सरस्वती वंदना (या कुन्देन्दु)
Ya Kundendu Tusharahara Dhavala
Saraswati Vandana (सरस्वती वंदना) — beginning with the famous verses 'Ya Kundendu Tusharahara Dhavala' — is the primary prayer to Goddess Saraswati, the deity of knowledge, music, arts, wisdom, and learning. This beautiful Sanskrit hymn is chanted by students, scholars, and artists before beginning their studies or performances.
या कुन्देन्दुतुषारहारधवला या शुभ्रवस्त्रावृता, या वीणावरदण्डमण्डितकरा या श्वेतपद्मासना। या ब्रह्माच्युत शंकरप्रभृतिभिर्देवैः सदा वन्दिता, सा मां पातु सरस्वती भगवती निःशेषजाड्यापहा॥
शुक्लां ब्रह्मविचार सार परमामाद्यां जगद्व्यापिनीं, वीणा-पुस्तक-धारिणीमभयदां जाड्यान्धकारापहाम्। हस्ते स्फाटिकमालिकां विदधतीं पद्मासने संस्थिताम्, वन्दे तां परमेश्वरीं भगवतीं बुद्धिप्रदां शारदाम्॥
'Ya Kundendu Tusharahara Dhavala' describes Goddess Saraswati as the one who is as pure and white as the jasmine flower, the moon, and the snow; who wears white garments and holds the divine Veena.
It is traditionally chanted by students before starting their daily studies, by musicians before a performance, and by devotees on Vasant Panchami to seek knowledge and remove the darkness of ignorance (Jadya).