parvat Sharda vasa, Maihar nagari param prakasha. (5)
Sharad indu sam badan tumharo, roop chaturbhuj atishay pyaro. (6)
Koti surya sam tan dyuti pavan, Raj Hansa tumharo shachi vahan. (7)
Kanan kundal lol suhavahi, urmani bhal anoop dikhaavhin. (8)
Veena pustak abhay dharini, jagatmatu tum jag viharini. (9)
Brahm suta akhand anoopa, Sharad gun gavat surabhupa. (10)
Harihar karahin Sharda bandan, Varun Kuber karahin abhinandan. (11)
Sharad roop Chandi avatara, Chand-Mund asuran sanhara. (12)
Mahisha sur vadh kinhi Bhavani, Durga ban Sharad Kalyani. (13)
Dhara roop Sharad bhai Chandi, Rakt Beej kata ran Mundi. (14)
Tulsi Surya aadi vidvana, Sharad suyash sadaiv bakhana. (15)
Kalidas bhae ati vikhyata, tumhari daya Sharda mata. (16)
Valmik Narad muni deva, puni-puni karahin Sharda seva. (17)
Charan-sharan devahu jag maya, sab jag vyaphin Sharad maya. (18)
Anu-paramaanu Sharda vasa, param shaktimay param prakasha. (19)
He Sharad tum Brahm svarupa, Shiv Viranchi pujhin nar bhupa. (20)
Brahm Shakti nahi ekau bheda, Sharad ke gun gaavhin Veda. (21)
Jay jag bandani vishva svarupa, nirgun-sagun Sharadahin rupa. (22)
Sumirahu Sharad naam akhanda, vyapai nahin Kalikal prachaanda. (23)
Surya chandra nabh mandal tare, Sharad kripa chamakte sare. (24)
Udbhav sthiti pralay karini, bandau Sharad jagat tarini. (25)
Dukh daridra sab jaahin nasai, tumhari kripa Sharda mai. (26)
Param puniti jagat adhara, matu Sharda gyaan tumhara. (27)
Vidya buddhi milahin sukhdani, jay jay jay Sharda Bhavani. (28)
Sharde poojan jo jan karahin, nishchay te bhav sagar tarahin. (29)
Sharad kripa milahin shuchi gyana, hoi sakal vidhi ati kalyana. (30)
Jag ke vishay maha dukh dai, bhajahuhn Sharda ati sukh pai. (31)
Param prakash Sharda tora, divya kiran devahu mam ora. (32)
Paramanand magan man hoi, matu Sharda sumirai joi. (33)
Chitt shaant hovahin jap dhyana, bhajahuhn Sharda hovahin gyana. (34)
Rachna rachit Sharda keri, path karahin bhav chhatai pheri. (35)
Sat-sat naman padhihe dharidhyana, Sharad matu karahin kalyana. (36)
Sharad mahima ko jag jana, neti-neti kah Ved bakhana. (37)
Sat-sat naman Sharda tora, kripa drishti keejai mam ora. (38)
Jo jan seva karahin tumhari, tin kahan katahu naahi dukhabhari. (39)
Jo yah path karai chalisa, matu Sharda dehun aashisha. (40)
|| Doha ||
Bandaun Sharad charan raj, bhakti gyaan mohi dehun,
Sakal avidya door kar, sada basahu urgahun.
Jay-jay mai Sharda, Maihar teraun dham,
Sharan matu mohin lijiye, tohi bhajahuhn nishkam.
Meaning & Significance
The Sharda Chalisa is a forty-verse devotional hymn dedicated to Maa Sharda, the presiding deity of the Sharda Devi temple at Maihar in Madhya Pradesh. The opening doha establishes her as a self-manifested (svayambhu) goddess seated at Maihar, adorned with the traditional symbols of the goddess of learning: a garland, a book, and a veena. The forty chaupais praise her as Adi Shakti - the primordial cosmic energy - in her four-armed form resplendent as a crore suns, riding the royal swan as her vehicle. The chalisa connects Sharda seamlessly with the broader Shakti tradition: she is Chandika who slew Chanda and Munda, the Durga who defeated Mahishasura, the Chandi who drank the blood of Raktabija. The poem celebrates the power of her grace through memorable human examples - Kalidas transformed from an illiterate into the greatest Sanskrit poet by her blessings; Valmiki, Narada, and Tulsidas perpetually engaged in her service. The chalisa concludes by asserting that whoever recites these forty verses will receive the blessing of Maa Sharda herself and cross over the ocean of mundane existence.
About Maa Sharda (Maihar)
Maa Sharda is the presiding deity of the Sharda Mata temple situated atop the Trikuta Hill in Maihar, Satna district, Madhya Pradesh. The temple is one of the most celebrated Shakti shrines in central India. The idol is described as svayambhu - self-manifested - and is believed to be approximately two thousand years old, as noted in the chalisa itself. Sharda is a form of Saraswati, the goddess of learning, speech, wisdom, and the arts, though at Maihar she assumes her fuller Shakti identity, combining the benign qualities of Saraswati with the fierce power of Durga. The temple became widely known in the modern era through its association with the legendary classical musician Ustad Alauddin Khan, who is said to have received musical blessings through his lifelong devotion to Maa Sharda. His disciple Pt. Ravi Shankar continued this tradition. The temple receives hundreds of thousands of pilgrims annually, particularly during Navratri. Devotees climb 1,063 steps to reach the hilltop shrine, and a ropeway was also built to ease access for the elderly and differently-abled.
