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Sharda Chalisa
श्री शारदा चालीसा
The Sharda Chalisa is a forty-verse devotional hymn to Maa Sharda, the goddess of knowledge, speech, music and the arts and a beloved form of Saraswati. She is worshipped above all at the hilltop Sharda Devi temple in Maihar, Madhya Pradesh, and her name also lives on in the ancient Sharda Peeth tradition. This page gives the full Sharda Chalisa in easy English transliteration, so you can read every line aloud even without Devanagari, along with a clear meaning for each verse.
Sharda Chalisa Lyrics in English (Transliteration)
Roman transliteration for easy chanting. Tap “Meaning” under any verse for the English translation.
Murti Svayambhu Sharada, Maihara Ana Viraja।
Mala, Pustaka, Dharini, Vina Kara Mein Saja॥
Meaning
The self-revealed image of Maa Sharda is seated at Maihar. She holds a rosary, a sacred book and a veena, the symbols of devotion, learning and music.
Jai Jai Jai Sharada Maharani।
Adi Shakti Tuma Jaga Kalyani॥
Meaning
Glory again and again to Sharda, the great queen. You are the first energy and the well-wisher of the whole world.
Rupa Chaturbhuja Tumharo Mata।
Tina Loka Maham Tuma Vikhyata॥
Meaning
O Mother, your form carries four arms. Your fame spreads across all three worlds.
Do Sahasra Barshahi Anumana।
Pragata Bhai Sharada Jaga Jana॥
Meaning
By common reckoning it is said that some two thousand years ago you became visible here, O Sharda, and the world came to know you.
Maihara Nagara Vishva Vikhyata।
Jahan Baithi Sharada Jaga Mata॥
Meaning
The town of Maihar is known the world over, for it is here that Sharda, mother of the universe, takes her seat.
Trikuta Parvata Sharada Vasa।
Maihara Nagari Parama Prakasha॥
Meaning
Your home is the Trikuta hill, O Sharda. Because of you the town of Maihar glows with the highest light.
Sharada Indu Sama Badana Tumharo।
Rupa Chaturbhuja Atishaya Pyaro॥
Meaning
Your face is gentle and bright like the moon. Your four-armed form is wonderfully dear to behold.
Koti Surya Sama Tana Dyuti Pavana।
Raja Hansa Tumharo Shachi Vahana॥
Meaning
The glow of your body is as pure as a million suns. The royal swan is your true and faithful mount.
Kanana Kundala Lola Suhavahi।
Uramani Bhala Anupa Dikhavahin॥
Meaning
The swaying earrings at your ears look lovely. The jewel set on your forehead shines with a beauty beyond compare.
Vina Pustaka Abhaya Dharini।
Jagatmatu Tuma Jaga Viharini॥
Meaning
You carry the veena and the book and offer the gesture of fearlessness. Mother of the world, you move freely through all of creation.
Brahma Suta Akhanda Anupa।
Sharada Guna Gavata Surabhupa॥
Meaning
You are the daughter of Brahma, unbroken and without equal. The kings of the gods sing of your virtues, O Sharda.
Harihara Karahin Sharada Bandana।
Baruna Kubera Karahin Abhinandana॥
Meaning
Vishnu and Shiva together bow before you, O Sharda. Varuna and Kubera greet you with praise.
Sharada Rupa Chandi Avatara।
Chanda-Munda Asurana Sanhara॥
Meaning
As Sharda you took the fierce form of Chandi. In that form you destroyed the demons Chanda and Munda.
Mahisha Sura Vadha Kinhi Bhavani।
Durga Bana Sharada Kalyani॥
Meaning
As Bhavani you struck down the demon Mahishasura. Becoming Durga, you are the kindly Sharda who blesses all.
Dhara Rupa Sharada Bhai Chandi।
Rakta Bija Kata Rana Mundi॥
Meaning
Taking the form of Chandi upon the earth, you cut down Raktabija on the battlefield.
Tulasi Surya Adi Vidvana।
Sharada Suyasha Sadaiva Bakhana॥
Meaning
Poets and scholars such as Tulsidas and Surdas have forever recounted your good fame, O Sharda.
Kalidasa Bhae Ati Vikhyata।
Tumhari Daya Sharada Mata॥
Meaning
The poet Kalidasa rose to great renown, and it was all by your mercy, Mother Sharda.
