Saraswati
Saraswati Vandana (Ya Kundendu)
या कुन्देन्दुतुषारहारधवला या शुभ्रवस्त्रावृता या वीणावरदण्डमण्डितकरा या श्वेतपद्मासना । या ब्रह्माच्युत शंकरप्रभृतिभिर्देवैः सदा वन्दिता सा मां पातु सरस्वती भगवती निःशेषजाड्यापहा ॥
Transliteration
Yā kundendu tuṣārahāra dhavalā yā śubhravastrāvṛtā, yā vīṇāvaradaṇḍamaṇḍitakarā yā śvetapadmāsanā, yā brahmācyuta śaṅkaraprabhṛtibhir devaiḥ sadā vanditā, sā māṃ pātu sarasvatī bhagavatī niḥśeṣajāḍyāpahā.
Translation
She who is white as the jasmine, the moon and a garland of dew; who is clad in spotless robes; whose hands are adorned by the vina; who is seated on a white lotus; who is ever worshipped by Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva and the other gods — may that Goddess Saraswati, who removes all dullness and ignorance, protect me.
Meaning
The most widely recited prayer to Saraswati, goddess of learning, speech and the arts. Students invoke her to dispel mental dullness before study and examinations.
Benefits
Sharpens memory and intellect, dispels mental dullness, and blesses study, speech and the arts.
When to Recite
Before study, examinations, performances, or the start of the school day. Recited on Vasant Panchami.
Source
Saraswati Stotram — Traditional Saraswati Stotra