Saraswati Sloka
Sarasvathi Namastubhyam
Varade Kaamaroopini
Vidyaarambham Karishyaami
Siddhir Bhavatu Mey Sada.
(Meaning: Oh Goddess Sarasvathi, salutations to Thee. You are the Giver of boons and You grant all our desires. As I begin in my studies, please help me make it fruitful and make me successful in all my efforts.)
Gnanananda Mayam Devam
Nirmala Spatika Kruthim
Aadharam Sarva Vidyanam
Hayagrivam Upasmaha
(I promise myself before the Goddess who is the personification of knowledge and Happiness, who is very pure, and who is the basis of all learning.)
Saraswati MahabhageVidye Kamalalochane
Vishwaroope Vishaalaakshi
Vidyam dehi namosthuthe
(Translation in English: “O, the great Goddess Saraswati, the lotus-eyed personified knowledge... O, large-eyed Goddess, taking the form of the whole universe, thou shower me with all the powers and glories of all knowledge that exist.”)
Shuklaam Brahmvichaar Saar ParamaadyaamJagadvyaapineem Veennaa Pushtak
Dhaarinneebhamay Daam Jaad Yaapandhkaaraapahaam.
Haste Sfatik Maalikaam Vidhateem Paramaasane
Sansthitaam Vande Taam
Parameshwareem
Bhagwateem Buddhi Pradaam Shaaradaam.
(Translation in English: I pray to Bhagwati Saraswati who has a fair complexion, who is the first and foremost divine energy, who is present in the world in the form of knowledge, who wields a Veenaa, Vedas, Sfatik rosary in her hands and one of whose hands is raised in blessing. She is capable of removing ignorance and bestowing intelligents)
SaraswathiNamasthubhyam,
Varadey Kaamarupinee!
Vidhyarambham Karishyami,
Sidhir bhavathu mey sada !
(Translation in English: “Oh ! Goddess, Saraswathi, my humble prostrations unto Thee, who are the fulfiller of all my wishes. I start my studies with the request that thou will bestow Thy blessings on me.”)
Yaa Kundendu tushaara haaradhavalaa, Yaa shubhravastraavritha
Yaa veenavara dandamanditakara, Yaa shwetha padmaasana
Yaa brahmaachyutha shankara prabhritibhir Devaisadaa Vanditha
Saa Maam Paatu Saraswatee Bhagavatee Nihshesha jaadyaapahaa
(Translation in English: “May Goddess Saraswati, who is fair like the jasmine-colored moon, and whose pure white garland is like frosty dew drops; who is adorned in radiant white attire, on whose beautiful arm rests the veena, and whose throne is a white lotus; who is surrounded and respected by the Gods, protect me. May you fully remove my lethargy, sluggishness, and ignorance.”
Ya Devi Stuyate Nityam Vibhuhairvedaparagaih
Same Vasatu Jihvagre Brahmarupa Saraswati
(Meaning: Saraswati, the goddess of knowledge, is praised by the intelligent who have mastered the Shastra (scriptures). She is the wife of the Creator. May she live on my tongue.)
Shrii Saraswatii Namahstubhyam Varade Kaama Ruupini
Twaam Aham Praarthane Devii Vidyaadaanam Cha Dehi Me(Meaning: I bow to Goddess Saraswati, who fulfills the wishes of the devotees. I pray her to enlighten me with knowledge.)
Sarasvathi Namastubhyam, Varade Kaamaroopini
Vidyaarambham Karishyaami, Siddhir Bhavatu Mey Sada
(Meaning: Saraswati is the provider of boons and the one, who grants all our desires. As I begin my studies, I bow to the Goddess to help me in making it fruitful and make me successful in all my efforts.)
Before each class begins:
Saraswathi Namasthubyam varadhe Kaama roopini
Vidhyarambham karishyaami siddhir Bhavathu may sadha!
(Translation: Oh ! Goddess Saraswati, my humble prostrations unto you, who is the fulfiller of all wishes. I start my studies with Thy worship and always pray for success.)
2) Before we write our exams:
Buddhir Bhalam yaso dhairyam Nirbhayakth wamarohatha
Ajaatyam vakpaduthvamsa Hanumath smaranath bhavethu!
3) Each day before we start studying:
Jnana nandha mayam dhevam nirmala spadikakruthim
Adaram sarva vidhyanam Hayagrivam upasmahe!
BRAHMA-SARASWATI
Brahma was born from the navel of Lord Vishnu at the end of one cycle to begin a fresh creation. He has four heads (originally five), representing the four vedas which are said to have sprung from his heads. His four heads are also said to represent the four yugas. He is bearded & his eyes are closed in meditation. He sits on a lotus & his vahana is the swan. In his four arms he holds the vedas, the kamandalam (water pot), suruva (sacrificial spoon) & a mala. He is a serene soul and is the provider of all sources of knowledge & wisdom.
Goddess Saraswathi is the consort of Lord Brahma and is the Goddess of wisdom and learning. She is considered as the personification of all knowledge - arts, sciences, crafts and all skills.
She is seen as a beautiful and elegant presence, pure white in colour, clad in a white sari, seated on a white lotus, representing purity and brilliance. She is depicted with four hands. In one hand she holds a book and in the other a rosary. With her other two hands, she is seen playing the veena. Her vahana is the swan and sometimes a peacock is shown accompanying her.
The swan is known for its exceptional characteristic of being capable of seperating out water from milk, indicating that we should possess discrimination to segregate the bad from the good.
Like Brahma, she is not worshipped much in temples. However, every year the Saraswathi Pooja (Navarathiri) is celebrated by all - schools, students, workers, craftsmen, businessmen offering their prayers for a successful and fruitful coming year.
Om Aim Kleeng Saum Saraswatiya Namaha”
Significance: This mantra makes a person a learned scholar and he attains high proficiency in education. This mantra should be recited at all morning pujas.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saraswati_Vandana_Mantra
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saraswati
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saraswati_Puja