Valmika Narada Muni Deva।
Puni Puni Karahin Sharada Seva॥
Meaning
The sage Valmiki and the divine sage Narada serve you again and again, O Sharda.
Charana-Sharana Devahu Jaga Maya।
Saba Jaga Vyapahin Sharada Maya॥
Meaning
Grant the shelter of your feet to a world bound by illusion. Your divine power, O Sharda, spreads through the whole of creation.
Anu-Paramanu Sharada Vasa।
Parama Shaktimaya Parama Prakasha॥
Meaning
You dwell within every atom and the smallest particle, O Sharda. You are the highest power and the highest light.
He Sharada Tuma Brahma Svarupa।
Shiva Viranchi Pujahin Nara Bhupa॥
Meaning
O Sharda, your true nature is that of the Supreme itself. Shiva, Brahma and the kings of men all worship you.
Brahma Shakti Nahi Ekau Bheda।
Sharada Ke Guna Gavahin Veda॥
Meaning
Between you and the power of Brahman there is not the slightest difference. The Vedas themselves sing of your qualities, O Sharda.
Jai Jaga Bandani Vishva Svarupa।
Nirguna-Saguna Sharadahin Rupa॥
Meaning
Glory to you whom the world salutes, the form of the whole universe. As Sharda you are both the formless and the form.
Sumirahu Sharada Nama Akhanda।
Vyapai Nahin Kalikala Prachanda॥
Meaning
Keep remembering the unbroken name of Sharda. Then even the harsh grip of the Kali age cannot reach you.
Surya Chandra Nabha Mandala Tare।
Sharada Kripa Chamakate Sare॥
Meaning
The sun, the moon, the sky and all the stars shine only because of your grace, O Sharda.
Udbhava Sthiti Pralaya Karini।
Bandau Sharada Jagata Tarini॥
Meaning
You bring about creation, sustaining and dissolution. I bow to you, O Sharda, who carries the world across.
Duhkha Daridra Saba Jahin Nasai।
Tumhari Kripa Sharada Mai॥
Meaning
Sorrow and poverty all come to an end through your mercy, Mother Sharda.
Parama Puniti Jagata Adhara।
Matu Sharada Gyana Tumhara॥
Meaning
You are utterly pure and the support of the world. Mother Sharda, true knowledge is your very being.
Vidya Buddhi Milahin Sukhadani।
Jai Jai Jai Sharada Bhavani॥
Meaning
You grant learning and intellect, giver of happiness. Glory, glory, glory to you, Sharda Bhavani.
Sharade Pujana Jo Jana Karahin।
Nishchaya Te Bhava Sagara Tarahin॥
Meaning
Those who worship you, O Sharda, surely cross the ocean of worldly life.
Sharada Kripa Milahin Shuchi Gyana।
Hoi Sakala Vidhi Ati Kalyana॥
Meaning
By the grace of Sharda one receives pure knowledge. In every way one's life turns deeply auspicious.
Jaga Ke Vishaya Maha Duhkha Dai।
Bhajahun Sharada Ati Sukha Pai॥
Meaning
The cravings of the world bring great pain. But by worshipping you, O Sharda, one finds lasting happiness.
Parama Prakasha Sharada Tora।
Divya Kirana Devahun Mama Ora॥
Meaning
Yours is the highest light, O Sharda. Send your divine rays toward me as well.
Paramananda Magana Mana Hoi।
Matu Sharada Sumirai Joi॥
Meaning
The mind sinks into the deepest bliss for anyone who remembers you, Mother Sharda.
Chitta Shanta Hovahin Dukha Bhari।
Matu Sharada Kripa Nistari॥
Meaning
The heart grows calm and a heavy load of sorrow lifts away by your grace, Mother Sharda.
Jo Yah Chalisa Pade Dhari Dhayana।
Hoi Siddhi Labhe Sukha Nidhana॥
Meaning
Whoever reads this Chalisa with steady attention gains success and finds a store of happiness.
Sharda Mata Prasanna Jo Hoi।
Taji Duhkha Ananda Guna Hoi॥
Meaning
When Mother Sharda is pleased, sorrow departs and joy and goodness fill one's life.
Brahma-Vishnu-Shiva Saba Te।
Adhika Shakti Sharada Te॥
Meaning
Your power, O Sharda, runs deeper than that of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva alike.
