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Shakta / Hinduism

ॐ ऐं सरस्वत्यै नमः

Saraswati Mantra

Om Aim Saraswatyai Namaha

Listen & Chant Along

Listen & chant along — performed by Deva Premal & Miten

"Salutations to Saraswati, goddess of wisdom and music"

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Deva Premal & Miten

Performed by

Deva Premal & Miten

Mantra / Sacred Chant

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Meaning & Translation

Sanskrit

ॐ ऐं सरस्वत्यै नमः

Transliteration

Om Aim Saraswatyai Namaha

Pronunciation

Hear It Spoken

ohm I'm sah-rah-SWAT-yai nah-MAH-hah

Deity / Quality Invoked

Saraswati

Full Translation

Om, with the seed-sound 'Aim' that awakens speech and creativity, salutations to Saraswati — the goddess of knowledge, learning, music, and the arts.

Spiritual Significance

This mantra invokes clarity of mind, inspired speech, and the flow of creativity. For musicians and singers it is especially dear, as Saraswati is the patron of sacred sound itself — making it a fitting invocation before Kirtan.

Cultural Context & History

Saraswati is honored across India as the source of music, scholarship, and the arts, traditionally invoked at the start of study and performance. In Kirtan circles her mantra is sung to bless the gathering's voices and instruments.

Practice Tools

Saraswati Mantra

A print-friendly lyric sheet for chanting along

For Leaders

Chords and structure for leading this chant on harmonium or guitar — transcribed from the linked recording. New to leading? Read our guide to leading kirtan →

Original key

E

Tempo & feel

Light and flowing (~84 bpm); graceful, like the veena it invokes

Chord Chart

Original key (as recorded): E
Tempo
70 BPM

Strumming & rhythm (4/4)

D·
1
DU
2
·U
3
DU
4

D = downstrum, U = upstrum, · = let it ring. light classic strum, brushed like veena strings; grace over drive.

EOm Aim SaraswatAyai NamaEha

Call & Response Structure

A two-chord E–A vamp, nothing more. The A chord lifts the middle of each repetition ('Saraswatyai') and E receives the 'Namaha'. Call and response identical; keep the touch light — this is a study-and-music blessing, not a power chant.

Terms in the Glossary

Words from this page, explained in our A–Z reference.

KirtanMantraOmFull glossary →