Benefits of Reciting the Sharda Chalisa
- The Sharda Chalisa is recited by students and scholars seeking intelligence, clarity of thought, and mastery in their fields of study.
- Artists, musicians, writers, and performers invoke Maa Sharda's grace through this chalisa to enhance creative ability and eloquence.
- Regular chanting is said to dispel ignorance (avidya) and poverty, replacing them with wisdom and prosperity.
- Recitation is held to grant mental peace, remove anxiety, and bring auspiciousness into all endeavours.
- Those seeking to complete difficult examinations or achieve mastery in a craft traditionally recite the chalisa with devotion over a sustained period.
- The chalisa is particularly recommended during Vasant Panchami and Navratri as an offering of devotion to the goddess of learning.
How to Recite (Vidhi)
- Bathe in the morning and set up a clean altar with an image or idol of Maa Sharda; light a white sesame or ghee lamp, as white is the colour associated with Saraswati.
- Offer white flowers (jasmine or white marigold), akshat (unbroken rice), and a book or pen as symbolic offerings to the goddess of learning.
- Begin with the mantra "Om Aim Sarasvatyai Namah" or simply "Jai Maa Sharda" before starting the doha.
- Recite the chalisa clearly and with deliberate attention, pausing at each verse to honour its meaning.
- Observe the recitation for 40 consecutive days (a traditional sadhana period) for the most sustained spiritual effect.
- Conclude with a brief period of silent sitting or meditation on the goddess before rising from the seat.
Best Day & Time to Recite
Vasant Panchami (the fifth day of the bright fortnight of Magha, typically in January–February) is the most sacred day dedicated to Maa Sharda in her Saraswati form, and reciting the chalisa on this day is considered extremely auspicious. Thursday (Brihaspativar), the day of Jupiter who governs wisdom and learning, is the preferred day for weekly recitation. Early morning - particularly after bathing and before eating - is the best time, as the mind is freshest for absorbing devotional content. The nine days of Navratri, especially Saraswati Puja observed on the seventh, eighth, or ninth day, are equally propitious. Devotees visiting the Maihar temple traditionally recite the chalisa at the hilltop shrine for maximum spiritual merit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Maa Sharda the same as Goddess Saraswati?
Maa Sharda and Goddess Saraswati share the same divine essence - both represent the power of knowledge, learning, speech, and the arts. Sharda is a regional name and form, particularly associated with the self-manifested deity at Maihar in Madhya Pradesh. In her Maihar form, Maa Sharda also carries the warrior attributes of Shakti/Durga, making her a fuller expression of the divine feminine than the purely benign Saraswati of educational iconography. Both forms are worshipped with books, veenas, and white flowers.
Can the Sharda Chalisa be recited by those preparing for competitive examinations?
Many students and competitive examination aspirants recite the Sharda Chalisa as part of their daily routine during preparation periods, treating it as a way to focus the mind, seek divine guidance, and cultivate concentration. The practice is deeply personal and supplementary to sincere study effort. The goddess is traditionally invoked by seekers of wisdom at the start of any academic or creative endeavour.
How does the Sharda Chalisa relate to the Maihar pilgrimage?
The Sharda Chalisa specifically references Maihar as the earthly abode of the goddess, calling it "vishva vikhyata" (world-renowned) and naming the Trikuta Hill where the temple stands. Pilgrims often recite or sing the chalisa while ascending the steps to the shrine, transforming the physical climb into an act of devotion. Reading the chalisa before undertaking the Maihar pilgrimage is also considered a way of seeking the goddess's permission and preparing oneself spiritually for the darshan.
Maa Sharda of Maihar - goddess of learning on her hilltop throne
Maa Sharda, enshrined on the Trikuta hill at Maihar in Madhya Pradesh, is venerated as the goddess of learning, music, and creative wisdom - a local form of Saraswati whose blessings are sought by students, musicians, scholars, and spiritual aspirants alike. The Sharda Chalisa is recited in a mood of quiet aspiration and luminous devotion, where the bhakta seeks not worldly power but the refinement of the inner faculties: memory, understanding, and the capacity for beauty. Recitation is especially cherished during Vasant Panchami, the spring festival dedicated to Saraswati, as well as before examinations, before musical performances, and at the start of new creative undertakings. Pilgrims who climb the hill to Maa Sharda's temple traditionally sing or recite the Chalisa on the ascent, making the physical climb itself an act of worship.
The distinctiveness of this Chalisa lies in its dual identity: it honours a goddess who is simultaneously the cosmic principle of Vak (sacred speech) and a deeply regional, personally approachable mother rooted in a specific landscape. Tradition holds that the legendary musician Alauddin Khan, the founding figure of the Maihar Gharana, drew his inspiration from the goddess's grace - whether or not this story is historically precise, it captures the truth that devotees experience: that sincere invocation of Maa Sharda genuinely seems to unlock dormant capacities for learning and artistry. The Chalisa ultimately teaches that wisdom is not seized but received, and that genuine humility is the first step up the hill.