Jaya Ho Sharada Jaya Ho Maa।
Jaya Ho Vidya Ki Adhishthaa॥
Meaning
Victory to you, O Sharda. Victory to you, Mother. Victory to you, the very seat of knowledge.
Jo Sharda Ko Hridaya Dhara।
Hoi Buddhi Siddhi Vara॥
Meaning
Whoever holds Sharda within the heart receives the gift of clear intellect and accomplishment.
Maiya Sharada Chitta Viraja।
Harahu Kalesha Tama Saba Saja॥
Meaning
Mother Sharda, take your seat within my mind. Carry away all my troubles and the darkness that clings to me.
Sharda Chalisa Jo Pade, Vidya Dhana Pave।
Murkha Bhi Pandita Bane, Mata Kripa Dikhave॥
Meaning
Whoever reads the Sharda Chalisa gains the wealth of knowledge. Even one who knows little can grow wise, for the Mother shows her grace.
Benefits of Reciting the Sharda Chalisa
Devotees turn to the Sharda Chalisa to invite the goddess of learning into their study, work and daily practice. Regular, sincere recitation is associated with several blessings:
- Sharper memory and focus: Students and lifelong learners chant it to steady the mind and retain what they read.
- Exam and career success: It is recited before tests, interviews and presentations to ask Maa Sharda for clarity and confidence.
- Creative inspiration: Writers, singers, musicians and artists seek her grace for fresh ideas and skill in their craft.
- Clearer speech: As the goddess of speech, Sharda is invoked for eloquence and to ease hesitation in expression.
- A calm, lighter mind: The verses are said to settle anxious thoughts and lift the weight of worry.
- Inner and spiritual growth: Beyond worldly gains, the hymn turns the heart toward wisdom and quiet devotion.
When and How to Chant the Sharda Chalisa
The Sharda Chalisa is most often recited in the early morning after a bath, in clean clothes, before a picture or idol of Maa Sharda or Saraswati. Light a lamp, offer white or yellow flowers, and many keep their books or instruments nearby as a symbolic offering. Wednesday and Thursday are favoured days, while Vasant Panchami and the Saraswati-linked days of Navratri are considered especially auspicious. Begin with a short prayer to Ganesha, then read the opening doha, the forty verses and the closing doha at an unhurried pace with clear pronunciation and a settled heart.
About the Sharda Chalisa
The Sharda Chalisa follows the classic chalisa form: an opening doha (couplet), forty chaupai verses, and a concluding doha, written in simple devotional Hindi. Its exact author is not recorded; like many chalisas it comes down through regional and temple traditions, and more than one version circulates. The verses praise Maa Sharda as a form of Saraswati seated at Maihar, recall her fierce aspect as Chandi and Durga, and name great poets such as Kalidasa, Tulsidas and sage Valmiki as those blessed by her, closing with the promise that even the unlearned can grow wise by her grace.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Sharda Chalisa?
The Sharda Chalisa is a forty-verse Hindu devotional hymn praising Maa Sharda, the goddess of knowledge, speech and the arts and a form of Saraswati. It is closely linked with the Sharda Devi temple at Maihar in Madhya Pradesh.
What are the benefits of reciting the Sharda Chalisa?
Devotees recite it to seek sharper memory, focus and learning, success in exams and careers, creative inspiration, clearer speech, and a calmer mind. It is especially popular among students, teachers and artists.
Which day is best to recite the Sharda Chalisa?
Wednesday and Thursday are favoured for recitation, and it is considered most auspicious on Vasant Panchami and during the Saraswati-linked days of Navratri. Early morning is the preferred time.
How many verses are in the Sharda Chalisa?
It has forty main verses (chaupais), framed by an opening doha and a concluding doha, in keeping with the traditional chalisa structure.
Who is Maa Sharda and how is she linked to Maihar and Sharda Peeth?
Maa Sharda is a revered form of Saraswati, goddess of wisdom and speech. Her most famous shrine is the self-manifested Sharda Devi temple on the Trikuta hill in Maihar, and her name also endures in the ancient Sharda Peeth tradition.
Can the Sharda Chalisa be recited in English?
Yes. This page provides the full Sharda Chalisa in English transliteration, so anyone can read every verse aloud phonetically without knowing Devanagari, alongside a clear meaning for each line.
॥ Sharda Chalisa ॥