Original text
॥ 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॥ रूप चतुर्भुज तुम्हरो माता। तीन लोक महं तुम विख्याता॥ दो सहस्र बर्षहि अनुमाना। प्रगट भई शारद जग जाना॥ मैहर नगर विश्व विख्याता। जहाँ बैठी शारद जग माता॥ त्रिकूट पर्वत शारदा वासा। मैहर नगरी परम प्रकाशा॥ शरद इन्दु सम बदन तुम्हारो। रूप चतुर्भुज अतिशय प्यारो॥ कोटि सूर्य सम तन द्युति पावन। राज हंस तुम्हारो शचि वाहन॥ कानन कुण्डल लोल सुहावहि। उरमणि भाल अनूप दिखावहिं॥ वीणा पुस्तक अभय धारिणी। जगत्मातु तुम जग विहारिणी॥ ब्रह्म सुता अखंड अनूपा। शारद गुण गावत सुरभूपा॥ हरिहर करहिं शारदा बन्दन। बरुण कुबेर करहिं अभिनन्दन॥ शारद रूप चण्डी अवतारा। चण्ड-मुण्ड असुरन संहारा॥ महिषा सुर वध कीन्हि भवानी। दुर्गा बन शारद कल्याणी॥ धरा रूप शारद भई चण्डी। रक्त बीज काटा रण मुण्डी॥ तुलसी सूर्य आदि विद्वाना। शारद सुयश सदैव बखाना॥ कालिदास भए अति विख्याता। तुम्हारी दया शारदा माता॥ वाल्मीक नारद मुनि देवा। पुनि-पुनि करहिं शारदा सेवा॥ चरण-शरण देवहु जग माया। सब जग व्यापहिं शारद माया॥ अणु-परमाणु शारदा वासा। परम शक्तिमय परम प्रकाशा॥ हे शारद तुम ब्रह्म स्वरूपा। शिव विरंचि पूजहिं नर भूपा॥ ब्रह्म शक्ति नहि एकउ भेदा। शारद के गुण गावहिं वेदा॥ जय जग बन्दनि विश्व स्वरुपा। निर्गुण-सगुण शारदहिं रुपा॥ सुमिरहु शारद नाम अखंडा। व्यापइ नहिं कलिकाल प्रचण्डा॥ सूर्य चन्द्र नभ मण्डल तारे। शारद कृपा चमकते सारे॥ उद्भव स्थिति प्रलय कारिणी। बन्दउ शारद जगत तारिणी॥ दु:ख दरिद्र सब जाहिं नसाई। तुम्हारी कृपा शारदा माई॥ परम पुनीति जगत अधारा। मातु शारदा ज्ञान तुम्हारा॥ विद्या बुद्धि मिलहिं सुखदानी। जय जय जय शारदा भवानी॥ शारदे पूजन जो जन करहीं। निश्चय ते भव सागर तरहीं॥ शारद कृपा मिलहिं शुचि ज्ञाना। होई सकल विधि अति कल्याणा॥ जग के विषय महा दु:ख दाई। भजहुँ शारदा अति सुख पाई॥ परम प्रकाश शारदा तोरा। दिव्य किरण देवहुँ मम ओरा॥ परमानन्द मगन मन होई। मातु शारदा सुमिरई जोई॥ चित्त शान्त होवहिं जप ध्याना। भजहुँ शारदा होवहिं ज्ञाना॥ रचना रचित शारदा केरी। पाठ करहिं भव छटई फेरी॥ सत्–सत् नमन पढ़ीहे धरिध्याना। शारद मातु करहिं कल्याणा॥ शारद महिमा को जग जाना। नेति-नेति कह वेद बखाना॥ सत्–सत् नमन शारदा तोरा। कृपा दृष्टि कीजै मम ओरा॥ जो जन सेवा करहिं तुम्हारी। तिन कहँ कतहुँ नाहि दु:खभारी॥ जो यह पाठ करै चालीसा। मातु शारदा देहुँ आशीषा॥ ॥ 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॥
Transliteration
Doha: Murti Svayambhu Sharada, Maihar An Viraj Mala, Pustak, Dharini, Vina Kar Men Saj Chaupai: Jai Jai Jai Sharada Maharani, Adi Shakti Tum Jag Kalyani Rup Chaturbhuj Tumharo Mata, Tin Lok Mahan Tum Vikhyata Do Sahasra Barshahi Anumana, Pragat Bhai Sharad Jag Jana Maihar Nagar Vishva Vikhyata, Jahan Baithi Sharad Jag Mata Trikut Parvat Sharada Vasa, Maihar Nagari Param Prakasha Sharad Indu Sam Badan Tumharo, Rup Chaturbhuj Atishay Pyaro Koti Surya Sam Tan Dyuti Pavan, Raj Hans Tumharo Shachi Vahan Kanan Kundal Lol Suhavahi, Uramani Bhal Anup Dikhavahin Vina Pustak Abhay Dharini, Jagatmatu Tum Jag Viharini Brahma Suta Akhand Anupa, Sharad Gun Gavat Surabhupa Harihar Karahin Sharada Bandan, Barun Kuber Karahin Abhinandan Sharad Rup Chandi Avatara, Chanda-munda Asuran Sanhara Mahisha Sur Vadh Kinhi Bhavani, Durga Ban Sharad Kalyani Dhara Rup Sharad Bhai Chandi, Rakta Bij Kata Ran Mundi Tulasi Surya Adi Vidvana, Sharad Suyash Sadaiv Bakhana Kalidas Bhae Ati Vikhyata, Tumhari Daya Sharada Mata Valmik Narad Muni Deva, Puni-puni Karahin Sharada Seva Charan-sharan Devahu Jag Maya, Sab Jag Vyapahin Sharad Maya Anu-paramanu Sharada Vasa, Param Shaktimay Param Prakasha He Sharad Tum Brahma Svarupa, Shiv Viranchi Pujahin Nar Bhupa Brahma Shakti Nahi Ekau Bheda, Sharad Ke Gun Gavahin Veda Jai Jag Bandani Vishva Svarupa, Nirgun-sagun Sharadahin Rupa Sumirahu Sharad Nam Akhanda, Vyapai Nahin Kalikal Prachanda Surya Chandra Nabh Mandal Tare, Sharad Kripa Chamakate Sare Udbhav Sthiti Pralay Karini, Bandau Sharad Jagat Tarini Du:kha Daridra Sab Jahin Nasai, Tumhari Kripa Sharada Mai Param Puniti Jagat Adhara, Matu Sharada Gyan Tumhara Vidya Buddhi Milahin Sukhadani, Jai Jai Jai Sharada Bhavani Sharade Pujan Jo Jan Karahin, Nishchay Te Bhav Sagar Tarahin Sharad Kripa Milahin Shuchi Gyana, Hoi Sakal Vidhi Ati Kalyana Jag Ke Vishay Maha Du:kha Dai, Bhajahun Sharada Ati Sukh Pai Param Prakash Sharada Tora, Divya Kiran Devahun Mam Ora Paramananda Magan Man Hoi, Matu Sharada Sumirai Joi Chitta Shanta Hovahin Jap Dhyana, Bhajahun Sharada Hovahin Gyana Rachana Rachit Sharada Keri, Path Karahin Bhav Chhatai Pheri Sat–sat Naman Parhihe Dharidhyana, Sharad Matu Karahin Kalyana Sharad Mahima Ko Jag Jana, Neti-neti Kah Ved Bakhana Sat–sat Naman Sharada Tora, Kripa Drishti Kijai Mam Ora Jo Jan Seva Karahin Tumhari, Tin Kahan Katahun Nahi Du:khabhari Jo Yah Path Karai Chalisa, Matu Sharada Dehun Ashisha Doha: Bandaun Sharad Charan Raj, Bhakti Gyan Mohi Dehun Sakal Avidya Dur Kar, Sada Basahu Uragehun Jai-jai Mai Sharada, Maihar Terau Dham Sharan Matu Mohin Lijie, Tohi Bhajahun Nishkam
Maa Sharda of Maihar
Maihar in Madhya Pradesh (part of Satna district until Maihar became a district of its own in 2023) is known for the temple of Maa Sharda on Trikut hill, reached by a long flight of steps or a ropeway. Sharda is a name of Saraswati, and Maihar's goddess is worshipped both as the giver of knowledge and as a form of the Devi; the town's name is often explained as "Mai ka har", the Mother's necklace, linked to the Shakti Peetha legend. A well-known local legend says the warrior-brothers Alha and Udal were her great devotees and that Alha still comes first to worship before the doors open each morning.
What the chalisa says
- Self-manifested: the opening doha calls her murti svayambhu, "come to sit at Maihar", holding mala, book and veena. One chaupai says she appeared "about two thousand years ago", by the chalisa's own estimate.
- Saraswati's form: four arms, a face like the autumn moon, a royal swan as her vehicle, earrings swinging; she is Brahma's daughter, worshipped by Hari and Hara, honoured by Varun and Kuber.
- Chandi's form: "Sharda incarnated as Chandi" to kill Chand and Mund; as Durga she slew Mahishasura; as Chandi she cut down Raktabija on the battlefield.
- Poets' goddess: Tulsi, Sur and other scholars sang her glory; Kalidasa became famous by her grace; Valmiki and Narada serve her again and again.
- Brahman itself: she is present in every atom, both nirguna and saguna, the cause of creation, preservation and dissolution; "the Vedas say neti neti" of her greatness.
The closing dohas ask for devotion and knowledge, the removal of all ignorance, and that she dwell in the heart, and end: "Jai, Mai Sharda, Maihar is your home; take me in your refuge, I worship you without desire".
When to recite it
- Both Navratris (Chaitra and Shardiya), when Maihar sees its largest crowds and a great mela.
- Basant Panchami and before exams or the start of study, in her Saraswati aspect.
- Daily, with white flowers, a lamp and a book or pen placed before her image.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the Maihar Sharda temple?
On Trikut hill at Maihar, in Madhya Pradesh's Maihar district (formerly part of Satna). Pilgrims climb the steps or take the ropeway.
Is Maa Sharda the same as Saraswati?
Sharda is a name of Saraswati, and the chalisa describes her with veena, book and swan. It also identifies her with Chandi and Durga, so she is worshipped as the complete Devi.
What is the Alha legend of Maihar?
Local tradition holds that Alha, the warrior of Mahoba, was granted immortality by Maa Sharda and still offers the first worship each morning. It is a living folk belief rather than part of the chalisa.
When should students read the Sharda Chalisa?
Before study or exams, and on Basant Panchami. The chalisa promises "learning and wisdom" to those who worship her.
Can it be recited outside Maihar?
Of course. The chalisa itself says whoever reads it will have Sharda's blessing, wherever they are.
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